As appeared in the Albuquerque Journal, Rio Rancho section 5/29/10.
You think you know our mayor, do you? Most of us know Tom Swisstack as the coat and tie figurehead behind a microphone. He is the politician who can be seen presiding over city council meetings, town hall meetings and as the host of Conversations with Mayor Swisstack, a talk show where he discusses current issues and projects pertinent to our city. Swisstack is also Director of the Bernalillo County Juvenile Detention Center.
In my series of everyday-questions-for-the-not-so-everyday person, I subjected Mayor Swisstack to my introspective queries so that we can get to know the man behind the title. Because inquiring minds want to know if Tom Swisstack won $10 million in the lottery, what is the first thing he would buy?
What's the most recent movie you've seen?
Iron Man 2
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Making the Bernalillo County Juvenile Detention Center one of four national model sites in the country, and serving my community.
What is one thing you wish Rio Rancho had that is doesn’t?
More retail shopping opportunities that includes things like a men’s store where you can purchase suits.
Your house is on fire and all of your family and pets are safe outside. What is the one thing you would go back and get?
Family pictures to preserve memories of growing up.
After previously serving as mayor, why did you want to serve as mayor again?
I wanted to bring systematic change that would ensure the city’s future.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Cars.
What is your favorite getaway spot in NM?
Santa Fe, because of its diversity, history and romantic environment.
How does your day job -- director of the Bernalillo County Juvenile Detention Center -- help you as mayor?
It helps me stay grounded and reminds me that every person is important and should be treated with respect no matter what walk of life they come from.
What is the trait you most dislike in others?
A sense of entitlement
If he could change one thing as mayor without having to go through the city council, etc., what would it be?
Making the mayor position in Rio Rancho full-time, but continuing to have a strong city manager structure.
At what Rio Rancho haunt are we most likely to spot you?
Exercising at Defined Fitness on High Resort Boulevard.
If you won $10 million in the lottery, what is the first thing you would buy?
I would first try to make the dreams of 100 children come true through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and then make the dreams of my family members become a reality.
Name one thing you want to do before you die?
Visit every state in our great country and experience the best of what each state had to offer.
What is your favorite restaurant?
There are many I like including Turtle Mountain, but the one I most frequent is O’Hare’s because of its great food and quality service.
If you had to impress an out-of-towner about this area, where is the one place you would take them?
To an event at the city’s Santa Ana Star Center that provides a great experience.
Red or green?
Green…on almost everything.
Quote of the Week: “I have one more year of chemo, but because of people like you who have given generously to Make-A-Wish, this last year will be a lot more bearable for me. I’m gonna make it!” –Casey, from the Make-a-Wish Foundation website.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Is It a Wonderful Life Without Digital Signs?
As appeared in the Albuquerque Journal Rio Rancho section 5/22/10
There is a new online survey on the city's website. This time it's the Sign Ordinance Task Force looking for a little more input from the residents of Rio Rancho.
I suggest you take a minute and voice your opinion.
It seems this committee has been busy at work since last July, and now they are seeking the public's opinion once again. I sat on the Aesthetic Quality of Life Task Force last year, and we covered many topics on how to raise the score on our city's eye candy scale.
The city's Sign Ordinance Task Force was formed last year and is in its final stages. To finish its task, they are seeking public input on allowing what they are calling off-premise advertising in Rio Rancho.
What is off-premise advertising, you ask? Have any one of you driven down the Vegas Strip in Sin City? Times Square in New York? Those are off-premise, digital billboards.
Yes, the Santa Ana Star Casino has a nice big one flashing bouncy hot dogs at you as you drive down N.M. 550. Even Jiffy Lube has their red LED signs on N.M. 528 blinking their messages of "No Waiting" or their reference to your oil looking like "number 2."
Is that where we are heading? The Vegas Strip? What comes to mind is the movie "It's a Wonderful Life," when George Bailey is frantically running down the street of skanky Pottersville looking for his beloved Bedford Falls. I swear those were digital lights flashing outside of Nick's bar.
I went online and took the survey, which happened to be the same day I voted at City Hall, gladly fulfilling my civic duty with honor. Have you voted yet?
There are only six questions in the survey. The first question is: "Would you be in favor of allowing off-premise advertising i.e. digital billboards throughout Rio Rancho?" I cast a No vote for Pottersville.
The next question asked if I was in favor of digital advertising if the size and location were limited. Well, I really can't see a Star Casino-sized sign on Southern Boulevard, so who wouldn't be in favor of limitations?
The next question asked that if I would consider off-premise advertising if I was a business owner. I would have to say that, since the signs grab your attention — and at the moment, there are not a lot of blinking signs in the city — my business would probably stand out from the others. Therefore, yes, I would consider it. I drank the Kool-Aid, call me a traitor.
