JMEC 2025 May enchantment by New Mexico Rural Electric Cooperatives

enchantment

JEMEZ MOUNTAINS

ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

MAY 2025

Power Life Safel y

Every May, Electrical Safety Month serves as a vital reminder of the importance of preventing electrical hazards in the kitchen and around the house Page 14

ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY JORGE SION

May 1, 2025 • Vol. 77, No. 5

USPS 175-880 • ISSN 0046-1946

enchantment (ISSN 0046-1946) is published 10 times a year—every month except June and December—by the New Mexico Rural Electric Cooperative Association, 614 Don Gaspar Ave., Santa Fe, NM 87505. enchantment provides reliable, helpful information on rural living and energy use to electric cooperative members and customers.

More than 113,000 families and businesses receive enchantment magazine as electric cooperative members. Nonmember subscriptions are available at $12 a year or $18 for two years, payable to NMRECA. Allow four to eight weeks for first delivery.

PERIODICAL POSTAGE paid at Santa Fe, NM 875019998 and additional mailing offices.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Postmaster, please send address changes to 614 Don Gaspar Ave., Santa Fe, NM 87505-4428. Readers who receive the publication through their electric cooperative membership should report address changes to their local electric cooperative office.

THE NEW MEXICO RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION provides legislative and educational services to the cooperatives that are members of the association and deliver electric power to New Mexico’s rural areas and small communities. The mission of the New Mexico Rural Electric Cooperative Association is to strengthen, support, unify and represent cooperative member interests at the local, state and national levels. Each cooperative has a representative on the association’s board of directors, which controls the editorial content and advertising policy of enchantment through its Publications Committee.

OFFICERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tim Morrow, President, Springer Electric Co-op, Springer; Charles G. Wagner, Vice President, Western Farmers Electric Co-op, Anadarko, Oklahoma; Duane Frost, Secretary-Treasurer, Central NM Electric Co-op, Mountainair.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Rusty Gwynne, Central Valley Electric Co-op, Artesia; Chris Martinez, Columbus Electric Co-op, Deming; Keith Gottlieb, Continental Divide Electric Co-op, Grants; Antonio Sanchez, Farmers’ Electric Co-op, Clovis; Manny Bustos, Jemez Mountains Electric, Española; Bobby Ferris, Lea County Electric Co-op, Lovington; James Ortiz, Mora-San Miguel Electric Cooperative, Mora; Thomas G. Rivas, Northern Río Arriba Electric Co-op, Chama; Preston Stone, Otero County Electric Co-op, Cloudcroft; Eric Segovia, Roosevelt County Electric Co-op, Portales; Raymond Ruffini, Sierra Electric Co-op, Elephant Butte; Manny Gonzales, Socorro Electric Cooperative; Joe Reeser, Southwestern Electric Co-op, Clayton; Wayne Connell, Tri-State G&T Association, Westminster, Colorado.

NEW MEXICO RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

614 Don Gaspar Ave. Phone: 505-982-4671 Santa Fe, NM 87505 Fax: 505-982-0153 nmelectric.coop enchantment.coop Vince Martinez, CEO Tom Condit, Communications Manager

DISPLAY ADVERTISING: Rates available upon request. Co-op members and New Mexico display advertisers, email Shaylyn at enchantmentads@ nmelectric.coop or call 505-252-2540. National representative: American MainStreet Publications, 800-626-1181.

Advertisements in enchantment are paid solicitations and are not endorsed by the publisher or the electric cooperatives that are members of the New Mexico Rural Electric Cooperative Association. PRODUCT SATISFACTION AND DELIVERY RESPONSIBILITY LIE SOLELY WITH THE ADVERTISER.

enchantment photomonthlywinner

Take a photo of you holding YOUR MAGAZINE AND WIN!

Congratulations to Anthony Peralta, an Otero County Electric Cooperative lineworker. He read his enchantment before skydiving over Eloy, Arizona, in salute to veterans.

Anthony wins $20!

Take a photo of yourself or someone else with the magazine and email it with a few words about the photo. Include your name, mailing address and co-op name.

