Lodging, Real Estate, Skiing, Golf & More!
Village of Angel Fire Mass Notification System through Colfax County Emergency Management
To sign up and create an account to be notified (emailed or texted) by your local emergency response team in the event of emergency situations or critical community alerts.
Examples include:
Please click link below:
https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/6AF053DCB942
Always Remember, In Case Of Emergency Please Dial 911
At the Chamber Quarterly Membership Meeting last week, an idea came from the attendees to form a Community Coalition group to start looking into ways of achieving a more environmentally friendly community and to advance more sustainable living practices in Angel Fire.
It will be a community partnership, pulling together those concerned in the business community, the private community, the Chamber, the Village and the Resort… anyone who has an interest in maintaining the sustainable integrity of the Moreno Valley.
We received a letter from the Village Administrator explaining why the recycling of plastics and glass has been stopped in Angel Fire. It was obvious at the meeting, concerned citizens are willing to help find solutions. How? We don’t have the answer to that question, thus the forming of this coalition. We will research and put into action possible answers.
If this is an important issue to you and you are willing to roll up your sleeves and “walk the walk” and get down to business, not just spend our time blaming others and complaining about it, consider being a part of this group. Thank you in advance for stepping up.
This group will meet on June 20 at 5:30 pm at the Angel Fire Chamber of Commerce. We will prepare an agenda, as well as a suggested Mission Statement with Goals. In particular, at this first meeting will likely fine tune the scope of this coalition.
If you this is an issue close to your heart, please become an active participant. Simply email manager@angelfirechamber.org. to sign up. Thank you.
The Angel Fire Chamber has extended operational hours and will now open at 8:00 am until 5:00 pm, Tuesday to Friday. Plus we will remain open during the lunch hour, as we move to a four-day work week. We want to be frugal with our finances and believe this is a fiscally sound step to take. Thank you!
Monday – By appointment
Tuesday – 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Wednesday – 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Thursday – 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Friday – 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday – Closed
Sunday – Closed
By Jo Mixon
Jo & Franchescca Zoppe, Owner of CFT Decor and Gifts
After retirement from a very stressful high tech position, Franchescca Zoppe, an Angel Fire resident, decided, like many others, she wasn’t ready to totally retire. In 2016 she chose to purchase Country Furnishings of Taos, a well established gift and furniture shop. I asked her what the attraction was to this store and she said, “The ambiance and the employees”. She has a huge amount of respect for her employees. Brenda has been there 25 years, Holly 15 years and Sherry 6 years. I found them friendly, knowledgeable and extremely helpful.
The store is an old adobe house, constructed in the 1930’s. It opened as a business in 1986 and has been thoroughly renovated. Plus it has been expanded twice in order to accommodate steady growth. It’s concept has been very successful! Now with Franchescca at the helm, she is adding her own touches and expanding their footprint. She changed the name to CFT Decor and Gifts but remains completely committed to continuing the tradition of providing an eclectic shopping experience for her customers. Her decor and gifts are a mixture of handcrafted and manufactured items. She has twenty+ artists and artisans represented. They are from Taos, Angel Fire, northern New Mexico, Colorado, and Texas. She also loves and appreciates her customers. Some of them tell her the store is their destination shopping place when they come to visit Taos, where they find one-of-a-kind treasures!
When you visit her website it says, “Our merchandise is colorful, innovative and fun, and features artwork from local artists. Whether you are searching for a hand-carved headboard with vividly painted poppies, brightly colored pottery, candles, children toys, books or more, we have the perfect addition for your home or the perfect gift for family or friends. Here, besides ensuring our store is stocked with unique, inspiring items, our priority is customer service.”
I couldn’t agree more! As I wandered from room to room I found whimsical, creative items with pops of color here and there that would add perfect accent pieces to any decor. Franchescca calls it a potpourri of color. I could have wandered around browsing and buying for hours. You absolutely must stop in the next time you are in Taos!
Plus CFT Decor and Gifts offers a gift and wedding registry, which is unique to Taos. If they don’t have what you are looking for, they will order it and have it for you as soon as possible. Good thing to know!
CFT Decor and Gifts
534 Paseo del Pueblo Norte
Taos, New Mexico
Open Monday thru Saturday
10:00 am to 5:30 pm
575-758-4683
www.cftaos.com
Bobcat Pass Cowboy Adventures
Chuck Wagon Dinners & Live Entertainment
Opening Nights June 19 & 23, 2018 – Bargain Kick-Off Nights
Season Runs From June 19, 2018 to Labor Day Weekend
Featuring Syd Masters, Michael Smith & Jeff Pagan
Located at #1670 Highway 38 on the top of Bobcat Pass.
