As appeared in the Albuquerque Journal Rio Rancho section 1/30/10
Change is never easy. Mix that with a passionate subject like animals, and you get a nuclear bomb.
The Rio Rancho Animal Welfare Task Force has spent 18 months working on a proposal to improve the lives of animals in our city. I hear there are many suggestions on the proposal that are sure to create some uproar, and one in particular takes on pet stores.
In this town, that means Rio Rancho Pets and Critters Pets. No dog or cat sales allowed. Pet stores can still sell rabbits, guinea pigs, reptiles, fish and such, just not Fido or Fluffy.
Mike Davis, vice chairman of the Rio Rancho Animal Welfare Task Force, reminds us there are plenty of pet stores in Albuquerque that have survived on not selling dogs and cats since the HEART (Humane and Ethical Animal Rules and Treatment) ordinance went into effect in 2006. And that the new changes, if any, may not happen soon or ever.
"Our proposal sets strong guidelines on how your pets should be treated," Davis said, referring to microchipping and sterilizing, among other things. "It will probably be a yearlong process, and we put in a timeline that allows store owners plenty of time to comply."
Keep in mind, like all task forces the city assembles, proposals are just that: proposals. They are well thought out suggestions that the mayor and city council consider taking action on.
Eric Newsome has owned Rio Rancho Pets for just five years and wants to keep his pet store for at least another five years.
"I quit my job at Intel because I enjoy this," Newsome said. "Like Critters and me, if we don't sell dogs and cats, we won't make it."
More than ever before, people have become aware of the need to take care of abandoned, abused and homeless pets, and that is music to Sophia DiClemente's ears. The owner of Watermelon Mountain Ranch said there is a way for rescues and pet supply stores to partner together and help everyone involved.
"I know many rescue groups would welcome the opportunity to hold adoptions of their rescued dogs and cats at the pet stores in Rio Rancho," she said.
Rescue groups like PACA and Watermelon Mountain Ranch hold dog and cat adoptions at the PetSmart store on Coors inside and out. In fact, the PetSmart store on Eubank Boulevard is getting ready to open a brand new permanent dog adoption center inside the store. Watermelon Mountain Ranch is the lead organization that will make available up to 18 dogs and puppies full time in the new facility.
"We are so excited," DiClemente said. "I think the pet stores in Rio Rancho would benefit greatly by teaming up with rescue groups. What goodwill it would be for the community."
When one door closes, another opens.
Quote of the week: "Think of what you're saying. You can get it wrong and still you think that it's all right. Think of what I'm saying. We can work it out and get it straight, or say goodnight." — the Beatles
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Tell Your Loved Ones How You Really Feel
As appeared in the Albuquerque Journal, Rio Rancho section 1/23/10
A friend of mine once told me how much she regretted not taking the time to tell her father what he meant to her. He died before she could tell him what a great dad he was and how much she looked up to him. And now he would never know how she felt.
She reminded me that while our parents were alive, we shouldn't miss this most important opportunity to let them know how we feel about them. Not only parents, but friends, siblings and children are also just as significant to be open with.
But some people don't get the chance. Their loved ones pass unexpectedly, contact is lost, or the courage just wasn't there at an opportune time to share our love. There is a chance to say whatever is in your heart to whomever it is on a new Web site, www.wouldhavesaid.com. The site is anonymous and this allows writers to be completely open and honest about their feelings.
Whether the intended person ever hears your words, the mere act of writing a letter is therapeutic. Take the letter from a woman whose husband died in a car accident: She said she wished she'd "laughed at his jokes more."
There is a letter from a 76-year-old woman to the nanny from her childhood in Vienna during the Holocaust.
"I didn't get a chance to tell you how much I admired your courage and appreciated your love. Having contact with Jews was forbidden, and taking a Jewish child into a public place could have resulted in the arrest of everyone in your family as well as dire punishment for yourself. I would very much like to thank you for giving me the only really good memory of my childhood days in Vienna and restoring my faith in humanity."
Rebekah, 31, writes to her elderly grandmother whose mind seems to be slipping away and conversations are fragmented.
"The one question I never had the guts to ask you was if heaven seemed more real the closer you got to it. That is really my one regret. I want to know because I look forward to the day when we are there together. I love you, and I wish this wasn't your foggy reality."
A few of the letters are heartbreaking, like the one from a woman to a former lover who had died. She said she wished she'd written to him while she had the chance because she'd loved him her entire life.
And then there is the letter from 15-year-old Madee she wrote to her father who apparently suffers from something too scary for a young child to talk about.
"I don't really know how to tell you that I don't want to see you because I'm scared of you. I know you wouldn't even understand why I'm scared of you because you don't remember the last time. I wish that this time you'll get treatment."
And sometimes the person you are too proud to confess to is in the bedroom next to you. Luis, 10, wrote to his little sister.
"Amanda, you're very special to me because of your kindness. Like yesterday when there were no Kit Kat candies left and you gave me your own. I feel very thankful for that and I don't say that enough. So thank you for all the things you've done and I love you very much."
Say it now my friends. Tell the people in your life how you really feel. And if you can't tell them, then write it in a letter. Tell them now while you have the chance.
Quote of the week: "Shower the people you love with love. Show them the way that you feel. Things are gonna be much better if you only will." — "Shower the People" by James Taylor
A friend of mine once told me how much she regretted not taking the time to tell her father what he meant to her. He died before she could tell him what a great dad he was and how much she looked up to him. And now he would never know how she felt.
She reminded me that while our parents were alive, we shouldn't miss this most important opportunity to let them know how we feel about them. Not only parents, but friends, siblings and children are also just as significant to be open with.
But some people don't get the chance. Their loved ones pass unexpectedly, contact is lost, or the courage just wasn't there at an opportune time to share our love. There is a chance to say whatever is in your heart to whomever it is on a new Web site, www.wouldhavesaid.com. The site is anonymous and this allows writers to be completely open and honest about their feelings.
Whether the intended person ever hears your words, the mere act of writing a letter is therapeutic. Take the letter from a woman whose husband died in a car accident: She said she wished she'd "laughed at his jokes more."
There is a letter from a 76-year-old woman to the nanny from her childhood in Vienna during the Holocaust.
"I didn't get a chance to tell you how much I admired your courage and appreciated your love. Having contact with Jews was forbidden, and taking a Jewish child into a public place could have resulted in the arrest of everyone in your family as well as dire punishment for yourself. I would very much like to thank you for giving me the only really good memory of my childhood days in Vienna and restoring my faith in humanity."
Rebekah, 31, writes to her elderly grandmother whose mind seems to be slipping away and conversations are fragmented.
"The one question I never had the guts to ask you was if heaven seemed more real the closer you got to it. That is really my one regret. I want to know because I look forward to the day when we are there together. I love you, and I wish this wasn't your foggy reality."
A few of the letters are heartbreaking, like the one from a woman to a former lover who had died. She said she wished she'd written to him while she had the chance because she'd loved him her entire life.
And then there is the letter from 15-year-old Madee she wrote to her father who apparently suffers from something too scary for a young child to talk about.
"I don't really know how to tell you that I don't want to see you because I'm scared of you. I know you wouldn't even understand why I'm scared of you because you don't remember the last time. I wish that this time you'll get treatment."
And sometimes the person you are too proud to confess to is in the bedroom next to you. Luis, 10, wrote to his little sister.
"Amanda, you're very special to me because of your kindness. Like yesterday when there were no Kit Kat candies left and you gave me your own. I feel very thankful for that and I don't say that enough. So thank you for all the things you've done and I love you very much."
Say it now my friends. Tell the people in your life how you really feel. And if you can't tell them, then write it in a letter. Tell them now while you have the chance.
Quote of the week: "Shower the people you love with love. Show them the way that you feel. Things are gonna be much better if you only will." — "Shower the People" by James Taylor
Monday, January 18, 2010
A Peak into Middle School Life
As appeared in the Albuquerque Journal Rio Rancho section 1/16/10
For parents of elementary school-age children, there are many opportunities to volunteer in the classroom and in turn, observe the class and see what a typical day is like for your child.
For that age, kids are very much alike in the grand scheme of things: cute, chatty, silly, eager to learn and please their teacher. But once your child moves on from fifth grade, the volunteer opportunities decrease tremendously and the kids grow up.
