fires, flyers & fresh coffee

FIRE

Unless you are out of state, disconnected and/or living under a rock, you should be up-to-date on the Ojo Peak Fire. Coverage went national with AP reports showing up as far away as the Carolinas and North Dakota.

photo by Michael Gisick, Abq Tribune

Let's take this an extremely strong hint to get involved with community wildfire planning. Come to the public meeting, December 10, 6:30 pm at the Mountainair Community Center. (flyer and survery links below)

Some recent coverage:

• Snows Help to Contain Ojo Peak Fire, Nov 23, Abq Tribune
• Wildfire Near Mountainair: “Couple Lose Almost Everything”
  
• Couple Lose Almost Everything in Fire, but Still Have Hope, Nov 24, Abq Journal

Briefly, 100 households evacuated Game Road, Forest Road, etc. going up to Ojo Peak and the communities of Punta and Manzano. The fire, initially reported a week ago, went from 300 acres to 7,000 following Tuesday night's wind spawned surge upswing. Firefighting was slow going until the wind shifted, followed by increased humidity, temperature drop and snow As of today, the fire is 60% contained, with firefighter numbers reduced from 148 to 30.

We all saw familiar local faces on the news as they evacuated on camera. I don't have an exact count on how many were at the hs but according to all reports, most evacuees stayed with relatives. Out of town firefighters stayed at the campgrounds and community center. The town fed firefighters and evacuees Thanksgiving dinner, open to community as well. Approximately 8 structures (including outbuildings) suffered burn damage, 3 houses burnt, a number of cars. No human casualties but also no report or count on lost or injured pets and livestock. Shannon DeRemer coordinated displaced pets. With help of many, including Hamilton Montgomery, Shannon took in dogs and other pets - yard full of crates, fenced areas overflowing. The usual silly rumors and speculated abounded - all debunked. I'm waiting for the alien invasion vanguard version.

FLYERS (to download and print)

For Estancia health enrollment event, Saturday, December 1st, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM at Estancia Community Center, 513 Williams Street.

Purpose: to make health insurance accessible to all New Mexicans and assist in application for free or low cost health insurance. Programs are available for children, students, adults, families, women/pregnant women, small businesses, etc. If you do NOT have health coverage, please visit us. Contact Laura Montoya, (505) 827-6278 or LauraMontoya1@state.nm.us, or call Insure New Mexico! Solutions center at 1-888-997-2583.

Public Meeting, December 10, Community Wildfire Planning

6:30 pm Dr Saul Community Center. Presented by Claunch-Pinto Soil & Water Conservation District and Torrance County. Contact Information: Vicky William, vwilliams@swca.com, 505-254 254-1115. Download & print out flyer; download & print out survey (Community Feedback Form). Past due but don't let that stop you from giving your input.

Coffee Cup Court Menu

FRESH COFFEE

Mary & Scott Childers' long awaited coffee shop in "Alpine Alley," complete with elaborate commercial espresso bar, sandwiches, soup and fresh baked goods is open. "Coffee Cup Court," occupying the same location as the Hummingbird Bird Cafe, seems off to a strong start and on its way to becoming a popular hangout.

According to Alan Clute, "Mary and Scott managed to teleport a neighborhood coffee house from someplace up in the Northwest to Mountainair." Good coffee and typical coffee house baked items - baked on the premises. Kathleen played there Friday morning. Here's hoping for more live music played by local musicians. Open 6:30 am to 2 pm, Monday through Saturday.

Coffee Court photos by Ray Terhorst