Let's consider this: We are the City of Vision. Doesn't that mean we should be on the leading edge of technology? Shouldn't we be using fiber optics, LEDs, digital and lasers on every street corner in town?
The final question asked how far from a residential area would off-premise advertising be appropriate. I can't help but feel like these signs are coming. Sure, it starts with one little LED "OPEN" sign in an oil change shop. Next thing you know, Smith's is flashing flying loaves of bread on a 20-foot beacon in big red letters flashing "HOT. HOT. HOT."
Quote of the Week: "You see George, you've really had a wonderful life. Don't you see what a mistake it would be to just throw it away?" — Clarence from "It's a Wonderful Life."
I suggest you take a minute and voice your opinion.
It seems this committee has been busy at work since last July, and now they are seeking the public's opinion once again. I sat on the Aesthetic Quality of Life Task Force last year, and we covered many topics on how to raise the score on our city's eye candy scale.
The city's Sign Ordinance Task Force was formed last year and is in its final stages. To finish its task, they are seeking public input on allowing what they are calling off-premise advertising in Rio Rancho.
What is off-premise advertising, you ask? Have any one of you driven down the Vegas Strip in Sin City? Times Square in New York? Those are off-premise, digital billboards.
Yes, the Santa Ana Star Casino has a nice big one flashing bouncy hot dogs at you as you drive down N.M. 550. Even Jiffy Lube has their red LED signs on N.M. 528 blinking their messages of "No Waiting" or their reference to your oil looking like "number 2."
Is that where we are heading? The Vegas Strip? What comes to mind is the movie "It's a Wonderful Life," when George Bailey is frantically running down the street of skanky Pottersville looking for his beloved Bedford Falls. I swear those were digital lights flashing outside of Nick's bar.
I went online and took the survey, which happened to be the same day I voted at City Hall, gladly fulfilling my civic duty with honor. Have you voted yet?
There are only six questions in the survey. The first question is: "Would you be in favor of allowing off-premise advertising i.e. digital billboards throughout Rio Rancho?" I cast a No vote for Pottersville.
The next question asked if I was in favor of digital advertising if the size and location were limited. Well, I really can't see a Star Casino-sized sign on Southern Boulevard, so who wouldn't be in favor of limitations?
The next question asked that if I would consider off-premise advertising if I was a business owner. I would have to say that, since the signs grab your attention — and at the moment, there are not a lot of blinking signs in the city — my business would probably stand out from the others. Therefore, yes, I would consider it. I drank the Kool-Aid, call me a traitor.
Let's consider this: We are the City of Vision. Doesn't that mean we should be on the leading edge of technology? Shouldn't we be using fiber optics, LEDs, digital and lasers on every street corner in town?
The final question asked how far from a residential area would off-premise advertising be appropriate. I can't help but feel like these signs are coming. Sure, it starts with one little LED "OPEN" sign in an oil change shop. Next thing you know, Smith's is flashing flying loaves of bread on a 20-foot beacon in big red letters flashing "HOT. HOT. HOT."
Quote of the Week: "You see George, you've really had a wonderful life. Don't you see what a mistake it would be to just throw it away?" — Clarence from "It's a Wonderful Life."
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Mark Wood Rocks Middle School
As appeared in the Albuquerque Journal, Rio Rancho section 5/15/10
If you think middle school orchestra concerts are dry, screechy with subdued kids struggling through Au Clair de la Lune, have I got news for you.
Last Tuesday night Cleveland High School concert hall was rocking out at the RRPS middle school spring concert with special guest Mark Wood. I realize that name may not ring a bell for many of you; it didn’t me. But there is a good chance you have heard him play.
Mark Wood is the inventor of a patented 6-string fretted electric violin, the Viper. If you are trying to imagine what an electric violin sounds like, think Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Looking like a cleaned up Alice Cooper without the makeup, Wood was the lead violinist and string conductor for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra has played on stage with the likes of Sir Paul McCartney, Celine Dion, Roger Daltry, Billy Joel and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith.
What was he doing with a bunch of adolescent fiddle players in Rio Rancho you ask?
Wood has developed a program called Electrify Your Strings. He travels to schools around the country, where he teaches students how to incorporate the principles of rock ’n’ roll into their musical repertoire.
The kids have been practicing their material for months but only last Monday and Tuesday did they get to play the songs with Wood. He didn’t stop with just getting the notes right, Wood taught the kids how to put on a show, and they were eating it up.
