The Aztec Masonic Lodge has opened a new learning center to help children with dyslexia. The center was made possible by a $1 million donation from Duane and Mary Ann Walker to the New Mexico Scottish Rite Foundation. It will provide tutoring from retired teachers Dana Reed and Donna Brown at no cost to families. The article also profiles Les Lundquist and his wife Carol Tookey, who built an off-the-grid solar home in Aztec for $85 per square foot that requires no electricity bill.

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A COMMUNIT Y-INP UT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1993
AZTEC • BLANCO • BLOOMFIELD • CEDAR HILL • CENTER POINT • FLORA VISTA • NAVAJO DAM • LA PLATA
September 16 - 30 • 2008
Vol.16No.18
I n t h i s i s s u e
• Letters: 2,3 • Aztec City: 4,9 • Book Nook, 14
• Crossword: 15 • Real Estate: 14 • Oil & Gas Basics: 19
• Obits: 20 • Classifieds: 22 • Advertisers: 23
By Katee McClure
The Aztec Masonic Lodge has always
been a shining leader in our Aztec com-
munity. On Friday, September 5th there
was a dinner and unveiling of their
newest of ventures.
This month begins the "New Mexico
Scottish Rite Foundation Learning Center
at San Juan Lodge in Aztec." I know it's
a mouthful to say but what they will be
doing is invaluable. This new learning
center will be helping kids with reading
disabilities. Plain and simple helping kids
deal with dyslexia.
Dyslexia affects about 10% of children
nationwide and if they can be taught
when they are young enough it usually
helps them immensely with their later
school years.
Most amazing is that this new learning
center is offered at NO COST to the chil-
dren or their parents.
The project of helping children with
dyslexia is not new to New Mexico; the
Scottish Rite Foundation has had a learn-
ing center in Las Cruces for over 25
years.
This year the Scottish Rite Foundation
received an extremely generous gift from
Duane and Mary Ann Walker. The
Walkers gave the Foundation one million
dollars. In talking with Duane and Mary
Ann, I found out that their goal was to
give the money to help communities in a
way that would be realized, in a concrete
fashion, in their lifetimes. "Charity lies at
the foundation of Freemasonry," said
Duane.
The Aztec Masonic Lodge is the first
Lodge to benefit from the Walker's gift.
The Scottish Rite and the Freemasons
are like brothers. All Scottish Rite mem-
bers are also Freemasons.
At the dinner that night was also
Thomas Payne who is the head Scottish
Rite State Organization.
Because of the Walker’s gift, the
Scottish Rite organization is able to part-
ner with many Masonic Lodges in New
Mexico and offer this wonderful program
for the children of the communities.
Thomas Payne had some interesting
facts about dyslexia. He said that most
children can learn something after about
fifty repetitions; a dyslexic child needs
the repetition 500 to 5000 times.
Therefore, whoever teaches them needs
to have special training and patience.
Aztec's new Learning Center is hon-
ored to have two such teachers. They are
When Les Lundquist married Carol
Tookey thirty-three years ago, he brought
to the marriage a dream, a dream where
he would live in harmony with Mother
Earth, a dream that included a home that
was run totally by the sun. Today, Les'
dream is a reality.
Les and Carol have just finished build-
ing their home in Aztec in the Hart
Canyon area. This wonderful 1200 square
foot home is totally off the grid. All of
the electricity used by their home is cap-
tured by our area's most abundant
resource - the sun. This house is actually
1400 square feet, but only 1200 square
feet is devoted to actual living space. It
has two bedrooms, one bath and a
kitchen, dining and living area. The floor
plan is open and inviting.
I live in Hart Canyon on the same road
as Les and Carol and have watched them
build this dream home from the ground
up. Mostly it was Les' truck I saw parked
on their property every single day, rain or
shine.
This lovely home has been mostly
hand built by Les (with a little help from
his friends).
It is a straw bale built home. Straw is a
terrific natural insulator. Inside the home
Les and Carol have constructed an adobe
wall that runs the length of the house
separating the living room from the two
bedrooms. The floors are also made of an
adobe material. Adobe, Les told me, cre-
ates a "thermal mass" that helps keep a
home warm in the winter and cool in the
summer. Les' home also makes great use
of passive solar energy with enormous
windows that face toward the south.
There are two rather large solar panels
outside. One is entirely devoted to heat-
ing the water in their 120-gallon hot
water heater. They have the hot water on
demand system that really
saves on electricity used and
water consumption. Each of
the solar collectors is made
up of eight panels. Each
panel produces 170 watts of
power, which is 1360 total
watts or 1.36 kilowatts. The
energy collected from these
panels is stored in eight six-
volt batteries. The batteries
are housed in a container that
is about the size of a medium
box freezer. This is plenty
enough energy to run their
home.
Their reason for building
How GREEN is my dream Story & photos by Katee McClure
this unique home is philosophical says
Carol. When asked to define her reasons
she replied, "It's for the sacredness of the
whole of creation. We have an obligation
to treat this planet like we want it to be
here for awhile." Carol is an Episcopal
priest and a nurse who works in hospice
care.
Les has an Associates degree in
Renewable Living that he earned from
San Juan College. Les, who got hooked
on the magazine "Mother Earth News"
decades ago, says of his philosophy, "I
don't want to disturb the land more than I
have to."
Les and Carol will heat their house this
winter completely with the passive solar
system and a small wood burning stove.
This summer the interior of the house
never got above 78 degrees, no need for
a swamp cooler or air conditioner.
Les and Carol will have two rainwater
collection systems and use some of their
grey water for their planting projects.
All tolled the cost of building their new
home ran about $85.00 per square foot.
This cost is far below what most new
construction costs would be. Couple that
with the fact that they will never have an
electricity bill makes this beautiful home
truly affordable living - and above all
conscientious living.
Les remarked, "I'm a dreamer - I have
many dreams. This house fulfills one
dream." When asked what's next Les
replied "permaculture, native gardening
is a passion of mine."
Les and Carol’s home will be featured
on the upcoming Solar Home Tour this
month. You really must check this home
out. It would also be a great opportunity
to pick Les' brain as to what goes into
creating a home that is totally self- suffi-
cient.
I'll warn you though, after you see this
home you may be GREEN with envy.
Help for children with reading
disabilities at Aztec Masonic Lodge
Dana Reed and Donna Brown. They are
both retired special education teachers
who formerly worked in the Aztec
School District.
Duane Walker and Thomas Payne
worked together to decide how to best
fund this project, and although I don't
know the particulars, I do know that our
community will benefit greatly from this
endeavor. Duane notes that, "Lodges are
pro children and pro education."
Mr. Payne has done a lot of research in
the area of dyslexia. He says that 80% of
jail inmates cannot read and that 90% of
that group is dyslexic. Many dyslexic
persons are adept at working around their
problem because they are of above nor-
mal intelligence.
This new center will be focusing on
children in the second and third grade. If
you are older you can take advantage of
"Project Read" that is offered through
San Juan College.
The interest in this new program has
been overwhelming says Ron Holloway,
local business owner and Lodge member.
Ron also notes that this is not a casual
program. Those who are enrolled have to
be committed to continue the program for
two to three years, one hour a day, four
times a week. It is a big commitment but
dyslexia is curable and if caught early,
much easier for the child.
If you are interested in this program,
please contact the Aztec Masonic Lodge.
Making it happen... (l to r) Donna Brown, Thomas Payne, Mary Ann Walker,
Duane Walker, Ron Holloway and Dana Reed. Photo by Katee McClure.
Les Lundquist and Carol Tookey relax in
front of thermal mass adobe wall.
Side and back view of Les and Carol's
home with solar panels facing south
Jenna Miller fundraiser
dinner Sept.27th
A benefit Mexican din-
ner is scheduled for
Saturday, September
27th, 2008 at 6:30 pm at
St. Joseph Parish hall in
Aztec. Advance tickets
will be available as well as
being sold at the door and
donations are being accept-
ed through Wells Fargo
Bank (Jenna Ann Miller
Medical Fund
#1915031197). The family
has been overwhelmed by
the generosity of the Aztec
community and wants to
thank all those who have
already contributed.
FMI, 215-3325 or 801-9867.
Don’t forget the Farmers Markets!
Tuesdays, 4:30-6:00 at Animas Park, Browning Parkway, Farmington
Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00 at Westside Plaza, West Aztec Blvd in Aztec
Thursdays, 4:30-6:00, at Bishop Square, Bloomfield
Saturdays, 8–10 AM at Animas Park, Browning Parkway, Farmington

2. The Aztec Local News is a compilation of
articles, poems, stories, opinions, etc. written by area
residents. The opinions expressed in these articles
are those of the individual authors, and do not
necessarily reflect those of The Aztec Local News.
If information is presented as fact and it is relevant
to you, verify it. Although we strive for correctness
and honesty, this community paper does not have the
resources to check all incoming info. Be aware also
that what’s in TALON, ends up on the internet..
Don’t Be Left Out
Next Deadline: September 23
You are encouraged to send your
articles, photos, etc. in early
(but send in even if past deadline)!!
The Aztec Local News, 334-1039
PO Box 275, Aztec 87410
Drop box at Zip and Ship
Send via email: aztecnews@sisna.com
The Aztec Local News (TALON) is pub-
lished semimonthly, on the 1st and middle
of each month. As a community-input
newspaper, serving the Aztec, Bloomfield,
Cedar Hill, Center Point, Flora Vista, La
Plata, Navajo Dam, and Blanco areas, we
welcome stories, news, events, poetry,
photos, etc. from area residents.
6500-7000 copies of The Aztec Local
News are delivered to over 150 locations
in the area for free pickup and mailed to
those who prefer the convenience of a
subscription.
TA L O NThe Aztec Local News
Editor & Publisher: Candy Frizzell, 334-1039
Writers: Katee McClure, 330-4616;
Cherry Church, 334-3436;
Ad Rep: Debbie Koster, 970-764-8108
horseloverdebbie@hotmail.com
Distribution: Dorothy Stamper, Melody Ahlgrim,
Stephanie Sandoval
Proofreaders: Gina Martinez, Linda Lawson,
Debbie Israel
© Copyright 1993-2008 by The Aztec Local
News. All rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced without the written
permission of the editor. Printed by The
Gallup Independent.
INDEPENDENTLY OWNED SINCE 1993
•The TALON Regulars•
Susan Barnes, Natural Health 327-1914
Bert Bennett, Fire Department 334-9271
Laverne Clark, Curator’s Corner 334-9829
Jim Dahlberg, Cedar Hill 947-1355
Ramona Durham, Let’s Talk Herbs 334-0344
Mike Heal, Chief’s Corner 334-7620
Book Nook, Library Staff 334-7658
Sandy Martin, Aztec Bitz 334-7144
Marti Kirchmer, SJCE 334-3831x200
Linda Paul, Aztec Schools 334-9474
John Rees, Bird Talk 632-8335
Christine Ragsdale 215-8733
Bruce Salisbury 334-2398
Pam Davis, Senior Center 334-2881
Greg Schiller, Computer Talk 402-7594
These folks share their time on a regular basis
to write in their field of interest. If you have sub-
jects and tidbits they might be interested in, give
them a call. If you would like to try your hand at
writing, give us a call at 334-1039. Many others
have submitted stories, poems and information on
an occasional or one-time basis. Thanks to every-
one, it sure makes for good reading.
Subscribe to TALON
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Send a check for $16 / year (24 issues) to:
TALON, PO Box 275, Aztec, NM 87410
PAGE 2 SEPTEMBER 16 - 30 • 2008
Mail • Email • Opinions
PO Box 275 • Aztec,
NM 87410
505-334-1039 •
fax/voice 334-1551
aztecnews@sisna.com
TALON
notes
For TALON info,
call Candy 334-1039
City of Aztec
Pot Hole Hotline
334-7660
R
Need a hunting or
fishing license?
