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Upcoming Events for week of May 7, 2020

THROUGHOUT OUR WORLD

Respond to the Census! Our district is waaaay behind!

OUR WORLD — Did you know Census data is used to ensure your local communities receive their fair share of funding for things like hospitals, ambulance services and medical clinics?

The 2020 Census will determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives. This is the rate of response in the Colorado 7 districts:
7th Congressional District: 64.7% (Rep. Ed Perlmutter)
6th Congressional District: 64.5% (Rep. Jason Crow)
4th Congressional District: 58.7% (Rep. Ken Buck)
5th Congressional District: 58.4% (Rep. Doug Lamborn)
1st Congressional District: 58.3% (Rep. Diana DeGette)
2nd Congressional District: 54% (Rep. Joe Neguse)
3rd Congressional District: 44.7% (Rep. Scott Tipton)

Didn’t receive a Census form in the mail? No worries. Just go to My2020Census.gov and fill out the survey online using your physical address. Or you can do it by phone, at 844-330-2020. Language assistance is available, if needed. Remember: Respond to the 2020 Census to #ShapeYourFuture.

The U.S. Census Bureau plans to deliver a census invitation and paper questionnaire later this year – as soon as it is safe to do so. By responding with your Census ID or on the paper questionnaire, we’ll be able to get the best count of your community.

 

Mental health support for senior citizens

OUR WORLD — Senior Health Advocates Colorado wants you to know we are here for you during this difficult time. You may be feeling isolated, scared, or just want to talk. You may have a friend or relative you are concerned about or perhaps you need support in some other way. Please reach out to us. We care about you and want to support our community. Call us at 719-680-4883 or Email us at: seniorhealthadvocatesco@gmail.com or info@seniorhealthadvocatesco.com . For more information, check out our website and Facebook page: http://seniorhealthadvocatesco.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/seniorhealthadvocatesco/

Stay safe and reach out should you need anything. We want to help. Senior Health Advocates Colorado is a member of the Trinidad Las Animas Chamber of Commerce. We are a voluntary group of professionals dedicated to community health and wellness. We recognize the difficulties older adults may have navigating the health care system, associated support services and advocating for themselves.

Our mission is to ensure that seniors in Southern Colorado are provided with services required by law and by standards of decency and dignity. Our goal is to assist you by providing guidance, support, education and advocacy.”

 

Recreate Safely With the COTREX App

OUR WORLD — Find less busy trails near you, and stay up- dated on closures related to trails, parks, open spaces, visitor centers and campgrounds across Colorado by downloading the free COTREX app.

 

HUERFANO

Two Peaks Fitness news

LA VETA — Two Peaks Fitness is now open for 1:1 personal training sessions (only). You must make an appointment in advance, call 719-742-3555.

 

New Hope Community Church reopens

WALSENBURg — New Hope Community Church of Walsenburg, 801 Pennsylvania, will be re-opening services with a drive-in celebration Sunday, May 10, 10 a.m.. Attendees can stay in the comfort of their vehicle and tune to 103.9 on their FM radio to hear the message and to sing along with guest guitarist John Rodriguez. Parking will be in the vacant lot on the east side of the church building. Mother’s day carnations will be given to the first 40 attendees requesting them.

 

Virtual free legal clinic

hUERFANO COUNTy — Despite the COVID-19 closures of libraries across Colorado, the Virtual Pro Se Clinic (VPC) clinics will still be held as scheduled. The next clinic in Huerfano County will be Tuesday May 12, 4 to 5 p.m.. Please contact the Spanish Peals Library at (719) 738-2774 to be added to the sign- up sheet.

We’re able to do this and keep clinic patrons safe because our volunteer attorneys already work remotely. As a work- around, instead of clinic patrons coming in-person to your local public library (which is closed), the volunteer attorney will call each clinic patron’s telephone directly, during the clinic hours, using the phone number provided. Although VPC clinic patrons will see a slight shift in how our free legal support is de- livered, they should experience no significant disruption in service.

