Civic Skills Workshop Focuses on Planning, Zoning and Community Organizing

Join us for three Civic Skills Workshops this month, 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 ABQ, a McCune Foundation-funded program using an equity lens to strengthen the relationship between the City of Albuquerque, local organizations, and underserved communities. Workshops take place as listed below:

·       Saturday, May 11 at 10:30 a.m., Los Duranes Community Center, 2920 Leopoldo NW

·       Tuesday, May 14 at 5:30 p.m., César Chávez Community Center, 7505 Kathryn SE

·       Wednesday, May 15 at 12:30 p.m., Mesa Verde Community Center, 7900 Marquette NW

To learn  more about these workshops, visit: https://abc-zone.com/ido-trainings

American Bone Health Hosting Free Health Fair This Wednesday

The public is invited to attend a free health fair hosted by the American Bone Health Association on Wednesday, May 8 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., at the North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center. There will be presentations on bone health, fall prevention, foot health, and much more. To learn more about this community event, contact Brooke McIntyre at: brookesmcintyre@gmail.com

2019 National Senior Games Seeking Volunteers

Are you looking for a fun and rewarding volunteer experience? The National Senior Games are coming to Albuquerque June 14 – 25, and volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks. If you want to be part of this exciting opportunity, visit: www.nsga.com/volunteer or e-mail: volunteer@nsga.com

Needle Pickup Events Invite Volunteers to Safely Learn to Dispose of Syringes

The Bernalillo County Health Council has put together a listing of ongoing safe pickup events for needles and syringes citywide, and are looking for interested volunteers to participate in learning how to safely dispose of these items. Here are the ongoing needle pickup events across Albuquerque:

·       MATS Program, times and dates vary but usually Monday – Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Contact Joelle Jacobs at: jjacobs@bernco.gov

·       Volunteer-led program, Sundays, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Coronado Park. Contact Robert Nelson at: robertforabq@gmail.com

·       D.O.P.E. Services, times and dates vary but usually Tuesdays – Sundays between 1:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. Contact Evan Hoessel at: dopeservicesnm@gmail.com

·       NMDOH Public Health, Mondays between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m., International District. Contact Mark Clark at: mark.clark@state.nm.us

·       Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless, usually Monday – Friday between 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., locations vary. Contact Kim Abrahams at: kimberlyabrams@abqhch.org

For general information about Bernalillo County Health Council needle pickup initiatives, contact Pelatia Trujillo, Program Specialist, at (505) 246-1638 or: pelatia@bchealthcouncil.org

Thomas Village Neighborhood Showcased in Video Series from GOV-TV

The fascinating history of one of Albuquerque’s historic neighborhoods is showcased in this great video, produced by GOV-TV. Take a look and learn what makes Thomas Village so special, at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s04q-IHiEBY

Senior Affairs Offers Numerous Free Services for Older Residents in our Community

Did you know that the Department of Senior Affairs offers a wide range of free services for the older residents in Albuquerque? From transportation to home services to food delivery, these services play a vital role in keeping our senior citizens healthy and connected to their community. To see a complete listing of services offered by Senior Affairs, visit: http://www.cabq.gov/seniors/senior-services

Summer Reading Program Celebrates Books for Ages!

Love to get lost in a good book by the pool? Join the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Public Library’s Summer Reading Program June 1 – July 27 and earn prizes, go to concerts, and lots more! To learn more about this program and other Library events, call (505) 768-5170 or visit: www.abqlibrary.org

Tips for Summer Watering

The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (ABCWUA) reminds everyone about summer watering and offers tips on how to irrigate our yards, trees, and flowers:

·       Follow the “Water by the Numbers” program and water your turf and plants just three times per week in summer months. Trees appreciate a deep watering every two to three weeks during the summer.

·       If it rains, count that as one of your watering days and shut off automatic sprinkler systems when it rains. You can also install a Smart Irrigation Controller.

·       Do not water or use your sprinkler between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Water early in the morning or in the later evening to reduce water loss to wind and evaporation.

·       Troubleshoot your sprinkler system for leaks, broken heads and emitters, and poorly angled/aimed heads. A broken sprinkler head can waste as much as 16 gallons of water per minute – and irrigation water should never end up in the street or on others’ property.

·       Consider replacing thirsty turf with xeriscaping.  There are hundreds of regionally adapted plants, trees and shrubs that can fill your yard with color while saving you money on water.

Visit http://www.abcwua.org to learn more about water conservation programs and how you can conserve this resource!

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

Beware of Snakes During Warmer Months

Snakebite season, which generally runs from April through October, is upon us, and the New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center (NMPDIC) offers many resources for snakebite prevention and first aid. Having fielded 72 snakebite calls during 2018 and five so far in 2019, we know snakes are out there! Learn more about keeping safe during snake season at: nmpoisoncenter.unm.edu or call toll-free 1 (800) 222-1222

Huning Highland Neighborhood Hosts Mother’s Day Historic Home Tour

Want to show appreciation to a great mom in your life? Why not take her to the Mother’s Day Historic Home Tour this Sunday, May 12 in the Huning Highlands Historic District? This tour will showcase five unique historic homes and gardens, and two commercial/residential buildings, all from the turn of last century. To learn more, visit: hhhda.squarespace.com

Neighborhood Association Meetings Around Town

·       Academy Ridge East, Tuesday, May 7 at 4:00 p.m., Georgia O’Keeffe Elementary, Teacher’s Lounge. E-mail: jimmun@gmail.com for more information.

·       Holiday Park, Tuesday, May 7 at 6:00 p.m., Holiday Park Community Center. E-mail: holidayparkneighborhood@gmail.com for more information.

·       Southwest Alliance of Neighbors, Tuesday, May 7 at 6:00 p.m., Ted Gallegos Alamosa Community Center. E-mail: jgallegos@wccdg@gmail.com for more information.

·       Paradise Hills Civic Association, Tuesday, May 7 at 7:00 p.m., Paradise Hills Community Center. E-mail: phcassoc@gmail.com for more information.

·       Barelas, Thursday, May 9 at 6:00 p.m., Barelas Community Center. E-mail: info@barelas.org for more information.

·       Singing Arrow, Thursday, May 9 at 6:00 p.m., Singing Arrow Community Center. E-mail: abqsana@gmail.com for more information.

·       South Valley Coalition, Thursday, May 9 at 6:30 p.m., Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office South Area Command. E-mail: rmahoney01@comcast.net for more information.

·       Elder Homestead, Thursday, May 9 at 6:30 p.m., César Chávez Community Center. E-mail: carlpennington1004@yahoo.com for more information.

ONC Toolbox Article Offers Ideas on Building Consensus

Finding consensus in a group is often the biggest challenge any association can experience, but the Office of Neighborhood Coordination (ONC) can help! Check out our article on Building Consensus at: http://www.cabq.gov/office-of-neighborhood-coordination/news/building-consensus or take a look at our other toolbox resources on conflict resolution.

Vanessa Baca

Neighborhood Communication Liaison, Office of Neighborhood Coordination (ONC)

City Council Department

(505) 768-3331 Office

Website: www.cabq.gov/neighborhoods