The Aztec Chamber of Commerce now
sells hunting and fishing license to the
public. Call the Chamber for more info,
334-9551.
to Joseph Barela!
TALON will celebrate 15 years on
October 1st!
If you have msn email - send TALON
emails to aztecnews@gmail.com.
Bicycle Cruise Nights
Aztec Trails & Open Space (ATOS)
will be hosting a Bicycle Cruise Night
every Friday night beginning at 7:00 pm
at Minium Park (behind Safeway) in
Aztec through the end of summer.
Everyone is invited as we cruise different
neighborhoods throughout Aztec. This is
a family oriented event. There are no
fees, just a fun night out!
For more information you can email
aztectrails@gmail.com or call Kelly at
334-2828.
AZTEC ANIMAL SHELTER
825 E. SABENA
AZTEC, NM 87410
505-334-6819
NEW HOURS
Sunday 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Monday 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Tuesday 10:00am - 5:00pm
Wednesday 10:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday 10:00am - 5:00pm
Friday 10:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday 10:00am - 5:00pm
Lost a pet?
Looking to Adopt?
Come see us!
Volunteers Appreciated!
P062046 12/06
Call me and I’ll help you get the right life insurance
for you and your family.
For life insurance,
call a good neighbor.
State Farm Life Insurance Company (Not licensed in MA, NY or WI), State Farm Life and Accident Assurance Company
(Licensed in NY and WI) - Bloomington, IL
statefarm.com®
Ron Goimarac, Agent
1524 W Aztec Blvd
Aztec, NM 87410-1804
Bus: 505-334-9427
ron.goimarac.b7jj@statefarm.com
SAVING MONEY
WITH SOLAR
A TALK BY JIM MILLER
MONDAY, OCTOBER 6,
AZTEC LIBRARY, 6:30
Presented by Sustainable San Juan
School for Sustainable Living
For info - 334-1840,
sustainablesanjuan@yahoo.com
Oktoberfest Bake Sale
The First United Methodist Church
women will sponsor a bake sale, pie
with coffee and lunch on Saturday,
Oct. 11, from 9 am to 1 pm at the
Methodist Church,
123 W. Chaco, Aztec.
Lunch will be served from
11 am to 1 pm and will be a choice of
potato soup and a roll or chili with
cornbread.
Proceeds will go for mission projects
in the Aztec area.
For more info call 334-6524.
Farewell
This little article is to say how much
the Louis Sandoval family appreciates
the great value of Father Joe Blonski.
Father Joe was my Mary Jane’s best
friend and priest. She kind of pampered
him with good meals and Father Joe
enjoyed Mary Jane’s meals. (Remember
the gas meter!) Well Father Joe helped
the Louis Sandoval family when Mary
Jane left this earth. He called when Mary
Jane was in Denver to check on her.
Father Joe helped the Louis Sandoval
family during the time of sorrow. Thank
you Father Joe Blonski for being here for
my family and I wish you best in your
new venture.
As Always, Louie Sandoval
Rumor? Truth? Little of both?
Don’t know if those political emails or rumors are true? Take the time
to check them out. Start with... www.snopes.com, www.factcheck.org
Vote your favorite Sorehead!
The 2008-2009 Aztec Old Sorehead nominees are:
Bruce Salisbury, Shirley McNall, Clyde Ward, Angela
Watkins, Elisa Bird, Ron Goimarac, Clifford Vaughn, Louis
Sandoval, and Debra Chapman. Five nominees declined for var-
ious reasons and one was on vacation and couldn’t be con-
firmed.
These nominees will be out campaigning/fundraising until the
end of the first week of October, wearing their “official” sore-
head nominee pin. Each penny they collect counts as a vote
(feel free to give money in any denomination - the bigger the better!).
The recipients of this year’s Sorehead fundraiser dollars will be Sustainable San
Juan and Aztec Trails & Open Space (ATOS) - both great and worthy causes making
Aztec better with the sweat and time of volunteers. Past recipients have included the
Aztec Animal Shelter, Aztec Skatepark, Mosaic Academy, Aztec Boys & Girls Club,
Sarah’s House, Aztec High School Band and others.
Vote Early, Vote Often!
See who the new Aztec Soreheads are at the Oktoberfest parade on Saturday,
October 11th. If you have any questions, call the TALON office at 334-1039 or
Stephanie at 334-2434.
Bloomfield
Grower's Market
Every Thursday
4:30-6:00 PM
at Bishop Square (Hwy 64 and 550)
If you are interested in selling locally
grown fruits and vegetables, contact the
Bloomfield Chamber, 505-632-0880.
Animal Emergency Services
Volunteer Training workshop
The American Humane Association will be conducting a 2-
day workshop on Animal Emergency Services Volunteer
Training at McGee Park on October 4th & 5th from 8:30 a.m.
to 5 p.m. This training is geared toward anyone interested in
the welfare of animals following a disaster, including profes-
sionals trained in disaster response, emergency medical serv-
ices personnel, firefighters, search and rescue personnel, ani-
mal shelter staff, and animal control officers. Topics include
Animal First Aid, Personal Preparedness, small and large ani-
mal handling and more. There will be a mock shelter set up
and response session. Four Corners Equine Rescue, in coop-
eration with Foundation for Protection of Animals and the
San Juan County Sheriffs' Posse, are hosting this event. This
is a wonderful opportunity for everyone that is interested in
helping animals during emergencies. Follow this link to the
AHA website:
www.americanhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ev_pr
ofessionals_aes_training
Registration for this event is through the AHA also, with
the form available on their website. Or call FCER at 505-
334-7220. Lunch and snacks will be provided.
4th-8th Grade Boys
Basketball Registration
begins September 22nd!
Registration is $30 for current
Aztec Boys & Girls Club members
and $40 for non-members.
Call 334-8861 for more informa-
tion.
To register your child, please stop
by the Aztec Boys & Girls Club at
311 S. Ash or call 334-8861.

3. THE AZTEC LOCAL NEWS PAGE 3
'Drunkbusters'
statewide hot line:
1-877-DWI-HALT
Talon Editor:
Great job on running articles about how citizens can
“Green Up” their lives. The article on Matt Palulis
shows how we can be more proactive on reducing our
dependence on foreign oil. Americans have become very
lazy in recent years. Not very many people remember
how thrifty we were for most of this great country’s
existence. Inventors made this country great, not engi-
neers. Inventors are what will also help reduce our need
to buy oil from countries that hate us. If we sit round
thinking the auto engineers are going to put out high
mileage cars, we will be waiting a very long time. High
mileage cars will be made in peoples garages for quite
awhile before they are sold to the general public.
Modern cars have become the epitome of what is wrong
with this country. The year with the highest average gas
mileage for new cars was 1988. We are now 20 years
behind the times because Detroit convinced gullible
Americans that they “needed” SUVs. Look around the
next time you are on the highway; you will see mostly
single drivers in vehicles that get less than 20 mpg. That
should make you mad. If it doesn’t, you’re clueless.
If we all either made or purchased small scale wind
generators we wouldn’t even have the controversy over
things like the Desert Rock Power Plant. It wouldn’t be
needed. Changing out incandescent light bulbs for com-
pact fluorescent ones & practicing other energy saving
tips is what is needed (if the entire world switched to
compact fluorescent bulbs we could shut down 280 coal
fired plants, 80 just in the U.S.). People are allowed to
be too wasteful when it comes to energy. Real
Americans save energy and help everyone become less
dependent on fossil fuels. The petroleum and coal fired
power industries have done a marvelous job getting us to
where we are as a society, and they are definitely needed
in the years to come. However, we need to wean our-
selves off of an energy source that is banning the air we
breathe, and causing environmental damage. I would
rather see a wind turbine tower than a pump jack or
smokestack in my backyard any day. Solar water heaters
could cut our energy needs considerably, and are already
in use in many countries.
On the political side, energy independence means
foolish Presidents would not need to send our troops into
wars based on lies and greed (and yes, that is exactly
what the Iraq war is about). The money already spent on
the Iraq war could have purchased 3.5 MILLION large
wind turbines, enough to supply 70 million homes with
clean energy. That would have had a huge economic
boost and put tens of thousands of new jobs on the mar-
ket, and reduced our need on fossil fuels at the same
time. Any new drilling that any political candidate pro-
poses “to help reduce dependence on foreign oil” is an
outright lie. No matter how much we drill, the bottom
line is that we will still run out of petroleum in the next
generation. Period. Its time to get riled up America. If
you really love your children and grandchildren, demand
changes for future generations’ sake. We have no right to
leave them this country with the mess and hatred that is
being generated.
Dave Porter, Aztec
The two power plants, PNM and APS, have been pro-
moting and paying the different big water users on the
San Juan River for having an agreement in place to
share shortages of water but keep the power plants oper-
ating during shortages. This money, which was reported
to be about $250,000 per year, was distributed to the
larger users, but primarily to the NAVAJO NATION, in
the prior year agreements. My sources tell me the power
plants would like to commit this money to environmen-
tal improvements on the power plants except when a
shortage actually occurs. Only once in the prior agree-
ments did a shortage occur. Apparently this was not
received well by the Navajo Nation representatives
recently.
The Navajo Nation Water Right Settlement agreement
with the State of New Mexico, I believe expires at the
end of this year. The approximately one billon dollar
settlement does not appear to be on track to get
approved in the congress this year. Yes the settlement
will cost the taxpayers $1,000,000,000.00 to build the
pipeline from Shiprock to Gallup. The agreement, nego-
Sharing Shortage Agreement possible without payoff dollars?
tiated between the Navajo Nation’s lawyer, Stanley
Pollock, and essentially John Whipple, an Interstate
Stream Commission Engineer for New Mexico, was
done without the Federal Government agreeing to the
terms and conditions. Nor was there much input or con-
sideration given to the non-Indian water users in the San
Juan Basin. The San Juan Agricultural Water
Association, which includes all non-Indian irrigation
ditches in the county, representing about 15,000 mem-
bers, still opposes the settlement as signed. The City of
Farmington cut a deal with the State of New Mexico and
the Navajo Nation on settling their water rights, which
in my opinion, was like selling out the rest of the com-
munity.
The State of New Mexico held its La Plata River field
meeting Sept. 8th and 9th on the State adjudication.
The State expects to wrap up La Plata in 2009. Whether
they go to the Animas or San Juan River next is still up
in the air.
Robert E. Oxford
Phone 505-334-9270, Cell 505-330-2284
Editor of the TALON
In an effort to defend their religion, a theory called
“evolution,” letter writers to the TALON have apparent-
ly decided that a personal attack on anyone who points
out the weaknesses of their position is the best way to
go. Character assassination is a very low form of argu-
ment but it appears that is the best the evolutionists can
do.
The devotees of this elitist religion are fulfilling exact-
ly, the prophecy found in 2nd Peter Chapter 3:5 “For
this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of
God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out
of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby the world that
then was, being overflowed with water, perished:”
Peter was speaking of latter day scoffers who would
come and who would jeer at the Word of God. They are
“willingly ignorant” or “dumb on purpose” of the over-
whelming evidence of a world engulfing cataclysm
referred to in the Bible as “Noah’s Flood.”
That great event leveled the mountains of the time,
and re-deposited the sediment in stratified layers that
today cover more than 90% of the visible earth. In that
vast flow of mud, that later became sedimentary rock,
lie uncountable quadrillions of quadrillions etc. etc. of
the fossilized animals that once roamed the planet.
Remember this: No animal, large or small can become
fossilized unless it is covered quickly and completely
with sediment. That cuts off the oxygen required for
decay and thus fossilization can occur. Noah’s flood was
completely capable of that. If you visit the great fossil
beds at Vernal, Utah the rangers will tell you a “local-
ized flood” covered all those dinosaurs and turned them
into fossils. Some “local flood,” one that covered the
entire earth.