There couldn’t be a more important time to get this kind of free legal support to your community than right now. If you have questions about unpaid rent, employment issues, end-of-life documents, custody/parenting time issues or any other Colorado civil issue, please contact your Spanish Peaks Library at (719) 738-2774 to be added to the sign-up sheet. Space is limited.

 

Huerfano County Republican virtual meeting

hUERFANO COUNTy — The Huerfano County Republican committee will hold its May meeting online using the Zoom videoconferencing software. The meeting will take place Tuesday, May 12, 6 p.m.. To attend online, members should email one of the following two officers as early as possible before the meeting to request a login and password: Debi Sporleder: dscogop@gmail.com or Marcy Freeburg: tech@lazydogweb.com

 

SPACe Gallery reopens

LA VETA — The SPACe Gallery in the Park plans to reopen this week after being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Social distancing will be strictly enforced, with all visitors required to wear face masks. No more than 4 visitors at one time will be allowed to enter, due to the requirement of 400 sq. ft. per person, including employees. Disposable gloves will be provided, and a few disposable masks will also be available. The current show ” Spring Break–Art Gone Wild” will be on display through next week.

 

Artists are invited to enter SPACe shows

LA VETA — There will be three new shows on display beginning Tuesday, May 19 and artists are invited to enter 2 of them: “The Changing Climate” and “Artists’ Choice”.

All media will be accepted, with a limit of 4 total entries per artist. Entry fees remain $5 per entry, with pieces over the equivalent of 30″ wide considered two entries. Artists may bring their work Thursday, May 14, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.. Since only 2 people will be allowed inside at one time, it is recommended that artists call ahead for an appointment. Face masks will be required. Entry forms with complete details are available on the SPACe web- site, www.spanishpeaksarts.org. Call SPACe at 719-742-3074 Tues., Thurs. or Sat., between 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. for more information and to make an appointment to bring artwork. If leaving a message, please speak slowly and distinctly. Your call can’t be returned if we don’t understand your phone number.

 

La Veta Beautification needs volunteers

LA VETA — Calling all plant lovers! The La Veta Beautification volunteer program, sponsored by the La Veta-Cuchara Chamber of Commerce, moved into action this last week. The weeding of the large flower beds on Ryus Avenue is under way and mulch will be added soon. The flowers will be showing up in just a few weeks!

This year we are looking for volunteers to:
Weed and water the flower beds on Ryus Avenue. Water all of Main Street’s flowers daily
Dead head flowers

Fertilize flowers

We are looking for people who would like to have a regular day to water or a part time fill in position. We do have a motorized watering cart that holds 50 gallons or a pull behind wagon, depending on which you prefer. We will be watering in the mornings and it takes about an hour.

Dead heading flowers is an easy but tedious position that requires patience. Weeding in the large flower beds is an ongoing project. We would love to have someone who wants to oversee a bed regularly.

We understand that people travel and have many fun events planned in the summer. We have fill in workers if you sign up for a recurring day to water or other duties and need a few weeks off to go play!

Come join in the project that makes downtown La Veta look fantastic during the summer season. If you wish to donate or volunteer please contact: LaRissa Morris, 808-936-0663 or write larissaservices@gmail.com

 

SCCOG (AAA) Senior Services and Care & Share

hUERFANO COUNTy — The Agency on Aging coordinates food distribution in Huerfano and Las Animas Counties and is provided through South Central Council of Governments. All Agency on Aging programs are for residents 60 years or older, assessments and reservations required. Please make reservations/cancellations one day in advance. Call 719-738-1182 or 719-738-2205 for assessments, reservations, and questions.

Take out lunch meals are provided in Walsenburg Monday through Friday at the Huerfano County Community Center. Also available are homebound meal deliveries Monday through Friday in Walsenburg and Tuesday and Friday in La Veta.