For the parents of middle school-age children, we don't get the opportunities to help out in the classrooms like we used to. No more grading papers, chaperoning field trips to Bandelier National Park or working the cake walk room at the fall festival. No, times change and kids grow up. And the hormones kick in.
The whole middle school existence is a microcosm unto itself. This "tween" world of little people revolves around tall girls and short boys, and who said what to whom and what did she say back and did he say anything about me?
My younger daughter's sixth grade class is currently having a fundraiser, and last week, I volunteered to sell Dilly Bars at Rio Rancho Middle School during lunch period A. I thought this may be my one and only chance to get an inside glimpse into the daily life of sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders, albeit only a quick 30-minute lunch period.
Wasn't that the best time for observing the crowd? Sign me up.
Team 6A is raising money to take the students on a field trip to see "The Lightening Thief," a movie which is based on Greek mythology.
"The students are learning about Greek mythology in both social studies and language arts," said Jessica Makin, math teacher and part-time balloon pilot. "We are also using the money to get snacks and waters for the students during the New Mexico Standard Based Assessment testing at the end of March."
Thanks to Tony Otero and the crew at Dairy Queen, there was plenty of ice cream. The Dilly Bars came in chocolate or cherry, and that was my line as I stood behind the table looking at the long line of kids in front of me.
First up was a short, innocent looking mop head boy with glasses and a backpack bigger than he was.
"Two chocolates, please," he asked politely.
As I handed him his ice cream, I couldn't help but wonder if in six years, he would become captain of the chess team or the big man on campus with 15 girlfriends, or both.
Next up was a shy, quiet girl, taller than most everyone else and waiting patiently in line. She bought a cherry for herself and a chocolate for her best friend. I couldn't help but wonder if one day she would grow up to become a newspaper columnist writing about her school days.
In addition to Ms. Makin, the other 6A Team teachers who dropped by to see how sales were going were Ms. Krueger, Ms. Knight and Ms. Ridout.
"Sales are going very well, and we think we will hit our goal by the end of January," Makin said. "We want to thank the parents who have volunteered their time and energy to come help us raise the needed money."
Middle school equals drama to the 10 power — squared. The cat fights, the hormones and awkwardness of it all can be rough. But with good teachers and a little ice cream, things seem to work out just fine.
Quote of the week: "I hear those ice cream bells and I start to drool. Keep a couple quarts in my locker at school." — "I Love Rocky Road" by Weird Al Yankovic
Jennifer Huard's column appears each Saturday in the Albuquerque Journal Rio Rancho section.
For parents of elementary school-age children, there are many opportunities to volunteer in the classroom and in turn, observe the class and see what a typical day is like for your child.
For that age, kids are very much alike in the grand scheme of things: cute, chatty, silly, eager to learn and please their teacher. But once your child moves on from fifth grade, the volunteer opportunities decrease tremendously and the kids grow up.
For the parents of middle school-age children, we don't get the opportunities to help out in the classrooms like we used to. No more grading papers, chaperoning field trips to Bandelier National Park or working the cake walk room at the fall festival. No, times change and kids grow up. And the hormones kick in.
The whole middle school existence is a microcosm unto itself. This "tween" world of little people revolves around tall girls and short boys, and who said what to whom and what did she say back and did he say anything about me?
My younger daughter's sixth grade class is currently having a fundraiser, and last week, I volunteered to sell Dilly Bars at Rio Rancho Middle School during lunch period A. I thought this may be my one and only chance to get an inside glimpse into the daily life of sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders, albeit only a quick 30-minute lunch period.
Wasn't that the best time for observing the crowd? Sign me up.
Team 6A is raising money to take the students on a field trip to see "The Lightening Thief," a movie which is based on Greek mythology.
"The students are learning about Greek mythology in both social studies and language arts," said Jessica Makin, math teacher and part-time balloon pilot. "We are also using the money to get snacks and waters for the students during the New Mexico Standard Based Assessment testing at the end of March."
Thanks to Tony Otero and the crew at Dairy Queen, there was plenty of ice cream. The Dilly Bars came in chocolate or cherry, and that was my line as I stood behind the table looking at the long line of kids in front of me.
First up was a short, innocent looking mop head boy with glasses and a backpack bigger than he was.
"Two chocolates, please," he asked politely.
As I handed him his ice cream, I couldn't help but wonder if in six years, he would become captain of the chess team or the big man on campus with 15 girlfriends, or both.
Next up was a shy, quiet girl, taller than most everyone else and waiting patiently in line. She bought a cherry for herself and a chocolate for her best friend. I couldn't help but wonder if one day she would grow up to become a newspaper columnist writing about her school days.
In addition to Ms. Makin, the other 6A Team teachers who dropped by to see how sales were going were Ms. Krueger, Ms. Knight and Ms. Ridout.
"Sales are going very well, and we think we will hit our goal by the end of January," Makin said. "We want to thank the parents who have volunteered their time and energy to come help us raise the needed money."
Middle school equals drama to the 10 power — squared. The cat fights, the hormones and awkwardness of it all can be rough. But with good teachers and a little ice cream, things seem to work out just fine.
Quote of the week: "I hear those ice cream bells and I start to drool. Keep a couple quarts in my locker at school." — "I Love Rocky Road" by Weird Al Yankovic
Jennifer Huard's column appears each Saturday in the Albuquerque Journal Rio Rancho section.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
On the Road Again - Washington, D.C.
As appeared in the Albuquerque Journal Rio Rancho section 1/2/10
I write this week’s column from Washington, D.C where my daughters and I are spending a week visiting our east coast relatives. I lived in the nation’s capital throughout the 80s and was vey excited to show my daughters my old stomping ground. Granted, I was a single girl in my mid twenties the last time I lived here and my old stomping ground consisted of yuppie after-work bars, neighborhood hangouts and local malls for buying dresses with big shoulder pads; not something a mother or two teen daughters would be interested in today.
Our first stop was the Lincoln Memorial. We walked the steps up to the top to see the marble statue of Lincoln sitting in his chair larger than life. As we turned around our cameras snapped the view of the Washington Monument and the reflecting pool. I found myself explaining the view by referencing the scene from Forrest Gump when he and Jenny splashed through the pool and embraced to the crowd’s applause.
Next, we walked to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This black granite wall with 58,261 names of the dead or missing soldiers of the war accomplishes its goal of being a somber and sobering memorial. We watched one family find the name of their loved one and pose for a picture by it. Talk about a lump in your throat.
The Air and Space Museum was every bit as spectacular as you can imagine. Seeing the Apollo 11 space capsule, Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis, and Space Ship One, among the other notable space-related exhibits was incredible.
The bones of the dinosaurs, Woolly Mammoths and sea creatures at the Natural History Museum were incredible. But, I have to say the Hope Diamond was my favorite. The 45.52 carat blue diamond had a swarm of people around it snapping pictures and drooling. And wouldn’t you know it; they were all women and little girls.
Our next day took us on the Metro, Washington’s subway, down to Ford’s Theatre to see the site where President Lincoln was shot. I had been here before when I saw Cats on stage in the 80s. The relics from Lincoln’s fateful night are housed in the basement museum and we couldn’t wait to see them. When we arrived we learned the museum was closed.
On recommendation of a friend, we visited the International Spy Museum. Dedicated to the craft, practice and history of espionage, this was a treat. Upon arrival we assumed our cover names; Greta, Gloria and Jane and proceeded through the tunnel of rats to learn the old tricks from KGB, FBI, CIA and many more. I wanted my name on their wall too, the underground life was intoxicating. But, alas, my name will never be on that wall; I am too cleaver to be found, too loyal to defect and too shrewd to speak up. There was a video on 911 and the twin towers coming down, and how spies now are threatening to break America’s security codes in cyberspace. How do I get a job application to the CIA?
Tomorrow is the U. S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Jefferson Memorial and Arlington Cemetery to see the eternal flame. What a great trip this has been.
Quote of the Week: “Crossed the desert's bare, man. I've breathed the mountain air, man. Of travel I've had my share, man. I've been everywhere.- Johnny Cash, I’ve Been Everywhere.
I write this week’s column from Washington, D.C where my daughters and I are spending a week visiting our east coast relatives. I lived in the nation’s capital throughout the 80s and was vey excited to show my daughters my old stomping ground. Granted, I was a single girl in my mid twenties the last time I lived here and my old stomping ground consisted of yuppie after-work bars, neighborhood hangouts and local malls for buying dresses with big shoulder pads; not something a mother or two teen daughters would be interested in today.