The 10% of rock that is not sedimentary is given over
to rock formed as products of heat (igneous) and pres-
sure (metamorphic) that occurred either during or fol-
lowing the great flood and even those occasionally con-
tain fossils.
Evolution is a theory advanced by those who refuse to
believe or even consider the evidence that hits them in
the eye every time they open it. These folks would
rather be “willingly ignorant” than to accept the fact that
the Omnipotent God of the Bible made “everything that
is.”
Why? Why do they insist upon believing in “any-
thing” rather than the Bible? Here’s why: the Bible
teaches us that ALL men are sinners both by birth and
by choice. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) and
men choose death rather than truth because they love
their sin too much to give it up.
I have absolutely no animosity toward those who call
me names and point the finger implying and stating I am
crazy, judgmental, etc. because I remember full well
when I did the same thing. I once considered all
Christians to be losers, ignorant, bigoted, narrow minded
and other things too vile to be printed in a family news-
paper.
God got hold of me one day and showed me the end
result of my sin. My life was changed and I pray for all
those who are caught up in the anti-God religion of
Evolution. May the Lord of Creation open their eyes
before it’s too late.
Pastor Dick Carmack, Little Brown Church
Pipeline Safety?
Exposed high pressure gas line in the middle of well-traveled CR 2575 east of Aztec.
Bloomfield Senior Citizens’ Center
Presents:
The Fall Flea Market!
Where: Bloomfield Senior Center
Parking Lot, 124 West Ash
When: Saturday, September 20, 2008
8:00am-2:00pm
Why: Fund Raiser for the Senior Center
Booths: $10.00 for Seniors (60 yrs. and over)
$15.00 for Non– Seniors
**All participants will be responsible for their own
canopies, chairs and tables. Spaces are 10X10.
Donated items to the seniors’ sale will be taken
through September 19th at the
Bloomfield Senior Center. Large
furniture items will be accepted
the day of the sale between
6:30am and 8am.
We will also be selling Chili, Pickles, Soda,
Lemonade and Water at the flea market.
For more information, please contact the
Bloomfield Senior Center at, 632-8351
Need a ride?
The Farmington Red Apple Transit has bus service
to Aztec, Bloomfield, Flora Vista, Kirtland, McGee
Park, the Farmington airport, and Animas Park.
Red Apple Transit Dispatch:
325-3409
Need help with
• Family Problems • Financial Assistance • Health Care &
Rehabilitation • Child Care • Support Groups
• Alcohol & Drug Abuse • Other Problems & Services
Helpline 326-HELP (4357)

4. PAGE 4 SEPTEMBER 16 - 30 • 2008
Is your computer slow?
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3751 N Butler Ave, Farmington
334-1772 · 8am-9pm Mon-Sat
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From Reliance
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Reliance Medical Group
Occupational Medicine · Urgent Care · Chiropractic
Mayor’s Memo by Sally Burbridge
Apologies that I missed the last edition of TALON,
time slipped away from me and when I realized an arti-
cle was due it was too late. This past June the citizens of
Aztec participated in the City’s annual Infrastructure
Capital Improvement Projects (ICIP) Survey. The ICIP
is a listing of projects which have been ranked by the
citizens of a community as those projects having the
highest importance to the community for funding and
completion for the next five years. The ICIP survey is a
way to ensure that the city is acquiring funding for those
projects which have community support. Being on this
list does not guarantee funding for a particular project
but ranks this project as among the top priorities during
the city’s efforts to obtain funding. Some projects, due
to their size and scope, may not be funded
within the five year timeline outlined by the
ICIP survey, but may continue for several more
years as funding and other resources become
available.
Of the 3,133 surveys sent out with utility
bills, a total of 392 surveys (12.5%) were
returned by July 1, 2008. Following are the 9
projects as ranked by the citizens who returned
surveys:
Project Ranking per Survey Answers
Alternate Relief Route 1
Swimming Pool 2
Reservoir/Pond #3 3
Waste Water Plant Compost Pad Building 4
Animas River Trail (Phase 1) 5
Reconstruction of Main (from Zia to Rio Grande) 6
North Main Extension 7
Industrial Park (New) 8
Hartman Park Baseball/Parking Lot Paving 9
In addition to the projects listed, several citizens took
advantage of the space available to write in additional
recommended projects. There were 64 additional recom-
mendations made with many of them having similar
themes and topics. Of those additional recommenda-
tions, roughly one quarter of them focused on street
repair and maintenance of various forms and almost
another one quarter focused on bicycle and pedestrian
facilities. The remaining recommendations were too var-
ied to detail all of them.
This is a shorter article than I usually send in, but
work has already begun on articles for the next few
issues of TALON. Upcoming topics will include updates
and construction timelines for several anticipated proj-
ects within the community.
ATOS events
Durango Colors Bike Ride
Durango Colors Bike Ride hosted by Aztec
Trails & Open Space (ATOS) on Saturday,
September 27, 2008. Come enjoy the fall col-
ors while riding the developed trail system
along the Animas River in Durango, Colorado.
Everyone and all abilities are welcome. Meet
at Minium Park in Aztec at 9 AM. Park your
vehicles in the city parking area. You are wel-
come to bring your own vehicle and transport
your bike, or you may catch a ride for you and
your bike with someone else from the group.
Carpooling is encouraged. Each person should
bring water, helmets and money for lunch in
Durango. We will be coming back that after-
noon after the ride and lunch. FMI, email
aztectrails@gmail.com or call Kelly at 334-
2828.
Fall Color Walk
Join us for a Fall Color Walk right here in
Aztec, hosted by Aztec Trails & Open Space
(ATOS)! The Color Walk will be taking place
in early October at Riverside Park. This will
be a morning outdoor walk with coffee and
refreshments provided. Come be amazed by
the color display right here in the middle of
town and see what progress
has been made on Aztec’s own
trail system. Watch the next
issue of TALON for a date and
time!
Remembering the U.S. Military
Iraq Casualties (a continuing list)
Du Hai Tran,30,Army Staff Sergeant,Jun 20,2008 Reseda,California
Gregory T.Dalessio,0,Army Captain,Jun 23,2008 Cherry Hill,New Jersey
Bryan M.Thomas,22,Army Private 1st Class,Jun 23,2008 Lake Charles,Louisiana
Robert C.Hammett,39,Army Chief Warrant Officer,Jun 24,2008 Tucson,Arizona
Dwayne M.Kelley,48,Army Major,Jun 24,2008 Willingboro,New Jersey
Alejandro A.Dominguez,24,Army Sergeant,Jun 25,2008 San Diego,California
Joshua L.Plocica,20,Army Specialist,Jun 25,2008 Clarksville,Tennessee
Joel A.Taylor,20,Army Specialist,Jun 25,2008 Pinetown,North Carolina
James M.Yohn,25,Army Private 1st Class,Jun 25,2008 Highspire,Pennsylvania
Philip J.Dykeman,38,Marine Captain,Jun 26,2008 Brockport,New York
Max A.Galeai,42,Marine Lieutenant Colonel,Jun 26,2008 Pago Pago,American Samoa
Marcus W.Preudhomme,23,Marine Corporal,Jun 26,2008 North Miami Beach,Florida
Anthony Lynn Woodham,37,Army Nat’l Guard Sgt 1st Class,Jul 05,2008 Rogers,AR
William L.McMillan III,22,Army Specialist,Jul 08,2008 Lexington,Kentucky
Steven J.Chevalier,35,Army Sergeant 1st Class,Jul 09,2008 Flint,Michigan
Byron J.Fouty,19,Army Private,Jul 09,2008 Waterford,Michigan
Alex R.Jimenez,25,Army Sergeant,Jul 09,2008 Lawrence,Massachusetts
Jeffery S.Stevenson,20,Marine Lance Corporal,Jul 13,2008 Newton,New Jersey
Danny Dupre,28,Marine Staff Sergeant,Jul 14,2008 Lockport,Louisiana
Daniel R.Verbeke,25,Navy Aviation Boatswain Mate 3rd Class,Jul 14,2008 Exton,PA
David W.Textor,27,Army Staff Sergeant,Jul 15,2008 Roanoke,Virginia
Jeremy D.Vrooman,28,Army Staff Sergeant,Jul 15,2008 Sioux Falls,South Dakota
Jackie L.Larsen,37,Air Force Technical Sergeant,Jul 17,2008 Tacoma,Washington
James A.McHale,31,Army Sergeant,Jul 30,2008 Fairfield,Montana
Andre Darnell Mitchell,25,Army Specialist,Jul 31,2008 Elmont,New York
Jennifer L.Cole,34,Army Private 1st Class,Aug 02,2008 American Canyon,California
Kevin R.Dickson,21,Army Specialist,Aug 02,2008 Steelville,Missouri
Brian K.Miller,37,Army National Guard Sergeant,Aug 02,2008 Pendleton,Indiana
Ronald Andrew Schmidt,18,Army National Guard Specialist,Aug 03,2008 Newton,KS
Timothy J.Hutton,21,Army Private,Aug 04,2008 Dillon,Montana
Gary M Henry,34,Army National Guard Sergeant,Aug 04,2008 Indianapolis,Illinois
Jonathan D.Menke,22,Army National Guard Specialist,Aug 04,2008 Madison,Indiana
Danny E.Maybin,47,Army Main Sergeant,Aug 07,2008 Columbia,South Carolina
Adam T.McKiski,21,Marine Corporal,Aug 07,2008 Cherry Valley,Illinois
Stewart S.Trejo,25,Marine Corporal,Aug 07,2008 Whitefish,Montana
Jose E.Ulloa,23,Army Sergeant,Aug 09,2008 New York,New York
Kenneth B.Gibson,25,Army Sergeant,Aug 10,2008 Christiansburg,Virginia
Michael H.Ferschke Jr.,22,Marine Sergeant,Aug 10,2008 Maryville,Tennessee
James M.Hale,23,Army Corporal,Aug 13,2008 Naperville,Illinois
Janelle F.King,23,Army Private,Aug 14,2008 Merced,California
Daniel A.C.McGuire,19,Marine Private 1st Class,Aug 14,2008 Mashpee,Mass.
Travis M.Stottlemyer,20,Marine Lance Corporal,Aug 17,2008 Hatfield,Pennsylvania
George Stanciel,40,Army Not reported yet,Aug 19,2008 Greenwood,Mississippi
Steven J.Fitzmorris,26,Army Specialist,Aug 25,2008 Columbia,Missouri
Carlo E.Alfonso,23,Army Specialist,Aug 26,2008 Spokane,Washington
David K.Cooper,25,Army Sergeant,Aug 27,2008 Williamsburg,Kentucky
Michael L.Gonzalez,20,Army Specialist,Aug 28,2008 Spotswood,New Jersey
Jorge L.Feliz Nieve,26,Army Specialist,Aug 28,2008 Queens,New York
Patrick W.May,22,Army Private 1st Class,Sep 02,2008 Jamestown,New York
Kenneth W.Mayne,29,Army Sergeant,Sep 04,2008 Fort Benning,Georgia
Bryan R.Thomas,22,Army Private 1st Class,Sep 04,2008 Battle Creek,Michigan
Jordan P.P.Thibeault,22,Army Private,Sep 05,2008 South Jordan,Utah
by iCasualties.org
FOOD JOURNAL:Know what you
eat and where it comes from
Here’s a great way to get a handle on what you eat and
how much money you spend on food. - Do a Food
Journal.
FOOD JOURNAL – for one meal, day or a week:
1) Chart what you eat
2) Chart where you buy your food items; Aztec
Farmers Market, Safeway, etc.
3) The food you buy at a super market, chart where it
comes from, Chili, New Zealand, California, etc.. Where
is it packaged at; Chicago, Florida, etc.
