Businessman Earns Public Servant Award

David Tixier, owner of Magnum Steel Buildings in Moriarty and member of the Estancia Valley Economic Development Association, was selected as the recipient of the distinguished Public Servant of the Year Award at the Annual Governors Economic Development Conference in Tucumcari.

The New Mexico Industrial Development Executives Association, a 30-year-old association of economic developers; city, regional and state officials; and development-related executives interested in and working toward the promotion of New Mexico, presents the awards each year.

Each year individuals are selected for their outstanding contributions and tireless efforts on behalf of their communities and the state of New Mexico at the Governor's Annual Economic Development Conference.

E. Mountains Native Joins Up With People

Elizabeth Davis, 26, a University of New Mexico student and native of the East Mountains, has been accepted into the January 2009 cast of Up With People.

Up With People, started in 1965, is a program made up of an international group of young adults, ages 18-29. From its many applicants each year, Up With People only accepts about 80 from an international pool to be in the cast. The cast travels around the world, doing community service and participating in performances that promote respect, peace and equality.

Davis, a marketing assistant at Adelante Development Center, Inc., became inspired to join Up With People when the cast recently came to Albuquerque and volunteered with the nonprofit's day program for people with disabilities.

Davis was active in Thespian Troupe 286 at Manzano High School. Her parents are Lisa Quick, the co-chair of the Board of Trustees for East Mountain High School, and Dr. Robert Quick, owner of Cedar Crest Vision.

To raise the $14,000 tuition for her to participate in the international program, Davis has designed www.UpWithLiz.com, where donors and corporate sponsors may choose to donate online or send a check. She will also be holding garage sales, a fundraising event and raffles in order to raise tuition money.

Those who wish to help by making a donation may make checks payable to Up With People. Write Elizabeth Davis on the memo line. Send checks to: Elizabeth Davis, 6032 Downey St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109.

Torrance Conducts Simulated Jail Escape

The Torrance County Detention Facility, the Torrance County Sheriff's Department and the Estancia Police conducted an emergency drill on Oct. 30 to evaluate each agency's ability to respond to an escape.

The drill began at the detention facility with a simulated escape. Each agency provided personnel and equipment as a coordinated action. 

"Going into this drill we knew we needed to see a few things. We wanted to make sure we could coordinate our efforts among the participating agencies, we wanted be able to communicate information quickly and effectively between the players, and most of all we wanted to apprehend the inmate using the plans and procedures designed for this type of incident," said Warden Robert Ezell.

"After working with the professionals at the sheriff's office and Estancia Police, I feel certain these agencies are here to keep us safe."

RV Sales Gives $732 To Bethel Storehouse

Kathy Chowning, owner of RV Sales in Moriarty, presented Lee Smith of Bethel Community Storehouse $732 in cash collected during 15th Annual Trailer-to-Trailer Fall Costume and Candy Festival. Admission to the trick-or-treat event was one canned good or $1 per person. All money and items collected were donated to Bethel.

Renovated Center Holds Ribbon Cutting

A ribbon cutting to celebrate the renovation of the Edgewood Senior Center was held on Nov 7. The renovations include an additional dining and office space, new handicap ramps and interior work on an existing firetruck bay. The project took 150 days to complete and cost about $290,480, with about $50,000 of that money coming from Santa Fe County.

Pay Santa Fe County Property Taxes Online

Santa Fe County residents can now pay their property taxes online at the county Web site, www.santafecounty.org. Transactions will incur a 2.35 percent fee for service, which will go directly to the company handling the transaction, Pay Point, and to credit card companies, according to a county news release. For more information, call 505-986-6245.

Open Land Committee Seeks Volunteers

Santa Fe County is looking for residents to serve on the County Open Land and Trails Planning and Advisory Committee. Volunteers are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to assist in developing county open space and trails. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Nov. 25. For more information, call Colleen Baker at 505-992-9868.

Forests Host Grant Writing Workshops

The Cibola, Carson, and Santa Fe National Forests are hosting a series of grant writing workshops to assist individuals or organizations interested in submitting a grant proposal for the 2009 Collaborative Forest Restoration Program. Proposals are due on March 2, 2009.

The program was established to provide cost-share grants of up to $360,000 for projects on public lands that reduce the threat of wildfire, improve watershed conditions, and provide jobs and training to local communities.

All workshops are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tuesday, Santa Fe National Forest, 1474 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe. Contact Reuben Montes at 438-7892.

Nov. 20, Carson National Forest, 208 Cruz Alta Road, Taos. Contact Ignacio Peralta at (575) 758-6344.

Nov. 25, Cibola National Forest, 2113 Osuna Road NE, Albuquerque. Contact Ian Fox at 346-3814.

Dec. 2, Española Ranger District, 1710 N. Riverside Drive, Española. Contact Reuben Montes at 438-7892.

For more information about the workshops, contact any of the coordinators listed above.

Bethel Storehouse Holds Annual Drive

Bethel Community Storehouse is holding an annual holiday food drive. The storehouse is looking for donations of nonperishable food items and cash to help people through the season.

Donations can be made during regular store hours, Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donations will be accepted throughout the holiday season.

CASA Program Needs More Volunteers

Rio Grande Valley Court Appointed Special Advocate Association is looking for a few good volunteers, said CASA Executive Director Audrey Henry.

"There's been an increase in children entering foster care so we need more volunteers," Henry said.

She said that large increases of children needing foster families often happen each year when school begins.

Henry would like to add five more volunteers to her staff.

CASA volunteers check up on children living with foster parents and make suggestions to the judge involved as to what would be in the best interest of the child.

Each volunteer must put in 30 hours of initial training, which can be done in a classroom or with self-study guides.

Fore more information, call 832-4217, (575) 418-8748 or (866) 338-4031.

Review Board Seeks Child Advocates

Volunteers are needed to provide advocacy and oversight for abused and neglected children who are in the state's custody. Citizen Review Board members are from all walks of life. Volunteers meet one day a month in the local community and review several cases of children who are in the foster care system.

The board's recommendations are sent to the judge who is seeing the case. To volunteer or for more information, visit www.nmcrb.org; write to the New Mexico Child Abuse and Neglect Citizen Review Board, P.O. Box 30228, Albuquerque, NM 87190-0228; or call (866) 857-2976.