One lucky member will win $20. Submitting your photo(s) gives us permission to publish or post the photo(s) in enchantment, on Facebook and in other media outlets.

Email tcondit@nmelectric.coop.

Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Jemez Mountains Electric

Jemez Mountains Electric Foundation Awards $75,000 in Scholarships

Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative, Inc. Cooperative, Inc.

Jemez Mountains Electric Foundation awarded 30 scholarships in the amount of $2,500 to members of the class of 2025. The recipients are dependents of Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative Inc. members.

Address

19365 S.R. 84/285

Hernandez, NM 87537

Telephone: 505-753-2105

Toll-Free: 888-755-2105

Emergency Outages: 877-753-0095

Website: www.jemezcoop.org

Office Hours

8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (M-F)

Board of Trustees

President Dennis Trujillo

District 1 - Jemez Springs, Jemez Pueblo, Zia Pueblo, surrounding areas

Vice President Manuel Bustos

District 5 - La Mesilla, San Pedro & north up to Alcalde

Secretary Danny Velarde, District 5Velarde, Dixon & other areas located in Rio Arriba County east of the Rio Grande River

Treasurer Dolores G. McCoy

District 2 - Cuba, surrounding areas in Sandoval, McKinley & San Juan counties

Assistant Secretary Treasurer Dennis Gallegos, District 3 - Abiquiu & the Cañones, Coyote, Gallina, Llaves & Lindrith areas

Lucas Cordova Jr., District 4 - Chili, Chamita & other areas from Santa Clara Pueblo north to Medanales, including Lyden & La Canova west of the Rio Grande River

John Ramon Vigil, District 4 - Santa Clara Pueblo north to Medanales, including Lyden & La Canova west of the Rio Grande River

Elias Coriz, District 5 - Chimayo & all other areas in Rio Arriba County east of the Rio Grande River

Marcelina Martinez

District 6 - Santa Cruz & surrounding areas located in Santa Fe County

Henry Roybal, District 6 - Nambe, Pojoaque and surrounding areas located in Santa Fe County

Marissa Maestas-Muller, Trustee-At-Large - Represents the entire cooperative area at large

Students were asked to submit an application, a short essay on personal goals and a letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor.

In addition, they were asked to write a twopage essay on the topic: The New Mexico Legislature has pledged that New Mexico have net-zero carbon emissions by the year 2050, relying almost exclusively on renewable energy resources. In your opinion, is this ambitious goal feasible? Answer: Yes, no or otherwise. Please defend your answer.

The essays were well written, and each student

Riley Aragon Pino, JVHS

Myalyn Madalyn, JVHS

Leylana Medina, JVHS

Damian Gallegos, EVHS

Isaiah Aguino, EVHS

Santana Martinez, EVHS

Samantha Sanchez, EVHS

Leandro Salazar, EVHS

Isaiah Guinn, EVHS

Matthew Martinez, EVHS

Gabriela Abeyta, EVHS

Alicia Chavez, EVHS

had a different viewpoint. Matias Tiede, a senior from Pojoaque Valley High School, wrote, “Based on my research, I do believe that the goal is feasible although very ambitious, as the process as a whole is very costly. Over time New Mexico’s efforts will not go unnoticed and multiple states will follow in the same direction after seeing the positive effects of transitioning from fossil fuels.”

“JMEC is fully invested in our students’ education,” says Marissa Maestas Muller, chair of the JMEC Schools Committee. “We want to serve as a resource for area students who are interested in furthering their education through higher education.”

Tri-State Generation and Basin Electric also each distributed a scholarship for $1,000. n

Scholarship Recipients and Their High Schools

Ezerie Rae Villalobos, EVHS

Hailey Renteria, EVHS

Veronica Domiguez, PVHS

Bernardo Montoya, PVHS

Stephanie Romero, PVHS

Matias Tiede, PVHS

Lilah Herrera, PVHS

Alan Padilla, PVHS

Shantel Sanchez, LAHS

Anna Lopez Valdez, LAHS

David Vigil, LAHS

Sofia Grace Trujillo, LAHS

Tri-State G&T 2025 Scholarship Recipient

Brianna E. Martinez, Chavira-EVHS

Spelling Bee Winners

Third

Kenidie Esquibel Garcia, McCurdy Charter School

Amirah Smith, Coronado High School

Matthew Imler-Jacquez, Cornado High School

Alicia Gallegos, Coronado High School

Jeremy Bransford, Tierra Encantada Charter School

Madison Elwell, Cuba High School

Basin Electric 2025 Scholarship Recipient Zecharias Espinoza, McCurdy Charter School

From left: First place: Estevan Manzanare, Fairview Elementary.