The Beginners were up first. Wood walked onstage, turned on his drum machine, queued the kids and We Will Rock You began. Foot stomping, bow waving and clapping accompanied the piece as the parents were aghast in delight. Who were these kids? I didn’t see that during practice time at home? Were we at a Queen concert? Given the volume level and stage lighting, it was a close call. If I hadn’t seen Queen with my own eyes in 1976 I may not have been able to tell it was just middle school kids on a high school stage.
The Intermediate kids took the stage next as the Beginners strategically took their places around the auditorium. When the kids played Jimi Hendrix’s Purple Haze, a hazy purplish light was cast on the stage. The next song was a recognizable rendition of the Beatles’ Eleanor Rigby. Wood had just finished telling the audience that Sgt. Pepper was a huge influence on him in his youth and he recently had the opportunity to tell Sir Paul McCartney that when he played with him onstage.
And here Wood was teaching our kids how to play a Beatles song, feel it and become the music. He didn’t teach them how to play the notes but how to put on a show. The kids waved their bows in unison, swayed back and forth in their chairs, did the wave while strumming their strings, ran down the aisles during a song encouraging us parents to get up and rock out.
I thought I was at a Bruce Springsteen concert, except after the show instead of partying on into the night; we stopped at Baskin Robbins for hot fudge sundaes before heading home. After all, it was a school night.
A big thank you goes out to the middle school orchestra teachers who made this incredible experience possible for our kids: Karen Ginther of Eagle Ridge Middle School, Ms. Blackston of Lincoln Middle School, Christine Hernandez of Mountain View Middle School and Eric Walters of Rio Rancho Middle School.
Quote of the Week: “Now raise your goblet of rock. It's a toast to those who rock!” – Dewey Finn, School of Rock the movie.
Jennifer Huard’s column appears each Saturday. She welcomes your emails at jhuard@abqjournal.com. Visit her blog at www.jenniferhuard.blogspot.com.
Last Tuesday night Cleveland High School concert hall was rocking out at the RRPS middle school spring concert with special guest Mark Wood. I realize that name may not ring a bell for many of you; it didn’t me. But there is a good chance you have heard him play.
Mark Wood is the inventor of a patented 6-string fretted electric violin, the Viper. If you are trying to imagine what an electric violin sounds like, think Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Looking like a cleaned up Alice Cooper without the makeup, Wood was the lead violinist and string conductor for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra has played on stage with the likes of Sir Paul McCartney, Celine Dion, Roger Daltry, Billy Joel and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith.
What was he doing with a bunch of adolescent fiddle players in Rio Rancho you ask?
Wood has developed a program called Electrify Your Strings. He travels to schools around the country, where he teaches students how to incorporate the principles of rock ’n’ roll into their musical repertoire.
The kids have been practicing their material for months but only last Monday and Tuesday did they get to play the songs with Wood. He didn’t stop with just getting the notes right, Wood taught the kids how to put on a show, and they were eating it up.
The Beginners were up first. Wood walked onstage, turned on his drum machine, queued the kids and We Will Rock You began. Foot stomping, bow waving and clapping accompanied the piece as the parents were aghast in delight. Who were these kids? I didn’t see that during practice time at home? Were we at a Queen concert? Given the volume level and stage lighting, it was a close call. If I hadn’t seen Queen with my own eyes in 1976 I may not have been able to tell it was just middle school kids on a high school stage.
The Intermediate kids took the stage next as the Beginners strategically took their places around the auditorium. When the kids played Jimi Hendrix’s Purple Haze, a hazy purplish light was cast on the stage. The next song was a recognizable rendition of the Beatles’ Eleanor Rigby. Wood had just finished telling the audience that Sgt. Pepper was a huge influence on him in his youth and he recently had the opportunity to tell Sir Paul McCartney that when he played with him onstage.
And here Wood was teaching our kids how to play a Beatles song, feel it and become the music. He didn’t teach them how to play the notes but how to put on a show. The kids waved their bows in unison, swayed back and forth in their chairs, did the wave while strumming their strings, ran down the aisles during a song encouraging us parents to get up and rock out.
I thought I was at a Bruce Springsteen concert, except after the show instead of partying on into the night; we stopped at Baskin Robbins for hot fudge sundaes before heading home. After all, it was a school night.
A big thank you goes out to the middle school orchestra teachers who made this incredible experience possible for our kids: Karen Ginther of Eagle Ridge Middle School, Ms. Blackston of Lincoln Middle School, Christine Hernandez of Mountain View Middle School and Eric Walters of Rio Rancho Middle School.
Quote of the Week: “Now raise your goblet of rock. It's a toast to those who rock!” – Dewey Finn, School of Rock the movie.
