1) National Guard Training for “First Responders” May 5-9 in Taos

With a full scale training exercise planned for Taos on May 7th, and many other activities scheduled for May 5-9, the 64th Civil Support Team, New Mexico National Guard G Unit, will be in the area conducting first responder training programs as continuing education for the area’s already well-prepared teams. This will be the 7th full scale exercise for the area, according to National Guard Cpt. Robert Aguilar, Robert.aguilar@us.army.mil. Northern New Mexico first responders will be participating, including but not limited to, the Taos Volunteer Fire Department, Town of Taos Police Department, New Mexico State Police, Taos County EMS, Taos County Sheriff’s Department, representatives from Questa, Angel Fire, and other surrounding communities/various departments. Cpt. Aguilar has indicated that these programs could not be pulled off without the active support and participation of the Taos Volunteer Fire Department (contact Eric Montoya, Administrative Fire Chief at 575-737-2609, emontoya@taosgov.com for more details) and other Town of Taos emergency response professionals. The public is advised that during May 5-9 at Holy Cross Hospital and other public locations, exercises in progress may be encountered. For obvious training reasons, the details of times and locations of activities cannot be shared. The public should simply be aware that these are training programs, simulating disasters in order to continue to refine and improve first responders’ capabilities.

2) Street Re-Striping Started

During this recent spring warming/dry spell where the temperature/weather has cooperated, the Town of Taos Public Work’s Department, Streets Division, has begun refreshed crosswalk striping with a new, longer lasting ‘tape’ product. The Town, County and State* are also each pursuing spring pot hole/street surface repair on their respective roads as the weather allows, in addition to striping. As we communicated last year, not only are weather conditions a consideration for striping and more permanent pot hole repair, but the longevity of stripes is difficult given the required use of no-lead paint (a good thing for our health/environment, but not so great for the life of our striping). The new ‘tape’ product for crosswalks will hopefully assist with longer-lasting lines.

3) Taos Public Library Hosts New Mexico Archaeological Society Exhibit May 17th

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 17th, Taos Library’s community room, free – NM Archaeological Society hosts a hands-on exhibit for the public about Taos’ prehistoric and historic culture including a wide range of artifacts including 12,000 year old Clovis spear points, pottery made by Pueblo Indian ancestors, fragments of chain-mail armor from members of the Spanish entrada, and bottles/cans found along the Santa Fe Trail beginning in the 1820s. Come and experience how Native Americans stayed warm with turkey-feather blankets and find out what an ati-ati is and how it was used. For more information call (575) 737-2587.

4) Town of Taos Summer Youth Employment Opportunities (attached). Please help get out the word to area youth to apply.

5) Town Youth Advisory Committee Hosts Motivational Speaker for Taos Youth

A nationally acclaimed youth motivational speaker since 1987, Heather Schultz http://www.heatherschultz.net/aboutme.html, will address Taos area junior and high school age youth at special Thursday, May 8th school assemblies, organized by the Town of Taos Youth Advisory Committee in conjunction with the Taos Unified School District, Dr. Loretta Delong, Superintendent, and funded by the Town of Taos. With past Schultz assemblies described as, “wild and wonderful roller coaster rides of humor, emotions and inspiration,” the Youth Advisory Committee participants selected Schultz for Taos due to her ability to, “remind all of us of our self worth and that we are in the driver’s seat of our lives.” Schultz’s topics include: leadership; personal empowerment; achieving full potential; anti-bullying; personal power; character education; overcoming obstacles; diversity; self-esteem; positive choices; accountability; drug and violence prevention; responsibility for others; and random acts of kindness. For further information or for youth to apply to become members of the Advisory Committee, contact Patricia Trujillo, Special Projects Director, Town of Taos – staff lead for the Town of Taos Youth Advisory Committee, 575-737-2630, ptrufillo@taosgov.com.

6) Link to Taos Marketing Information

Griffin & Associates sends monthly updates, which are presented at regular community briefing meetings. All their reports, and samples of collateral, ads, etc., can be found on the Town of Taos web site at http://www.taosgov.com/pr/community.php.

6) Taos News On The Internet (internet-only news coverage):

Taos earns fair trade town designation
KVIA - El Paso, TX, USA ABC Affiliiate
Associated Press Wire Service story (AP) - April 25, 2008 4:35 PM ET Taos town councilors approved a fair trade resolution in February and enacted guidelines to prepare for the designation. …See all stories on this topic

Taos earns fair trade town designation
Las Cruces Sun-News - Las Cruces,NM,USA
AP Taos town councilors approved a fair trade resolution in February and enacted guidelines to prepare for the designation, which was announced this week. …See all stories on this topic

Shopping bag ban discussed
Summit Daily News - Frisco,CO,USA
TAOS, NM. - The call for a ban on plastic shopping bags is sweeping the Rockies, from Alberta to New Mexico. Taos is among those communities now considering …See all stories on this topic

Mountain town news
Idaho Mountain Express and Guide - Ketchum,ID,USA
Taos is among those communities now considering a ban, both within the town and in the broader Taos County. The Taos News says one store, Cid’s Food Market, …See all stories on this topic

Cheers & jeers (column name)
El Paso Times - El Paso, TX, USA
Taos, NM is the latest member of that elite group. The Fair Trade Towns USA group certifies that many stores and workplaces either sell or use Fair Trade …See all stories on this topic

Mountain News: Thin majority supports Olympics at Tahoe
Pique newsmagazine - Whistler,BC,Canada
TAOS, NM. – The call for a ban on plastic shopping bags is sweeping the Rockies, from Alberta to New Mexico. Taos is among those communities now considering …See all stories on this topic

*The State has a spring street repair schedule that, due to New Mexico’s challenging weather conditions, usually starts in the southern part of the state and works north. Given this year’s particularly damaging winter conditions on streets, the Town has contacted NMDOT about moving up their scheduling for the Taos area. Outside of other roads, the State’s jurisdiction in our area includes Canon/#585, Paseo de Pueblo Sur/Norte (Highway 68), and Kit Carson.

Cathy Connelly, Public Relations Coordinator

Town of Taos

400 Camino de la Placita

Taos, NM 87571

http://www.taosgov.com

cconnelly@taosgov.com

505-751-2001 office

Fax 575-751-2026

505-779-1013 cell

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