Our first stop was the Lincoln Memorial. We walked the steps up to the top to see the marble statue of Lincoln sitting in his chair larger than life. As we turned around our cameras snapped the view of the Washington Monument and the reflecting pool. I found myself explaining the view by referencing the scene from Forrest Gump when he and Jenny splashed through the pool and embraced to the crowd’s applause.
Next, we walked to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This black granite wall with 58,261 names of the dead or missing soldiers of the war accomplishes its goal of being a somber and sobering memorial. We watched one family find the name of their loved one and pose for a picture by it. Talk about a lump in your throat.
The Air and Space Museum was every bit as spectacular as you can imagine. Seeing the Apollo 11 space capsule, Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis, and Space Ship One, among the other notable space-related exhibits was incredible.
The bones of the dinosaurs, Woolly Mammoths and sea creatures at the Natural History Museum were incredible. But, I have to say the Hope Diamond was my favorite. The 45.52 carat blue diamond had a swarm of people around it snapping pictures and drooling. And wouldn’t you know it; they were all women and little girls.
Our next day took us on the Metro, Washington’s subway, down to Ford’s Theatre to see the site where President Lincoln was shot. I had been here before when I saw Cats on stage in the 80s. The relics from Lincoln’s fateful night are housed in the basement museum and we couldn’t wait to see them. When we arrived we learned the museum was closed.
On recommendation of a friend, we visited the International Spy Museum. Dedicated to the craft, practice and history of espionage, this was a treat. Upon arrival we assumed our cover names; Greta, Gloria and Jane and proceeded through the tunnel of rats to learn the old tricks from KGB, FBI, CIA and many more. I wanted my name on their wall too, the underground life was intoxicating. But, alas, my name will never be on that wall; I am too cleaver to be found, too loyal to defect and too shrewd to speak up. There was a video on 911 and the twin towers coming down, and how spies now are threatening to break America’s security codes in cyberspace. How do I get a job application to the CIA?
Tomorrow is the U. S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Jefferson Memorial and Arlington Cemetery to see the eternal flame. What a great trip this has been.
Quote of the Week: “Crossed the desert's bare, man. I've breathed the mountain air, man. Of travel I've had my share, man. I've been everywhere.- Johnny Cash, I’ve Been Everywhere.
Family Traditions
As appeared in the Albuquerque Journal Rio Rancho section 12/26/09
The holidays are steeped in family traditions. It wouldn’t be Christmas or New Year’s without them, everyone knows that. But besides the obvious traditions like decorating a tree or hanging up lights, what are some of the traditions that make the holidays special in your family?
My brother Chris called me the other night as he was heading out to the grocery store to buy the ingredients for Tom and Jerrys. “I haven’t made them in fifteen years,” he said. This traditional Christmastime drink dates back to the 1800s in the United States, but since my grandpa made them every Christmas season since I was born, it is in my blood. Every year growing up my brother and sister and I would spend the week between Christmas and New Year’s with my grandparents in Ohio. As kids, we would get a virgin Tom and Jerry; warm milk, powdered sugar and eggs minus the Brandy, 151 Rum and Jack Daniels. I could hear the pride in Chris’ voice when he told me he was going to show his son how to make the drink this year, passing down a family tradition that probably started even before Grandpa. Learning this tradition my grandfather taught me in the 1960s, to watching my nephew discover it in 2009 is heartwarming. And so it goes.
A Mexican-American tradition in many homes is making tamales on Christmas Eve. Recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation, tamales are central to many families’ night-before-Christmas rituals. My best guess is nobody gets to eat the tamales until after midnight Mass.
Some Italians and Sicilians have a tradition of the seven fish dinner on Christmas Eve, some say seven to represent each day of the week. Each family and each sect of the Italian culture is different and the number of fish varies accordingly. Sometimes it’s three; representing the three wise men. Others serve thirteen different fish representing the twelve apostles plus one for Jesus. Either way, it’s pretty clear that no meat is eaten on Christmas Eve in an Italian home.
Baking is essential to many family traditions. Everyone usually has particular recipes and processes for making cookies. Frosted or not frosted? Made from scratch or prefab from the store? Skickerdoodles or chocolate chip? Or both? Whatever happened to that wonderful hard candy covered in powdered sugar? I haven’t seen that in thirty years. Baking doesn’t just mean cookies either. My sister-in-law has her own tradition of making cheese balls for everyone. Yes, Diane, you are Queen of the Cheese Balls.
One Christmas Eve tradition we started in our family when the kids were little was to drive down the streets and look at all the decorated houses. Do you have a tradition of taking your family to see the River of Lights in Albuquerque every year?
New Year’s traditions are pretty serious too. I mean, you don’t want to do anything to jinx the entire upcoming year? Besides the shallow resolutions, does anyone else eat pork and sauerkraut for good luck on New Year’s Eve or am I the only German in town?
Whatever it is, keep your family traditions alive and even adopt new ones. Make it special so that your children will learn them and want to continue with them when you are gone. The fact is that it’s really about family, about being together. Traditions are the threads that weave one generation to the next. They create family pride and give your children a sense of belonging.
May you all have the merriest Christmas ever and a safe, happy and prosperous New Year.
Quote of the Week: “Tradition does not mean that the living are dead, it means that the dead are living.” - Harold Macmillan (British politician, 1894-1986)
The holidays are steeped in family traditions. It wouldn’t be Christmas or New Year’s without them, everyone knows that. But besides the obvious traditions like decorating a tree or hanging up lights, what are some of the traditions that make the holidays special in your family?
My brother Chris called me the other night as he was heading out to the grocery store to buy the ingredients for Tom and Jerrys. “I haven’t made them in fifteen years,” he said. This traditional Christmastime drink dates back to the 1800s in the United States, but since my grandpa made them every Christmas season since I was born, it is in my blood. Every year growing up my brother and sister and I would spend the week between Christmas and New Year’s with my grandparents in Ohio. As kids, we would get a virgin Tom and Jerry; warm milk, powdered sugar and eggs minus the Brandy, 151 Rum and Jack Daniels. I could hear the pride in Chris’ voice when he told me he was going to show his son how to make the drink this year, passing down a family tradition that probably started even before Grandpa. Learning this tradition my grandfather taught me in the 1960s, to watching my nephew discover it in 2009 is heartwarming. And so it goes.
A Mexican-American tradition in many homes is making tamales on Christmas Eve. Recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation, tamales are central to many families’ night-before-Christmas rituals. My best guess is nobody gets to eat the tamales until after midnight Mass.
Some Italians and Sicilians have a tradition of the seven fish dinner on Christmas Eve, some say seven to represent each day of the week. Each family and each sect of the Italian culture is different and the number of fish varies accordingly. Sometimes it’s three; representing the three wise men. Others serve thirteen different fish representing the twelve apostles plus one for Jesus. Either way, it’s pretty clear that no meat is eaten on Christmas Eve in an Italian home.
Baking is essential to many family traditions. Everyone usually has particular recipes and processes for making cookies. Frosted or not frosted? Made from scratch or prefab from the store? Skickerdoodles or chocolate chip? Or both? Whatever happened to that wonderful hard candy covered in powdered sugar? I haven’t seen that in thirty years. Baking doesn’t just mean cookies either. My sister-in-law has her own tradition of making cheese balls for everyone. Yes, Diane, you are Queen of the Cheese Balls.
One Christmas Eve tradition we started in our family when the kids were little was to drive down the streets and look at all the decorated houses. Do you have a tradition of taking your family to see the River of Lights in Albuquerque every year?
New Year’s traditions are pretty serious too. I mean, you don’t want to do anything to jinx the entire upcoming year? Besides the shallow resolutions, does anyone else eat pork and sauerkraut for good luck on New Year’s Eve or am I the only German in town?
Whatever it is, keep your family traditions alive and even adopt new ones. Make it special so that your children will learn them and want to continue with them when you are gone. The fact is that it’s really about family, about being together. Traditions are the threads that weave one generation to the next. They create family pride and give your children a sense of belonging.
May you all have the merriest Christmas ever and a safe, happy and prosperous New Year.
