Civic Skills Workshop Focuses on Planning, Zoning and Community Organizing

Join us for a Civic Skills Workshop on three dates in May, focused on Planning, Zoning, & Organizing: The Place-Building Toolkit. This event is a collaboration between the Office of Neighborhood Coordination, the Planning Department, and Common Ground, a McCune Foundation-funded program using an equity lens to strengthen the relationship between the City of Albuquerque, local organizations, and underserved communities. Visit https://abc-zone.com/ido-trainings for details about dates, times, and locations.

Food Service Program Provides Free Lunches for Eligible Children During Summer Months

Did you know the City provides free lunch to kids ages 1-18 during the summer months? Many children don’t have access to a regular meal when school is not in session, so the Food Service Program for Children fills this essential need. Over 12,000 meals are served daily at qualifying community centers, schools, city parks, apartment complexes, mobile home parks, churches, health facilities and non-profit organizations. To learn more about this terrific program or to suggest a new meal site in your neighborhood, contact Henry Saavedra, Program Coordinator, at (505) 767-5811 or: hsaavedra@cabq.gov

311 Customer Service Survey Invites Public Feedback

Have you taken the 311 Customer Service Survey yet? This online survey offers you the chance to give feedback and share ideas for making the City’s 311 service more open, accessible and accountable to the community it serves. To take the survey, visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/S8TKMZV

First Free Wednesday at the Albuquerque Museum Coming Up!

Did you know that the first Wednesday of every month is free admission to the Albuquerque Museum  at 2000 Mountain Road NW? It’s a terrific opportunity to take the family and see the amazing exhibits on display, enjoy a stroll in the sculpture garden, or try some tasty food in the café! To learn more, visit: http://www.cabq.gov/culturalservices/albuquerque-museum/events/free-first-wednesday

2019 State Championship Chess Tournament Taking Place May 4 - 5

Do you have a child who loves chess? Got a budding Bobby Fischer in the family? Why not enroll them in the 2019 State Championship Chess Tournament happening Saturday, May 4 – Sunday, May 5 at the Ted Gallegos Alamosa Community Center, 6900 Gonzales Rd. SW. This event is open to students K-12, so don’t checkmate and wait. Visit: www.nmchess.org to learn more. Deadline to enroll and pay is Friday, May 3. 

Census Jobs Available!

The 2020 Census is just around the corner and you can help! Thousands of jobs are being recruited for to assist with the Census count. If you’re 18 or older, have a valid Social Security number, and are a U.S. citizen, this might be the opportunity for you. To apply online, visit: https://2020census.gov/en/jobs

Family Preparedness Survey Aims to Help with Emergency Readiness

Albuquerque Fire Rescue (AFR) wants to help you and your family prepare for emergencies! How will you receive emergency alerts and information during a disaster? Do you know how your family will contact each other? AFR is asking all citizens to take the Family Preparedness Survey, which will help develop education and training for the community on emergency preparedness in Albuquerque! And you can enter a raffle where you might win a 50”flat screen TV! To take the online survey, visit: https://www.cabq.gov/fire/family-preparedness-survey-1

Common Animal and Wildlife Issues and Who To Call

The Office of Neighborhood Coordination (ONC) often gets questions about how different types of animal issues are handled, and we’ve put together these tips for reporting a variety of critters in Albuquerque:

Call ABQ 311 to report and request assistance with:

·       Aggressive dogs

·       Stray dogs and cats

·       Bats

·       Coyotes

·       Injured birds of prey such as eagles, hawks, owls and falcons

·       Porcupines

·       Snakes on your property, if you feel the snake will attack or is venomous (You should leave the snake alone at all times!)

Call the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish at (505) 222-4700 to report and request assistance with:

·       Bears

·       Bobcats

·       Foxes

·       Mountain Lions

·       Raccoons (for trapping and removal only)

Call a private pest control company to report and request assistance with:

·       Rabbits

·       Squirrels

·       Skunks (to be picked up)

For more comprehensive information on how to deal with the different varieties of wildlife, visit:                                                                                                                                    

https://www.cabq.gov/environmentalhealth/urban-biology/urban-wildlife/common-wildlife-and-how-to-respond

Free Legal Consultations Offered to the Community

Are you in need of legal advice? Free Consultations with Attorneys takes place Thursday, May 2 at the Ted Gallegos (Alamosa) Community Center, 6900 Gonzales Rd. SW, between 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Consultations are on a first-come, first-serve basis, and bilingual attorneys and staff are also available. To learn more about this informative event, visit: www.vapnm.org

Neighborhood Association Meetings Around Town

·       District 7 Coalition, Wednesday, May 1 at 6:30 p.m., Horn YMCA. E-mail: davidh.d7@comcast.net for more information.

·       Victory Hills, Wednesday, May 1 at 6:30 p.m., Loma Linda Community Center. E-mail: e2brecht@gmail.com for more information.

·       Downtown Neighborhoods, Wednesday, May 1 at 6:45 p.m., Lew Wallace Elementary. E-mail: holly.siebert@gmail.com for more information.

·       West Side Coalition, Wednesday, May 1 at 7:00 p.m., Don Newton Taylor Ranch Community Center. E-mail: jfworrall@comcast.net for more information.

·       Silver Platinum Downtown, Thursday, May 2 at 5:30 p.m., Imperial Building. E-mail: rc@silverplatinumdowntown.org for more information.

·       North Valley Coalition, Thursday, May 2 at 6:00 p.m., Los Griegos Community Center. E-mail: peggynorton@yahoo.com for more information.

·       West Old Town, Thursday, May 2 at 6:00 p.m., Los Duranes Community Center. E-mail: krotson@gmail.com for more information.

·       Raynolds Addition, Thursday, May 2 at 7:00 p.m., Washington Middle School. E-mail: silverlopez@aol.com for more information.

“May the 4^th Be With You” Celebration at Central and Unser Library this Saturday!

Interested in channeling your inner Luke Skywalker this May the 4^th? Join the fun at the Central and Unser Library between 12:00 noon and 6:00 p.m.! This free, family event includes costume character appearances, Star Wars-themed crafts and games, and a screening of Solo: A Star Wars Story at 3:00 p.m. All ages welcome and costumes are encouraged, so now is the time to brush up on your light saber skills! To learn more, visit: https://abqlibrary.org/centralunser and click on the May 2019 Calendar!

Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office Public Auction Open to Public

The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office will host a Public Action Friday, May 3, 10:00 a.m., at 2400 Broadway SE. Vehicles will be auctioned to the public, and only cash and cashier’s checks will be accepted as payment. All sales are final. To learn more, visit: https://www.bernco.gov/events.aspx?calEventId=868e94d4999b42faa22f3deacd11e33b

Vanessa Baca

Neighborhood Communication Liaison, Office of Neighborhood Coordination (ONC)

City Council Department

(505) 768-3331 Office

Website: www.cabq.gov/neighborhoods