Second place: Aviana Roybal, Pojoaque Valley Intermediate School.

place: Emilio Abeyta, Alcalde Elementary.

Growing Dahlias

Story and photo by Liddie Martinez

Dahlias are a beautiful addition to local gardens. Last month, we covered planting. This month, let’s discuss how to help the flowers grow once they’ve started to sprout.

Once your dahlias have grown to 1 foot tall, pinch off 3-4 inches from the top of the center stem. This encourages the plant to bush out and give more stems and blooms for a healthier plant.

It is also a good time to begin a daily inspection schedule. Dahlias tubers taste great and were originally grown for food by the Aztecs. Blooms have been used in cuisine for centuries, and bugs and critters love them as well.

If deer or bunnies are an issue in your area, you need a fence to keep them away from the dahlias. For my raised beds, I have lined the bottom of my boxes with wire mesh then covered with several inches of gravel for good drainage. I fill the beds with regular dirt and then good topsoil for the last 8-10 inches. This strategy keeps the gophers, ground squirrels and moles out of the beds.

You need to protect your dahlias from pests. Japanese beetles quickly multiply if you don’t get a handle on them. The best way is to manually remove them and drop them into a bucket of soapy water as you inspect the plants early each morning.

Some years are worse for grasshoppers than others. The best way to control pests is with a flock of chickens. It takes a few years to get them under control, but before you know it, the grasshoppers and other bugs will be greatly reduced or gone altogether.

If you decide to use pesticides, consider using Sevin, which kills most bugs without harming your plants. Never use weed killer on or near your dahlias—weed killer will kill your dahlias. Weeds must be pulled by hand.

I make it a habit to inspect each dahlia plant first thing in the morning for bugs. Disbudding is required to achieve the fullsize bloom, and is easy to do this during your morning inspection. Three buds will develop at the end of each stem. Pinch off the two side buds, leaving only one bud per stem.

and to monitor the moisture level in your soil. Don’t forget to deadhead any spent flowers. The more you harvest flowers, the more flowers dahlias give you, so be generous.

Dahlias make wonderful flower arrangements. To cut dahlias for vases, cut only in the early morning. Cut only the length needed for the vase and only flowers that have fully opened—they do not continue to open in water. Cut the stem horizontally above the node so other stems and buds can grow.

If using chickens to defend against bugs, allow the chickens to access your gardens immediately after harvest. They remove the lingering insects, reducing the bugs’ eggs for the next season. Then, let them back in during spring before you plant, and they will take care of most of the remaining eggs, larvae, grubs and young bugs.

While this reduces the total number of flowers each plant produces, the energy is redirected into the single bud, allowing it to reach its full potential. Otherwise, you will have many small flowers that crowd the plant, be undersized and get lost in the foliage.

This daily inspection also serves to seek and pull out any weeds before they spread

Immediately place in a bucket with 2-3 inches of very hot—but not boiling—water. Allow the flowers to sit in that bucket in the shade somewhere for an hour. Make sure the flower heads are away from the steam.

Once the flowers have set, you can trim away all the foliage below the water line and arrange flowers in vases. They will stay fresh for four to six days. n

Raised beds are useful for keeping pests awayfrom your dahlias.

From Legislation to Celebrations of Our Communities

By Vince Martinez, NMRECA CEO

Goodbye Legislature

As always, success at this year’s legislative session can be measured in many ways.

Overall, the team at the Statewide Association tracked and monitored more than 116 bills. Of the 11 bills we opposed, none passed. We supported 14 bills, of which 8 passed, including HB-323, which reversed overburdensome requirements for co-ops regarding engineer stamps.

