Neighborhood Association Meetings Around Town

·       Alamosa NA Angel Awards, Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 6:00 p.m., Ted Gallegos Alamosa Community Center. E-mail: jetbac@aol.com for more information.

·       Palomas Park NA, Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 6:30 p.m. E-mail: wmarsh7@comcast.net for more information.

·       Historic Old Town Property Owners, Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 3:30 p.m., Old Town Substation. E-mail: historicoldtown@gmail.com for more information.

·       Wildflower NA Annual Meeting, Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 6:30 p.m., AIBF Office. E-mail: ltcaudill@comcast.net for more information.

·       D6 Coalition of NAs, Thursday, Nov. 29 at 6:00 p.m., UNM School of Architecture and Planning. E-mail: ginafornm@gmail.com for more information.

First Saturday of the Month Offers All Ages Pen Pal Club at the Patrick J. Baca Library Central and Unser!

Ever wanted to write to someone across the world and make a new friend? The Patrick J. Baca Library at Central and Unser can help you do just that! Every first Saturday of the month, you’re invited to come and write letters to a list of pen pal organizations throughout the world. You’ll learn to make envelopes, greeting cards and postcards from scratch, you can bring the whole family, and best of all, it’s free! To learn more, visit: https://abqlibrary.org/centralunser

NM Gas Company Offers Free Online Savings Tool

Interested in learning how you might conserve natural resources within your home during winter months? The New Mexico Gas Company now has a free analysis tool available to help you. Visit: https://nmgc.energysavvy.com/residential/start/ and start saving today!

Tips to Avoid Holiday Package Theft

With the holiday gift-giving season upon us, the concern about package theft is something on everyone’s mind. Here are a few tips for holiday package safety and theft avoidance:

·       If possible, have packages delivered to your office or place of employment.

·       Request packages be held at a shipping facility, such as UPS, FedEx, or the U.S. Post Office so you can pick up in person.

·       If ordering from a large retailer, request that your package be delivered to a local branch store to be picked up in person.

·       Sign up for delivery alerts. The U.S. Postal Service, UPS, and FedEx all offer text and e-mail delivery alert services.

·       If you have a trusted neighbor who is home during the day, ask them to keep an eye out for deliveries and have them pick up packages and keep them until you get home.

·       If feasible, request that the shipper ask for a signature upon package delivery.

To get more tips and suggestions about crime prevention, visit: http://www.cabq.gov/police/crime-prevention-safety

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Launches Opioid Awareness Campaign and Video Contest for Teens

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has launched an extensive education and public outreach campaign aimed at making the community aware of the dangers of opioid abuse and addiction, and part of the awareness campaign is a video challenge contest encouraging teens to create a 30-60 second public service video that alerts other teens and students about the dangers of prescription opioid misuse and heroin use. To learn more about the campaign and the contest, visit: www.operationprevention.com

Volunteer Opportunity of the Week

Interested in volunteering? The City offers many worthwhile volunteer opportunities for all ages, and each week, we will highlight a different one. We encourage you to get involved with your community.

·       The ABQ Sunport Ambassador Program is seeking people with friendly personalities, ability to assist others, and good communication skills! The Ambassadors meet travelers with a smile, direct them to baggage claim, flight gates, rental car shuttles or other Sunport facilities. To apply online, visit:  http://www.abqsunport.com/at-sunport/albuquerque-international-sunport-ambassador-program/

Annual “Hanging of the Greens” Continues UNM’s Oldest Holiday Tradition and You’re Invited

Come out Friday, Nov. 30 at 5:45 p.m. to the UNM Main Campus, when student organizations light up the campus with thousands of luminarias, and the public is invited to join in the holiday kickoff festivities with caroling, hot chocolate and biscochitos, and a reception at Hodgin Hall. You’re asked to also bring an unwrapped children’s book to place under the Christmas tree at Hodgin Hall, for donation to the UNM Children’s Hospital. To learn more about this festive holiday event, visit: https://news.unm.edu/news/unm-s-hanging-of-the-greens-set-for-friday-nov-30

Donations Sought for City Shelter Pets

Help our sweet dogs and cats at the Animal Welfare Department by donating a comfort gift this year. Donations of cat and dog toys, brushes, scratchers, blankets and towels, collars, harnesses, peanut butter and Kongs are being accepted through Monday, Dec. 24 at all Animal Welfare Department locations and shelters. You can also order a donation online at: https://amzn.com/w/5S9A193E58F0. Thank you for helping bring holiday joy to all the homeless pets in our City shelters.

Syringe Pick-Up Events Scheduled this Week

Interested in learning how to safely pick up needles and syringes? Why not join the International District Healthy Communities Coalition (IDHCC) at one of their many scheduled needle pickup events? It’s a great way to learn how to safely pick up and dispose of needles and syringes, and best of all, you can take this information back to your neighborhood and share it with others. This week’s needle pickup takes place:

·       Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 1:00 p.m., Sundowner at Central and Cagua NE.

To learn more about safe needle disposal and the SHARPS program, visit: www.cabq.gov/environmentalhealth/sharps-disposal

Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

If you’re bringing your trash or recycling bin back from the curb after its been emptied on your trash pickup day, why not return your neighbor’s bins from the curb, too? It’s a small gesture, but can be very helpful to someone.

Vanessa Baca

Neighborhood Communication Liaison, Office of Neighborhood Coordination (ONC)

City Council Department

(505) 768-3331 Office

Website: www.cabq.gov/neighborhoods