Jennifer Huard’s column appears each Saturday. She welcomes your emails at jhuard@abqjournal.com. Visit her blog at www.jenniferhuard.blogspot.com.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
The Perfect Mother
As seen in the Albuquerque Journal Rio Rancho section 4/8/10
There is nothing like looking through the Mother’s Day cards rack at the store to realize just how many different types of mothers there are in the world. Each one unique and perfect in their own way, with strong points in areas when you most need them.
What would it be like if you could take all of the best traits and build the perfect mother, one that takes a little from here and a smidge from there and voila- the perfect mother?
To start, I would add one cup of Martha Stewart for her epicurean abilities and knowing her way around a kitchen. I would love to eat pork chops with tomato chutney, and I know some of her cooking can get a little rich. My mother runs a close second with her Fisherman’s Stew with Crunchy (undercooked) Carrots, or Sweet and Sour Tuna Fish; canned tuna, no kidding.
When it comes to house cleaning, what better than to add a smidge of Hazel, the attentive maid in the light blue uniform from the 60s TV series of the same name? Technically, I don’t think Hazel was a mother, but she was a female presence in the Baxter home. The house was always spotless, her attitude perky and not a hair out of place or a spot on her apron.
I’ll take a half cup of Jane Jetson from the cartoon series for her fashion and shopping expertise. If you remember correctly, her favorite store was Mooning Dales and Jane could squeak money out of George like a pro. Jane and daughter Judy wore all the latest trends and used the latest gadgets at home.
For night time story telling, I will take 2 cups of Erma Bombeck, America’s humorist and newspaper columnist from the 80s and 90s who was able to find the funny in everyday life. From “Seize the moment. Think of all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart,” to “The grass is always greener over the septic tank," Erma was a great story teller. Having published 4,000 newspaper columns and 15 books throughout her career, it would be a joy listening to her.
Add a pinch of Shirley Partridge for any musical assistance and a dash of Samantha Stevens from Bewitched. She can twitch her nose and get you out of any situation.
I know my kids like me just the way I am. And one way they show it is by the note they put on our refrigerator of something I once said. Is it an endearing, “I love you, honey?” Or an inspirational, motivating quote that makes them feel so loved? No. It seems that I said something so prolific when I was on ebay one time searching for a particular item for the bathroom, that they couldn’t let it go unnoticed. So, held tightly to our freezer door with a lady bug magnet is my captivating quote for all to see, “All the good toilet seats are in Europe.”
Happy Mother’s Day to all of you wonderfully unique women.
Quote of the Week: “A man never sees all that his mother has been to him until it's too late to let her know he sees it.” -William Dean Howells, author.
There is nothing like looking through the Mother’s Day cards rack at the store to realize just how many different types of mothers there are in the world. Each one unique and perfect in their own way, with strong points in areas when you most need them.
What would it be like if you could take all of the best traits and build the perfect mother, one that takes a little from here and a smidge from there and voila- the perfect mother?
To start, I would add one cup of Martha Stewart for her epicurean abilities and knowing her way around a kitchen. I would love to eat pork chops with tomato chutney, and I know some of her cooking can get a little rich. My mother runs a close second with her Fisherman’s Stew with Crunchy (undercooked) Carrots, or Sweet and Sour Tuna Fish; canned tuna, no kidding.
When it comes to house cleaning, what better than to add a smidge of Hazel, the attentive maid in the light blue uniform from the 60s TV series of the same name? Technically, I don’t think Hazel was a mother, but she was a female presence in the Baxter home. The house was always spotless, her attitude perky and not a hair out of place or a spot on her apron.
I’ll take a half cup of Jane Jetson from the cartoon series for her fashion and shopping expertise. If you remember correctly, her favorite store was Mooning Dales and Jane could squeak money out of George like a pro. Jane and daughter Judy wore all the latest trends and used the latest gadgets at home.
For night time story telling, I will take 2 cups of Erma Bombeck, America’s humorist and newspaper columnist from the 80s and 90s who was able to find the funny in everyday life. From “Seize the moment. Think of all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart,” to “The grass is always greener over the septic tank," Erma was a great story teller. Having published 4,000 newspaper columns and 15 books throughout her career, it would be a joy listening to her.
Add a pinch of Shirley Partridge for any musical assistance and a dash of Samantha Stevens from Bewitched. She can twitch her nose and get you out of any situation.
I know my kids like me just the way I am. And one way they show it is by the note they put on our refrigerator of something I once said. Is it an endearing, “I love you, honey?” Or an inspirational, motivating quote that makes them feel so loved? No. It seems that I said something so prolific when I was on ebay one time searching for a particular item for the bathroom, that they couldn’t let it go unnoticed. So, held tightly to our freezer door with a lady bug magnet is my captivating quote for all to see, “All the good toilet seats are in Europe.”
Happy Mother’s Day to all of you wonderfully unique women.
