ANNOUNCEMENTS
Special Events
TOWN OF TAOS ACEQUIA CLEANING Inviting all neighbors to join the communal practice and tradition of cleaning our acequias. Many hands make light work, entre todos! Saturday-Sunday March 25-26 at 7:30 a.m. at Allsup’s (507 Paseo del Pueblo Norte). All volunteers will need to pack their own lunch and water. Bring a shovel, gloves and a hat. For ages 16 and older. Sign up via email at cortega@taosgov.com or call/text 575-779-7356.
STORYCORPS COMES TO TAOS March 16-29. The Harwood Museum of Art partners with KUNM and StoryCorps, the national nonprofit organization dedicated to recording, preserving and sharing stories. Reservations to record can be made by calling 1-800-850-4406 or visiting storycorps.org.
FREE TAX PREPARATION assistance by AARP Tax-Aide volunteers will be provided in-person at the Talpa Community Center (3 Archuleta Road, Ranchos de Taos) on Tuesdays, through April 11. Appointments can be made online at the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Location (search for tax-aide 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).
Meetings
MEETING OF CONSERVATIVE MINDS on Saturday, March 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the Taos First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. Featuring two guest speakers, Q&A, live music and snacks. For more information, call Sarah at 575-377-5135.
ACEQUIA DEL MONTE DEL RIO CHIQUITO cleaning has been tentatively rescheduled for March 25, or depending on weather, April 1. Check with commissioners John MacArthur 575-758-8366, Carlos Arguello 575-741-0450 or Warren Kelley 505-554-6113
ACEQUIA DE ATALAYA spring meeting is Sunday March 26 at 2 p.m. at the Arroyo Hondo Community Center. Masks recommended. For more information, contact Phaedra Greenwood at pgreenwood478@gmail.com.
SAUCITO DITCH OF LLANO QUEMADO annual membership meeting will be held Monday March 27. The meeting will be at the Llano Quemado Community Center at 6 p.m. We invite all parciantes to attend this important meeting. If you have any questions, call Uvaldo Mondragon at 575-770-5609 or Johnny Valerio at 575-613-5185.
ACEQUIA DEL FINADO FRANCISCO MARTINEZ DEL LLANO QUEMADO annual membership meeting will be held March 26 at 1 p.m. at the Llano Quemado Community Center. We invite all parciantes to attend this meeting. If you need a copy of the agenda or have any questions, call Larry Mondragon at 575- 779-2286 or Michael Torrez at 575-770-3137.
PACHECO COMMUNITY DITCH ANNUAL MEETING is Thursday March 30 from 6-8 p.m. in the Martinez Hacienda Museum Conference Room at 708 Hacienda Road, off of NM 240, Taos. Call Commissioner John Miera at 575-770-2701 or Secretary Steve Immel at 617-875-1778 for further information.
ACEQUIA MADRE DE RIO COSTILLA will hold its spring meeting on Thursday March 30 at 7 p.m. at the RCCLA meeting hall on NM 196 just east of the Plaza de Arriba. The meeting agenda can be seen on Facebook or by contacting the Secretary at 575-224-5109. Text is best. Or by email to johnlapin59@yahoo.com.
ACEQUIA DE LOS LOVATOS DITCH CLEANING is Saturday April 1 at 8 a.m. Members will meet in the field across from 714 Upper Ranchitos Road. For more information, call Joel Larson at 575-779-6840.
ACEQUIA DEL FINADO FRANCISCO MARTINEZ DEL LLANO QUEMADO will be held: Saturday April 1 at 7:30 a.m. This day is for cutting La Jara (Willows), so bring your clippers. The 1st group will start at Nelson Abeyta Jr. property, and the 2nd group will start at the ditch main head gate, above Pedro Trujillo Property. Saturday April 8 at 7:30 a.m. This will be a regular cleaning day, so bring your shovels. The 1st group will start at Nelson Abeyta Jr. property and the 2nd group will start at the ditch main head gate, above Pedro Trujillo Property. For more information, call Larry Mondragon at 575-779-2286 or Michael Torrez at 575-770-3137
ACEQUIA NORTE DEL CANON annual cleaning is Saturday April 1 at 8 a.m. Members will meet at the parking lot across from the Anglada building in Cañon. For more information, call Nick Romero at 575-758-2982 or 505-423-2663.
