ANNOUNCEMENTS
Special Events TAOS ROUNDTABLE
invites Mayor Maestas, Town Council, Town manager Andrew Gonzales, County Manager Brent Jaramillo, County Commissioners, Tribal Police, Taos Police, Taos County Sheriff and Taos Fire Department to a very important discussion about the safety of our community. Many of our citizens have concerns and questions. We are asking for two representatives from each entity to attend the meeting scheduled for Wednesday Feb. 8 at 5 p.m. at Casa Benavides. Also, there are space limitations at Casa Benavides, and the Roundtable would be very appreciative if either the Town or the County would host the meeting. Sheriff Steve Miera and County Commissioner Ronald Mascarenas are confirmed guests, and the meeting moderator will be Chris Pieper.
TAOS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY
will hold ward and precinct meetings to elect county central committee members Feb. 6-9. Ward 3 (precincts 1, 19, 20, 21, 22, 34, 44, 45, 46) Monday Feb. 6 from 6-7 p.m. at Talpa Community Center, 3 Archuleta Road, Ranchos de Taos; Ward 4 (precincts 9, 10, 11, 12, 37, 38, 39) Tuesday Feb. 7 from 6-7 p.m. at Talpa Community Center; Ward 2 (precincts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 16, 33) Wednesday Feb. 8 from 6-7 p.m. at The Grill at El Monte Carlo, 2435 NM 522, Questa; Ward 5 (precincts 18, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 35, 36, 43, 47) Wednesday Feb. 8 at Talpa Community Center; Ward 1 (precincts 14, 15, 17, 40, 41, 42) Thursday Feb. 9 from 6-7 p.m. at Talpa Community Center. Visit taosvotesblue. com or call 575-999-1621 for more information.
FREE TAX PREPARATION
assistance by AARP Tax-Aide volunteers will be provided in-person at the Talpa Community Center (3 Archuleta Rd., Ranchos de Taos) on Tuesdays, starting Feb. 7 through April 11. Appointments can be made on-line at the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Location (search for taxaide locator), and in-person on Tuesdays at the Talpa Community center. A limited number of taxpayers can be served without appointments (tax documents will be scanned and the prepared return picked up the following week).
FREE WEDDINGS ON VALENTINE’S DAY
at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge will be offered Tuesday Feb. 14 from 1-3 p.m. No appointment necessary. Interested couples will need to bring a marriage license from a New Mexico county clerk and two witnesses 18 or older. For more information, call Jeff Shannon at 575-741-5122.
ONE BILLION RISING 2023 will rally to end violence against women and girls on Tuesday Feb. 14 from 4-6 p.m. at the Taos Plaza. For more information, visit onebillionrising.org.
Meetings
ARROYO SECO MDCWA annual meeting will be held Sunday Feb. 12 at 1 p.m. at the Arroyo Seco Community Center.
THE LIONS CLUB OF TAOS meets for a no-host lunch on the first and third Thursday of every month at Martyrs Steakhouse at 146 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. We are always looking for new members to join and become involved in any of our community programs: Kidsight, Adult Vision, Scholarships, Community Charities, Pueblo Project, Tio Vivo Carousel, Flags on the Plaza and Taos Elder Benevolent Services. For more information, contact Wayne Rutherford at 575-770-0180, email taoslions@gmail.com or visit lionscluboftaos.org.
TAOS CANCER SUPPORT GROUP meets Tuesdays from 4-5 p.m. at Taos Cancer Support Services office, 413 Sipapu Street. Masks are required. This group is for cancer survivors. For caregiver support, please call 575-751-8927.
CONCERNED TAOS COUNTY RESIDENTS
who want to make a difference in how our community can benefit us all meet Wednesdays from 5-7 p.m. at Casa Benavides. To learn more, find Taos Roundtable Group on Facebook.
RENEWABLE TAOS meets weekly via zoom to plan and execute projects such as advocating for solar and wind power, improved electric transmission, beneficial electrification of homes and businesses, additional electric car charging stations and working with schools to introduce climate education in grades K-12. For more info, visit renewabletaos.org, email info@renewabletaos.org or call 575-770-3267.
TAOS AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
Ham radio meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month, 5:30 p.m. at the new location: OPD (Old Police Station), 107 Plaza Drive in Taos.
Free. Call 575-770-1961.
AMERICAN LEGION POST 16 IN TAOS meets the third Saturday of each month at 1:30 p.m. at Kit Carson Electric Boardroom, 118 Cruz Alta Road. For more info, call 575-2247290.
FREE FAMILY LAW CLINICS The 8th Judicial District Court holds a free Family Law Clinic the first Wednesday of each month, via Google Meet or by telephone, from 9 a.m. to noon, and resuming at 1-4 p.m. To sign up, complete a Family Law Teleclinic application found at eighthdistrictcourt.nmcourts.gov or at the help desk at 105 Albright Street, Suite N, Taos. Email applications to 8thhelpdesk@nmcourts.gov or drop them off at the help desk. For more information call 575-751-8634.
