ANNOUNCEMENTS

Special Events

THE TAOS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY

will hold ward and precinct meetings to elect county central committee members Feb. 6-9. Ward 3 (precincts 1, 19, 20, 21, 22, 34,

44, 45, 46) Monday Feb. 6 from 6-7 p.m. at Talpa Community Center, 3 Archuleta Road, Ranchos de Taos; Ward 4 (precincts 9, 10, 11, 12, 37, 38, 39) Tuesday Feb. 7 from 6-7 p.m. at Talpa Community Center; Ward 2 (precincts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 16, 33) Wednesday Feb. 8 from 6-7 p.m. at The Grill at El Monte Carlo, 2435 NM 522, Questa; Ward 5 (precincts 18, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 35, 36, 43, 47) Wednesday Feb. 8 at Talpa Community Center; Ward 1 (precincts 14, 15, 17, 40, 41, 42) Thursday Feb. 9 from 6-7 p.m. at Talpa Community Center. Visit taosvotesblue. com or call 575-999-1621 for more information.

FREE TAX PREPARATION assistance by AARP Tax-Aide volunteers will be provided in-person at the Talpa Community Center (3 Archuleta Rd., Ranchos de Taos) on Tuesdays, starting Feb. 7 through April 11. Appointments can be made on-line at taxaide.aarpfoundation.org, and in-person on Tuesdays at the Talpa Community center. A limited number of taxpayers can be served without appointments (tax documents will be scanned and the prepared return picked up the following week). Call Lynn Aldrich at 575-770-5044 for more information.

FREE WEDDINGS ON VALENTINE’S DAY

at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge will be offered Tuesday Feb. 14 from 1-3 p.m. No appointment necessary. Interested couples will need to bring a marriage license from a New Mexico county clerk and two witnesses 18 or older. For more information, call Jeff Shannon at 575-741-5122.

ONE BILLION RISING 2023 will rally to end violence against women and girls on Tuesday Feb. 14 from 4-6 p.m. at the Taos Plaza. For more information, visit onebillionrising.org.

Meetings

LA MERCED DE CRISTOBAL DE LA SERNA

Special Meeting will take place Sunday, Jan. 26 from 3-6 p.m. at the Talpa Community Center. Meeting agenda: Update/revision of bylaws. For more information, contact Daniel Maes at danielmaes@ cristobaldelaserna.org or Manuel Vigil at 575-779-6466.

THE LIONS CLUB OF TAOS meets for a no-host lunch on the first and third Thursday of every month at Martyrs Steakhouse at 146 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. We are always looking for new members to join and become involved in any of our community programs: Kidsight, Adult Vision, Scholarships, Community Charities, Pueblo Project, Tio Vivo Carousel, Flags on the Plaza and Taos Elder Benevolent Services. For more information, contact Wayne Rutherford at 575-770-0180, email taoslions@gmail.com or visit lionscluboftaos.org.

TAOS CANCER SUPPORT GROUP meets Tuesdays from 4-5 p.m. at Taos Cancer Support Services office, 413 Sipapu Street. Masks are required. This group is for cancer survivors. For caregiver support, please call 575-751-8927.

CONCERNED TAOS COUNTY RESIDENTS

who want to make a difference in how our community can benefit us all meet Wednesdays from 5-7 p.m. at Casa Benavides. To learn more, find Taos Roundtable Group on Facebook.

RENEWABLE TAOS meets weekly via zoom to plan and execute projects such as advocating for solar and wind power, improved electric transmission, beneficial electrification of homes and businesses, additional electric car charging stations and working with schools to introduce climate education in grades K-12. For more info, visit renewabletaos.org, email info@renewabletaos.org or call 575-770-3267.

TAOS AMATEUR RADIO CLUB Ham radio meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month, 5:30 p.m. at the new location: OPD (Old Police Station), 107 Plaza Drive in Taos. Free. Call 575-770-1961.

AMERICAN LEGION POST 16 IN TAOS

meets the third Saturday of each month at 1:30 p.m. at Kit Carson Electric Boardroom, 118 Cruz Alta Road. For more info, call 575-2247290.

FREE FAMILY LAW CLINICS The 8th Judicial District Court holds a free Family Law Clinic the first Wednesday of each month, via Google Meet or by telephone, from 9 a.m. to noon, and resuming at 1-4 p.m. To sign up, complete a Family Law Teleclinic application found at eighthdistrictcourt.nmcourts.gov or at the help desk at 105 Albright Street, Suite N, Taos. Email applications to 8thhelpdesk@nmcourts.gov or drop them off at the help desk. For more information call 575-751-8634.

Taos Public Library

BEGINNING SPANISH CLASSES will be held every Tuesday from 5-6 p.m. Adults can come learn and converse en español.