Quote of the Week: “Tradition does not mean that the living are dead, it means that the dead are living.” - Harold Macmillan (British politician, 1894-1986)
Christmas Pet Shopping
As appeared in the Albuquerque Journal Rio Rancho section 12/19/09
With the shopping season in full swing, everyone is buying presents for their friends, children, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, parents and grandparents. My question today is how many of you are going to buy a Christmas present for your pet?
According to the American Pet Products Association 2009/2010 National Pet Owners Survey, 62% of U.S. households own a pet, which equates to 71.4 millions homes. Compare that to 1988 when 56% of the households had either a litter box or pooper -scooper on the premises. The trend is growing and more and more people are adding pets to their families. Just take a look around at the PetSmart and Petco stores and the specialty pet stores that have popped over the last few years.
Let me put it right out there on the table, I do buy Christmas presents for our pets. Each pet even has a stocking hanging next to the people stockings over the fire place. I have never bought an outfit for any of them, but they do get stuffed animals, squeakers and raw hide chew bones. And in our house, the pets give us presents every Christmas too. I know I am not spilling the beans here, because they give the same gift every year: The dogs come through with socks for everyone and the cats always give new underwear.
Dog toys that move fast during the holidays are plush animals, oversized rawhide bones and pet fashions such as sweaters and coats. Many new pet fashions are so stylish, you might end up wishing they had one available in your size. The fashions seem to be limited to the dogs mainly. We all know what happens to a cat when you put a sweater on it – it falls over sideways, stiff as a board.
Fancy dog and cat beds are big sellers around the holidays too. With styles ranging from orthopedic dog beds to cat condos, there is sure to be an option that will make your pet happy and not break the bank.
This practice of giving pets Christmas presents has so intrigued me that I had to ask around and see how other people felt about it.
I called my sister in Maryland to ask if she buys her Wheaton Terrier, Maddie anything for Christmas. “I just get her an oversized bone. She doesn’t know any differently,” she said. “But our neighbor dog sends Maddie Christmas cards signed ‘your furry friend, Rosey.” Also, she said the kennel where she boards Maddie gives a fancy dinner with people food to all the dogs that stay over Christmas.
Next I called my friend Chalisa to see if she does the present thing at her house with their two dogs and a cat. “We usually give the dogs a large bone or special treat. And sometimes we even do the rats,” she said. When I asked what one would give a pet rat for Christmas her reply was “a yummy kind of rat-food thing.”
My best friend in Santa Fe owns her third French Bull Dog, Miss Puff. The dog goes to the art gallery where she works everyday and sleeps on a fluffy cushion in the main room. I thought I knew what the answer would be but I had to hear her tell how spoiled the dog is on Christmas. “No, I am not buying her a present; of course not,” she says blindsiding me with her answer. “She is a dog, not a human. I give my dog a gift everyday. I love her with all my heart but I am not buying her a gift.”
For anyone looking for a pet, Watermelon Mountain Ranch is holding their last adoption event of the year this weekend in the PetSmart parking lot on Coors Bypass. If you don’t want another pooch but want to have its picture taken with Santa, you can do that too. You know you want to.
Quote of the Week: “While I was Santa last week at PetSmart, a gaggle of dachshunds came in all at once. How was I supposed to hold all of them?” – Michael Howland-Davis
With the shopping season in full swing, everyone is buying presents for their friends, children, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, parents and grandparents. My question today is how many of you are going to buy a Christmas present for your pet?
According to the American Pet Products Association 2009/2010 National Pet Owners Survey, 62% of U.S. households own a pet, which equates to 71.4 millions homes. Compare that to 1988 when 56% of the households had either a litter box or pooper -scooper on the premises. The trend is growing and more and more people are adding pets to their families. Just take a look around at the PetSmart and Petco stores and the specialty pet stores that have popped over the last few years.
Let me put it right out there on the table, I do buy Christmas presents for our pets. Each pet even has a stocking hanging next to the people stockings over the fire place. I have never bought an outfit for any of them, but they do get stuffed animals, squeakers and raw hide chew bones. And in our house, the pets give us presents every Christmas too. I know I am not spilling the beans here, because they give the same gift every year: The dogs come through with socks for everyone and the cats always give new underwear.
Dog toys that move fast during the holidays are plush animals, oversized rawhide bones and pet fashions such as sweaters and coats. Many new pet fashions are so stylish, you might end up wishing they had one available in your size. The fashions seem to be limited to the dogs mainly. We all know what happens to a cat when you put a sweater on it – it falls over sideways, stiff as a board.
Fancy dog and cat beds are big sellers around the holidays too. With styles ranging from orthopedic dog beds to cat condos, there is sure to be an option that will make your pet happy and not break the bank.
This practice of giving pets Christmas presents has so intrigued me that I had to ask around and see how other people felt about it.
I called my sister in Maryland to ask if she buys her Wheaton Terrier, Maddie anything for Christmas. “I just get her an oversized bone. She doesn’t know any differently,” she said. “But our neighbor dog sends Maddie Christmas cards signed ‘your furry friend, Rosey.” Also, she said the kennel where she boards Maddie gives a fancy dinner with people food to all the dogs that stay over Christmas.
Next I called my friend Chalisa to see if she does the present thing at her house with their two dogs and a cat. “We usually give the dogs a large bone or special treat. And sometimes we even do the rats,” she said. When I asked what one would give a pet rat for Christmas her reply was “a yummy kind of rat-food thing.”
My best friend in Santa Fe owns her third French Bull Dog, Miss Puff. The dog goes to the art gallery where she works everyday and sleeps on a fluffy cushion in the main room. I thought I knew what the answer would be but I had to hear her tell how spoiled the dog is on Christmas. “No, I am not buying her a present; of course not,” she says blindsiding me with her answer. “She is a dog, not a human. I give my dog a gift everyday. I love her with all my heart but I am not buying her a gift.”
For anyone looking for a pet, Watermelon Mountain Ranch is holding their last adoption event of the year this weekend in the PetSmart parking lot on Coors Bypass. If you don’t want another pooch but want to have its picture taken with Santa, you can do that too. You know you want to.
Quote of the Week: “While I was Santa last week at PetSmart, a gaggle of dachshunds came in all at once. How was I supposed to hold all of them?” – Michael Howland-Davis
Christmas Shopping 2009
As appeared in the Albuquerque Journal Rio Rancho section 12/12/09
People are getting in the Christmas spirit around town now that the big day is less than two weeks away. The houses look like gingerbread cottages all decorated with lights, candy canes and mechanical reindeer. We put our tree up last weekend and had to wire it to the wall…again..
With holiday shopping in full swing, I hope you are making progress on your lists and finding great gifts for your loved ones.
Like many of you, I have spent much time contemplating the gifts for my children to ensure lots of happy smiling faces on Christmas morning. There’s nothing quite as deflating as watching your child’s disappointed face as she opens a gift you were sure she would go crazy over. This happened to me last year. The item on my daughter’s wish list was a pair of purple Converse high-tops. But instead of buying these at the store, I went online to the company’s website, where you can design your own shoe, and created a one-of-a-kind pair she would love. I spent over an hour deciding on colors and prints for the outside body, tongue, lining, stitch, heel stripe, laces, rubber sidewall and a racing stripe. As much as I wanted to, I didn’t add her name to the heel stripe. For goodness sake she’s in high school not pre-school. And why the long face on Christmas morning you ask? They were the wrong color purple.
I have shopped local in Rio Rancho, but I don’t have to tell you the selection is limited. I would like to know if that retail survey the city put out last summer gave them any direction as to what the residents wanted to see in Rio Rancho and if we were any closer to getting a Mimi’s Café, Best Buy or local boutique style shop in town.
As far as the hot gifts for this year goes, if you don’t have one yet, get a Wii. If you do have one, get Rock Band 2. This is a game the whole family can play together. Don’t leave anyone out – if you have more kids, buy an extra guitar.
Tween girls love Webkinz. This is a stuffed animal that comes with a secret code which lets your daughter create a Webkinz World online. Depending on whether you get a fish, a bird or a land animal determines what kind of world they can create for their new pet.
Lazer Tag would make a great gift for any boy. Much like the old-fashioned “war” we used to play where your brother would arbitrarily yell “you’re dead.” You could easily dispute it by proclaiming, “You missed me” because there was no proof you’d been hit. Unlike paintball that leaves bruises, Lazer Tag comes with two guns that vibrate to let you know you were hit.