Another bill we supported was SB-31, which will provide 0% interest loans to cooperatives and local governments in response to natural disasters and wildfires.

Our success at this year’s session and in previous years is rooted in strong support from our state representatives and senators who represent rural cooperatives.

Along with other moderate legislators who understand the vital role rural electric cooperatives play in the continued economic stability of rural New Mexico, we were able to advocate for and protect the interests of our member-owners.

We thank all legislators who sacrifice their time away from their jobs, businesses, and families to serve in the only non-paying legislature in the country.

Hello Annual Meetings

Electric cooperatives can focus on their annual meetings now that the legislative session is over and all the bills have been signed or vetoed.

All 15 of New Mexico’s member distribution cooperatives and two generation and transmission cooperatives have begun hosting annual meetings.

Annual meetings are a good time to gather with friends, neighbors and fellow member-owners and hear updates about your cooperative from the elected board members and CEOs.

Your annual meeting is an illustration of what separates electric cooperatives from investor-owned utilities and is rooted in the seven cooperative principles:

1. Democratic member control

2. Open and voluntary membership

3. Members economic participation

4. Autonomy and independence

5. Education, training, and information

6. Cooperation amongst Cooperatives

7. Concern for community

I encourage you to attend and participate in your annual meeting. Of course, you’ll also have a chance to win great door prizes and have a hardy meal.

ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY REDPIXEL

JEMEZ MOUNTAINS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative, Inc. P. O. Box 128 • Española,

New Mexico 87532

Notice of Election

Pursuant to the Bylaws of the Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative, Inc. (the “Cooperative”), NOTICE is hereby given as follows:

1. An election of one trustee for a four-year term from District 1 will be held on July 21, 2025 at the Jemez Springs Village Hall, Jemez Springs, New Mexico. The polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

2. Mr. Dennis R. Trujillo is the current trustee of this District.

3. Candidates for the office of trustee from District 1 must file a Declaration of Candidacy, together with a Nominating Petition signed by at least 75 members of District 1. The Declaration of Candidacy, together with the Nominating Petition, may be obtained on or after May 9, 2025 from the Cooperative main office or at any Cooperative district office, during regular business hours.

4. Candidates are directed to visit the Notice of 2025 Election of Trustees page at https://www. jemezcoop.org/jmec-elections.com for a full list of candidate eligibility requirements and other important information relating to the election.

5. Declaration of Candidacy and Nominating Petition must be returned to the Cooperative main office or at any Cooperative district office, during regular business hours, beginning June 12, 2025 but not later than June 19, 2025.

Notice of Election

Pursuant to the Bylaws of the Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative, Inc. (the “Cooperative”), NOTICE is hereby given as follows:

1. An election of one trustee for a four-year term from District 2 will be held on July 22, 2025 at the JMEC Cuba District Office, Cuba, New Mexico. The polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

2. Mrs. Dolores G. McCoy is the current trustee of this District.

3. Candidates for the office of trustee from District 2 must file a Declaration of Candidacy, together with a Nominating Petition signed by at least 75 members of District 2. The Declaration of Candidacy, together with the Nominating Petition, may be obtained on or after May 9, 2025 from the Cooperative main office or at any Cooperative district office, during regular business hours.

4. Candidates are directed to visit the Notice of 2025 Election of Trustees page at https:// www.jemezcoop.org/jmec-elections for a full list of candidate eligibility requirements and other important information relating to the election.

Notice of Election

Pursuant to the Bylaws of the Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative, Inc. (the “Cooperative”), NOTICE is hereby given as follows:

1. An election of one trustee for a four-year term from District 3 will be held on July 23, 2025 at the Abiquiu Elementary School, Abiquiu, New Mexico. The polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

2. Mr. Dennis Gallegos is the current trustee of this District.

3. Candidates for the office of trustee from District 3 must file a Declaration of Candidacy, together with a Nominating Petition signed by at least 30 members of District 3. The Declaration of Candidacy, together with the Nominating Petition, may be obtained on or after May 9, 2025 from the Cooperative main office or at any Cooperative district office, during regular business hours.