A regular Care and Share distribution will be held Tuesday, May 12, 11 am until food is gone at the Huerfano County Community Center/County Workshop.Please do not show up too early, bring a pen, and stay in your vehicle. Please wear a mask.

 

La Veta Village food services

LA VETA — La Veta Village has two programs to help with food needs during Covid-19 alerts.

If you are 60 or older or high-risk, safety-trained volunteers will shop at Charlie’s with your grocery list and deliver to your home. This service is available to anyone in the 81055 zip code or in Navajo ranch. Contact Susan at 719-989-8361 or email lvvfoodservices@gmail.com

Also, La Veta Village offers a free food pick-up for persons who qualify by income level or because of unemployment. Please register for a box by Wednesday at 5 pm for a pick-up the following Saturday. The next pick-up is Saturday, May 16. Email lvvfoodservices@gmail.com or call Rebecca 719-746-2329.

If you would like to volunteer, call 719- 746-2329. To donate, go to lavetavillage.org.

 

Huerfano RE-1 providing breakfasts/ lunches to all children 0-18 years

WALSENBURg/gARDNER — Huerfano RE-1 will have sack breakfasts/lunches avail- able for drive through pick-up at Peakview School and Gardner Elementary. Pick up days will be Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.. Each pick up will have at least two breakfasts and two lunches for each child in the household. All children 0 to 18 years old are eligible for free breakfast and lunch regardless if they are enrolled in RE-1.

To pick up the sacked breakfast/lunch at Peakview: Vehicles will drive through between Peakview School and the West Wing building entering via the back of John Mall HS. Sacks will be located at the back doors of the Peakview cafeteria. To pick up the food at Gardner: Please follow the directives of personnel upon arriving.

 

Art in the Park canceled

LA VETA — The Board of Directors of the Spanish Peaks Arts Council (SPACe) decided to cancel the annual Art in the Park festival this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They felt that the vendors, if they chose to participate, would not have the crowds needed to make it worth their investment, if the Health Dept. allowed the event to take place. In addition, visitors would also feel apprehensive about attending. The current directives for social dis- tancing would be impossible to enforce.

 

Internet activities for kids and adults

hUERFANO — Here are a few fun pages you can follow to enjoy at home!
La Veta Public Library: www.facebook.com/la.vetalibrary/

“Every Monday we will post a different challenge that can be completed while in quarantine! You will post your challenge (some- times a picture, sometimes a video) and here is an important part: you MUST tag us in it and put the specific challenge hashtag! Otherwise we won’t see it, and we want to see your creativity!”

go Outside and howl at 8 pm: www.facebook.com/groups/howlat8/

“Every night at 8pm in your time zone, take a minute to step outside and let out a cathartic howl! We’ll post up daily themes that may or may not be very, very, very important. INVITE YOUR PEEPS! Let’s see how many people the world over we can get to howl in one night!”

Colorado Parks & Wildlife: www.face- book.com/ColoradoParksandWildlife/

Follow their page for interesting facts about wildlife around the state! Also follow this page below for Jackson Lake State Park – “Reading with a Ranger” every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday!, https://www.facebook.com/JacksonLakeSP/

Scenic highway of Legends Tour (For All Ages):

https://travelstorys.com/tours/105/High- way%20of%20Legends

Brains On! A Science Podcast for Kids and Curious Adults: https://www.brainson.org/

But Why? A Podcast for Kids, NPR: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/474377890/but-why-a-podcast-for-curious-kids

Stuff you Should Know (Some Not Suited For Children): https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-stuff- you-should-know-26940277/

Serial, Investigative Journalism Podcast (Adults):

https://serialpodcast.org/

 

Bachman & Associates 9 Hole Summer Shootout & Night Golf Tourney postponed to mid August

WALSENBURg — Come out for a summer Par-Tee and your chance to win BIG. Scramble play during the front nine, but stick around be- cause once the sun goes down enjoy glow in the dark golf! The fee is $75 per player which includes dinner. Call the Walsenburg Golf Course to sign up: (719) 738-2730. Must register by Friday, May 15.