Another hot gift this year for older kids is the Flip UltraHD Camcorder. This pocket-size movie maker captures120 minutes of HD video, which is much longer than what their cell phones can.
And for the kitsch lover in your life, get them a Life Size Garden Gnome with a Solar Lantern. My neighbor has fifteen gnomes in their front yard. I only have three. Not that this is a competition mind you. But you can never have too many gnomes.
Along with your shopping, cookie baking and home decorating don’t miss the Rio Rancho Winterfest parade this afternoon. The parade will start at 5:15pm at the intersection of Golf Course Road and Southern Boulevard, and conclude in the parking lot where the new CVS drugstore is going up on Southern. Come out and enjoy this hometown tradition with marching bands, decorated floats and or course, Santa himself.
Quote of the Week: “He wore a scarlet tunic, a blue green hood, it looked quite good. He had a big adventure amidst the grass, fresh air at last.” – The Gnome by Pink Floyd
People are getting in the Christmas spirit around town now that the big day is less than two weeks away. The houses look like gingerbread cottages all decorated with lights, candy canes and mechanical reindeer. We put our tree up last weekend and had to wire it to the wall…again..
With holiday shopping in full swing, I hope you are making progress on your lists and finding great gifts for your loved ones.
Like many of you, I have spent much time contemplating the gifts for my children to ensure lots of happy smiling faces on Christmas morning. There’s nothing quite as deflating as watching your child’s disappointed face as she opens a gift you were sure she would go crazy over. This happened to me last year. The item on my daughter’s wish list was a pair of purple Converse high-tops. But instead of buying these at the store, I went online to the company’s website, where you can design your own shoe, and created a one-of-a-kind pair she would love. I spent over an hour deciding on colors and prints for the outside body, tongue, lining, stitch, heel stripe, laces, rubber sidewall and a racing stripe. As much as I wanted to, I didn’t add her name to the heel stripe. For goodness sake she’s in high school not pre-school. And why the long face on Christmas morning you ask? They were the wrong color purple.
I have shopped local in Rio Rancho, but I don’t have to tell you the selection is limited. I would like to know if that retail survey the city put out last summer gave them any direction as to what the residents wanted to see in Rio Rancho and if we were any closer to getting a Mimi’s Café, Best Buy or local boutique style shop in town.
As far as the hot gifts for this year goes, if you don’t have one yet, get a Wii. If you do have one, get Rock Band 2. This is a game the whole family can play together. Don’t leave anyone out – if you have more kids, buy an extra guitar.
Tween girls love Webkinz. This is a stuffed animal that comes with a secret code which lets your daughter create a Webkinz World online. Depending on whether you get a fish, a bird or a land animal determines what kind of world they can create for their new pet.
Lazer Tag would make a great gift for any boy. Much like the old-fashioned “war” we used to play where your brother would arbitrarily yell “you’re dead.” You could easily dispute it by proclaiming, “You missed me” because there was no proof you’d been hit. Unlike paintball that leaves bruises, Lazer Tag comes with two guns that vibrate to let you know you were hit.
Another hot gift this year for older kids is the Flip UltraHD Camcorder. This pocket-size movie maker captures120 minutes of HD video, which is much longer than what their cell phones can.
And for the kitsch lover in your life, get them a Life Size Garden Gnome with a Solar Lantern. My neighbor has fifteen gnomes in their front yard. I only have three. Not that this is a competition mind you. But you can never have too many gnomes.
Along with your shopping, cookie baking and home decorating don’t miss the Rio Rancho Winterfest parade this afternoon. The parade will start at 5:15pm at the intersection of Golf Course Road and Southern Boulevard, and conclude in the parking lot where the new CVS drugstore is going up on Southern. Come out and enjoy this hometown tradition with marching bands, decorated floats and or course, Santa himself.
Quote of the Week: “He wore a scarlet tunic, a blue green hood, it looked quite good. He had a big adventure amidst the grass, fresh air at last.” – The Gnome by Pink Floyd
Car Buying
The story you are about to read is true. The names were changed to protect the guilty.
Car buying is not my favorite thing in the world to do; in fact it ranks right up there with colonoscopies, pap smears and mammograms. I’d rather pull my nose hairs out with tweezers than listen to one more car salesman swear on his life he is not making any money on my trade-in.
I have bought many cars in my lifetime and been with my dad when he bought his many moons ago. I didn’t just fall off the turnip truck. Unfortunately, I now find myself in the same uncomfortable situation again, this time all I am doing is trying to get out of my 2006 Jeep Commander and into a lower monthly payment. Let the games begin.
My first stop was a Toyota dealership on the eastside. I thought I would get a good used Toyota that got 36 miles to the gallon at a low monthly payment. Stepping into a Toyota dealership went against every American bone in my body, but desperate people take desperate measures. I knew I was in luck when I met “Seth,” a 15 year veteran in the car business who could answer my questions without having to going to the pit manager. He promised me it would only take 5 minutes to calculating my trade, but in the meantime why didn’t I walk the lot and see what I liked. He was a non-stop talker who was convinced he could make me fall in love with a ‘07 Corolla and agree to any deal because it was just so cute.
After an hour the manager came over and told me he could give me $3,000 less than what Kelley Blue Book said. And then Seth chimed in with the clincher: “If you were my wife, you would have already bought this car.” Red flag, red flag, where are my keys?
I had never been to Carmax, the used car superstore, but had heard many good things about it. The vibe at Carmax was much more straightforward. “Gary” didn’t give me the runaround and when we looked at the cars, he didn’t ask me what color I liked best. Yes, I have heard that one before. He told me he would give me $1,200 more for my Jeep than the Toyota dealership offered. Close but no cigar.
Next, I thought I might have better luck at the dealership where I bought my Jeep from, so off I went for a third opinion. Third? More like my twenty-third at this point if you throw in my dad, my brother and countless friends who “just want to be helpful.” I am grateful to them; because the more stories you hear, the better you are at smelling rats.
The Jeep dealership did turn out to be a good idea, well as good as I was going to get if I was crazy enough to sell my car to a dealership. They offered more for the Jeep than Carmax but no one can really expect to get their money out of any dealership. Finally, the manager came out and the numbers were revealed. Not good enough, although if they would have had a MINI Cooper Clubman in the lot, the temptation would have been irresistible.
The Commander is in the classifieds today. This smart cookie is selling it herself. Now the only red flags I have to worry about are the ones flying at Sandia MINI.
Quote of the Week: “Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels. I don't know how to tell you all just how crazy this life feels.” –Running on Empty, Jackson Brown.
Car buying is not my favorite thing in the world to do; in fact it ranks right up there with colonoscopies, pap smears and mammograms. I’d rather pull my nose hairs out with tweezers than listen to one more car salesman swear on his life he is not making any money on my trade-in.
I have bought many cars in my lifetime and been with my dad when he bought his many moons ago. I didn’t just fall off the turnip truck. Unfortunately, I now find myself in the same uncomfortable situation again, this time all I am doing is trying to get out of my 2006 Jeep Commander and into a lower monthly payment. Let the games begin.
My first stop was a Toyota dealership on the eastside. I thought I would get a good used Toyota that got 36 miles to the gallon at a low monthly payment. Stepping into a Toyota dealership went against every American bone in my body, but desperate people take desperate measures. I knew I was in luck when I met “Seth,” a 15 year veteran in the car business who could answer my questions without having to going to the pit manager. He promised me it would only take 5 minutes to calculating my trade, but in the meantime why didn’t I walk the lot and see what I liked. He was a non-stop talker who was convinced he could make me fall in love with a ‘07 Corolla and agree to any deal because it was just so cute.
After an hour the manager came over and told me he could give me $3,000 less than what Kelley Blue Book said. And then Seth chimed in with the clincher: “If you were my wife, you would have already bought this car.” Red flag, red flag, where are my keys?
I had never been to Carmax, the used car superstore, but had heard many good things about it. The vibe at Carmax was much more straightforward. “Gary” didn’t give me the runaround and when we looked at the cars, he didn’t ask me what color I liked best. Yes, I have heard that one before. He told me he would give me $1,200 more for my Jeep than the Toyota dealership offered. Close but no cigar.