4) Chart how much shipping you estimate is involved
in your food getting to your table.
5) Chart how much your food dollar really stays in San
Juan County.
6) One meal, or day or for a week just make your meal
from local food sources.
SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM
Buy Local, Grow Local
Sustainable San Juan – 334-1840,
sustainablesanjuan@yahoo.com
Call 334-1039 to get
stories, ads, bitz,
obits, etc.
in TALON

5. THE AZTEC LOCAL NEWS PAGE 5
Mitchell Garage Door
Repair and installation on all
residential and commercial
garage doors
and
electric garage door openers.
• Free estimates
• All work guaranteed.
Call anytime 505 564 3926
$50.00 installation fee
on electric garage door openers
thru October.
One fall day
brought a group of
fast talking people
wearing desert boots
and attired in earth-
tone apparel.
California? Could
they use our phone
to call Ignacio? OK
with them paying
the charges. But, I
asked, "What are
you folks doing
here?" The reply
was they were film-
ing a movie at the
Bondad bridge, enti-
tled "When the
Legends Die" star-
ring Richard
Widmark.
I was given per-
mission to watch, so my
observation of the set,
introduced me to Richard Widmark. Learning where I
was from, he visited our Bob and Bills Trading Post at
the state line. We drank coffee, in the wing-back chairs
in the Curio Shop, and discovered where the filming was
... the LaPlata Mountains and burning a barn in
Bayfield. Next, the crew would film a scene in an apart-
ment in Aztec and continue on to the rodeo grounds at
McGee Park. Recently, there was a rerun of the 1972
film on the Western Channel. The bad news was it didn't
include our Trading Post!
Get ready now for OKTOBERFEST 2008!
The 14th annual Oktoberfest downtown Main Avenue is Saturday, October 11. The
World’s Largest Volkswagen Parade begins at 10 am. Registration and line-up begins at
9 am on Mesa Verde in front of the empty lot (previously the old Courthouse, someday to
be the Aztec Performing Arts Center). Registration forms are available at the Aztec
Chamber of Commerce, 110 N. Ash (334-9551) or on the chamber’s web site
www.aztecchamber.com.
Oktoberfest boasts in-store specials, demonstrations, art shows, contests, arts, crafts, live
entertainment all day, food, biergarten, high noon shoot-out, spooky story telling,
karaoke contest, costume contest, parade, scavenger hunt, and contest after contest
after contest. Plan now to spend your day on Main Avenue in Aztec. Cash prizes for winning
parade entries, prizes for contest winners plus certificates and fame are available.
c Pumpkin Recipe Contest:
Bring 3 dishes of your favorite pumpkin recipe to enter the contest. Public will vote on the best dish by paying
25¢ per sample. Contest begins at 10:30; all entries must be delivered to Pumpkin Recipe Booth by 10:00 am.
c Bring My Own Carved Pumpkin Contest:
Bring your own already carved pumpkin entry to display at the Pumpkin Contest Booth. Entries must be received
by noon and public voting will end at 2 pm. Pennies deposited in the jar in front of your pumpkin will determine
the winner. Pennies will be donated to a charity determined by the Aztec Chamber of Commerce. Winner will be
announced at the Aztec Courtyard at 2:30 pm and the winner and runner up will receive prizes.
c Biggest Pumpkin Contest
Bring your un-carved pumpkin to the Biggest Pumpkin Booth for judging by noon. Winner will be announced at
2:30 pm at the Aztec Courtyard. Judging will be done by the Aztec Chamber of Commerce.
z Amateur Dog Show
Bring your dog to our amateur dog show and discover if your pet is the cutest, ugliest, biggest, smallest, best
kisser, best performer or best of show. Prizes awarded. Contest begins at 11:00am in Minium Park. Winners will
be announced at 2:30 pm at the Aztec Courtyard.
z Best Pet Tricks Contest
Bring your favorite pet, any size, any type to enter the Best Pet Trick Contest in Minium Park at 10:30am. Pet’s
owner will announce the pet’s name and trick. Judging will be final. Pet prizes will be given (owner/winner
receives a certificate).
í Costume Contest
Children, youth, old people - enter the annual Aztec Costume Contest walking, riding, flying, skipping, biking in
the parade and then lining up in the Aztec Courtyard immediately after the parade for judging. Prizes will be
awarded in all age categories. Costumes can be Halloween, famous characters, or German (remember - this is a
community event and all costumes must be decent or the Aztec Prudish Society will escort you from the premises!)
Dear Family & Friends...
L.B. Dean will be 79 years old
on Thursday, September 25. We
are throwing him a surprise birth-
day party on Saturday, September
27th at about 2 pm.
If you are fortunate enough to
know him or love him, please do
drop in. 410 Huntington Circle,
Bloomfield
Any questions?
Call 505-320-2773.
You’re Invited!I want to be involved in the following 2008 Oktoberfest contests
in downtown Aztec on October 11, 2008:
❒ Pumpkin Recipe Contest ❒ Bring My Own Carved Pumpkin Contest
❒ Amateur Dog Show ❒ Biggest Pumpkin Contest
❒ Best Pet Tricks Contest ❒ Costume Contest
Deliver or mail to Aztec Chamber of Commerce, 110 N. Ash, Aztec NM 87410 • 334-9551
How peaceful was
my valley? by Phyllis Gilkey
Richard Widmark - filming in
New Mexico is nothing new!
U.S. Iraq Casualties
As of Sept. 12, 2008, at least 4,155 members of
the U.S. military have died in the Iraq war since it
began in March 2003.
As of Sept. 12, 2008, at least 519 members of the
U.S. military have died in Afghanistan, Pakistan
and Uzbekistan as a result of the U.S. invasion of
Afghanistan in late 2001, according to the Defense
Department.
30,324 U.S. Military Wounded
Study: 300,000 US troops from Iraq, Afghanistan have
mental problems, 320,000 brain injuries
www.rand.org • www.armymedicine.army.mil
Iraq Civilian Casualties:
87,506 - 95,504 www.iraqbodycount.net/

6. PAGE 6 SEPTEMBER 16 - 30 • 2008
Hymn #365
A minister was completing a temperance sermon
with great emphasis he said, 'If I had all the beer in
the world, I'd take it and pour it into the river.'
With even greater emphasis, he said, 'And if I had
all the wine in the world, I'd take it and pour it into
the river.'
And then, finally, shaking his fist in the air, he said,
'And if I had all the whiskey in the world, I'd take it
and pour it into the river.'
Sermon complete, he sat down.
The song leader stood very cautiously and
announced with a smile, nearly laughing, 'For our
closing song, let us sing Hymn #365, 'Shall We
Gather at the River.'
Harley’s Humor
Perpetuated in memory of Harley Sills
In August the Jaquez name without
the “c” in the middle and “s” at the
end hung prominently from a banner
announcing the three day Jaquez
reunion that brought forth a gather-
ing of at least 150 to 200 family
members from various parts of the
country into the tri-cities.
The reunion had all the makings of
a national convention with guest
speaker Dr. Thomas E. Chavez, New
Mexico author, professor and histori-
an. Family members recited their
family trees, folk lore, jokes and
Toby Jacques lectured on sheepherd-
ing. In addition the three-day event
included a tour to Tom Bolack’s
Ranch, the Aztec Museum and a
grand banquet at the Best Western in
Farmington. For the final farewell,
the family met at the home of John
Jaquez in Blanco for a barbeque.
Georgia Jacquez Lewis, an attorney in Charlotte,
North Carolina, said the Jaquez’ have been holding a
reunion every two years since 1992. Thanks to Paul
“Sonny” Jacques of El Cajon, California whose genealo-
gy research traced the Jaquez family to one Juan Jose
Jaquez, who was married to Maria Rosa Villalpando
(circa 1750s). In 1760 Juan was killed in a Comanche
Indian uprising in Taos and Maria Rosa was taken cap-
tive. Juan Jose and Maria Rosa left behind a child
named Jose Julian Jaquez (born about 1758). He married
Maria Paula Martin and thus, generations later extended
family members attend and share a weekend of family
renewal.
In her writings, Georgia Lewis describes Maria Rosa
as a strong frontier heroine having survived captivity
with the Comanches, her subsequent trade to the
Pawnees and her sale and marriage to Jean Sale dit
Lajoie, a Frenchman who was among the original
founders of St. Louis, Missouri. Maria Rosa died in St.
Louis at the age of 107. Her story is a milestone of
struggle and survival canvassing a time period of early
Spanish history dating back to the 1600s. Dr. Chavez
said Maria Rosa’s life story has been placed on a road-
side marker in Taos, NM.
The name Jaquez, according to “Origins of New
Mexico Families,” is of French origin or at least a very
old Spanish surname in Spain. The name first appeared
in New Mexico in 1704 borne by a Catalina Xaquez de
Salazar.
The Jaquez family is a large extended family
ingrained in historical accounts. The family tree is
extensive, well researched and documented. They pride
themselves in the fact their ancestors were among the
first Hispanics to settle along the San Juan River Basin
establishing the community of Blanco, Rosa, Archuleta,
Haynes, Gobernador and Alcatraz, now known as
Turley.
And in spite of differences in the spelling of the
Jaquez name (Jacquez, Jacques) they all lay claim as
descendents to Maria Rosa Villalpando and Juan Jose
Jaquez.
Not all the Jaquez know each other and one is more
The Jaquez hold family reunion By LaVerta Johnson
Obama office opening
It was standing room only at the new Barack Obama
office that had its grand opening in Aztec on Friday,
Sept. 5th. The new office is located at 113 Chaco Street.
The Obama campaign also has offices in Farmington
and Shiprock. San Juan County's newest Field
Organizer, Alberto Gonzalez, runs the new Aztec office.
Feel free to give him a call at 505-658-5980 or email
him at agonzalez@nmforchange.com. He will be sta-
tioned at the Aztec office from now through the election
on November 4th, so stop by and say hello.
Alberto Gonzalez - Field Organizer in Aztec office.
Right: Full house! Photos by Katee McClure.
A cake highlighting history
by Gil Jaquez
The 2008 Jaquez Reunion was celebrated by chance
on the anniversary to Juan Jose Jaquez's death on August
9th by close to 200 descendants.
The cake artwork was designed by Toni Jaquez and
picture taken by Bobby Jaquez.
apt to hear, “Who are you. How are
you a Jaquez?” at these reunions.
Maggie and Carmelita Aragon from
Cuba, NM said they heard about the
reunion when they attended a funeral.
They are linked to the Jaquez name
by the grandmother Dolores Jacquez
who married Jose Julian Cordova.
Toby Jacques said the family
reunions, notably are to reunite and
visit with family members that are
scattered throughout the country.
Primarily though, it’s a way to stay
connected with the Colorado Jaquez
clan whose families homesteaded the
San Luis and Antonito area under the
Sangre de Cristo Land Grant. “It’s
important to stay connected,” He said.
This year’s oldest attendees were
Marguerite Jaquez age 92 and
Gregorita Gomez Jaquez age 93.
Among the youngest was a three-month-old baby girl.
Next Jaquez, Jacquez, and Jacques reunion will be
hosted by the Jaquez clan in San Luis, Colorado in the
year 2010.
Carolyn Poore chair-person for the
Jaquez Reunion poses with
Dr. Thomas E. Chavez guest
speaker at the reunion.
Photo by Gil Jaquez
The Blanco Clan. Photo by Gil Jaquez.
hair
color
nails
manicures
pedicures
facials
massage therapy
109 west chaco
aztec, nm 87410
(505) 334-6556
895 A Hwy 516 • Flora Vista • 334-8881
Cindy Iacovetto, owner
Men’s
Haircuts
always $10!
Call 334-8881 for an
appointment and come in
for an expert color, cut,
style, perm, acrylic nails
or manicure.
Evening hours available!