For reservations please call 575-754-2769 or visit www.bobcatpass.com.
Message from the Village Manager:
An update on important issues to Village Residents
Angel Fire Recycling Program
Over the past several years the recycling program offered by the Village of Angel Fire has seen many iterations. This is due to a number of factors, most of which have to do with the wider recycling industry and the availability of buyers for recyclable materials. Since the term, “Think global, act local” was coined, it has continued to develop as part of our collective consciousness. The present timely application of this ideology is brought to light through China’s recent embargo in receiving U.S. recyclable waste. The way that local entities handle their recycling in real and responsible ways has a true quantifiable global impact. Over the years China has received the world’s trash, primarily American, without question or much inspection. Now that China is trying to clean up their act, they are requiring that the recyclables coming into their country are in fact clean enough to use. This embargo highlights the fact that most of the items that we put into the recycle bin do not qualify; therefore, The National Recycling Coalition published a press release this week stating, “that it is important to remind your residential customers now that they should ONLY recycle the items on their LOCAL recyclables list… When in Doubt – throw it in the trash! (For reference to the entire article, go to:
Even though that is not what most of us want to hear, it is the current reality of the situation throughout the United States, items are either being stockpiled until another processing facility is found or items are diverted back into landfills. Ultimately, recyclables are an industry and when there is not a market for receiving those materials, there is nowhere for them to go except for the landfill. Unfortunately, The Village of Angel Fire is not in any different situation than the rest of the country. Although this is a sobering reality, we have to deal with it realistically and not continue to “wishfully recycle”.
The single most impactful action available to all of us is that of, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” keeping in mind that recycling is at the bottom of that list because it requires more energy and materials to turn waste back into a usable product. The Village of Angel Fire is continually evaluating and seeking recycling options; however, when there is not a buyer for the material or when the expense of preparing the material heavily outweighs the revenue it creates an unsustainable system. Presently, cardboard, iron and aluminum have proven to be sustainable commodities; whereas glass, paper and plastic prove more problematic.
Daily, we continue to evaluate better options for our community than what are currently available because we do believe that recycling is an important aspect to waste management; however, we need to ensure that whatever we endeavor is ultimately sustainable.
As an update, we would like residents to look out for the new signage that will be going up along Highway 434. Because these signs will be posted along state highway, it is the domain of the NMDOT. Currently, the signs are still in the approval phase within the State DOT.
If you have any further questions on the issue, please contact Brian Bredthauer, Solid Waste/recycling Superintendent or myself, Rick Tafoya, Village Manger by calling Village Hall at 575-377-3232.
By Jo Mixon
Since 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters has been changing children’s lives by matching them with caring adults to help guide them on a path to success. Last week I met with two amazing ladies. Both are Big Sisters in the Big Brother Big Sister program here in Angel Fire. One is in the School Based program the other is in the Community based program.
For the first visit, I went to the Elementary School to meet Grace Ann and her “little”. This program encourages contact only at school. The participating Big Brother or Big Sister meets with their little during lunch, at recess and/or during library time, usually once a week. Grace Ann is a retired teacher whose children are grown and she was missing that contact in her life. She decided to join Big Brothers, Big Sisters. About a year ago, she was paired with her adorable “little sister” who is in the sixth (almost seventh) grade. I was excited that we had obtained permission for me to meet with them from the Grandmother with whom her little sister lives. Grace Ann says she is very impressed with the organization and how extremely vetted the “bigs” are, prior to being assigned a “little”. On this given day, she was taking Kentucky Fried Chicken for them to share at lunch.
I asked her little what her perspective is of the program. She said, “At first I didn’t want to do it but my Aunt had been a big sister and she and my Grandmother explained it to me, so I agreed to try it. She (pointing to Graceann) has been my big sister ever since.” Then I asked her what she enjoyed about having a big sister. She said, “She brings me fried chicken and other things I like for lunch. We have fun together. We play games after we have lunch. It is like having another grandmother. She asks about my day and cares about me. She tutors me in math, she was a math teacher!” Then she laughed. I could tell by their interaction, both were receiving joy from this arrangement.
Finally I asked if she thought others would benefit from having a big brother or big sister and she said, “I feel like for the kids who have no mom or dad in their life, they should all have a big brother or big sister to comfort them like I do. It would make them feel better.”