PACHECO COMMUNITY DITCH ANNUAL CLEANING is Saturday April 8 at 9 a.m. Members/Workers will meet at the parking lot of Good News Community Fellowship at 933 Upper Ranchitos Road. Please bring work tools (shovels, stiff rakes, pruners, etc.). Please wear protective gear including appropriate work boots, layered work clothing, gloves, and eye protection and hat or helmet. Each property owner is responsible for cleaning her/his own lateral ditches. Workers supply their own water and lunch. For more information, please call Tony Lavadie at 575-751-3394 or John Miera at 575-770-2701.
THE LIONS CLUB OF TAOS meets for a no-host lunch on the first and third Thursday of every month at Martyrs Steakhouse, 146 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information, contact Wayne Rutherford at 575770-0180, 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 575-7703267.
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 Civic Plaza Drive in Taos. Free. Call 575-7701961.
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 Free Wednesdays from 5-6 p.m. Adults can come learn and converse en español.
YOGA IN THE STACKS Free every Thursday from 5-6 p.m. Adults can come experience a gentle slow flow class. Bring your own yoga mat.
CHESS CLUB Free every Tuesday from 4:30-6 p.m. For children grades 3-8. Register by e-mailing littlewithstyle@gmail.com or calling 575-770-2963.
TECH TIME FOR SENIORS Free every Friday from 2-3 p.m. Bilingual technology class designed for senior citizens to enhance digital skills.
BOARD GAMES Free every Wednesday and Friday at 2 p.m. Join us in the Children’s Corner to play board and card games!
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 575737-3730.
Education
TAOS PUEBLO HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START is now enrolling for 2023-24. 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.
TAOS INTEGRATED SCHOOL OF THE ARTS seeks to fill the following NM-teacher licensed positions for the 2023-2024 school year. Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, Physical Education, Art, Spanish and EAs. Please send a letter of interest to Rich Greywolf at rgreywolf@tisataos.org.
ANANSI CHARTER SCHOOL LOTTERY deadline for lottery applications is Friday, April 28. A link to the lottery application is available at anansicharterschool.org.
TAOS CHARTER SCHOOL LOTTERY applications for the 2023-2024 school year are available online at taoscharterschool.org and in our office (1303 Paseo del Canon E). Applications are due no later than Tuesday, April 11. The lottery will be held Wednesday, April 19, in the TCS cafeteria. For more information, email office@taoscharterschool.org or call 575-751-7222 x2.
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.
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 Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Services include use of computers, affordable copies, WIFI, faxing and plenty of reading/educational materials. Call 575-751-014 for more information. Register for a free library card.
LLANO QUEMADO MUTUAL DOMESTIC WATER CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION members can now view the annual 2022 Consumer Confidence Report. For a copy, call Ruby Martinez at 575-770-5392 or view a copy in the lobby of the El Valle de Los Ranchos Water & Sanitation District Office located at 8 Miranda Canyon Road in Llano Quemado.
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 Saturdays 8 a.m.-noon. For more information, call 575-7372590 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.
Storm damage
HAVE ROOF DAMAGE or need any other type of repair at your home? Call High Mountain Construction at 575-741-6690 for a free estimate and quick service. Members of their team can be on-site the same day. They are also willing to repair any type of damage to your house. For more info, email josephmartinez213@icloud.com.
Economic recovery
SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY LOAN FUND offers loans up to $150,000 at 1.625 percent for up to 10 years. No payments due the first year, interest-only due the second and third year, no prepayment penalty. For information, see nmfinance.com/small-business-recoveryloan-fund-2021.
Food assistance
TAOS MEN’S SHELTER needs you (or your friends or group) to provide one homemade dinner a month for the shelter. Cooking for up to 20 dinner participants is needed. Meals can be simple, and recipe ideas are available. Substitutes are available when you are unavailable. Please call 508-560-5630 or email Shannon at taosmealcalendar@gmail.com for more information.