COFFEE AND CRAFTS will be held every second and third Saturday from 10-11 a.m. Adults are welcome to participate. Coffee and craft supplies provided. See Facebook for details. YOGA IN THE STACKS will be held every Thursday from 5-6 p.m. Adults can come experience a gentle slow flow class. Bring your own yoga mat.

Taos Alliance for Public Health and Safety

PHOTO CONTEST The 1st Annual Photo Contest focus is on the beautiful Río Grande Gorge Bridge area, which would be seriously impacted by a planned 50-foot cell tower. Have seven submission categories, lots of great prizes waiting for lucky winners — all kindly donated by many local businesses. For details, see TaosAlliance.org.

TAKE ME TO THE RIVER Taos Alliance for Public Health & Safety is offering chances to win a half-day rafting trip for two from Los Rios River Runners for this coming summer season. Ticket donations are $5 — you can make multiple entries at Taos Food Co-op (open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday) and at other participating venues. For details, see TaosAlliance.org.

UNM–Taos

TAOS EDUCATION AND CAREER CENTER

at UNM-Taos offers free High School Equivalency (HiSET/ GED) preparation, English Language classes, small-group literacy instruction, and helps in discovering a new, in-demand career along the way. Visit the center on the Klauer Campus (1157 County Rd. 110, Ranchos de Taos) or call 575-737-3730.

Education

VISTA GRANDE HIGH SCHOOL is participating in a Universal Breakfast and Lunch Program for the current school year 2022-2023. If your children attend Vista Grande High School, breakfast/lunch will be available to them at no charge. All students enrolled at this school may participate in the breakfast/lunch program at no charge to them.

TAOS CHARTER SCHOOL is accepting NSLP applications for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year. Please stop by the school for an application.

FREE MEAL PROGRAMS are in place at Taos Charter School. Students enrolled in the school may participate in the breakfast/lunch programs at no charge according to the school’s program guidelines.

ROOTS AND WINGS COMMUNITY SCHOOL

is currently accepting students in the K-2 and 6-8 cohorts. Call 575-586-2076 or go to rootsandwingscommunityschool.org for more information.

TAOS PUEBLO HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START

is now enrolling for 2022-23. Children enrolled in other Federally Recognized Tribes, and children with disabilities are welcome and encouraged to apply. To schedule availability and an intake meeting, call 575-758-5819.

General

DREAMTREE is leading a local collaborative AmeriCorps program called the Enchanted Circle Corps (ECC), with a focus on performing outreach within the community to spread the word about local available services and resources and to connect community members to those resources. DreamTree is looking to recruit members to the program. For more information, visit dreamtreeproject. org/ecc.

TALPA COMMUNITY CENTER & LIBRARY

is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Services include use of computers, affordable copies, WIFI, faxing and plenty of reading/educational materials. Call 575-751-014 for more information. Register for a free library card.

TALPA MUTUAL DOMESTIC WATER ASSOCIATION members can now view the annual Consumer Confidence Report. For copies call Raul E. Vigil at 575-751-4373 or visit the Talpa Community Center off NM 518.

TAOS PUBLIC LIBRARY is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m.-noon. For more information, call 575-737-2590 or email librarian@taosgov.com.

TAOS MOUNTAIN SANGHA offers a weekly meditation sit and Dharma talk every Wednesday evening, 6-7:30 p.m. via Zoom. Visit taosmountainsangha.org for details and email tmsanga@gmail.com with questions.

MINDFUL FREE MEDITATION COURSE

“Exploring Mindful Meditation: Basics.” Online course offered free to the public by Mindful Frontiers, a local meditation community. Register at mindfulfrontiers.thinkific.com.

Help wanted

VISTA GRANDE HIGH SCHOOL is currently hiring Math, English and Writing tutors. VGHS provides a pleasant work environment with a flexible schedule; $25 per hour for the right individual. Please apply at vistagrande.org or in-person at 213 Paseo del Canon E. For questions, call 575-758-5100.

WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS WANTED Writers on the Range seeks writers of color, women and fresh voices; topics on intermountain territory; authentic, unique perspectives on Western public lands, water, natural resources, agriculture or economic institutions; word-count 750. See writersontherange.org, or email betsym@writersontherange.org.

Disaster assistance

HIGH WINDS have impacted many families, homes and businesses in the Enchanted Circle. If you or someone you know needs a place to stay (think local hotel) or has an unmet need requiring assistance, you may contact the Enchanted Circle Community Organizations Active in Disaster (ECCOAD) by emailing them at info@eccoad.org or calling 505-692-3296. Please leave a detailed message if no one answers — the number is not currently staffed 24/7. For more information, visit eccoad. org.

Storm damage

HAVE ROOF DAMAGE or need any other type of repair at your home? Call High Mountain Construction at 575-741-6690 for a free estimate and quick service. Members of their team can be on-site the same day. They are also willing to repair any type of damage to your house. For more info, email josephmartinez213@ icloud.com.