Next, I thought I might have better luck at the dealership where I bought my Jeep from, so off I went for a third opinion. Third? More like my twenty-third at this point if you throw in my dad, my brother and countless friends who “just want to be helpful.” I am grateful to them; because the more stories you hear, the better you are at smelling rats.
The Jeep dealership did turn out to be a good idea, well as good as I was going to get if I was crazy enough to sell my car to a dealership. They offered more for the Jeep than Carmax but no one can really expect to get their money out of any dealership. Finally, the manager came out and the numbers were revealed. Not good enough, although if they would have had a MINI Cooper Clubman in the lot, the temptation would have been irresistible.
The Commander is in the classifieds today. This smart cookie is selling it herself. Now the only red flags I have to worry about are the ones flying at Sandia MINI.
Quote of the Week: “Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels. I don't know how to tell you all just how crazy this life feels.” –Running on Empty, Jackson Brown.
Pina Coladas and a Bar Called O'Malley's
As appeared in the Albuquerque Journal Rio Rancho section 11/28/09
Ok, we made it through another Thanksgiving. But have we fallen into the same old dull routine? We enjoyed delicious turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin pie, our visiting relatives and lots of TV.
Next came all the hype about Black Friday, and then came Black Friday. Sounds just like a worn-out recording of a favorite song. It’s already too much stress and the shopping season and holidays have barely begun. Clip the coupons. Shop online. Shop local. Make the cookies. Put up the lights. Go back to the store and buy more lights. We are feeling just like most of the country right about now who are looking for a brief getaway to save their insanity and want to plan an escape.
If you like Pina Coladas but can’t find a bar called O’Malley’s… then escape to your favorite place and order up one of these sweet tropical treats. Made with rum, coconut cream and crushed pineapples, a Pina Colada will take your mind off of your busy life if only for a half hour or so.
If you like getting caught in the rain…may I suggest the touristy tram ride on the world’s longest aerial tramway? The Sandia Peak Tramway takes you on a 2.7 miles ride above deep canyons and breathtaking terrain to the observation deck atop the10,378 foot Sandia Peak in the Cibola National Forest. How better to escape that getting lost in the 11,000 square-mile panoramic view of the Rio Grande Valley. I’ve been there in the rain and it is so peaceful. If you have visitors or haven’t been up to the top in awhile, its time to go.
If you’re not much into health food, but you’re into champagne…then have I got the place for you? Rio Rancho’s newest wine bar, the Black Olive Wine Bar and Grill serves seven varieties of champagne from New Mexico, California and France and a menu I wouldn’t necessarily call “health food” but rather mouth watering. Prime rib, filet mignon, lobster tail and king crab legs are just three items of this vast menu of enticing entrees. They also serve old-fashioned deviled eggs, hearty minestrone and chicken Caesar salad. Not a bad escape.
If you're not into yoga, and if you have half-a-brain…then escape to the Museum of Natural History and Science and see Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs. This movie will take you through the royal tombs of Egypt. According to the museum’s website, the movie follows explorers and scientists as they piece together the archaeological and genetic clues of Egyptian mummies, and provides audiences with a window into the fascinating and mysterious world of the pharaohs. If you have school age children, this would be a great treat for them as well.
If you like making love at midnight…but have Uncle Billy and Aunt Agnes in the guest bedroom next to yours all week, chances are you could use an escape with your own lovely lady (or man). There’s everyone’s favorite Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa just up the road. But if you are looking for a little entertainment too, Johnny Rivers will be at the Hilton Santa Fe Golf Resort & Spa at Buffalo Thunder on December 11. Do-do-do-wa-shooby-dooby. Willie Nelson is on the road again at Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino on December 13. And for you hippies out there, Steppenwolf will be there on January 22, 2010.
Remember, although it may be the season to go shopping, its not that hard to plan your escape.
Quote of the Week: ""If you like Pina Coladas, and getting caught in the rain. If you're not into yoga, if you have half-a-brain. If you like making love at midnight, in the dunes of the cape. I'm the lady you've looked for, write to me, and escape." -Rupert Holmes - Escape (The Pina Colada Song)
Ok, we made it through another Thanksgiving. But have we fallen into the same old dull routine? We enjoyed delicious turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin pie, our visiting relatives and lots of TV.
Next came all the hype about Black Friday, and then came Black Friday. Sounds just like a worn-out recording of a favorite song. It’s already too much stress and the shopping season and holidays have barely begun. Clip the coupons. Shop online. Shop local. Make the cookies. Put up the lights. Go back to the store and buy more lights. We are feeling just like most of the country right about now who are looking for a brief getaway to save their insanity and want to plan an escape.
If you like Pina Coladas but can’t find a bar called O’Malley’s… then escape to your favorite place and order up one of these sweet tropical treats. Made with rum, coconut cream and crushed pineapples, a Pina Colada will take your mind off of your busy life if only for a half hour or so.
If you like getting caught in the rain…may I suggest the touristy tram ride on the world’s longest aerial tramway? The Sandia Peak Tramway takes you on a 2.7 miles ride above deep canyons and breathtaking terrain to the observation deck atop the10,378 foot Sandia Peak in the Cibola National Forest. How better to escape that getting lost in the 11,000 square-mile panoramic view of the Rio Grande Valley. I’ve been there in the rain and it is so peaceful. If you have visitors or haven’t been up to the top in awhile, its time to go.
If you’re not much into health food, but you’re into champagne…then have I got the place for you? Rio Rancho’s newest wine bar, the Black Olive Wine Bar and Grill serves seven varieties of champagne from New Mexico, California and France and a menu I wouldn’t necessarily call “health food” but rather mouth watering. Prime rib, filet mignon, lobster tail and king crab legs are just three items of this vast menu of enticing entrees. They also serve old-fashioned deviled eggs, hearty minestrone and chicken Caesar salad. Not a bad escape.
If you're not into yoga, and if you have half-a-brain…then escape to the Museum of Natural History and Science and see Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs. This movie will take you through the royal tombs of Egypt. According to the museum’s website, the movie follows explorers and scientists as they piece together the archaeological and genetic clues of Egyptian mummies, and provides audiences with a window into the fascinating and mysterious world of the pharaohs. If you have school age children, this would be a great treat for them as well.
If you like making love at midnight…but have Uncle Billy and Aunt Agnes in the guest bedroom next to yours all week, chances are you could use an escape with your own lovely lady (or man). There’s everyone’s favorite Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa just up the road. But if you are looking for a little entertainment too, Johnny Rivers will be at the Hilton Santa Fe Golf Resort & Spa at Buffalo Thunder on December 11. Do-do-do-wa-shooby-dooby. Willie Nelson is on the road again at Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino on December 13. And for you hippies out there, Steppenwolf will be there on January 22, 2010.
Remember, although it may be the season to go shopping, its not that hard to plan your escape.
Quote of the Week: ""If you like Pina Coladas, and getting caught in the rain. If you're not into yoga, if you have half-a-brain. If you like making love at midnight, in the dunes of the cape. I'm the lady you've looked for, write to me, and escape." -Rupert Holmes - Escape (The Pina Colada Song)
Be Thankful for Our Troops
As appeared in the Albuquerque Journal Rio Rancho section 11/21/09
We’ve all seen the footage of returning troops at the Sunport coming home from war. Waiting for them is a special group of people waving American flags, saluting and cheering as the troops walk through the terminal. The welcoming group is not necessarily relatives, but loyal Americans grateful for what their fighting soldiers do and don’t think the soldiers return should go unnoticed.
I think they speak for most of us in our gratitude to our troops. I know we would all be down at the Sunport if we could, hankie in hand, greeting each and everyone one of them with a big hug and pat on the back. I even had the chance to witness one of these events first hand when I was at the Sunport over the summer. I watched, with a lump in my throat, as the single-file line of camouflage-dressed soldiers walked past the small group of smiling supporters; made me proud to be an American.
And if that isn’t enough to tug at your heart strings, have you seen the videos of the men returning home from duty and reuniting with their dogs? Each dog in every video goes crazy upon seeing their master for the first time in many months. People aren’t the only ones who miss their soldiers.
The Blue Star Mothers of America organization was started in Flint, Michigan during WWII and is a national organization created to support the men and women serving in all branches of the armed forces and the families they leave behind. The Blue Star Mothers of Rio Rancho is a busy chapter and will definitely be missing their sons and daughters this Thanksgiving
Pearl Trowbridge, who is in charge of care packages and Welcome Homes for the Rio Rancho Chapter of Blue Star Mothers, is also the proud mother of son, Aaron who is serving his second tour in Iraq. “We have assembled 241 care packages already,” says Trowbridge, “and we just adopted 144 from the 920th (NM National Guard) so we can surely use more.”