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE FOOD PANTRY Food baskets are handed out the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month 9 a.m.-11:30 p.m. 205 Don Fernando Street, Taos. For more information call 575-758-9208.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TAOS Bring canned goods or nonperishable gifts Sundays, 10-11 a.m., 215 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, for parking lot drive-thru and drop-off of packaged foods and/ or monetary donations to Shared Table, as well as foods or monetary donations for the Taos Men’s Shelter. Foods must be unopened and within their expiration date. Checks should be made payable to either Shared Table or Taos Coalition to End Homelessness.
NORTH CENTRAL FOOD PANTRY OF QUESTA food distribution days are second and fourth Fridays from 10 a.m.-noon. For updates, call Questa village office at 575-586-0694 or see Facebook. For an emergency food box, call Jeannie Masters at 575-779-9194 or Nancy Parker at 505-699-7563. To donate, visit ncfpquesta.com or mail checks to North Central Food Pantry, P.O. Box 1076 Questa, New Mexico 87556.
SHARED TABLE distributes food commodities and basic health care items on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, 9:3011:30 a.m. in El Prado at El Pueblito Methodist Church, 1309 Paseo del Pueblo Norte; and from 1:30-3 p.m. at Talpa Community Center, State Road 518, Ranchos de Taos. Call Pastor Cheri Lyon at 505-440-6849.
ST. JAMES FOOD PANTRY offers supplemental groceries to all, Thursdays, 12:30-3:45 p.m. drive-thru at St. James Episcopal Church, 208 Camino de Santiago (off Gusdorf Road behind the Quality Inn), Taos.
Infant necessities
DON’T SPEND TONS OF MONEY on expensive baby gear that you won’t need after a few months or a year. Borrow what you need and loan out what you don’t. Emily King has started a free baby gear lending library so parents can save money, energy and the planet by reusing gently-used infant and toddler essentials like strollers, car seats, high chairs, booster seats, cribs, as well as a selection of toys, bags and accessories. Taos parents who want to donate, lend or borrow items may email babygearlibrary@gmail.com, or call 510-703-9777. For more information, visit taosbabygear.wixsite.com/babygear.
Pets
PAYS TO HELP STRAYS Taos Feral Feline Friends, the all-volunteer animal charity, wants to help you adopt a stray cat. Pays To Help Strays is a free adoption service helping stray cats of Taos County and the Enchanted Circle. Qualified applicants receive these veterinary benefits: Spay/neuter surgery; all vet-recommended testing; vaccinations for rabies, and deadly viral diseases FVRCP and FELV. To be eligible, the adopter must contact TFFF within 60 days, or in advance, of the adoption. Cats from shelters, pet stores or breeders are ineligible for this program. Call TFFF at 575758-3519 for more information.
CAT AND DOG SPAY/NEUTER, VACCINE PROGRAM for the Town of Taos, Taos County and Taos Pueblo pet owners. Lower-income pet owners and all feral/outdoor/barn cat owners also eligible for free vaccine services, at Española Valley Humane Society, 505-753-0228. Dogs and cats must be between 8 weeks and 8 years of age.
CAT SPAYING/NEUTERING Free pet cat spaying/neutering in Taos available with a Zimmer Feline Foundation voucher. Town of Taos, Taos County and Taos Pueblo cats eligible. Call 505-466-1676.
Wellness
COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE to heal the nervous system, at the Taos Public Library Thursdays at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. RSVP today by texting Karen Calderon, DOM at 415-6095859.
COMMUNITY YOGA CLASSES every other Saturday in SecoLive spaces. Classes are donation-based on a sliding scale of $5-$20. Please bring your own mat. Open to all levels and all bodies.
COVID-19 testing
COVID-19 VACCINE DASHBOARD Stay up-to-date about the state’s vaccination effort, including the number of vaccines administered by visiting cvvaccine.nmhealth.org/publicdashboard.html.
BEWARE OF VACCINE SCAMS Medicare covers Covid-19 vaccines at no cost to seniors. If asked to share your Medicare number or pay for vaccine access, it’s a scam. Don’t share any personal or financial information if someone calls, texts or emails promising vaccine access for a fee.