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October 13, 2023
Weekly WeatherIn GratitudeThank you Contributors and Paid Subscribers:Jessica R
Robert S
FeaturesPrevious Features
NewsEarly Voting Now Underway for Seats on Española and Mesa Vista School BoardsBy Jake Arnold
The odd-number year "local elections" (some city councils, school boards, and conservation districts statewide) are scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, but early voting for those contests is now underway at two Rio Arriba County locations--the Rio Arriba county clerk's "warehouse" facility on Calle Don Diego in downtown Española (near the Plaza, Convento and Bond House Museum) and the county clerk's office in Tierra Amarilla. Several other early voting locations will be open for those wishing to cast ballots before the actual election beginning October 21 and October 24, depending on the location. Click to read and for Locations Rumor Vs FactFact checking misinformation about New Mexico’s voting and elections.
Recent years have seen the growth of misinformation about how our voting and elections are run in New Mexico. To address and combat some of the most popular points of this harmful misinformation, we have created the attached webpage. The points addressed below include:
If you share any of the above questions please follow this link to the facts. State senator will look at geothermal legislationBy By Hannah Grover
NM Political Report After the governor vetoed legislation to support geothermal energy that received limited opposition from lawmakers during the legislative session, Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque, has his eyes set on the upcoming session to try again. He told the Economic and Rural Development and Policy Committee that the geothermal working group has met with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and anticipates that she will include geothermal legislation in her call for the upcoming session. Lujan Grisham vetoed HB 365, the Geothermal Center and Fund, and SB 173, which would have created tax credits for geothermal energy. Ortiz y Pino said the legislation is the result of a two-year long process undertaken by the geothermal working group. “This all started when someone sent me an email with a link to a TED talk,” he said. That TED talk revealed to the state senator that New Mexico already has a lot of what is needed for geothermal energy, including the workforce, geology and expertise. He then spoke with Tom Solomon of 350 New Mexico and they formed the geothermal working group. Ortiz y Pino said that he was surprised when the governor vetoed the bill earlier this year. Geothermal energy was one of the committee topics that focused on how to transition to clean energy and meet all the electricity demands. Ortiz y Pino said that geothermal can fill the gaps when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing. “To us, geothermal offers the perfect solution,” he said. He said geothermal energy, which is drawn off the heat beneath the ground’s surface, is available anytime, inexhaustible and is a clean source of energy. Solomon said they believe New Mexico could generate one to three gigawatts of electricity. The legislation will include a couple of phases. The first phase will focus on providing grants and loans to existing businesses that utilize geothermal. Should the legislation pass and receive the governor’s approval, the second phase would promote longer term development of geothermal resources to provide 10 percent of the state’s electricity. “Many people in the geothermal industry recognize that we have ‘good geology,’” said Shari Kelly, a senior geophysicist and field geologist with the Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. The best resources are in the Valles Caldera National Preserve, but Kelly said that is off limits for geothermal development. However, there are various hot springs and hot wells along the Rio Grande Rift in New Mexico. The Rio Grande Rift is an area where the earth’s crust is thinner and water that has gained heat underground moves to the surface through rift-related faults. That process creates the hot springs. There are 29 hot springs in New Mexico. By utilizing a process known as advanced geothermal, a closed loop system can be drilled to extract the heat from the subsurface. That heat can then turn turbines and generate electricity. Electricity is not the only opportunity for geothermal. It can also be used to heat houses and businesses utilizing technology like heat pumps. DOH Provides Steps New Mexicans Can Take To Protect Their Eyes During Oct. 14 Solar EclipseThe solar eclipse will create a path of annularity (in some cases referred to as the path of totality) about 125 miles wide and those in the path will get the full effect of the "ring of fire." The path of annularity will go through North, Central and South America.
In Abiquiu we are at the edge of that path. The eclipse can be best seen from south of the line above. Thanks Kirt Kempter for providing this graphic. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH NEWS RELEASE On Oct. 14, New Mexicans will be able to witness a solar eclipse and should be aware of the steps they can take to protect their eyesight if they want to view the event. Solar eclipses occur when the moon moves between the sun and the earth. It is never safe to look at a partial solar eclipse without proper safety equipment or techniques. During the very brief time the sun is in a total solar eclipse it is safe to look at it, but people should do so with extreme caution as it does not last long. "When it comes to witnessing the Oct. 14 solar eclipse, choosing the right eye protection is non-negotiable,” said Patrick Allen, Secretary for the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH). “Ensure your safety with ISO 12312-2 labeled solar eclipse glasses, pinhole projection, or Number 14 welder's glasses. Prioritize your eyesight, as 'eclipse blindness' is a silent danger." Exposing your eyes to the sun without proper eye protection during a solar eclipse can cause “eclipse blindness” or retinal burns. This damage can be temporary or permanent and occurs with no pain. It can take a few hours to a few days after viewing the solar eclipse to realize the damage has occurred. Symptoms include loss of central vision, distorted vision and altered color vision. If you notice symptoms after viewing a solar eclipse, seek treatment from an eye care professional immediately. "The allure of a solar eclipse is undeniable, but so is the risk to our eyes,” said Miranda Durham, M.D., DOH Chief Medical Officer. “It's crucial to remember that partial eclipses demand proper eye protection. Even during a total eclipse, exercise extreme caution. 'Eclipse blindness' is a real threat, and if you experience symptoms, seek immediate care from an eye professional." Here are a few safe ways to view a solar eclipse:
These are some things you should NOT use to view a solar eclipse:
From New Mexico Game and Fish
Abiquiu Lake: We had no reports from anglers this week. Rio Chama: Streamflow below El Vado Lake Monday morning was 105 cfs; streamflow below Abiquiu Lake Monday morning was 1,230 cfs. Fishing for trout below El Vado Lake was fair to good when using Rapala lures and spinners. Please remember, from the river-crossing bridge on U.S. Highway 84 at Abiquiu upstream 7 miles to the base of Abiquiu Dam is special trout waters with a bag limit of two trout only.