Prizes include:
$25,000 Hole in One Contest
(Sponsored by Walsenburg Golf Course)
$250 Closest To The Pin Contest
(Bachman & Associates will donate to the Non-Profit of your choice)
Best Foursome Score on Front Nine
1st Place – $1,250 (Sponsored by Bachman & Associates)
2nd Place – $750 (Sponsored by The Dog Bar & Grill)
3rd Place – $500 (Sponsored by Legends Floor- ing & Interior)

For more info visit our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/50455790 3566979/

 

Opening reception at La Veta Gallery

LA VETA — There will be an opening reception for Memorial Weekend show at La Veta Gallery on Main Saturday, May 23, 5 to 7 p.m.. This group show features Gallery Artists in “A Celebration of Blooms.” Refreshments served.

Show runs through June 23. www.lavetagalleryonmain.com

 

LAS ANIMAS

Cash Mob for Marketplace Gallery

TRINIDAD — Join us Friday, May 8, 6 to 8 p.m. for the Trinidad Historic Main Street’s Virtual Cash Mob featuring Marketplace Gallery * We will host an Facebook Live. Be sure to scroll down the fb page at 6 p.m. for the live video.

*Paula will be showing a variety of unique items that are at the gallery. If you like an item, be the 1st person to commit and make a comment, on the video, that you would like to pur- chase. (Sometimes there are multiple available.) A member of the team will comment “confirmed” and then contact you though private message.

* Paula will contact you the following day for payment and to arrange pick-up.
* List of sample items will be updated soon

Be sure to like “Trinidad Historic Main Street” on Facebook for announcements of up- coming “Virtual Cash Mob” events in Trini- dad. If your business is interested in hosting an upcoming virtual cash mob, please call Penny Saeedi at 719-859-2584.

 

Carnegie’s COVID offerings

TRINIDAD — The Carnegie library is closed until at least the end of April but some of the monthly meetings and events will be held virtually. Keep checking the website newsletter link for details at:

www.carnegiepubliclibrary.org; just click the Newsletter button on the home page, then click the link on the Newsletter page.

One-on-one computer training: email us to set up a session: trinidadpubliclibrary@gmail.com

These events are postponed: Book Readers Rock!, Carving Club, One Book Colorado, Art Wall, Oral Histories, Tuesday’s Tots, Paws for Reading, Books for the Homebound.

 

Friday night Solidarity in Sight & Sound

TRINIDAD — Please join us every Friday night at 8 pm in “Solidarity In Sight and Sound”. At 8 pm from your residence, your driveway or front yard we would ask that for 1 minute you shine a light, wave a flag, honk a horn, sing a song or play an instrument so that the whole city can hear you; hear your neighbors, your friends, your family.

Even tho we are all apart during this time, we as a community have never been closer together. Each one of us is fighting the same bat- tle, feeling the same worries and fear, missing our loved ones.

The Trinidad Police Department would like our community to know that you are not alone…we are not alone! Of course, we would ask everyone to practice social distancing and no fireworks or firearms should be used to make a noise, this event is about all of us coming together for 1 minute to let us all know that we are ok and that we as a community will be ok.

 

Cash Mob for Mitchell Museum

TRINIDAD — Join us Friday, May 15, 6 to 8 p.m. for the Trinidad Historic Main Street’s Virtual Cash Mob featuring Mitchell Museum of Western Art. We will host an Facebook Live. Be sure to scroll done the fb page at 6 p.m. for the live video. Allison will be showing a variety of unique items that are at the gift shop. If you like an item, be the 1st person to commit and make a comment, on the video, that you would like to purchase. (Sometimes there are multiple available.) A member of the team will comment “confirmed” and then contact you though private message.