Next is with Bobbie Jean and her little. They are in the Community based program, but started out in the school based program. This is the story as given to me from Bobbie Jean:
“Before joining Big Brothers Big Sisters, I had heard a lot about it from my late friend Don Welker. We use to ride horses together several times a week & he was very passionate about bringing the program to Angel Fire. I used the excuse in the beginning that I never had the time. Being a service business owner I did not have a stable schedule. What if I disappoint my “little”? I had all kinds of excuses! Long story short, after Don’s passing, I signed up. I thought what the heck?!
The process of being matched was painless & fun even. I was amazed at how thorough they are. When I was contacted by Oralia (in the Taos office) for an interview, I suggested she come to my house. It was a great meeting. She fingerprinted me and explained the extensive background check they did for the protection of the children being matched. Wow! I told her my insecurities with being a big sister and that I was scared. She made it sound so easy! One of the things she told me that I think helped me, was explaining what my job was as big sister and what it was not. I was NOT a babysitter, taxi driver, bank, etc. I was a friend. Someone my little could talk to and have fun with.
The next meeting was at school where I met my beautiful little sister. She was as shy as I was! There are two kinds of programs in the Big Brother Big Sister system: School based, where you see your little during school hours only. And community based, where you also have more interaction with the parents, because you can see your little anytime. My little and I started out in the school based program. I had lunch with her at school. Eventually I was also seeing her during library time and recess. We became very popular. A lot of the children wanted a “big” too! In fact, there is a waiting list for “bigs”, especially men!
My little and I have been sisters for over two years now. We have moved to a community based match so we have all sorts of adventures. When we can’t spend time together, we text or talk on the phone. We have been on hikes, skiing, to the movies, bowling, etc. Sometimes it has just been a 30 minute trip to the store after school for a snack while we were waiting for her mom to get off of work.
Most of us have busy lives, but we all find the time to do what we feel is important. I feel that is important to be there for our young people. I would encourage someone that has questions about this program to meet with Oralia. Or go to the website and look at some of the stories. I had always wanted a big sister when I was growing up. I didn’t have a sister because my big sister died when I was very young. I am now the big sister to someone who dreamed of having a big sister too. It’s so easy! If being a big isn’t something that you would like to do, then consider supporting in another way such as donating financially, volunteering or serving as a board member. I also now serve on the Big Brother Big Sister board.”
There are more children, many more than you would image on the waiting list here in the Valley. If you could spare an hour or two a week to join this program and give a child a friend, please consider being a Big! Invest in a child.
Angel Fire Poetry & Prose night, featuring Rocky Sullivan. Come support the poets and authors.
When: Tuesday, May 15, 2018 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Zebs Restaurant & Bar
Rocky Sullivan, the great Eagle Nest cowboy poet and raconteur is an award-winning cowboy poet. Rocky brings the Old West to life with his original poems and stories of cattle drives and gunslingers adding color to his tales and experiences as a modern-day working cowboy, living the life he writes about.
Also Open Mic for writers to share up to 5 minutes worth of spoken words. Co-sponsored by New Mexico State Poetry Society.
Signup Meeting
Attention to all Artists & Businesses located in Angel Fire, Black Lake, Taos Canyon, Valle Escondido, and Eagle Nest who want to be a part of the 2018 Angel Fire Studio Art Tour, September 29-30, 2018.
When: May 14, 2018 at 5:30 pm
Where: 3407 Mountain View Boulevard, Angel Fire NM 87710
Please attend and signup at the meeting, May 14, 2018 at 5:30 pm in the foyer of the Angel Fire Chamber of Commerce. If you are an artisan located outside of these areas but still live and do your work in northern New Mexico, and would like to join the tour, please attend and we will locate you and your work in a participating business.
If you cannot attend the meeting, applications are available now at the Chamber or call 575-377-6353. Deadline for application is May 18, 2018.
AAFPO Weekend / Annual Meeting
When: June 8-9, 2018
Where: Angel Fire Country Club
Friday, June 8
Saturday, June 9
AAFPO Board of Directors & Angel Fire Mayor Barbara Cottam will welcome the membership to Angel Fire. The Mayor will describe the progress made in the community over the past year and plans for the future. The AAFPO Directors will update membership about what AAFPO is working on and future plans. This will be followed by a report by Angel Fire Resort management. After the election results are announced, there will be a drawing for a year’s Base/Charter member dues. You must vote to have an entry in the drawing and you must be present at the meeting when the winner is announced. With less than 1,500 expected voters, you have an excellent chance to win over $1,000 to be applied to your next assessment.
