City Closures and Service Changes for President’s Day

President’s Day will be observed on Monday, Feb. 18, and many City offices will be closed. However, many services will still be available and on regular schedules, including bus and Sun Van paratransit service; trash and recycle pickup; 311; the Aquarium, Botanic Garden, Tingley Beach and the Zoo; and the Sunport. For a complete listing of city services available on President’s Day, visit: http://www.cabq.gov/holiday/news/presidents-day-closures

Online Air Quality Website Shows Daily Pollen Count in Anticipation of Springtime

Did you know that the Environmental Health Department’s online Air Quality website offers a wealth of health information? You can find a daily pollen count (useful with springtime coming upon us), information on whether or not you can burn in your fireplace or wood-burning stove, and general air quality. The website also offers resources on permits, filing an air quality complaint, and much more. Visit: http://www.cabq.gov/airquality to learn more.

Neighborhood Association Meetings Around Town

·       Alamosa NA, Monday, Feb. 11 at 6:00 p.m., Ted Gallegos (Alamosa) Community Center. E-mail: jetbac@aol.com for more information. NOTE: this association will be holding board elections at the Feb. 11 meeting.

·       Nob Hill NA, Monday, Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m., Monte Vista Christian Church. E-mail: theboard@nobhill-nm.com for more information.

·       Silver Hill NA, Monday, Feb. 11 at 7:00 p.m., Heights Community Center. E-mail: ja.montalbano@comcast.net for more information.

·       Wells Park NA, Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 6:30 p.m., Wells Park Community Center. E-mail: wellsparkna@gmail.com for more information.

·       Huning Castle NA, Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 7:00 p.m., Albuquerque Country Club. E-mail: hcnaalert@gmail.com for more information.

·       Singing Arrow NA, Thursday, Feb. 14 at 5:00 p.m., Singing Arrow Community Center. E-mail: abqsana@gmail.com for more information.

·       Barelas NA, Thursday, Feb. 14 at 6:00 p.m., Barelas Community Center. E-mail: info@barelas.org for more information.

·       South Valley Coalition, Thursday, Feb. 14 at 6:30 p.m., Bernalillo County Sheriff’s South Area Command. E-mail: rmahoney01@comcast.net for more information.

·       South Los Altos Annual Meeting, Saturday, Feb. 16 at 9:30 a.m., no location listed. E-mail: eileentjessen@gmail.com for more information.

APD Foothills Area Command Hosts Free CPR Class for Up to 28 Attendees

Have you been wanting to learn CPR in case of an emergency? The Foothills Area Command is hosting a free hands-on CPR, AED and Pulse Point class on Tuesday, Feb. 19 from  5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the Foothills Substation, 12800 Lomas NE. The class can accommodate up to 28 attendees and is expected to fill up fast, so you should RSVP as soon as possible. E-mail: jcgarcia@cabq.gov to sign up.

Colcha Stitching Class Offers Opportunity to Learn Traditional Embroidery

The National Hispanic Cultural Center is hosting a free Colcha stitch-along class Friday, Feb. 15, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Colcha is a traditional Spanish Colonial embroidery that usually features birds, flowers, leaves, and other themes in nature. To sign up for the class, e-mail: elenad.baca@state.nm.us or visit: www.nhccnm.org

Needle Safety at Parks and Other Community Areas

Our city has many beautiful parks with amenities for families, dogs, bicyclists, walkers, and many more; but unfortunately, some of these parks also have disposed needles or syringes left on the grass or in the play areas. To safely deal with needles, here are some tips from the City of Albuquerque Environmental Health Department:

·       Do not walk or run barefoot in the parks.

·       If you see needles or syringes in city parks, you can call 311 to request needle pick-up.

·       If you encounter needles and decide to dispose of them, wear latex rubber gloves or leather utility gloves before handling, to protect against blood borne pathogens, fluid contamination and chemicals.

·       When picking up needles, ensure that you use tweezers, tongs, or pliers. Never pick up needles or syringes with your hands, even if you have gloves.

·       The City requires that needles and syringes are disposed of in Sharps containers. Some, but not all, APD area commands and substations have a Sharps container that you can safely dispose of needles.

To learn more about needle safety and to request safe needle pickup training, visit: https://www.cabq.gov/environmentalhealth/sharps-disposal

Barelas Neighborhood Hosts Historic Photo Exhibit This Saturday

The Barelas Community Center and the Barelas Neighborhood Association are co-hosting  a historic photo exhibit Saturday, Feb. 16 from 12:00 noon – 6:00 p.m.,  801 Barelas SW, showcasing historic photographs of the Barelas area and its residents. Entertainment and refreshments will also be provided, so don’t miss out on this unique part of neighborhood history! To learn more, e-mail: julia.guerra@comcast.net.

Community Policing Council (CPC) Meetings This Week

·       Foothills Area Command, Monday, Feb. 11 at 6:00 p.m., Holiday Park Community Center.

·       Northeast Area Command, Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 6:30 p.m., North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center.

·       Southwest Area Command, Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 6:00 p.m., Ted Gallegos (Alamosa) Community Center.

For a complete listing of CPC meeting dates, times and locations, as well as information on applying to serve on a CPC, visit: https://www.cabq.gov/police/community-policing-council

National Senior Games Seek Volunteers

The National Senior Games is coming to Albuquerque June 14 – 25, and needs your help! Volunteers are needed for scorekeeping, hospitality, venue coordination, registration, and much more. To volunteer and be part of this exciting event, call (505) 210-1930 or e-mail: volunteer@nsga.com

ONC Offers Grant Writing Resources for Your Neighborhood

Is your neighborhood interested in finding additional funding sources? The Office of Neighborhood Coordination (ONC) can help! We have a series of toolbox articles that detail how to apply for grants, and what to expect during the process. The series is online at: www.cabq.gov/office-of-neighborhood-coordination/neighborhood-toolbox/grant-writing-series

Vanessa Baca

Neighborhood Communication Liaison, Office of Neighborhood Coordination (ONC)

City Council Department

(505) 768-3331 Office

Website: www.cabq.gov/neighborhoods