Quote of the Week: “A man never sees all that his mother has been to him until it's too late to let her know he sees it.” -William Dean Howells, author.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Spring Gardening in a Top 100 Fun City
There is another city ranking survey out this week. This one is by Portfolio magazine and it ranks the Top 100 Fun Cities in the US. Albuquerque made the list at number 80, beating out places like Modesto, California, McAllen, Texas and Provo, Utah. It doesn’t say much for beating out those cities, does it?
Surprising cities that beat out the Duke City? Youngstown, Ohio, Des Moines, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska. The top ranked city for shopping, gambling, entertainment, culture, food and drink, high and low impact sports went to none other than New York City. I could have guessed that one. I guess our tram, green chile chicken stew and pink sunsets can’t hold a candle to the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building or Broadway. But we like it.
So when spring hits the eightieth most fun place to live in the United States, what do we do? We batten down the hatches, turn our sprinklers back on and head out to the garden supply stores for some new plants to spruce up our yards. Since the neighbors are doing it, that means I’m doing it too, and so I went.
I wanted new plants, the kind I’ve never owned before, but once I got to the store, my eyes glazed over. At first I was like a kid in a candy store, wanting one of everything. Then I realized that the trees weren’t going to fit in my car, and did I really want another rose bush? I was good with geraniums, but how many can you have?
I had to call an expert and find out what the trends are this spring for making our yards better than our neighbors. Mike Dooley, owner of High Desert Gardens in Rio Rancho is a friend of mine who I go to from time to time when I need answers to questions like “what is a good tree to plant in my little yard?”
“The plant market on the retail end, I don’t know,” said Dooley, who has been in the landscape design business for over thirty year. “I suspect it is doing ok. But the installation market is still down. People will spend some money to put in some plants, but because of the maintenance involved, they are not doing full blown landscape jobs.”
In my quest to keep up with the Joneses, I had to get the inside scoop on what the neighbors were doing this spring. “Surprisingly hardscape is the popular thing; walls, stone walks, outdoor grills,” said Dooley. “And I think it’s associated with the fact that nobody can get a home loan. They are staying where they’re at and taking their money and upgrading their house, including their outdoor living areas. There seems to be a greater appreciation for hardscape because it is considered a home improvement and they will be able to get their money back at some point.”
What about us people who are scraping by but still want to have a nice yard, I wanted to know what the smartest way to spend my money was.
“Your maintenance dollar goes along way,” says Dooley. “You would make sure your yard is properly maintained including fertilize your lawn and scrubs, trim perennials, and check your irrigation system.”
But maintenance isn’t exciting. I think I’ll go back for another geranium.
Quote of the Week: “Did you ever think how a bit of land shows the character of the owner?” - Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Surprising cities that beat out the Duke City? Youngstown, Ohio, Des Moines, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska. The top ranked city for shopping, gambling, entertainment, culture, food and drink, high and low impact sports went to none other than New York City. I could have guessed that one. I guess our tram, green chile chicken stew and pink sunsets can’t hold a candle to the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building or Broadway. But we like it.
So when spring hits the eightieth most fun place to live in the United States, what do we do? We batten down the hatches, turn our sprinklers back on and head out to the garden supply stores for some new plants to spruce up our yards. Since the neighbors are doing it, that means I’m doing it too, and so I went.
I wanted new plants, the kind I’ve never owned before, but once I got to the store, my eyes glazed over. At first I was like a kid in a candy store, wanting one of everything. Then I realized that the trees weren’t going to fit in my car, and did I really want another rose bush? I was good with geraniums, but how many can you have?
I had to call an expert and find out what the trends are this spring for making our yards better than our neighbors. Mike Dooley, owner of High Desert Gardens in Rio Rancho is a friend of mine who I go to from time to time when I need answers to questions like “what is a good tree to plant in my little yard?”
“The plant market on the retail end, I don’t know,” said Dooley, who has been in the landscape design business for over thirty year. “I suspect it is doing ok. But the installation market is still down. People will spend some money to put in some plants, but because of the maintenance involved, they are not doing full blown landscape jobs.”
In my quest to keep up with the Joneses, I had to get the inside scoop on what the neighbors were doing this spring. “Surprisingly hardscape is the popular thing; walls, stone walks, outdoor grills,” said Dooley. “And I think it’s associated with the fact that nobody can get a home loan. They are staying where they’re at and taking their money and upgrading their house, including their outdoor living areas. There seems to be a greater appreciation for hardscape because it is considered a home improvement and they will be able to get their money back at some point.”
What about us people who are scraping by but still want to have a nice yard, I wanted to know what the smartest way to spend my money was.
