Nature Pointe Gets NAIOP Award

Nature Pointe Community in Tijeras was awarded the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties Award for Excellence for Residential and Amenities.

The statewide NAIOP awards were presented at a ceremony in Albuquerque on Dec. 5 with more than 500 people in attendance. Nominations were accepted from community developments around the state in nine different categories. The list of applicants were narrowed down to four finalists: Las Campanas and Zocalo of Santa Fe, and Paa-ko and Nature Pointe in the East Mountains.

Nature Pointe was recognized for its many green initiatives in the development of its 18,000-square-foot clubhouse built by Homes by Marie. Reclaimed fire-killed Ponderosa Pine logs from the Gila Forest were used throughout the clubhouse as a way to recycle a natural resource. Rainwater is harvested off its roof in 40,000 gallon cisterns, and a long list of other energy-saving construction details made this community development the award winner.

A tour of the clubhouse and 256-acre development can be made by contacting Alex Leonard at 450-2384 or by coming to an open house from 10 a.m. to dusk daily.

District Wins Breakfast Award

A Moriarty-Edgewood School District school has been recognized for its innovative school breakfast program.

Route 66 Elementary Schools has been recognized by Dairy MAX with a first prize for its outstanding breakfast, which is served in the classroom. The nomination, submitted by the school's nutritional director Hilda Candelaria, resulted in a $5,000 prize for the school district. Other schools recognized in the state included Pecos Elementary, Roswell ISD and César Chávez Elementary in Las Cruces.

The award program, funded by Dairy MAX, was launched this year to call attention to the importance of alternate school breakfast. Offering breakfast inside of the classroom increases participation by providing service for children who arrive late or who prefer to socialize rather than eat, and by helping to remove the potential social stigma that the program is meant for low-income students.

"The benefits children receive from eating a nutritious breakfast are numerous and well documented," said Jan Newquist, registered licensed dietitian with Dairy MAX. "Eating breakfast yields better student test scores, increases concentration and attendance, decreases disciplinary problems and more."

More than 101 schools submitted Expanding Breakfast Award applications in New Mexico and Texas. For more information about the Expanding Breakfast Awards or the Expanding Breakfast program for schools, visit the Dairy MAX Web site at www.dairymax.org.

MS Support Group Is Now Forming

A multiple sclerosis support group is forming for East Mountains and Estancia Valley residents.

The group is scheduled to meet the second Tuesday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Edgewood Community Center.

The first meeting with be Jan. 13 and provide an opportunity for people to introduce themselves.

Call 281-0996 for more information.

Edgewood Subway Changes Owners

The Subway in Edgewood has changed ownership.

The store is still locally owned and has a new commitment to quality, healthy food at a lower price.

During the next few months the store will introduce a larger variety of choices, more value and better service. Daily in-store coupons are coming soon. The new owners, who did not want to be identified, say there are now more people working during lunchtime to speed up your wait in line.

A new ownership celebration is coming soon, with huge discounts and giveaways for kids and adults.

Store Recycles Packing 'Peanuts'

The UPS Store at I-40 and Tramway in Albuquerque is now a Peanut Hotline collection center for EPS plastic packaging, the loose fill or "peanuts."

The UPS Store will accept clean plastic peanuts from local residents and reuse them in its outgoing packages. Jan McNelis, owner and operator says:, "Plastic peanuts offer excellent protection for our shipments and can be reused many times. By joining The Hotline, we are providing our neighbors a convenient way to reuse plastic peanuts."

The Peanut Hotline, founded in July 1991, is the Plastic Loose Fill Council's nationwide program for reusing packing peanuts. The Hotline, (800) 828-2214 and loosefillpackaging.com, is a 24-hour, toll-free directory service for consumers to learn which local businesses accept plastic peanuts for reuse.

County 4-H Council Elects Leaders

The Santa Fe County 4-H Council has elected new leaders.

The president for the coming year will be Ellen Bardwell of Edgewood.

Other officers are: Josh Groseclose, vice president; Kaitlyn Dow, secretary; Tyler Gillespie, treasurer; Erica Garcia, reporter; Clayton Runer, song and recreation leader; and Chris Runer, parliamentarian.

CASA Program Needs More Volunteers

The 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 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.

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

Students Can Report Crimes to Hot Line

There is a new hot line for students to report threats of weapon-related violence or other crimes, such as bullying or vandalism, called SPEAK UP New Mexico.

To use the service, call (866) SPEAK UP or (866) 773-2587. The hot line is available 24 hours a day, is anonymous and is staffed by professional crisis counselors, according to a Public Education Department news release. The counselors create reports for school districts and law enforcement and will direct emergency calls to 911, the news release said.

7th Annual Snowshoe Race Set for Jan. 24

The seventh annual Sandia Mountain Snowshoe Race is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 24, at 10 a.m.

The race will begin at the lower parking lot of the Sandia Crest House. The race is limited to 150 participants, but racers of all levels are invited. The registration fee of $25 ($35 after Jan. 10) includes a long-sleeved T-shirt, pre- and post-race refreshments, and prizes for top racers in several categories.

Registration began Dec. 1 at REI in Albuquerque; you can also mail in your registration form. For more detailed information and to download a registration form, go to www.sandiasnowshoe.com.