7. THE AZTEC LOCAL PAGE 7
Schedule your birthday parties or other group event now!
#745 CR 2900 (Ruins Rd.) 7 1⁄2 miles north of Aztec or
3 1⁄2 mi. west of 550, turn onto CR 2900 at Cedar Hill.
Mon-Sat 9-6, Sun 10-6. Phone: 334-3578 or visit our
website at www.sutherlandfarms.net
Sutherland Farms Market
4th Annual
Green Chile Festival
September 20th & 21st
10am-6pm
Green Chile Roasting
Wines of the San Juan
Blacksmith Demo • Crafts
Purple Cow Kafe
Barrel Train Rides
Live Music:
• Saturday •
11-2 Renovators
3-6 Good News Blues
• Sunday •
12-3 Blue Moon Ramblers
2-4 UmattR Trading Card Signing
Sometimes you see
the hand of fate work-
ing in the lives of peo-
ple. It worked in the life
of Pearl Sisson and that
was a good thing for
her and her family and
a very good thing for
Aztec.
Pearl Sisson grew up
in Morton, Texas, a
small town about 60
miles west of Lubbock,
on a farm. She was one
of ten children. As a
young woman she
worked in a café in
Morton and the first card played by the hand of fate was
when a young man, Robert Sisson, known to everyone
as Pete, stopped by the café and spied the lovely young
waitress. The two fell in love and the couple were mar-
ried in 1945. It was big changes for the young farm girl
when she married the young oil man. A whole new life
opened up for her. They began their married life moving
from oil town to oil town, ending up in 1952 in Tioga,
North Dakota, the oil capital of North Dakota.
There the oil boom had stretched the town so thin that
the young couple spent their days in a motel only to
have to vacate the place at night so that others could
sleep there. Pete Sisson went off to work the night shift
and Pearl would spend the night in their car parked in
the drive in theater lot. The next morning they could
move back into the motel room to catch up on their
sleep. “There has to be a better place to live than here,”
Pete said so they set off to try to find it.
They had friends in New Mexico so they took a trip to
the Land of Enchantment. They didn’t find anywhere to
move to so they headed back to N. Dakota, via Aztec.
Here’s where fate stepped in again. Coming though
Cedar Hill their car broke down. It needed a new motor.
Pearl’s sister lived in Farmington so they headed there to
Jane and Hoyle
Brook Marshal and Friend
Pam from the Vanilla Moose
Look who's at the Aztec Farmers Market...
Pearl Sisson By Cherry Church
stay until the car got fixed. A new motor was ordered. It
was shipped out on the train which derailed causing the
Sisson’s to stay in the area longer and longer. Pete went
out and got a job on an oil rig and Pearl found work at
the Aztec Café as a waitress. It was supposed to be a
temporary thing. Pearl’s still here in Aztec! She loved
working at the Aztec café and when the owner said the
place was for sale, the Sissons promptly bought it. A
month after the purchase Pete Sisson traded his rough
neck clothes for a cooks apron! The café was open 24/7
and catered to the oil field workers as well as local
Aztec residents. The couple owned their business until
1976.
During these years, Pete and Pearl adopted two chil-
dren, Petey and Tammy. Petey still lives in Aztec,
Tammy passed away a few years ago. Pearl has three
grandchildren and five great-grandchildren - all still live
in the area.
When Pearl’s dad passed away shortly after their
move here, the couple tried to get her mother to relocate
here but she refused. She came quickly however, when
baby Petey came on the scene. She came to help and
stayed 23 years until her death. Through the years most
of Pearl’s siblings moved to our area and five of them
still reside here.
After selling the restaurant, Pearl and Pete traveled
selling Indian jewelry, a lot of which they had taken in
trade at the café for meals. Eventually they stopped trav-
eling and sold their wares at the flea market.
Pete Sisson passed away in 2000. Pearl stopped sell-
ing at the flea market after his death and focused her
considerable energy into other areas of Aztec life. She is
active in her church, Bethel Baptist Church and the
Crisis Closet. She is also very involved in the life of the
Aztec Senior Center. She helps out there in many ways
with including decorating tables and with bingo.
“I always love doing things for people,” she says.
Even though she’s seen many changes in Aztec, she still
loves living here. “If I was looking for a small town to
settle in,” she says, “I’d still pick Aztec. It’s such a
friendly town.” Fate picked Aztec for Pearl Sisson, Pearl
has made it home.
Note: If you would like to suggest someone who has
"made Aztec,” call Cherry at 334-3436.
They Call
Aztec Home
Stories of the folks who
made Aztec what it is
Pearl Sisson at home in Aztec
No measuring cups? Here
are some easy cheats
By J.M.HIRSCH,AP Food Editor
Baking is a science and for reliable results you really
should measure everything.
Which isn't always the most realistic advice. So for
times when you're baking on the fly or just don't have
another clean measuring spoon or cup, here are some
tips and cheats from the experts.
DRY INGREDIENTS
• 1 tablespoon equals a chestnut
• 2 tablespoons equals a pingpong ball
• 1/4 cup equals a small handful or a large egg
• 1/3 cup equals a billiard ball
• 1/2 cup equals a tennis ball
• 3/4 cup equals a baseball
LIQUIDS
• 1 tablespoon equals an ice cube
• 1 lemon provides 1 1/2 teaspoons zest and 1 to 3
tablespoons juice
OTHER
• 1 teaspoon grated citrus zest is about the size of a
quarter
• 3 medium tomatoes equals 1 1/2 cups chopped
• 1 handful of greens or herbs is about 1 cup
• 2 medium garlic cloves equals 1 teaspoon minced
Applications open for elk-
bugling,wolf-tracking tours
SANTA FE - Fall is one of the best times of the year
to watch wildlife, and the Department of Game and Fish
is again offering special guided tours in elk and wolf
country through the Gaining Access into Nature pro-
gram.
Applications are being accepted for a Sept. 27 tour to
experience bugling elk on the Sargent Wildlife Area near
Chama, and Oct. 17, 18 and 19 tours focusing on radio-
tracking Mexican wolves in the Gila National Forest.
Game and Fish personnel will be guides on all tours.
Tour applications only can be found online at
http://wildlife.state.nm.us/recreation/gain/index.htm.
Application fees are $8. Successful applicants will be
charged $74 for a tour. Application deadlines are Sept.
19 for the elk tour, and Oct. 3 for the wolf tours.
For more information about GAIN or how to apply,
please contact Clint Henson, (575) 445-2311 or
clint.henson@state.nm.us.
CASA volunteers needed
The San Juan County CASA (Court Appointed Special
Advocate) Program is recruiting people interested in
helping abused and neglected children. CASA’s mis-
sion is to support effective volunteer advocacy for the
best interest of abused and neglected children and assist
in helping a child to reach a safe and permanent home.
Interested individuals willing to be a powerful voice in a
child’s life please contact Amy or Freida at Childhaven
(325-5358 ext. 143 or 142) for further information or
stop by 807 W. Apache, Farmington to pick up an appli-
cation.
Our Fall CASA Pre-Service Training starts October
14. CASA volunteers provide hope for a brighter future
for our children! Please help us make a difference!

8. PAGE 8 SEPTEMBER 16 - 30 • 2008
Godspeed Fr.Joe Blonski
By Cherry Church
Father Joe Blonski has been in our area for nearly ten
years, serving St. Joseph Parish Church in Aztec. Now
it’s time for him to move on.
Fr. Joe came to St. Joseph’s after serving churches in
Farmington and Waterflow. He is originally from
Connecticut and was a member of the order of the
Brothers Our Lady of Guadalupe, serving as a teacher
before attending seminary. Being an adventurous sort of
person, Fr. Joe came out to the Southwest to visit friends
and to see what it was like. He came for a two week
visit and stayed for 34 years and counting.
Rev. Blonski will leave his post at St. Joseph’s on
October 6 and will become the pastor at St. Rita
Catholic Church in Show Low, Arizona, a town located
in the White Mountains of Arizona.
Fr Joe says he has mixed emotions about the move.
“You can become comfortable in one place,” he says.
“But in the White Mountain area there is a shortage of
priests and a big need.”
Fr. Thomas Pudota, a native of India, will come to
Aztec to serve the church in mid October.
Fr. Jim Walker of St. Mary Church in Bloomfield will
be the pastor of the Aztec Church, serving as the vicar
general of the Diocese of Gallup. Other local priests cur-
rently serving in area churches, and therefore available
for pastoral care at the Aztec church until Fr. Pudota
arrives are, Fr. Tom Otto, retired, Fr. Tim Cervantes and
Fr. Arley Downie Ret.
When asked what he’ll miss about our area Fr. Joe
says first and foremost the people. He will also really
miss the Aztec ecumenical society, the access to the
river, and Durango.
Fr. Blonski has asked that in lieu of a specific going
away party his congregation observe the two upcoming
church fiestas: September 21 at St. Joseph in Aztec and
on October 5th at Holy Trinity in Flora Vista. He also
asks that the congregation support the fund raising din-
ner scheduled for Jenna Miller on September 27.
Fr. Joe would like to thank the community for their
love and support. He is especially grateful for the way
they helped him to heal at the time he lost his parents.
“This has been a good experience as a pastor,” he said.
Father Joe - movin’ on.
Going back to the past
Everybody was talking about the going
down of the Country Palace. Going back to
the original name, it was then The Midway
Bar and Café. If I remember correctly the
lady that owned it was Viola. She was a
small framed lady but boy, she was very
feisty; everyone called her Vi. I remember
well there was a man named Max who had so many
drunk driving tickets that the state took his driver’s
license away for life. Max was a smart person so he
avoided tickets for not having a driver’s license by driv-
ing a big red farm tractor to the bar. There was a house
of ill repute across the highway. Vi got it closed shortly
after it opened. Viola told law enforcement people that
she didn’t want her bar patrons getting run over by cars
going across the highway.
The reason I know about the house is because I was
hanging out at the Chevron Station in Aztec when a man
drove up and said he just came up from Grants, NM and
needed help unloading furniture he had brought up in a
U-Haul truck. But the man told me he needed two peo-
ple to unload so I told him that Sonny Nixon was around
and I would get him to help. I found Sonny and off we
went to unload furniture. To my surprise, all Sonny and I
unloaded were beds and mattresses. That was the first
time I had seen an African American call girl. Sonny and
I got paid in cash money and were taken back to the
Chevron station in Aztec, so that was the end with that.
A man with the last name Kenny came up from Gallup
and started the Country Palace. He had the talk of the
town in Gallup. It was the hottest night club in Gallup (I
know, I was there). So Mr. Kenny decided to start the
one at Flora Vista. It became one of the hottest night
clubs in the area. There was live music on the weekend,
there was a DJ at KRZE radio named Smokey that had a
western band that played. Mr. Kenny built a big home
on Country Road 3520. The Catholic Church stands
there today. They say the indoor swimming pool is
where the Church altar is today. In closing, I hope I
brought some of the past back.
© Louis Sandoval, September 2008
The Red and White Flag
It is my habit to travel up to the
Good Samaritan Nursing Home once a
month and drop off newspapers for the
residents and staff. For many months
now I have noted that the New Mexico
State Flag which hangs there has
become progressively paler. Fact is, the
flag is no longer red and yellow, but
has morphed into a red and white flag.
Some months ago I discussed this
with the administrator, and he allowed that they intended
to get a new one. Being me, I teased him about seeing if
we could find someone to purchase a new one for them,
but he assured me that they could well afford one, and
that a new flag would soon grace their flagpole.
The red and white flag still hangs there and yes I have
mentioned it to the new administrator. While I am on the
subject, the flagpoles in front of Good Samaritan could
also use some help. They appear to have been construct-
ed of old rust-pitted oilfield pipe and then coated with
silver paint. Two of the poles point straight up to the sky
and the third pole is leaning.