“Your maintenance dollar goes along way,” says Dooley. “You would make sure your yard is properly maintained including fertilize your lawn and scrubs, trim perennials, and check your irrigation system.”
But maintenance isn’t exciting. I think I’ll go back for another geranium.
Quote of the Week: “Did you ever think how a bit of land shows the character of the owner?” - Laura Ingalls Wilder.
19 Questions - Steve Shaw, Rio Rancho City Councilman
Rio Rancho is full of interesting people, some you know and some you don’t. Even the more prominent residents in town who are in the news all of the time, we still don’t really get to know who they are.
I am kicking off a new series of my column, it is called 19 Questions. I created a survey of deep, as well as lighthearted questions that will give us a small glimpse into the lives of some of our fellow Rio Ranchoans. I ask 19 Questions of people you probably have heard of but never really knew anything about other than their job title.
Today Councilor Shaw has kindly agreed to go under the microscope and give us all a peek into what his favorite food is and the one thing he wishes Rio Ranch had.
Councilor Steven Shaw has called Rio Rancho home since 1985.He and his wife, Judy have been married for more than 25 years and have three daughters and five grandchildren. Shaw was elected to a four year term on the City Council in March 2008, after retiring from the Rio Rancho Department of Public Safety in 2006 as Deputy Chief.
Shaw has served on many boards including the New Mexico State D.A.R.E., the Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce, Haven House, and the Leadership Sandoval County Advisory Board. But did you know he’s a biker?
What's the most recent movie you've seen?
Clash of the Titans.
Your house is on fire and all of your family and pets are safe outside. What is the one thing you would go back and get?
My retirement scrapbook made by Mom.
What are you most afraid of?
I am most afraid of dying before my grand kids are grown and married.
What is your greatest extravagance?
My greatest extravagance is my motorcycle.
What is your favorite getaway spot in New Mexico?
My favorite getaway spot is Ruidoso.
What is your favorite food?
My favorite food is home made enchiladas, red with an egg.
Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
Chicken; what else could lay the egg?
How many pets do you have?
2 turtles, 6 pond gold fish.
What is the trait you most dislike in others?
Dishonesty.
At what Rio Rancho haunt are we most likely to spot you?
The Fat Squirrel.
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Chocolate.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Marrying my wife and raising three wonderful daughters.
If you won $10 million in the lottery, what is the first thing you would buy?
Disney’s vacation for my family (daughters, spouses and grandchildren).
What is one thing you wish Rio Rancho had that is doesn’t?
A large, retail center.
Name one thing you want to do before you die?
Take my wife to the Grand Canyon.
What is your favorite restaurant?
Joe's Pasta House, Rio Rancho.
What word or phrase do you overuse?
“Yes.” I have a hard time saying no when asked to volunteer for anything.
If you had to impress someone from out of town, where is the one place you would take them?
Santa Ana Star Center for a concert, show or game.
Red or green?
Red. Homemade, of course!
Quote of the Week: “We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men.” -Herman Melville, American novelist.
I am kicking off a new series of my column, it is called 19 Questions. I created a survey of deep, as well as lighthearted questions that will give us a small glimpse into the lives of some of our fellow Rio Ranchoans. I ask 19 Questions of people you probably have heard of but never really knew anything about other than their job title.
Today Councilor Shaw has kindly agreed to go under the microscope and give us all a peek into what his favorite food is and the one thing he wishes Rio Ranch had.
Councilor Steven Shaw has called Rio Rancho home since 1985.He and his wife, Judy have been married for more than 25 years and have three daughters and five grandchildren. Shaw was elected to a four year term on the City Council in March 2008, after retiring from the Rio Rancho Department of Public Safety in 2006 as Deputy Chief.
Shaw has served on many boards including the New Mexico State D.A.R.E., the Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce, Haven House, and the Leadership Sandoval County Advisory Board. But did you know he’s a biker?
What's the most recent movie you've seen?
Clash of the Titans.
Your house is on fire and all of your family and pets are safe outside. What is the one thing you would go back and get?
My retirement scrapbook made by Mom.
What are you most afraid of?
I am most afraid of dying before my grand kids are grown and married.
What is your greatest extravagance?
My greatest extravagance is my motorcycle.
What is your favorite getaway spot in New Mexico?
My favorite getaway spot is Ruidoso.
What is your favorite food?
My favorite food is home made enchiladas, red with an egg.
Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
Chicken; what else could lay the egg?
How many pets do you have?
2 turtles, 6 pond gold fish.
What is the trait you most dislike in others?
Dishonesty.
At what Rio Rancho haunt are we most likely to spot you?
The Fat Squirrel.
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Chocolate.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Marrying my wife and raising three wonderful daughters.
If you won $10 million in the lottery, what is the first thing you would buy?