* Allison will contact you the following day for payment and to arrange pick-up.
* List of sample items will be updated soon

Be sure to like “Trinidad Historic Main Street” on Facebook for announcements of up- coming “Virtual Cash Mob” events in Trinidad. If your business is interested in hosting an upcoming virtual cash mob, please call Penny Saeedi at 719-859-2584.

 

Mt. Carmel Wellness virtual classes

TRINIDAD — Mt. Carmel Wellness & Community Center brings you FREE virtual pro- grams and classes to help you remain active and connected during this challenging time. These classes are available to anyone through the Zoom app. You can participate using your computer or smartphone.

See our weekly wellness schedule, followed by instructions to log-in on your computer or call-in from your phone. Get the schedule by signing up for the weekly email at: “Mt. Carmel of Colorado”

ahamilton@mtcarmelcenter.org  Contact Laura at (719) 845-4894 with questions.

 

Food pantry in Segundo

SEgUNDO — For those in need during this crisis situation, we invite you to come visit our food pantry on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. – 12 noon at The Lord’s Chapel Segundo

 

SCCOG (AAA) senior services and Care & Share

LAS ANIMAS COUNTy — The Agency on Aging coordinates food distribution in Huerfano and Las Animas Counties and is provided through South Central Council of Governments. All area Agency on Aging programs are for residents 60 years or older, assessments and reservations required. Please make reservations/cancellations one day in advance at 719-846-3336. Call 719-845-1133 ext 208 or ext. 225 for assessments and questions.

Take out lunch meals are provided in Trinidad Monday through Friday at the Sayre Senior Center. Also available are homebound meal deliveries Monday through Friday in Trinidad and Tuesday and Thursday in Aguilar.

There will be a regular Care & Share distribution at 125 E. Main Street. This distribution is for Aguilar/Ludlow area residents only (proof of residency required). Every Thursday, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. there will be an emergency food distribution for those in dire need.

Please do not open the gates if they are closed. The regular distribution will be Wednesday, May 20, 10 to 11:30 a.m. for seniors and 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. for all eligible residents. Primero distribution will be Tuesday, May 19 and at Kim/Branson, Thursday, May 21. The regular Aguilar distribution will be Tuesday, May 26, 12 to 3 p.m. at 125 E. Main Street. For all distributions, please do not show up too early, bring a pen, and stay in your vehicle. Please wear a mask.

 

Free lunch pickup for Trinidad kids

TRINIDAD — Students age 0-18 have the option of picking up free curb and go meals at Fisher’s Peak Elementary or Trinidad Middle School (Park Street). From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday – Thursday.

 

Ugly Pet Portrait fundraiser

TRINIDAD — Get a one-of-a-kind portrait of your pet! We have some amazingly talented people who volunteer at Noah’s Ark Animal Welfare Association. They help make our day- to-day operations possible. We love our vol- unteers – they are awesome! Some of our volunteers are pretty good artists… and there are many more who… let’s face it, should probably keep their day jobs when it comes to creating artwork. Nonetheless, this eclectic team is dedicated and they have decided to join together for a fun, unique new fundraiser for Noah’s Ark — introducing the Ugly Pet Portrait Fundraiser.

For just $20, you’ll get an original, one-of-a-kind portrait of your pet, drawn by a “possibly-talented” NAAWA volunteer! Your pet is NOT ugly… but keep in mind that the artwork you get back, well… it may not be Mona Lisa quality, but we can assure you that it was made with lots of love! And there is nothing ugly about love!

So set your bar nice and low, and support NAAWA with a gift of $20 today! Just remember to upload a fairly good picture of your pet at the time of order. Please also remember to provide your email address and mailing ad- dress so we can send your pet’s portrait to you.

Get your order now because this FUNdraiser ends June 20, 2020! Email: noahsarktrinidad@pb02.ascendbywix.com to request your application.

 

COLFAX

New Mexico primary election information

NEW MEXICO — The New Mexico Primary Election will be June 2, 2020. The voter registration deadline for this election was Tuesday, May 5. The deadline to request an absentee ballot online is Thursday, May 28 by midnight. The deadline to return a completed absentee ballot is Tuesday, June 2.