I am sure the facility has more important things to do
than fret about flagpoles, but I think it would be nice if
some community organizations would offer to help them
with a flag project, and for sure, offer them a new yel-
low flag with the bright red Zia Sun Symbol in the cen-
ter.
Bruce L Salisbury, © October 2008
Obama campaign office
opens in Aztec
Script & photo by Gil Jaquez
Aztec's own Hoyle Osborne & Jane Voss, local enter-
tainers, visited the opening of the Barack Obama office
at 113 Chaco St. in Aztec and attended the reception
held Friday, September 5th, 2008 for the Grand Opening
of an Aztec/Bloomfield office for Senator Barack
Obama for President. The office became operational on
Monday, September 7, 2008.
San Juan Chapter urges you to
“PLEDGE TO PREPARE”
MAKE IT A PRIORITY
So many things compete for our
attention these days. However, get-
ting prepared is one thing we can
all do that requires little time or money compared to the
benefits it provides.
American Red Cross, the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security and a large coalition of organizations
is recognizing September as National Preparedness
Month. Pledging to Prepare can be as simple as follow-
ing the “Be Red Cross Ready” steps: 1) Get a kit, 2)
Make a plan, 3) Be informed and 4) Get involved.
An emergency preparedness kit should contain at
least three days of essential items needed by each house-
hold member. An evacuation plan and communica-
tions plan should be created and practiced with all
members of your household so they will know how to
reach each other and where to meet if you can’t go
home. If you are asked to evacuate, take your pets with
you. If it is not safe for you, it is not safe for them.
Since pets, other than service animals, are not permitted
in Red Cross shelters for health and safety reasons, it is
essential to have a list of family, friends, pet-friendly
motels and boarding facilities that could shelter your
pets in a disaster situation.
Being informed means finding out what types of dis-
asters are likely to occur where you live, work and play
and how you would receive information from local offi-
cials in the event of a disaster. Part of being informed is
learning CPR/AED and first aid and other life saving
technique classes to ensure your preparedness to assist a
family member or neighbor who is experiencing a med-
ical emergency and help is delayed.
The fourth action, Get involved, encourages you to
enhance your personal and community preparedness by
volunteering and supporting the Red Cross.
For more details and recommendations on how to suc-
cessfully complete these steps, contact the San Juan
Chapter at 2100 Cortland Drive in Farmington or phone
505-325-9605. Visit
www.redcross.org/BeRedCrossReady and learn how to
prepare in just a few minutes.
JACOY HARIALA - NAIL TECH/OWNER
BETHANIE KREBBS - STYLIST
THERESA SMITH - MASSAGE
THERAPIST
Give US A CALL FOR OUR
MONTHLY SPECIALS
102 N. MAIN, AZTEC
505-334-0644
Want to quit smoking?
Call the Help Line:
1-800-QUIT NOW
(1-800-784-8669)
Bloomfield Fall Festival
Pumpkin, Apple or Pecan
Dessert Contest
Do you like to bake? If so, this is for you!
Bring your favorite pumpkin, apple or pecan dessert to
the Bloomfield Multicultural Center on
October 18th by 4:00pm and you could be a winner.
Please make enough to serve at least 25 people.
Call 632-0880 for more information
Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce

9. THE AZTEC LOCAL NEWS PAGE 9
City of Aztec Special Commission Meeting Sept.2,2008 Reported by:Christine Ragsdale
FACTS:
• City Staff is in the process of moving and referenc-
ing all fees located within the Aztec Municipal Code to
Chapter 16- Fee Schedule.
• Ordinance 2008-358 will allow move and reference
the fees from Chapter 21-Solid Waste to Chapter 16- Fee
Schedule.
• City Staff will be better able to maintain and inter-
ested parties will have a better resource to review fees
set forth by the City Of Aztec as all fees will be under
one chapter within the Aztec Municipal Code.
SUPPORT DOCUMENT: Ordinance No. 2008-358
RECOMMENDED MOTION: Moved and
Seconded to Approve the Intent to Adopt Ordinance
2008-358 Amending Chapter 21, Section 21-47, and
Schedule of Rates.
Motion Moved and Second 4 Yes’s Commissioner
Marcum absent.
B. Intent to Adopt Ordinance 2008-359 –
Amending Ordinance 2005-325 and Chapter 16, Delain
George, Utility Office Supervisor
ACTION REQUESTED BY: Transit Waste and City
Staff to Approve Intent to Adopt Ordinance 2008-359
SUMMARY BY: Delain George, Utility Office
Supervisor
FACTS:
• A new contract between Waste Corporation of
Colorado & New Mexico (dba Transit Waste) and the
City of Aztec was approved May 1, 2007. It allows the
Contractor to petition the City for rate adjustments due
to unusual or extraordinary costs, Section V-Mutual
Provisions, Item 2(2) of the agreement.
• The last increase to the trash rates was effective
October 13, 2005. When the new contract was negotiat-
ed there were no increases to the rates billed to cus-
tomers. Transit Waste did increase their rates of service
to the City, the City chose not to pass on the increase to
its customers at that time.
• On June 30 2008 the City received a letter from
William Rose, General Manager for Transit Waste stat-
ing they would like to impose a monthly fuel surcharge
on all billed services not to exceed fifteen percent (15%)
and agreed to waive the annual CPI-U rate adjustment,
Section V-Mutual Provisions Item 2 (1).
• On July 15, 2008, Bill Rose met with City staff
requesting a fuel adjustment increase of four percent
(4%) due to the increase in fuel and petroleum products.
This increase would generate approximately
$2,000/month additional revenue to Transit Waste.
• City staff recommends an additional increase of six
percent (6%) to our customers to provide additional
funding to the Solid Waste Fund to provide that fund
with a contingency in case of emergency or other
unforeseen catastrophic event and continue to support
the City’s annual Solid Waste operations and mainte-
nance budget. This increase would generate approxi-
mately $3,000/month additional revenue to the City of
Aztec. See Section V- Mutual Provisions, items 8-10 of
the agreement.
• The total increase to be passed on to customers
would be 10%. Residential customers with 1 cart would
see an increase of $0.94 from $9.45 from $10.39.
Commercial customers will see an increase from $1.27
to $45.17 depending on the type of service.
• City staff is recommending adding Article VI- Solid
Waste to Chapter 16- Fee Schedule to provide a resource
for interested parties to review fees set forth by the City
of Aztec.
FISCAL IMPACT: Approximate annual Solid Waste
Fund revenue increase $60,000, a $24,000 annual
increase in contractual services to Transit Waste leaving
an estimated $36,000 to cash reserves in the Solid Waste
Fund. If approved, this would become effective in
October- FY2009 and necessary budget adjustments to
revenue and expense accounts would be included in the
mid-year review.
STAFF’S RECOMMENDED MOTION: Move and
Second to Approve the Intent to Adopt Ordinance 2008-
359 Amending Chapter 16- to establish a fee schedule
for Solid Waste and to change the rates to be charged for
Garbage Collection and Disposal.
Motion Moved and Second 4 Yes’s Commissioner
Marcum absent
C. Intent to Adopt Ordinance 2008-360, Amending
the Municipal Code of Aztec, New Mexico, 2007,
Chapter 16, Article I. Library Fees, Sections 16-1 and
16-2, Leanne Hathcock Library Director
ACTION REQUESTED BY: Aztec Library to
Approve Intent to Adopt Ordinance 2008-360
SUMMARY BY: Kathy Lamb
FACTS:
• Governor Richardson’s Media Industries Strategy
Project (MISP) identifies the potential of economic
development for the state in the digital arts field and
also recognizes the need for a highly trained population
in this field to attract a multitude of businesses to the
state.
• A Digital Arts program can encourage exploration,
invention, study and creative inquiry by joining arts,
technology and culture creating an environment for new
knowledge and creative expression.
• The Aztec Public Library Digital Arts program is to
provide an environment for the novice to become famil-
iar with the technology; the amateur to the more creative
with their digital pictures and movies; and also provide a
more sophisticated user with the tools to develop prod-
ucts for educational advancement and or business/eco-
nomic development.
• The Aztec Public Library has pursued and obtained
funding from various entities to purchase equipment,
software and obtain training in Digital Arts technologies.
New Mexico State Library, San Juan County and
ConocoPhillips have provided funding for this project.
The library has recently provided Microsoft application
training to staff of the Aztec Ruins National Park. The
library has already received applications from the public
for participation in digital arts training without publicly
advertising the availability of the digital arts lab.
• Farmington Public Schools has received funding and
will begin utilizing the services provided by the Aztec
Public Library from basic Microsoft applications to spe-
cialized digital arts software, beginning October 2008.
Aztec Public Library is capable of providing training in
Microsoft applications and has tutorial software to begin
digital arts training. As demand for intermediate and
advanced training on the digital arts software (Adobe
CS3 Production software, Maya and Final Cut Studio),
outside instructors will be contracted.
• Any use of the digital arts lab will require prior
reservation and orientation before an individual is
allowed access to the equipment and software. Library
staff has developed policies and procedures for the use
of the digital arts lab which will be refined as the pro-
gram progresses. There will be an age limit (under 13)
which will require supervised use by a qualified adult
(teacher, group leader, etc. – not library staff).
• The library is developing an after school program for
students under the age of 13 to learn and apply this tech-
nology in their personal and educational pursuits.
• It is necessary to amend Chapter 16, Article 1
Library Fees to include the availability of digital arts lab
and training. The Library also reviewed other fees, rec-
ognized that regular library fees had not been included
in 2007 Municipal Code, and have made those adjust-
ments to Article 1 as well. Previously a distinction was
made between resident and non-resident; due to the vari-
ety of funding received it is recommended that the fees
be adjusted to distinguish between a San Juan County
NM resident or outside of San Juan County NM.
FISCAL IMPACT: the purpose of the fees is to pro-
vide a source of income for the library to continue to
develop and sustain a variety of community programs
without complete dependency on the City’s General
Fund.
RECOMMENDED MOTION: Move and seconded to
approve the Intent to Adopt Ordinance 2008-360,
Amending the Municipal Code of Aztec, New Mexico,
2007, Chapter 16, Article l. Library Fees, Sections 16-1
and 16-2
Motion Moved and Second. 4 Yes’s Commissioner
Marcum absent
ORDINANCE 2008-358, 2008-359. 2008-360 can be
viewed by the public in their entirety at City Hall.
X. CITY MANAGER / COMMISSIONER
/ ATTORNEY REPORTS
City Manager: Keep Becky in your prayers. Passing
of a family member.
Commissioner Sipe: Sherri toured newly renovated
Animal Shelter. She said that it looks wonderful.
Commissioner Mesch: She asked Chief when the
newest addition to the Aztec Police Department will be
introduced (the new Drug Canine). The Chief said the
department will be setting up a workshop within this
month.
Commissioner Crowley: He also toured the Animal
Shelter and liked the new look.
XI. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Electric Director Ken George: The new building is
almost done. We will have the key in about a week.
XII. ADJOURNMENT:
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
September 2, 2008, 6:00 p.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. INVOCATION
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
IV. ROLL CALL
V. CONSENT AGENDA
Items placed on the Consent Agenda will be voted
on with one motion. If any item proposed does not meet
the approval of all Commissioners, a Commissioner may
request that the item be heard under “Items from
Consent Agenda”.
A. Commission Workshop Minutes, August 19, 2008
B. Commission Meeting Minutes, August 19, 2008
C. Resolution 2008-771 Declaring Certain Municipal
Real Property Not Essential for a Municipal Purpose and
Directing It Be Donated
D. Resolution 2008-772 to Ratify Ordinance 2008-354
Electric Rates
E. Resolution 2008-773 Defining Project Scope and
Support of DOT Control Number C8S301 and Project
No. ST-7631(221)
F. Animal Shelter Modular Project - Williams
Scotsman Change Order #1
G. Oliver/Hwy 516 Storm Drain Project
Agenda items that were pulled from above C and E.