Disney’s vacation for my family (daughters, spouses and grandchildren).
What is one thing you wish Rio Rancho had that is doesn’t?
A large, retail center.
Name one thing you want to do before you die?
Take my wife to the Grand Canyon.
What is your favorite restaurant?
Joe's Pasta House, Rio Rancho.
What word or phrase do you overuse?
“Yes.” I have a hard time saying no when asked to volunteer for anything.
If you had to impress someone from out of town, where is the one place you would take them?
Santa Ana Star Center for a concert, show or game.
Red or green?
Red. Homemade, of course!
Quote of the Week: “We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men.” -Herman Melville, American novelist.
Microchippng Your Dog Can Save Their Masters Too
“He was missing for most of that day and all night. I thought he was gone.”
Those were the words of Dorothy DeBuck, her voice cracking over the phone when I asked her to tell me how she felt when her husband, Jack went missing two weeks ago.
Jack DeBuck, who suffers from the early stages of dementia, went out for his usual walk with his dog, Sheena. According to his wife, Jack knows his way around town. “He’s always walking around. He knows directions,” Dorothy said. “I think he knew exactly where he was going.”
But Jack must have gotten side tracked and didn’t return home that day. The series of events that reunited Jack and Dorothy prove a story can have a happy ending when all the right pieces and people fall into place.
Apparently Jack left his home in Albuquerque on a Friday afternoon two weeks ago and ended up at The Range Café in Bernalillo almost 24 hours later and 12 miles from his home. Noting his disorientation, the people at The Range contacted the police to help Jack, and Bernalillo Animal Control to help the white Shepard mix dog.
“My theory is that he walked to where we used to live in Placitas,” said Dorothy. “He is good with directions, just not very good at communicating.”
Indeed he wasn’t. The authorities took Jack to UNM Hospital for observation. Meanwhile, Sheena was taken to Watermelon Mountain Ranch in Rio Rancho and scanned to see if she had a microchip that might identifier her.
Sheena in fact had a microchip and Jim Putnam, office manager at WMR made some phone calls. “I found that it was a Home Again chip and I called the company,” says Putnam. “I got lucky and got Dorothy's old address in Placitas and two phone numbers. One apparently not good, one still good. Putnam got on the horn to Dorothy and told her her dog had been found.
Putnam then called Melissa Middleton of UNMH and told her the last name of the gentleman she had was Debuck.
“When I told her the last name was DeBuck, she echoed it with a little excitement,” said Putnam. “I asked her if that rang a bell and she said that the man had muttered ‘debunk, debunk’ but they didn't know what he was saying.” She was thrilled to receive the information and identified Mr. Debuck.
“Watermelon Mountain Ranch took really good care of Sheena and they brushed her,” says Dorothy. Jack and Sheena were really happy to see each other when we got there to pick her up. I want to give credit to Jim for finding her chip that lead to us.”
When I asked Dorothy if she lets Jack go out anymore, she was cautious. “He’s still walking the dog,” she said. “He just goes for shorter walks now.”
Not only is the need to micro-chip your dog a smart way to identify her should she get lost, but in some cases it can identify its master as well.
Quote of the Week: "In my life's chain of events nothing was accidental. Everything happened according to an inner need." - Hannah Senesh
Those were the words of Dorothy DeBuck, her voice cracking over the phone when I asked her to tell me how she felt when her husband, Jack went missing two weeks ago.
Jack DeBuck, who suffers from the early stages of dementia, went out for his usual walk with his dog, Sheena. According to his wife, Jack knows his way around town. “He’s always walking around. He knows directions,” Dorothy said. “I think he knew exactly where he was going.”
But Jack must have gotten side tracked and didn’t return home that day. The series of events that reunited Jack and Dorothy prove a story can have a happy ending when all the right pieces and people fall into place.
Apparently Jack left his home in Albuquerque on a Friday afternoon two weeks ago and ended up at The Range Café in Bernalillo almost 24 hours later and 12 miles from his home. Noting his disorientation, the people at The Range contacted the police to help Jack, and Bernalillo Animal Control to help the white Shepard mix dog.
“My theory is that he walked to where we used to live in Placitas,” said Dorothy. “He is good with directions, just not very good at communicating.”
Indeed he wasn’t. The authorities took Jack to UNM Hospital for observation. Meanwhile, Sheena was taken to Watermelon Mountain Ranch in Rio Rancho and scanned to see if she had a microchip that might identifier her.
Sheena in fact had a microchip and Jim Putnam, office manager at WMR made some phone calls. “I found that it was a Home Again chip and I called the company,” says Putnam. “I got lucky and got Dorothy's old address in Placitas and two phone numbers. One apparently not good, one still good. Putnam got on the horn to Dorothy and told her her dog had been found.