Early voting begins Saturday, May 16 and continues until Saturday, May 30. In-person absentee voting will be held from Tuesday, May 5 through Friday, May 29.

 

COVID referral numbers

NEW MEXICO —These numbers are important for all New Mexicans.

EMPLOyMENT/INCOME
LOSS OR REDUCTION
• If you are unemployed/underemployed and need assistance: Department of Workforce

Solutions Call Center 1-877-664-6984
• If you are a small business/employer and need assistance: Economic Development Department for Small Business = 1-505-827-0300

FOOD ASSISTANCE
• If you need assistance obtaining food

a. School age children: Public Education Dept = 505-827-6683
b. Senior / Adult with disabilities:

i. Seniors Who Need Groceries or Meals = 1-800-432-2080
ii. Emotional Crisis, Mental Health, or Substance Abuse = 1-855-662-7474

• SNAP benefits: HSD/Income Support Di- vision = 1-800-283-4465
• WIC: Department of Health

a. WIC Questions on food or formula availability = 1-505-469-0929
b. WIC Operations Manager = 1-505-819- 7028
c. WIC General Questions = 1-866-867-3124

hEALTh INSURANCE

• If you need assistance obtaining health insurance: HSD/Medicaid = 1-800-283-4465
• If you are not eligible for Medicaid, you can apply for affordable health insurance online at www.bewellnm.com or call 1-855-996-6449

hOUSINg

• If you need assistance with housing/utilities:

a. Housing–Mortgage Finance Authority (MFA) Emergency Housing 1-800-444-6880

b. Utilities HSD Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program 1-888-523-0051

FAMILy & MISC.

• If you need assistance with childcare: 1-800-691-9067 NM Kids Child Care Resource Center

• If you have complaints about facilities not closing: 505-469- 2940/505-629-2845
• If you want to volunteer or need a volunteer: 505-476-2200

 

State launches portal with more COVID-19 data

NEW MEXICO — The state of New Mexico has launched a portal with more COVID-19 data specific to positive cases and testing in the state.

The data dashboard currently includes county-by-county breakdowns of positive cases by age, gender and ethnicity. The portal also includes reporting about testing by county. The state department of health has conducted extensive testing in Native American communities where clusters of illness have been identified, which at least in part explains the disproportionate share of the Native American population in the state’s total positive tests.

The state will endeavor to update the data at least twice weekly on the Health Department’s COVID-19 microsite, cv.nmhealth.org.

If and when more data can be reported accurately, the state will update the portal to include it. The data page can be found at cv.nmhealth.org/dashboard.

 

Hunger Pantry food distribution

RATON — There will be a food distribution Wednesday, May 13, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 300 S 3rd Street.

 

Colfax County Rapid Response meeting

RATON — The next CCRR meeting will be Thursday, May 14, 7 p.m. at Colfax County Courthouse, 230 North 3rd Street. Colfax County Rapid Response is a volunteer firefighting community based organization. Currently we engage in Wild land and Structural fires. When called upon we serve a civic duty, which is to protect the communities and citizens in Colfax County. Colfax County Rapid Response meets on the second and forth Thursdays

 

May 2020 MCMC Board of Trustees virtual meeting

RATON — The Miner’s Colfax Medical Center Board of Trustee has rescheduled its regular meeting for the third Friday of the month, Friday, May 15, 1 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually. Call the hospital for more information.

 

New Mexico Arts to distribute $1.5 million to arts organizations in need

SANTA FE — New Mexico Arts, the state arts agency and a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, announced today that it will allocate $1.5 million in state and federal funds to approximately 200 arts organizations, colleges and universities, K-12 schools, tribal governments, and government entities.

These funds will support the retention of full-and part-time jobs and independently-contracted artists, arts administrators, and arts educators across the state. One-third of the funding is designated for New Mexico’s rural communities.