The Blue Star Mothers of Rio Rancho’s website gives a long list of items that have been specifically asked for by the troops themselves. As far as food goes, some suggestions are individually wrapped tuna pouches, beef jerky, coffee, tea and crackers make great gifts. Just think of things you would pack in your child’s lunch if you were sending him off to school. Did I mention candy? Yes, send that too.
As far as the non-food items go, the wish list is extensive. Troops are asking for everything from beanie babies, small mouse traps, panty liners (to line helmets to keep sweat out of their eyes) to small funnels for pouring Crystal Light and Gatorade powder into their canteens because the water “tastes nasty.”
According to the website, the troops have also requested entertainment items to help them keep their sanity while all hell is breaking lose around them. When thinking of a care package, consider music CDs or movie DVD, hacky sacks, playing cards, crossword puzzles and pencils with erasers.
I am asking everyone to please consider donating something to our troops. Check out www.rioranchobluestarmothers.org for the complete wish list. If you cannot afford any of the items maybe you can afford a Christmas card, or a thank-you card to let our troops know that Rio Rancho has not forgotten them this holiday season. Call Pearl Trowbridge at (505) 892-1593 to arrange a drop off time before December 6 so that your gifts will reach the troops in time for Christmas.
May everyone have a happy Thanksgiving and may you have many things to be thankful for this year including our deployed troops.
Quote of the Week: “There is no question that these multiple tours have put enormous strain on the force, absolutely. ... Our troopers do an extraordinarily good job, despite the enormous strain that, clearly, they and their families have experienced over the course of the last number of years.” – General David H. Petraeus.
We’ve all seen the footage of returning troops at the Sunport coming home from war. Waiting for them is a special group of people waving American flags, saluting and cheering as the troops walk through the terminal. The welcoming group is not necessarily relatives, but loyal Americans grateful for what their fighting soldiers do and don’t think the soldiers return should go unnoticed.
I think they speak for most of us in our gratitude to our troops. I know we would all be down at the Sunport if we could, hankie in hand, greeting each and everyone one of them with a big hug and pat on the back. I even had the chance to witness one of these events first hand when I was at the Sunport over the summer. I watched, with a lump in my throat, as the single-file line of camouflage-dressed soldiers walked past the small group of smiling supporters; made me proud to be an American.
And if that isn’t enough to tug at your heart strings, have you seen the videos of the men returning home from duty and reuniting with their dogs? Each dog in every video goes crazy upon seeing their master for the first time in many months. People aren’t the only ones who miss their soldiers.
The Blue Star Mothers of America organization was started in Flint, Michigan during WWII and is a national organization created to support the men and women serving in all branches of the armed forces and the families they leave behind. The Blue Star Mothers of Rio Rancho is a busy chapter and will definitely be missing their sons and daughters this Thanksgiving
Pearl Trowbridge, who is in charge of care packages and Welcome Homes for the Rio Rancho Chapter of Blue Star Mothers, is also the proud mother of son, Aaron who is serving his second tour in Iraq. “We have assembled 241 care packages already,” says Trowbridge, “and we just adopted 144 from the 920th (NM National Guard) so we can surely use more.”
The Blue Star Mothers of Rio Rancho’s website gives a long list of items that have been specifically asked for by the troops themselves. As far as food goes, some suggestions are individually wrapped tuna pouches, beef jerky, coffee, tea and crackers make great gifts. Just think of things you would pack in your child’s lunch if you were sending him off to school. Did I mention candy? Yes, send that too.
As far as the non-food items go, the wish list is extensive. Troops are asking for everything from beanie babies, small mouse traps, panty liners (to line helmets to keep sweat out of their eyes) to small funnels for pouring Crystal Light and Gatorade powder into their canteens because the water “tastes nasty.”
According to the website, the troops have also requested entertainment items to help them keep their sanity while all hell is breaking lose around them. When thinking of a care package, consider music CDs or movie DVD, hacky sacks, playing cards, crossword puzzles and pencils with erasers.
I am asking everyone to please consider donating something to our troops. Check out www.rioranchobluestarmothers.org for the complete wish list. If you cannot afford any of the items maybe you can afford a Christmas card, or a thank-you card to let our troops know that Rio Rancho has not forgotten them this holiday season. Call Pearl Trowbridge at (505) 892-1593 to arrange a drop off time before December 6 so that your gifts will reach the troops in time for Christmas.
May everyone have a happy Thanksgiving and may you have many things to be thankful for this year including our deployed troops.
Quote of the Week: “There is no question that these multiple tours have put enormous strain on the force, absolutely. ... Our troopers do an extraordinarily good job, despite the enormous strain that, clearly, they and their families have experienced over the course of the last number of years.” – General David H. Petraeus.
SAT or ACT?
As appeared in the Albuquerque Journal 11/14/09
Remember your senior year of high school when your thoughts began to turn away from biology quizzes and homecoming dances to what the heck am I going to do after graduation and how am I going got get there? Future plans that for many included preparing for college, a.k.a. taking the standardized college admissions tests SAT and ACT.
According to the RRPS website, there are basic differences between the SAT and the ACT and they should help you determine which test is best for you. For example:
-The ACT focuses on science reasoning, whereas the SAT does not.
-There are 4 trigonometry questions on the ACT and none on the SAT.
-Vocabulary is less important on the ACT and emphasized on the SAT.
-There is no guessing or wrong answer penalty on the ACT, but the SAT will dock you a quarter of a point for guessing and getting a question wrong.
I can’t decide which is the lesser of the two evils. Who wrote these rules?
I can still remember that cold Saturday morning in my senior year of high school driving out to the community college to take the SAT. Back then there was no preparation offered for the daunting four hour timed ordeal. You packed your lucky No.2 pencil and calculator and hoped for the best.
Nowadays kids have a better chance of doing well on the test. There is help everywhere including test tutors, preparation classes and even sample tests online that one can take to better acquaint the student with what to expect.
My favorite prep method has to be the “The Official SAT Question of the Day,” that www.collegeboard.com sends out. Once you enter your email address, a sample test question arrives in your inbox everyday; a question typically found on the SAT that familiarizes you with what to expect on the big day. I wish every high school teacher would put the question of the day on the board every morning to challenge their students and help them grow.
I signed myself and my oldest daughter up to receive these brain teasers. I thought it would be helpful to her so that she wouldn’t be caught like a deer in the headlights on test day. And for myself, I thought it would be fun to see the easy questions. Now that I was so much older and wiser, I was sure it would be a snap. The questions range in subject from math and critical reading to writing and vocabulary. Here was the mathematics question from last Wednesday:
In a community of 416 people, each person owns a dog or a cat or both. If there are 316 dog owners and 280 cat owners, how many of the dog owners own no cat? 36? 100? 136? 180? Or 316?
It’s a trick question, right?
And one of their critical reading questions went like this:
The show’s host was usually genial, but he had a reputation for turning ------- when provoked by guests who challenged his opinions. Surly? Intrusive? Lenient? Convincing? Or giddy?
A snap? Well, that one was on the easy side compared to others they’ve sent. You will feel as smart as a whip or dumb as a doornail, depending on the question. I think I will stay on the mailing list and continue with the questions long after my daughter takes her test. For two reasons; one, it’s a good way to sharpen the mind, and two; for the life of me I don’t get Sudoku.
Quote of the Week: “Education is learning what you didn't even know you didn't know.” - Daniel J. Boorstin, twelfth Librarian of the United States Congress from 1975 until 1987.
Remember your senior year of high school when your thoughts began to turn away from biology quizzes and homecoming dances to what the heck am I going to do after graduation and how am I going got get there? Future plans that for many included preparing for college, a.k.a. taking the standardized college admissions tests SAT and ACT.
According to the RRPS website, there are basic differences between the SAT and the ACT and they should help you determine which test is best for you. For example:
-The ACT focuses on science reasoning, whereas the SAT does not.
-There are 4 trigonometry questions on the ACT and none on the SAT.
-Vocabulary is less important on the ACT and emphasized on the SAT.