Taos Public Library
BEGINNING SPANISH CLASSES will be held every Tuesday from 5-6 p.m. Adults can come learn and converse en español.
COFFEE AND CRAFTS will be held every second and third Saturday from 10-11 a.m. Adults are welcome to participate. Coffee and craft supplies provided. See Facebook for details. YOGA IN THE STACKS will be held every Thursday from 5-6 p.m. Adults can come experience a gentle slow flow class. Bring your own yoga mat.
Taos Alliance for Public Health and Safety
PHOTO CONTEST The 1st Annual Photo Contest focus is on the beautiful Río Grande Gorge Bridge area, which would be seriously impacted by a planned 50-foot cell tower. Have seven submission categories, lots of great prizes waiting for lucky winners — all kindly donated by many local businesses. For details, see TaosAlliance.org.
TAKE ME TO THE RIVER Taos Alliance for Public Health & Safety is offering chances to win a half-day rafting trip for two from Los Rios River Runners for this coming summer season. Ticket donations are $5 — you can make multiple entries at Taos Food Co-op (open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday) and at other participating venues. For details, see TaosAlliance.org.
UNM–Taos
TAOS EDUCATION AND CAREER CENTER
at UNM-Taos offers free High School Equivalency (HiSET/
GED) preparation, English Language classes, small-group literacy instruction, and helps in discovering a new, in-demand career along the way. Visit the center on the Klauer Campus (1157 County Rd. 110, Ranchos de Taos) or call 575-737-3730.
Education
VISTA GRANDE HIGH SCHOOL is participating in a Universal Breakfast and Lunch Program for the current school year 2022-2023. If your children attend Vista Grande High School, breakfast/lunch will be available to them at no charge. All students enrolled at this school may participate in the breakfast/lunch program at no charge to them.
TAOS CHARTER SCHOOL is accepting NSLP applications for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year. Please stop by the school for an application.
FREE MEAL PROGRAMS are in place at Taos Charter School. Students enrolled in the school may participate in the breakfast/lunch programs at no charge according to the school’s program guidelines.
ROOTS AND WINGS COMMUNITY SCHOOL
is currently accepting students in the K-2 and 6-8 cohorts. Call 575-586-2076 or go to rootsandwingscommunityschool.org for more information.
TAOS PUEBLO HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START is now enrolling for 2022-23. Children enrolled in other Federally Recognized Tribes, and children with disabilities are welcome and encouraged to apply. To schedule availability and an intake meeting, call 575-758-5819.
General
DREAMTREE is leading a local collaborative AmeriCorps program called the Enchanted Circle Corps (ECC), with a focus on performing outreach within the community to spread the word about local available services and resources and to connect community members to those resources. DreamTree is looking to recruit members to the program. For more information, visit dreamtreeproject. org/ecc.
TALPA COMMUNITY CENTER & LIBRARY
is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Services include use of computers, affordable copies, WIFI, faxing and plenty of reading/ educational materials. Call 575-751014 for more information. Register for a free library card.
TALPA MUTUAL DOMESTIC WATER ASSOCIATION members can now view the annual Consumer Confidence Report. For copies call Raul E. Vigil at 575-751-4373 or visit the Talpa Community Center off NM 518.
TAOS PUBLIC LIBRARY is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m.-noon. For more information, call 575-737-2590 or email librarian@taosgov.com.
TAOS MOUNTAIN SANGHA offers a weekly meditation sit and Dharma talk every Wednesday evening, 6-7:30 p.m. via Zoom. Visit taosmountainsangha.org for details and email tmsanga@gmail.com with questions.
MINDFUL FREE MEDITATION COURSE
“Exploring Mindful Meditation: Basics.” Online course offered free to the public by Mindful Frontiers, a local meditation community. Register at mindfulfrontiers.thinkific.com.
Help wanted
VISTA GRANDE HIGH SCHOOL is currently hiring Math, English and Writing tutors. VGHS provides a pleasant work environment with a flexible schedule; $25 per hour for the right individual. Please apply at vistagrande.org or in-person at 213 Paseo del Canon E. For questions, call 575-758-5100.
WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS WANTED
Writers on the Range seeks writers of color, women and fresh voices; topics on intermountain territory; authentic, unique perspectives on Western public lands, water, natural resources, agriculture or economic institutions; word-count 750. See writersontherange.org, or email betsym@writersontherange.org.
Disaster assistance
HIGH WINDS have impacted many families, homes and businesses in the Enchanted Circle. If you or someone you know needs a place to stay (think local hotel) or has an unmet need requiring assistance, you may contact the Enchanted Circle Community Organizations Active in Disaster (ECCOAD) by emailing them at info@eccoad.org or calling 505-692-3296. Please leave a detailed message if no one answers — the number is not currently staffed 24/7. For more information, visit eccoad.org.