All other agenda items were passed with one vote.
VI. ITEMS FROM CONSENT
• C. Resolution 2008-771 Declaring Certain
Municipal Real Property Not Essential for a Municipal
Purpose and Directing It Be Donated
Staff Summary Report reads: Souder Miller and
Associates have identified approximately 600,000 yards
of soil to be excavated from the Reservoir #3 project
site.
Staff Summary Report is to read: Souder Miller and
Associates have identified approximately 600,000 cubic
yards of soil to be excavated from the Reservoir #3 proj-
ect site.
Motion moved, seconded and approved. 4 Yes’s
Commissioner Marcum absent.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
• E. Resolution 2008-773 Defining Project Scope
and Support of DOT Control Number C8S301 and
Project No. ST-7631(221)
Motion moved, seconded and approved. 4 Yes’s
Commissioner Marcum absent.
VII. CITIZENS INPUT (3 minutes max)
(Citizens who wish to speak will sign up prior to the
meeting – this section is for items not otherwise listed
on the agenda)
• Pastor Kevin Parker of First Baptist Church of Aztec
gave and read a letter of appreciation to the City of
Aztec Commission for releasing the Property leased
from the State of New Mexico held by SJEDS.
Letter can be viewed by the public at City Hall.
VIII. PRESENTATION (10 minutes max)
1. Mike Heal, Aztec Chief Heal and R.L. Stockard,
Program Manager, NM Law Enforcement Accreditation
Program: Presentation of the Accreditation Program and
Award
• Police Chief Mike Heal: Aztec Police Department
was awarded from The New Mexico Association of
Chief of Police a wonderfully framed 5 year certificate
of accreditation, July, 2008. Aztec Police Department is
one of eight police departments in the state that is
accredited. RL was instrumental in assisting the Aztec
Police Department with this achievement.
IX. BUSINESS ITEMS
A. Intent to Adopt Ordinance 2008-358 –
Amending Ordinance 2005-325 and Chapter 21, Article
II, Section 21-47; Schedule of Rates - Delain George,
Utility Office Supervisor
ACTION REQUESTED by city staff to Approve
Intent to Adopt Ordinance 2008-358
SUMMARY BY: Delain George, Utility Office
Supervisor
CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP
4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Discussion of City Commission Rules of Procedure
This workshop, requested by Mayor Burbridge, con-
cerned the City of Aztec’s Administration codes; general
information on the proper way a City Commission
Meeting is to be conducted; and the standards for the
State of New Mexico and the City of Aztec. These codes
can be viewed by the public by going to
www.aztecnm.com/ Municipal Code or obtain a copy
from City Hall.
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Continued Discussion on Proposed
Supplemental Regulations
Article 4 (starting with division 4) of the Land Use
Regulations
This workshop is a continuation of the total review of
the new Aztec City Ordinance and Regulations.
Ordinance can be viewed by the public by going to
www.aztecnm.com/ or obtain a copy from City Hall.
Note: For more information on these ordinances, and
other items not included in this summary, contact City of
Aztec City Hall, 334-7600.
Disclaimer: This Commission wrap-up is not an offi-
cial record of the Aztec City Commission meeting. It is
a synopsis of the proceedings. Official transcripts are
available through the City Clerk’s office, 334-7600.
Note: Meetings are held the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of
the month unless otherwise posted.
The next general meetings: Tuesday, September
16 and Tuesday, October 7th.
A final agenda is posted 24 hours prior to the meet-
ing. Copies may be obtained from City Hall, 201 W.
Chaco, Aztec. Those needing an auxiliary aid or service
may contact the City Clerk’s Office at 334-7600 prior to
the meeting.

10. PAGE 10 SEPTEMBER 16 - 30 • 2008
Historic Downtown Aztec!
September 19th & 20th
Drought tolerant plants for northwest New Mexico
by Dan Smeal
I read with much interest the article entitled “Planting for Wildlife” by John and Jan Rees in the September 1-15,
2008 issue of TALON. They certainly provided some valuable information and advice pertaining to fall planting of
native plants in the Four Corner’s area. The two authoritative websites they cited, www.wildflower.org and
http://plants.usda.gov/index.html, are two of the most comprehensive sources of native plant information on the
internet. Two other websites that are very helpful and informative include those of the Missouri Botanical Garden
Kemper Center (www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantinfo.shtml) and Dave’s Garden (http://davesgarden.com/pf/).
While the Dave’s Garden site is somewhat commercial and may not be quite as authoritative as the other sites, it
exhibits several beautiful photographs and it encourages contributions and inputs from users. Of more local interest
is a website and Xeriscape demonstration/research garden of New Mexico State University’s Agricultural Science
Center (ASC) southwest of Farmington. The garden consists of about 100 species of drought tolerant, mostly native
plants that have potential for use in urban landscapes of northern New Mexico. The garden is somewhat unique,
compared to others in New Mexico and surrounding states, in that it exhibits the growth and quality of several plant
species at different irrigation levels (including no irrigation after establishment). Most plants are now about 6 years
old and several interesting observations have been recorded.
Many species have survived and exhibited acceptable landscape quality for more than 5 years without supplemen-
tal irrigation. These include apache plume (Fallugia paradoxa), chocolate flower (Berlandiera lyrata), fernbush
(Chamaebatiaria millefolium), desert willow (Chilopsis linearis), New Mexico olive (Foresteria neomexicana), red
yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora), the abuelita, bush, and palmer penstemons (Penstemon abuelitas, P. ambiguus, and P.
palmeri, respectively), western sand cherry (Prunus besseyi), Utah serviceberry (Amelanchier utahenses), 3-leaf
sumac (Rhus trilobata), and the banana and soaptree yuccas (Yucca baccata and Y. elata). Many other very attractive
plants have required less than 10 gallons of water per plant per week to maintain adequate growth and quality. A few
notable examples are blue mist (Caryopteris clandonensis), Jupiter’s beard or red valerian (Centranthus ruber),
lanceleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata), blanket flower (Gaillardia aristata), Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus
scopulorum), goldenrain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata), giant 4-o’clock (Mirabilis multiflora), the scarlet buglar,
pineleaf, and Rocky Mountain penstemons (P. barbatus, P. pinifolius, and P. strictus, respectively), Russian sage
(Perovskia atriplicifolia), black or Austrian pine (Pinus nigra), cherry sage (Salvia greggii), and autumn joy sedum
(Sedum telephium). Each of these species, and others not listed, has a unique desirable characteristic or attribute that
contributes to the beauty, diversity, and dynamics of a mixed landscape. Some, when flowering, attract pollinators
such as bees, wasps, butterflies, and other insects that may also contribute to the pollination and ultimate production
of nearby fruit orchards and vegetable gardens. Others
produce nectars that attract hummingbirds in the summer
and seeds that are eaten by other species of birds in the
fall and winter. Many plants emit pleasant odors or
exhibit striking colors that please the senses while still
others produce edible fruits or have medicinal properties.
To learn more about the plants in this demo/research
garden, visit the ASC website
(http://farmingtonsc.nmsu.edu) or better yet, take a drive
up to the garden site and visit the plants up close and per-
sonal. Someone is usually available to provide guidance
from 8:30 to 4:00, Monday thru Friday but it’s best to
call ahead and schedule a visit. For more information call
the ASC at 327-7757.
Team Shirts & Parent Team Shirts
Parent Football Jerseys
Umbrellas, Ponchos & Stadium Blankets
Rhinestone Team Mom Zip-ups and Hoodies
Custom Clothing • Custom Printed Shirts
Homecoming! Come get your Tiger Pride Shirts
z Main Street Spirit }
206 S. Main
Aztec, NM
334-8646
StarBrite Creations
105 S. Main • Aztec • 334-7306
Fairies, Angels, Jewelry,
Clothing and much more for
gift giving and
personal pleasures
The Pierced Buddha
• Tattoos
• Cover-ups
• Restorations
• Piercing
304 N. Main - Aztec • 505-334-8989
Great Gifts!
• Stained Glass
• Jewelry • Pottery
• Decorated Gourds
• Fine Art • Cards
Feat of Clay
107 S. Main • Aztec • 334-4335
122 N. Main • Aztec • 334-0109
Homestead Cabinets & Decor
Joni Frailey
Kitchen & Bath Designer
25 years experience
110 S. Main,
Aztec, NM
505 334-8362
cell 486-6834
FREE: Measure
Design
Quote
Any room in
the home
New & Vintage Interior Design
201 S. Church • Aztec
• 505-334-9566 •
Hours - Tues. - Sat. 10am-5pm
Quilt It! YaYa
Home of Affordable Fabrics
Open both days 10 -6!
Quilting Supplies
Fabric • Patterns
108 N. Main, Aztec
334-0009
across from Aztec Hardware
The REAL Classic
SCHWINNs
Bikes • Parts • Repair • Accessories
112 N. Main Ave. • Aztec
(505) 334-8030
Old Fashion
“Balloon
Sale”

11. THE AZTEC LOCAL NEWS PAGE 11
Helping to grow things you love.

12. PAGE 12 SEPTEMBER 16 - 30 • 2008
The Chosen By Paula Watson,WolfWood Refuge ©2008
I was there to look for a yellow lab. My fiancé and I
had recently rented a house with a large yard and I was
ready for a dog. While visiting friends in northern
Arizona I decided to go to the local shelter and take a
look.
I walked through the rows of incarcerated dogs, glanc-
ing through the steel bars, not really making eye contact,
distracted by the din of barks and yips like tin cups run-
ning back and forth across metal. Not wanting the
inmates to think it was visiting day for all of them, I had
just picked up the pace when I was brought up short.
There, sitting calmly amidst the ruckus, was the largest
canine I had ever seen.
I moved to the front of the pen, drawn by his size, his
demeanor and good looks, his aura of contained power.
For his part he leaned against the door, three inches of
fur pushed through for petting. He stood up, paws
against my upraised hands, slender cold nose poking my
forehead. I shook myself and stepped back. I was here to
look for a yellow lab. I turned and walked away, feeling
his eyes watching me down the length of the corridor. I
walked down the next row, other furry bodies wiggling
and squirming for attention. I turned the corner and
headed back to the calm in the center of the storm. Once
again he rubbed against the pen, stretched and flexed
120 lbs of muscle, stood up, looked me in the eye …
and smiled.
A kennel worker sauntered by, keys jangling, belt
creaking, a big stick slapping against his thigh. The
words, “Can I take him out” just popped out of my
mouth. I was almost as surprised as he was. “Well O.K.”
he replied cautiously, “but he hasn’t been walked in a
week. This monster is really strong; you have to hold on
tight because he’s gonna bolt.” The guard clipped a
leash on through the bars, opened the door just a crack
and handed the leash to me. I braced my feet. I wrapped
the leash around my hand three times. I squared my
shoulders, gritted my teeth and nodded. The guard
opened the door all the way and jumped back. There
was about a two second pause, where I swore a collec-
tive hush fell over the whole room. And then the “beast”
on the other end of the rope moved slowly out of his
cage, sat down, leaned his whole weight against my
body and looked up at me … and smiled.
Oh, no, no, no. I was here for a yellow lab. I handed
him back to his keeper and once again walked away. I
sat down. At this point the self talk began, the part
where my head lawyers up and starts presenting logical
arguments to my heart. I was driving my brand new
Thunderbird. This trip was its maiden voyage. It still
had that new car smell, not a mark on it. What would he
do to the interior? Was my fence strong enough? What
would my fiancé say? Oh no, this was not even close to
a yellow lab. Case closed.