For the BirdsChris Garcia reports seeing a committee of Turkey Vultures.
A group of vultures is called a committee, venue or volt. In flight, a flock of vultures is a kettle, and when the. birds are feeding together at a carcass, the group is. called a wake. Scene Around TownSend us your local images. Send to AbiquiuNewsImages@gmail.com Please send images under 1mb. My inbox will thank you. ~Carol
Art, Music and BooksOn behalf of the Abiquiú Arts Council and myself, its president, I would like to say THANK YOU!
Thank you to all the artists who create beautiful artwork. Without you, there would be no reason to hold the Abiquiú Studio Tour. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped with a myriad of tasks. We appreciate you! Thank you to the board members who put in many, many hours to make the tour happen: Tim - whose calm demeanor and exactitude has made him the Best Treasurer ever! Ruth Ann - whose enthusiasm, creativity and lovely presence came together to make our raffle a success! Diana - whose legendary negotiation skills saved the tour a LOT of money in our advertising! Elizabeth - whose excellent communication and coordination skills made a real difference. She may not consider herself a Board member, but I sure do! And last, but not least… Suzie - whose tireless work, knowledge of past tours, and willingness to step in wherever she was needed was instrumental in making the tour a success. Her patient listening ear kept me sane over the last 6 months. AND… Thank you to all the generous folks who opened their wallets and sponsored the Abiquiú Studio Tour: I am so grateful for all of you! Pam Fortner President, Abiquiú Arts Council
The Locals’ Picks Book List
Zach Hively Casa Urraca Press has created a place for locals in our area to recommend books to each other, and a place to find book suggestions with a personal touch.
Have a book to recommend? Send it to Zach at casaurracaltd@gmail.com – title, author, and the reason you suggest it.
The full Locals’ Picks list is available to view here on Bookshop. A purchase from Casa Urraca's link helps support independent bookstores. Abiquiu’s Casa Urraca Press earns a commission from every shopping trip that starts with the above Bookshop link—you can shop the entire Bookshop site in addition to the locals' picks. Plus, a percentage of every book (at least 10%) goes straight to independent bookstores. This is an opportunity to support small businesses with the same convenience as large online retailers. Abiquiu Book Club
NORTHERN YOUTH PROJECT WELCOMED A NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN SEPTEMBER!
Ru Stempien, born and raised in Albuquerque, now lives and farms in Cordova. Ru is an alum of the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, and graduated with their AA in Native American Studies and BA in Indigenous Liberal Studies in 2018. She joined NYP as the Agriculture Program Director this spring and looks forward to contributing to the long term health and success of our organization and community. THE NYP RAFFLE IS LIVE! Tickets cost $10 for 1, $25 for 3. Drawing held January 8, 2024. We have many awesome prizes, including our signature cord of split wood (with delivery within 50 mile radius!), gift cards to Cafe Sierra Negra and Abiquiu Inn restaurant, a beautiful hand-crafted quilt, passes to the Santa Fe Children's Museum, and many more! See flyer below for more info! EventsPlease remember, events will go in for a maximum of three Fridays before the event. Send text, word or publisher file and a separate image, please keep images below 1 mb and send to info@abiquiunews.com. Vertical PDFs or JPGs will be edited for space. Send by Wednesday Noon for inclusion in that Friday's News.
Need a place to view the solar eclipse? Weather permitting, you’ll be able to see it at about 90% from Abiquiú Dome. We’ll provide free eclipse glasses! Bring a chair, as limited seating is available. 9am through duration of the eclipse. The Dome and Gallery Shop will be open until 4pm. Some of our featured artists and artisans might be joining us so take the opportunity to gather as we approach the end of our season! Coffee and treats provided by Copper Canyon Casita. Located at 21557 US Highway 84, Abiquiu, NM 87510
*Nearest restroom is Bode’s General Store* On October 14th, Bandelier National Monument will be in the path of the Annular Eclipse. Starting at 10:35 am visitors will be able to witness the moon blocking nearly 90% of the sun. We hope everyone can safely view the eclipse, if you're planning to visit Bandelier for this special event, here are some tips:
Bandelier requires a mandatory shuttle from 9 am to 3 pm daily to enter the park, it will be running every 20 minutes until 5 pm. If you are planning to drive into the park before 9 am please be aware there is VERY limited parking in Frijoles Canyon. Once it fills, we will turn people around at the entrance station to return to White Rock and take the shuttle. Unlike a total eclipse, it is NEVER safe to view an annular eclipse without special filters for your eyes, telescope, binoculars or cameras. We will have solar glasses at the Visitor Center the day of the eclipse. Don't feel like dealing with the shuttle and traffic at Bandelier? Join us for the eclipse viewing event at Los Alamos High School from 9am-1pm! We will have glasses, telescopes, activities & more! Announcements and Classes~Connie Burkhart
There’s still room for my program at Ghost Ranch this October! It will be a great intro to the ‘ologies’ with hikes to archaeological sites, geologic areas, and dinosaur quarries! Also, we will have time at the Ghost Ranch museums, and as always, time to listen to the enchanted high desert wilderness. Check out the full description in the link below. I’m looking forward to sharing so much from my 31 years at Ghost Ranch! This is my last workshop of 2023! Learn More and Register |
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