Putnam then called Melissa Middleton of UNMH and told her the last name of the gentleman she had was Debuck.
“When I told her the last name was DeBuck, she echoed it with a little excitement,” said Putnam. “I asked her if that rang a bell and she said that the man had muttered ‘debunk, debunk’ but they didn't know what he was saying.” She was thrilled to receive the information and identified Mr. Debuck.
“Watermelon Mountain Ranch took really good care of Sheena and they brushed her,” says Dorothy. Jack and Sheena were really happy to see each other when we got there to pick her up. I want to give credit to Jim for finding her chip that lead to us.”
When I asked Dorothy if she lets Jack go out anymore, she was cautious. “He’s still walking the dog,” she said. “He just goes for shorter walks now.”
Not only is the need to micro-chip your dog a smart way to identify her should she get lost, but in some cases it can identify its master as well.
Quote of the Week: "In my life's chain of events nothing was accidental. Everything happened according to an inner need." - Hannah Senesh
Dan Aykroyd -So Close and Yet So Far
I was going to write this week’s column on meeting Dan Aykroyd last Thursday. Think Blues Brothers, Ghost Busters and Saturday Night Live; that Dan Aykroyd. He was in town promoting his Crystal Head vodka and had a meet and greet at the Walgreens down on Coors. But even arriving 45 minutes early, the line was already out the door, around the side and all the way to the back of the building. I had a choice to wait with the die hard fans for a once in a lifetime chance to meet this celebrity, or get home and get dinner in the oven for two starving children. I hope he comes back again.
So, instead today I offer up some very interesting anecdotes for you to ponder. The kind of information that gets forwarded in emails everyday but no one has time to read.
Statues of soldiers on horses are in many parks across the country. Some horses are rearing up, some only holding one foot up. Do you think the horse’s pose was at the discretion of the sculptor? As a matter of fact, if the statue of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air, the person died because of wounds received in battle. If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.
Sayings have interesting origins, should one ever take the time to research them. In the 1400's, a law was set forth in England that a man was allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. This is where we got the phrase “the rule of thumb.”
How about the phrase, “Good night, sleep tight.” In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes, the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer and more comfortable to sleep on.
They say the happiest days of a boat owner’s life is the day they buy it and the day they sell it. And of course it is bad luck not to name your boat. And what is the most popular name for a boat? Obsession.
In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts. In old England, when customers got unruly, the bartender would tell them to “Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down.” Hence the term “mind your p’s and q’s.”
Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of their birthplace. Having been born in Huntington, West Virginia, I am in the other half and so are most of the people I know.
Who was the first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV? Fred and Wilma Flintstone. But I swear they had twin beds with Dino’s bed on the floor next to them.
With the body scanners, luggage charges and terror threats, how many people are still flying the friendly skies everyday? On average, the number of people airborne over the U.S. in any given hour is 61,000.
What was the first novel ever written on a typewriter? Tom Sawyer.
And my favorite: 111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987, 654,321
Quote of the Week: “They're not gonna catch us. We're on a mission from God!” – Dan Aykroyd as Elwood from The Blues Brothers, 1980
So, instead today I offer up some very interesting anecdotes for you to ponder. The kind of information that gets forwarded in emails everyday but no one has time to read.
Statues of soldiers on horses are in many parks across the country. Some horses are rearing up, some only holding one foot up. Do you think the horse’s pose was at the discretion of the sculptor? As a matter of fact, if the statue of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air, the person died because of wounds received in battle. If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.
Sayings have interesting origins, should one ever take the time to research them. In the 1400's, a law was set forth in England that a man was allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. This is where we got the phrase “the rule of thumb.”
How about the phrase, “Good night, sleep tight.” In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes, the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer and more comfortable to sleep on.
They say the happiest days of a boat owner’s life is the day they buy it and the day they sell it. And of course it is bad luck not to name your boat. And what is the most popular name for a boat? Obsession.
In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts. In old England, when customers got unruly, the bartender would tell them to “Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down.” Hence the term “mind your p’s and q’s.”
Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of their birthplace. Having been born in Huntington, West Virginia, I am in the other half and so are most of the people I know.
Who was the first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV? Fred and Wilma Flintstone. But I swear they had twin beds with Dino’s bed on the floor next to them.
With the body scanners, luggage charges and terror threats, how many people are still flying the friendly skies everyday? On average, the number of people airborne over the U.S. in any given hour is 61,000.
What was the first novel ever written on a typewriter? Tom Sawyer.
And my favorite: 111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987, 654,321
Quote of the Week: “They're not gonna catch us. We're on a mission from God!” – Dan Aykroyd as Elwood from The Blues Brothers, 1980
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