Economic recovery

SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY LOAN FUND

offers loans up to $150,000 at 1.625 percent for up to 10 years. No payments due the first year, interestonly due the second and third year, no prepayment penalty. For information, see nmfinance.com/smallbusiness-recovery-loan-fund-2021.

Food assistance

TAOS MEN’S SHELTER needs you (or your friends or group) to provide one homemade dinner a month for the shelter. Cooking for up to 20 dinner participants is needed. Meals can be simple, and recipe ideas are available. Substitutes are available when you are unavailable. Please call 508-560-5630 or email Shannon at taosmealcalendar@gmail.com for more information.

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE FOOD PANTRY

Food baskets are handed out the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month 9 a.m.-11:30 p.m. 205 Don Fernando Street, Taos. For more information call 575-758-9208.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TAOS

Bring canned goods or nonperishable gifts Sundays, 10-11 a.m., 215 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, for parking lot drive-thru and drop-off of packaged foods and/or monetary donations to Shared Table, as well as foods or monetary donations for the Taos Men’s Shelter. Foods must be unopened and within their expiration date. Checks should be made payable to either Shared Table or Taos Coalition to End Homelessness.

NORTH CENTRAL FOOD PANTRY OF QUESTA

food distribution days are second and fourth Fridays from 10 a.m.-noon. For updates, call Questa village office at 575-586-0694 or see Facebook. For an emergency food box, call Jeannie Masters at 575-7799194 or Nancy Parker at 505-6997563. To donate, visit ncfpquesta. com or mail checks to North Central Food Pantry, P.O. Box 1076 Questa, New Mexico 87556.

SHARED TABLE distributes food commodities and basic health care items on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, 9:30-11:30 a.m. in El Prado at El Pueblito Methodist Church, 1309 Paseo del Pueblo

Norte; and from 1:30-3 p.m. at Talpa Community Center, State Road 518, Ranchos de Taos. Call Pastor Cheri Lyon at 505-440-6849.

ST. JAMES FOOD PANTRY offers supplemental groceries to all, Thursdays, 12:30-3:45 p.m. drivethru at St. James Episcopal Church, 208 Camino de Santiago (off Gusdorf Road behind the Quality Inn), Taos.

Infant necessities

DON’T SPEND TONS OF MONEY on expensive baby gear that you won’t need after a few months or a year. Borrow what you need and loan out what you don’t. Emily King has started a free baby gear lending library so parents can save money, energy and the planet by reusing gently-used infant and toddler essentials like strollers, car seats, high chairs, booster seats, cribs, as well as a selection of toys, bags and accessories. Taos parents who want to donate, lend or borrow items may email babygearlibrary@gmail.com, or call 510-703-9777. For more information, visit taosbabygear.wixsite. com/babygear.

Pets

PAYS TO HELP STRAYS Taos Feral Feline Friends, the all-volunteer animal charity, wants to help you adopt a stray cat. Pays To Help Strays is a free adoption service helping stray cats of Taos County and the Enchanted Circle. Qualified applicants receive these veterinary benefits: Spay/neuter surgery; all vet-recommended testing; vaccinations for rabies, and deadly viral diseases FVRCP and FELV. To be eligible, the adopter must contact TFFF within 60 days, or in advance, of the adoption. Cats from shelters, pet stores or breeders are ineligible for this program. Call TFFF at 575-758-3519 for more information. CAT AND DOG SPAY/NEUTER, VACCINE PROGRAM for the Town of Taos, Taos County and Taos Pueblo pet owners. Lower-income pet owners and all feral/outdoor/barn cat owners also eligible for free vaccine services, at Española Valley Humane Society, 505-753-0228. Dogs and cats must be between 8 weeks and 8 years of age. CAT SPAYING/NEUTERING Free pet cat spaying/neutering in Taos available with a Zimmer Feline Foundation voucher. Town of Taos, Taos County and Taos Pueblo cats eligible. Call 505-466-1676.

Wellness

COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE to heal the nervous system, at the Taos Public Library Thursdays at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. RSVP today by texting Karen Calderon, DOM at 415-609-5859. COMMUNITY YOGA CLASSES every other Saturday in SecoLive spaces. Classes are donation-based on a sliding scale of $5-$20. Please bring your own mat. Open to all levels and all bodies.

COVID-19 testing

COVID-19 VACCINE DASHBOARD Stay up-to-date about the state’s vaccination effort, including the number of vaccines administered by visiting cvvaccine.nmhealth.org/publicdashboard.html.

BEWARE OF VACCINE SCAMS Medicare covers Covid-19 vaccines at no cost to seniors. If asked to share your Medicare number or pay for vaccine access, it’s a scam. Don’t share any personal or financial information if someone calls, texts or emails promising vaccine access for a fee.