I raised my head back up just as a young couple
walked by to look at “the big guy.” They cooed and
clicked. They whistled and cajoled. They offered a treat
and reached through the bars to their shoulders. “The big
guy” turned around, paced to the very rear of his cage,
Wishing upon a star
by Cheryl Trujillo
The other night I saw a falling star. "Quick," someone
said, "Make a wish."
So I closed my eyes and made a wish.
"Now," they said, "Believe in it!"
It's funny but I had been wishing on stars since I was
a little girl. I was always fascinated with the night sky
and the twinkling stars mesmerized me. So there I was,
once again, wishing and hoping and then wondering
why my wishes never came true. Finally, someone said
the magic words; believe in it.
Believing in something isn't as easy as you think and
it's a whole lot harder than simply wishing for it.
Believing in something means that you have no doubt.
You simply know.
Being a "grown up" teaches you that sometimes things
get between you and what you want and one of the bad
things about growing up is becoming cynical when
things don't turn out the way that you want them to. One
of the good things about growing up is realizing that you
always have another chance if the first one fails. You
have to learn to take the good with the bad and then
move on with your life.
Now going back to wishing on that star. Remember
when you were a child and you felt you couldn't wait to
grow up because when you did you could do whatever
you wanted to, and be whatever you wanted to be and
go wherever you wanted to go. Well, it's not too late to
remember that wish that you made a long time ago.
Believe in yourself enough to believe in your dreams.
There are so many stars up in the sky, and one of those
stars is holding that wish you made. You only have to
remember why you wished for it in the first place and
then believe in it.
WolfWood Wish List
WolfWood Needs: a walk-in freezer (or cooler?) to
take advantage of quantities of donated meat. 970-946-
9606. Current project - giant playpen for the wolves!
Also on the wish list: lots of dog food, gravel, large
used bus for emergency animal evacuations; 6 foot
leashes, collars; concrete, and fencing.
www.wolfwoodrefuge.com
wolfwood1995@hotmail.com
Living easy at WolfWood - thanks to Winslow.
turned his back and laid down. No amount of coaxing
would convince him to even lift his head to look at
them.
Oh no, no, no, my head objected, but it was too late.
My heart’s right to the pursuit of happiness won over the
pursuit for a yellow lab. As the couple walked off mut-
tering, I walked back to his door, just to be sure. He ran
over, jumped up and licked my face. He smiled. He had
great closing arguments. I went to the front counter and
confirmed what I already knew. He was a wolf/dog and
was on death row. He was scheduled to be put down in
two days. I signed the necessary paperwork and posted
his bail. I walked back to tell him what he already knew.
I would be back to get him in the morning.
The next day I bought a blanket for the back seat,
called my fiancé to tell him I was bringing home a sur-
prise and went to pick up my not-a-yellow-lab. He
walked calmly to my shiny black car, sniffed several
times, jumped in the backseat and lay down. He did not
move a muscle for the entire eight hour trip back home.
When I arrived at the house, Craig, my 200 lb, body-
building boyfriend, opened the door. He was no match
for the flying furry body that slammed him chest high,
knocked him flat on his back, straddled him and licked
his face over and over. “I take it this is my surprise,”
Craig gasped. “You know, this is not a lab.”
Winslow lived to be fifteen and became the alpha
male of a pack of nine other wolves and wolf /dogs. He
lived a rich and full life packed with stories and adven-
tures, teaching me a lot along the way. The most fre-
quently asked question I hear is, “How did you ever get
started rescuing wolves?’’ I look them in the eye … and
smile. I tell them I never intended to have a wolf refuge.
I tell them I was chosen.
“We can judge the heart of a man by his
treatment of animals.” Immanuel Kent
104 W. Aztec Blvd.
Come in for a
Fall Treat
Stop by
our Aztec
location
Early voting info:
Everything you want to know in
more detail can be found at
sjcclerk.net
Early voting at County Clerks office,
100 S. Oliver Dr. - Aztec
Tues. Oct 7 - Fri Oct 10: 7am to 5:30pm
Mon. Oct 13 to Fri Oct 17: 7am to 5:30pm
Saturday October 18: 10am to 6pm
Mon. Oct 20: 7am to 5:30pm
Tues. Oct 21 to Fri. Oct 24: 7am to 8pm
Saturday October 25: 10am to 6pm
Mon. Oct 27: 7am to 5:30pm
Tues. Oct 28 to Fri Oct 31: 7am to 8pm
Saturday November 1: 10am to 6pm
Last day for Early Voting is Sat. Nov 1st
Alternate sites to early vote at are:
Farmington Museum at Gateway Park - 3041 E. Main
Street - Farmington
Bloomfield Cultural Center - 333 S. 1st Street -
Bloomfield
Central Consolidated School District - Conference
Center (North of the District Administration Offices) -
Shiprock
Newcomb Fire Station - MM #56.5 Hwy 491 -
Newcomb
Alternate voting places have a different schedule:
Saturday Oct. 18: 10am to 6pm
Tues. to Friday Oct. 21 to Oct 24: 12pm to 8pm
Saturday Oct. 25: 10am to 6pm
Tues. to Friday Oct. 28 to Oct 31: 12pm to 8pm
Saturday Nov. 1: 10am to 6pm
Last day for Early Voting is Sat. Nov 1st!
Your vote does count!
Step 1 - register
Get out and register to vote for the November elec-
tion. The last day to register to vote in the November
4th election is October 7th, 5:00 PM.
If you will be 18 years old by November 4th - you can
vote.
If you’ve had a felony conviction and been released
from parole - you can vote.
If you’ve changed your address since the last election -
you should re-register to vote.
The county clerks office makes it easy to register.
Forms can be picked up at the Post Office, Motor
Vehicle Dept., most banks and any City Clerks office. If
you want, they will even mail you a registration form.
You can call the local County Clerk’s office at 505-334-
9471 if you have any questions.
Some sobering statistics about voting. In the United
States about 70% of eligible voters are registered to vote
and yet just barely 50% actually do vote.
www.rockthevote.org/
Last day to register to vote in the General Election
(including Presidential)
is October 7th at 5:00 PM

13. THE AZTEC LOCAL NEWS PAGE 13
@ To Dye For
505-564-8900
1908 Schofield Lane
Farmington
793-6245 Cell
Hot Nails! by Amy
“Helping Stop the Cycle of Abuse
in Our Community”
After Hours Crisis Line: 505-947-3645
2700 Farmington Ave. Ste. F
Farmington • 505-326-7878
• Juvenile Sex Offender Program
• Substance abuse youth & adult
Mon-Thurs: 8 am - 6 pm
Domestic Violence • Sexual Assault • At Risk Youth
Men • Women • Families • Children / Adolescents
We look forward to continue to
serve our Aztec community
*Transitional Shelter
Sarah’s House: 334-6112
admin@desertviewsas.org
NM Poison Center
1-800-222-1222
College Day
San Juan College will host College Day from 1:30 to
3:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 17, in the Health and
Human Performance Center on the main Farmington
campus.
San Juan College students and high school seniors
from Farmington, Bloomfield, Aztec, Piedra Vista,
Rocinante and Navajo Prep Academy are invited to
attend. More than 30 colleges will be represented. Come
discover what’s available for you.
For more information, call (505) 566-3532.
Let’s Talk Herbs:Calendula Marigold
Ramona Ulibarri,Herbal Alternatives,
103 N.Main,Aztec • 334-0344
Calendula Marigold (calendula
officinalis)
Properties: Astringent, vulnerary,
antispasmodic, diaphonetic
Calendula is a great blood
cleanser. It has been shown to help
with cleansing and stimulation to
the circulation of the blood, thus
helping to heal sores and wounds.
The tea has been used for gastroin-
testinal disorders, stomach cramps
and stomach ulcers, as well as inflammation of the large
intestine, dropsy and blood in the urine.
It is also excellent for virus infections and bacteria in
the urine.
Calendula has also been shown to be beneficial for
infectious hepatitis, and an excellent remedy for disor-
ders of the liver. The tea, usually two cups a day, will
help with diarrhea.
Externally the tea can be used for skin ulcers and
growths, cracked feet, ulcerated legs and thighs. Mixed
with equal parts of horsetail, it has shown to help with
malignant and non-healing wounds.
For varicose veins it is one of the best ointments, or
tinctures, to relieve pain and itching and reduce
swelling. It is also helpful for phlebitis and athlete's foot.
Marigolds can be raised easily. Collect the flowers for
teas or ointments, tinctures.
Disclaimer: These statements are not intended to
diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and have
not been evaluated by the FDA.
In Loving
Memory
Leroy Jacquez,
born Sept. 14, 1951.
Leroy died May 18,
2003 in a motorcycle
accident west of Aztec.
Community Building...DELICIOUSLY
by Catherine Walker Grobler
It was a special lunchtime on Wednesday, Sept. 10th in Miss Rankin’s
K-2 class at Mosaic Academy. This creative teacher had more in mind
than filling the bellies of her diverse group. “Family Foods Day is an
opportunity to bring families together to get to know each other at the
beginning of the school year and to hear each others’ stories,” said
Rankin. Miss Rankin herself shared a heart-warming story of making her
grandmother’s sweet roll recipe (a 2 1/2 hour adventure), while learning
from her mother and enjoying the tactile experience of kneading the
sticky dough with her 2-year old nephew, Finn. Maddison planned to
share her family’s recipe for stacked enchiladas, but decided instead to
bring hotdogs. Other children shared dishes with origins in Hawaii,
Sweden and the Netherlands.
Savana’s parents, Jos and Lenora, thought it was “fun to sit with our
kids” and Drake concurred that this lunch hour was especially “great
because I can be with my mommy and my little sister.”
Keegan had his mother fix the Garcia family’s tortillas and insisted on
having them with butter. He thought the special lunch was “really fun”
and liked that the group got “to eat lots of food that we’ve never tried
before.”
Cole nibbled on a sugar cookie loaded with sprinkles as he commented
that this day was “good because everyone is sharing food and SECRET
recipes.” Isaiah “really liked the chicken” that Andrew was proudly serv-
ing up “because it tastes yummy.” Andrew explained that his dad, mom
and he had made the teriyaki chicken dish - because his mommy is from
Hawaii and his dad, Zane, is the best ‘barbecuer’ in the world.
As compliments were shared in the crowded classroom and bellies
filled up, it was quite obvious that Miss Rankin achieved her goals.
Everyone was smiling, the spills were mini-
mal, the food selection was fantastic, and more
relationships between parents and students
were formed - vital ones for the success of the
children entrusted to her care at Mosaic
Academy this new school year.
Nichele’s dad voted for the event to be a
daily affair, although he found the chairs
rather small. He thought lunch was REALLY
good. But by then, Miss Rankin was not avail-
able for comment; she had escorted the kids to
the playground for some fresh air and play
time...and a chance to finally try the key lime
pie. Clean up could always wait until later.
Hurling is Fun!
The Farmington Museum at Gateway Park will host the 5th Annual
“Siege the Day!” Trebuchet Contest on Saturday, October 4, 2008 from
12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Looking for a different sort of team sport? Check out the Four
Corners’ most unique annual competition! Teams from throughout the
area build trebuchets (a Medieval catapult) and gather to see who can
throw the furthest and the most accurately. Last year, we even had a
competitor travel all the way from California to compete!
College and High School students are encouraged to learn the physics
involved by building their own trebuchet to compete in the contest.
Entries are being taken from now and must be received on or before
Saturday, September 27.
Fun for all at the 2008 Trebuchet Contest. Participants are encouraged
to exhibit their trebuchets at the 9th Annual Farmington Renaissance
Faire on October 18 and 19, 2008. Complete rules are online at
www.farmingtonmuseum.org.
The Farmington Museum at Gateway Park is located at 3041 East
Main Street in Farmington. For additional info on the 5th Annual “Siege
the Day!” Trebuchet Contest, contact Dave Meyers at (505) 599-1169.