-There is no guessing or wrong answer penalty on the ACT, but the SAT will dock you a quarter of a point for guessing and getting a question wrong.
I can’t decide which is the lesser of the two evils. Who wrote these rules?
I can still remember that cold Saturday morning in my senior year of high school driving out to the community college to take the SAT. Back then there was no preparation offered for the daunting four hour timed ordeal. You packed your lucky No.2 pencil and calculator and hoped for the best.
Nowadays kids have a better chance of doing well on the test. There is help everywhere including test tutors, preparation classes and even sample tests online that one can take to better acquaint the student with what to expect.
My favorite prep method has to be the “The Official SAT Question of the Day,” that www.collegeboard.com sends out. Once you enter your email address, a sample test question arrives in your inbox everyday; a question typically found on the SAT that familiarizes you with what to expect on the big day. I wish every high school teacher would put the question of the day on the board every morning to challenge their students and help them grow.
I signed myself and my oldest daughter up to receive these brain teasers. I thought it would be helpful to her so that she wouldn’t be caught like a deer in the headlights on test day. And for myself, I thought it would be fun to see the easy questions. Now that I was so much older and wiser, I was sure it would be a snap. The questions range in subject from math and critical reading to writing and vocabulary. Here was the mathematics question from last Wednesday:
In a community of 416 people, each person owns a dog or a cat or both. If there are 316 dog owners and 280 cat owners, how many of the dog owners own no cat? 36? 100? 136? 180? Or 316?
It’s a trick question, right?
And one of their critical reading questions went like this:
The show’s host was usually genial, but he had a reputation for turning ------- when provoked by guests who challenged his opinions. Surly? Intrusive? Lenient? Convincing? Or giddy?
A snap? Well, that one was on the easy side compared to others they’ve sent. You will feel as smart as a whip or dumb as a doornail, depending on the question. I think I will stay on the mailing list and continue with the questions long after my daughter takes her test. For two reasons; one, it’s a good way to sharpen the mind, and two; for the life of me I don’t get Sudoku.
Quote of the Week: “Education is learning what you didn't even know you didn't know.” - Daniel J. Boorstin, twelfth Librarian of the United States Congress from 1975 until 1987.
Halloween May Be Dying But Day of the Dead is Rising
As appeared in the Albuquerque Journal Rio Rancho Section 11/7/09
Having put Halloween in the rear view mirror, I have to say the steady stream of trick-or-treaters at my front door last Saturday night was more like a trickle. And that goes for what I saw on the street as well. Where were all the little ghosts and goblins? While trick-or-treating with my youngest daughter and our usual group of friends, it was quite obvious to us all that the numerous decorated houses with multiple jack-o-lanterns, spider webs and 2D witches clinging to the trees in years past were few and far between. In their place were deliberately dark porches sans decorations.
I know I am not alone on this observation; my friend, Dave in Florida said this was the first Halloween that he had candy left over. As I called dibs on his remaining fun size Almond Joys, a sense of sadness came over me. Is the act of going house-to-house begging for candy on October 31 becoming a thing of the past just like pet rocks, Red Ball Jet sneakers and disco? Life has changed dramatically in the last thirty years and the world isn’t as safe as it once was.
But where there is a yin, there is a yang. Whereas Halloween may be losing its popularity, another timely tradition continues to evolve more prominently every year. The Day of the Dead is a Mexican and Mexican-American celebration of deceased ancestors which occurs on November 1 and November 2 and coincides with the similar Roman Catholic celebrations of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.
Day of the Dead celebrations are gaining popularity proven by the many parades and parties that now take place about this time every year. Many artists find this spiritual celebration captivating and reflect that in their highly whimsical and colorful art that is found at craft shows, gift shops and museums. This weekend you will find a plethora of folk art commemorating the Day of the Dead at the Arte de Muertos Expo at the Santa Ana Start Casino.
Hank Estrada is the creative energy behind Arte de Muertos Productions and although the event is relatively new, it’s already a sell out. “Just within its first year the Expo has grown to become New Mexico’s largest assemblage of Day of the Dead artists ever,” said Estrada. “Our artists come from all over the state. We have even now attracted artists from the neighboring states of Texas, Arizona, Colorado and old Mexico.”
I attended their summer event and ended up spending more than I had planned on a couple of folk art pieces that were not Day of the Dead inspired. “We pride ourselves in featuring both traditional and contemporary examples of art,” said Estrada. “Among this year’s Expo, artists will be representing the art forms of paper Mache, carpentry, glass, jewelry, masks, mixed media, feather craft, and even a local woman who makes authentic coffins,” gleamed Estrada. I saw this artist at the July event, and if you can get over the shock of seeing coffins at an arts and crafts fair, the artwork is really beautiful.
One of my favorite authors, Antonio Garcez will be at the Expo today signing his collection of ghost story books including his latest book, Colorado Ghost Stories.
“The Expo has a great atmosphere, a real sense of family and fiesta,” said Estrada. “We have lots of music and today we have numerologists, Ouija board psychics and tarot card readers.”
Honor your ancestors or just get a jump on your holiday shopping and check out the Arte de Muertos Expo today or tomorrow. I’ll be the one with the skull painted face with too many shopping bags to carry.
Quote of the Week: “The past is a source of knowledge, and the future is a source of hope. Love of the past implies faith in the future.” - Stephen Ambrose, historian. 1936-2002
Having put Halloween in the rear view mirror, I have to say the steady stream of trick-or-treaters at my front door last Saturday night was more like a trickle. And that goes for what I saw on the street as well. Where were all the little ghosts and goblins? While trick-or-treating with my youngest daughter and our usual group of friends, it was quite obvious to us all that the numerous decorated houses with multiple jack-o-lanterns, spider webs and 2D witches clinging to the trees in years past were few and far between. In their place were deliberately dark porches sans decorations.
I know I am not alone on this observation; my friend, Dave in Florida said this was the first Halloween that he had candy left over. As I called dibs on his remaining fun size Almond Joys, a sense of sadness came over me. Is the act of going house-to-house begging for candy on October 31 becoming a thing of the past just like pet rocks, Red Ball Jet sneakers and disco? Life has changed dramatically in the last thirty years and the world isn’t as safe as it once was.
But where there is a yin, there is a yang. Whereas Halloween may be losing its popularity, another timely tradition continues to evolve more prominently every year. The Day of the Dead is a Mexican and Mexican-American celebration of deceased ancestors which occurs on November 1 and November 2 and coincides with the similar Roman Catholic celebrations of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.
Day of the Dead celebrations are gaining popularity proven by the many parades and parties that now take place about this time every year. Many artists find this spiritual celebration captivating and reflect that in their highly whimsical and colorful art that is found at craft shows, gift shops and museums. This weekend you will find a plethora of folk art commemorating the Day of the Dead at the Arte de Muertos Expo at the Santa Ana Start Casino.
Hank Estrada is the creative energy behind Arte de Muertos Productions and although the event is relatively new, it’s already a sell out. “Just within its first year the Expo has grown to become New Mexico’s largest assemblage of Day of the Dead artists ever,” said Estrada. “Our artists come from all over the state. We have even now attracted artists from the neighboring states of Texas, Arizona, Colorado and old Mexico.”
I attended their summer event and ended up spending more than I had planned on a couple of folk art pieces that were not Day of the Dead inspired. “We pride ourselves in featuring both traditional and contemporary examples of art,” said Estrada. “Among this year’s Expo, artists will be representing the art forms of paper Mache, carpentry, glass, jewelry, masks, mixed media, feather craft, and even a local woman who makes authentic coffins,” gleamed Estrada. I saw this artist at the July event, and if you can get over the shock of seeing coffins at an arts and crafts fair, the artwork is really beautiful.
One of my favorite authors, Antonio Garcez will be at the Expo today signing his collection of ghost story books including his latest book, Colorado Ghost Stories.
“The Expo has a great atmosphere, a real sense of family and fiesta,” said Estrada. “We have lots of music and today we have numerologists, Ouija board psychics and tarot card readers.”
Honor your ancestors or just get a jump on your holiday shopping and check out the Arte de Muertos Expo today or tomorrow. I’ll be the one with the skull painted face with too many shopping bags to carry.
Quote of the Week: “The past is a source of knowledge, and the future is a source of hope. Love of the past implies faith in the future.” - Stephen Ambrose, historian. 1936-2002
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