New Mexico’s arts and culture sector, which typically con- tributes roughly $5.9 billion each year to the state’s economy, has been especially hard hit by COVID-19 closures. An early and small sampling by respondents to a national Americans for the Arts survey shows that in February and March of this year arts organizations in New Mexico suffered from economic losses and/or incurred additional COVID-19 related expenses of more than $1.2 million. Other important survey results include: 90% have canceled programming and 67% said it’s likely that they will have to make reductions in staff. A third of respondents said they are not confident their organization will survive the impact of COVID-19.

The state and federal funds to be distributed by New Mexico Arts will come from the following three sources:
1. The New Mexico Legislature and the Governor-approved Fiscal Year 2021 state budget.
2. The State Partnership Agreement between New Mexico Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts (Arts Endowment).

3. The federal CARES Act by which New Mexico Arts has received one-time funding via the Arts Endowment (NM CARES).

 

The guidelines and application for NM CARES funds will be available on May 1, 2020, to New Mexico Arts awardees from Fiscal Years 2018-21. The application period will close on Friday, May 15, 2020.

Please visit http://www.nmarts.org for more information and to access the application.

 

Rural Development offices open for business by phone

SANTA FE — USDA Rural Development in New Mexico is working to ensure the safety, security, and health of the public and our employees while continuing to provide excellent customer service. Consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on limiting the spread of COVID-19 through social distancing, we are now in enterprise- wide remote operational status. USDA Rural Development is open for business via telephone and email and we look forward to continuing our vital work supporting you our customers who live and work in rural America.

Please know the New Mexico Rural Development team will continue delivering programs and offering the highest level of customer service. Customers and stakeholders can reach employees using the contact information below.

Contact us by phone:

New Mexico State Office: 505-761-4950

Albuquerque Field Office 505-761-4950

Aztec Field Office 505-334-3090 Extension #4

Las Cruces Field Office 575-522-8775 Extension#4

Las Vegas Field Office 505-425-3594 Extension#4

Roswell Field Office 300 575-622-8745 Extension #4

 

Experience New Mexico’s museums, historic sites, and cultural institutions virtually

SANTA FE — The museums, historic sites, and other institutions of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) affected by temporary closures to the public are continuing to offer their resources, activities, and exhibits to state residents at home.

A couple of new social media series are available on the New Mexico Farm & Ranch heritage Museum Facebook page. Followers are invited to guess who or what is in the photograph from the museum’s collections, as well as educational posts that give a closer look at chuckwagons and cattle drives. The museum is continuing posts on a series called “Faces of Farm & Ranch,” which includes photos relating to agriculture shared by the public. There are also exhibitions, resources, and other educational materials available online. Follow Farm & Ranch on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

historic Preservation Division continues its Facebook series “This Week in New Mexico History,” with a focus on listed properties throughout the state. Followers on Facebook can also view recent listings in the State and National Registers of Historic Places, upcoming events such as Preservation Month, as well as information about historic resources, including posts about archaeology, state and national parks, preservation tax credit projects, and local preservation efforts. Follow HPD on Facebook and YouTube.

This past week on Facebook, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture shared coloring pages by artist Jason Garcia of Santa Clara Pueblo, posted video of photographer Adriel Heisey discussing his method for the photography in the exhibit “Oblique Views,” shared an article on the “disappearance” of the Land O’Lakes Indian (also known as Mia the butter maiden), and shared a news story about the effects of COVID- 19 on Native American communities. Follow MIAC on Face- book, Vimeo, and YouTube.

The Museum of International Folk Art has a new You- Tube channel featuring videos with detailed descriptions about associated programs and exhibitions. On the museum’s web- site, there are DIY folk art activities for all ages, as well as educational material and lesson plans in English and Spanish. MOIFA also has an available online collection with over 130,000 objects from more than 100 countries. Follow MOIFA on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

The third episode of the podcast “La Hilacha: Words and Memories,” produced by the National hispanic Cultural Center, focuses on history, including an interview with State Historian Rob Martínez regarding the 1918 flu pandemic (Spanish Flu), and archivist Anna Uremovich discusses personal papers and their importance to archives. NHCC social media posts include an interview with artist Delilah Montoya, whose work was featured in the exhibition “Qué Chola;” featured artwork from visual arts educator Elena Baca for the “Staff Collects” series; a profile on volunteer coordinator Annette Luján for the “People Who Make the Magic Happen” series; and di- rector and chief curator Tey Marianna Nunn’s collection of Santo Niño artworks. There’s also the Latinx book review blog and an online version of the exhibit “El Voto Femenino.” Follow NHCC on Facebook and YouTube.

New Mexico Arts continues its “Public Art Thursday,” “Grantee Highlight,” and “I heart the arts” social media campaigns, and will share local and national resources, webinars, and information daily. There is an open survey to collect information from artists and arts organizations regarding their transition to virtual or alternative programming, as NMA works to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the arts across the state. The Art in Public Places program currently has information about two Calls for Artists available on the NMA web- site. The New Mexico Music Commission continues to share video and livestream musical performances from musicians in New Mexico and nationally. Follow NMA on Facebook, Instagram, and Vimeo.

New content has been added to the New Mexico Historic Sites “Virtual Classroom” series, which can be found on the NMhS website and social media channels. Sixteen lesson plans have been released, relating to the history of five historic sites. Meanwhile, Fort Sumner Historic Site/Bosque Redondo Memorial launched its virtual “book club” program, the first book in the series is “The Girl Who Chased Away Sorrow: The Diary of Sarah Nita, a Navajo Girl, New Mexico, 1864,” written by Ann Turner. The staff at Los Luceros Historic Site developed and launched a virtual Earth Day tour of the site on April 22, and includes a blending of live and pre-recorded videos and activities. Follow NMHS on Facebook..

New social media series are available from the New Mexico Museum of Art. “Education Resources Updates” highlights the new educational activities and resources created by the museum’s education department. Digital workbooks featuring activities and lessons related to current and upcoming exhibitions, art concepts, art history, and seasonal events are available and new ones will be released on Wednesdays. Last weekend marked the “opening” of #nmavirtualexhibit on MOA social media platforms and features artwork of 10 New Mexico artists working with the theme “Now!” The museum also has available online resources, including the Searchable Art Museum (SAM), archives, videos, and a library. Follow MOA on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

New Mexico Museum of Natural history & Science website, MNhS, offers online exhibitions, resources, and other educational activities, including Museum Story Time and Smithsonian Learning Lab. An online tour of the “Tiny Titans, Dinosaur Eggs and Babies” exhibit is available on the MNHS website. Follow MNHS on Facebook.

Watch Launch Pad lectures and Mini-Preservation Workshops on the New Mexico Museum of Space history you- Tube channel. Content available on the museum’s Facebook page includes Virtual Rocketeer Academy, Stories from Space, and Galactic Laffs. Follow Space History on Facebook and YouTube.

Beginning this week, teachers from across the state can utilize the request form found on the DCA website to invite a DCA educator into their online classrooms. The thought is that if classes can’t visit the museums and historic sites, the department can schedule an educator to visit with them virtually. As requests come in, they would be forwarded to the appropriate division, which would then coordinate with the teachers. Follow the New Mexico State Library on Facebook.

Learn how archaeologists use experimentation to discover material from the past on the Office of Archaeological Studies educational resources and YouTube page. Activity packets that combine creative archaeological explorations with critical thinking skills can be found on the OAS website. Follow OAS on YouTube.

More information related to social media and online re- sources for each division of DCA is available upon request. Contact: Patrick Rodriguez 505-629-2257 patrick.rodriguez@state.nm.us for more information.

Cement plant concerns

Building inspector suggests a negotiated move out of Northlands to site near prison WALSENBURG — The Walsenburg City Council convened a special meeting Friday, March

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