4. Candidates are directed to visit the Notice of 2025 Election of Trustees page at https:// www.jemezcoop.org/jmec-electionsfor a full list of candidate eligibility requirements and other important information relating to the election.

5. Declaration of Candidacy and the Nominating Petition must be returned to the Cooperative main office or at any Cooperative district office, during regular business hours, beginning June 16, 2025 but not later than June 23, 2025.

Notice of Election

Pursuant to the Bylaws of the Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative, Inc. (the “Cooperative”), NOTICE is hereby given as follows:

1. An election of one trustee for a four-year term from District 4 Ward B will be held on July 24, 2025 at the Espanola Elementary School, Espanola, New Mexico. The polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

2. Mr. John Ramon A. Vigil is the current trustee of this District.

3. Candidates for the office of trustee from District 4 Ward B must file a Declaration of Candidacy, together with a Nominating Petition signed by at least 75 members of District 4. The Declaration of Candidacy, together with the Nominating Petition, may be obtained on or after May 9, 2025 from the Cooperative main office or at any Cooperative district office, during regular business hours.

Notice of Election

Pursuant to the Bylaws of the Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative, Inc. (the “Cooperative”), NOTICE is hereby given as follows:

1. An election of two trustees for a four-year term, one from District 5 Ward B and one from District 5 Ward A & B will be held on July 28, 2025 at the Espanola Valley High School Gymnasium Lobby, El

Llano, New Mexico. The polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

2. Mr. Elias Coriz, District 5 Ward B and Mr. Manuel Bustos, District 5 Ward A & B are the trustees in this District.

3. Candidates for the office of trustee from District 5 Ward B and candidates for the office of trustee from District 5 Ward A & B must file a Declaration of Candidacy, together with a Nominating Petition signed by at least 75 members of District 5. The Declaration of Candidacy, together with the Nominating Petition, may be obtained on or after May 9, 2025 from the Cooperative main office or at any Cooperative district office, during regular business hours.

4. Candidates are directed to visit the Notice of 2025 Election of Trustees page at https:// www.jemezcoop.org/jmec-electionsfor a full list of candidate eligibility requirements and other important information relating to the election.

Notice of Election

Pursuant to the Bylaws of the Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative, Inc. (the “Cooperative”), NOTICE is hereby given as follows:

1. An election of one trustee for a four-year term from District 6 Ward A and one from District 6 Ward A & B will be held on July 29, 2025 at the Pojoaque Middle School, 1797 State Rd 502 West, New Mexico. The polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

2. Ms. Marcelina Martinez, District 6 Ward A and Ms. Marissa Maestas Muller, District 6 Ward A & B are the current trustees in this District.

3. Candidates for the office of trustee from District 6 Ward A and candidates from District 6 Ward A & B must file a Declaration of Candidacy, together with a Nominating Petition signed by at least 75 members of District 6. The Declaration of Candidacy, together with the Nominating Petition, may be obtained on or after, May 9, 2025 from the Cooperative main office or at any Cooperative district office, during regular business hours.

Danny Velarde Secretary

Galaxies Beyond the Stars

Mars and Jupiter remain visible in our evening skies during May. Jupiter is already fairly low in the west as darkness falls. Early in the month, it sets just more than an hour after the end of dusk. By month’s end, it sets before twilight is over, and we won’t be seeing it again until it emerges into our morning sky during the latter part of July.

Mars, meanwhile, is fading now that it is pulling away from its closest approach to Earth back in January, but it remains easily visible until setting an hour or so after midnight.

The brilliant Venus and the dimmer Saturn form a close pair as they rise around the beginning of dawn in early May. As the month progresses, the two worlds gradually pull apart and Saturn climbs higher into the east, but they remain a dramatic sight together. Adding to the spectacle, the crescent moon passes through the region on the mornings of May 22-23.

The Eta Aquarid meteor shower, one of the stronger showers in May, peaks in the early-morning hours of May 5-6. With the moon just past its first quarter phase, skies should be relatively

dark. Viewers may see up to 20 meteors per hour. In the Southern Hemisphere, where the radiant is higher in the sky, the rate could reach 40 to 50 meteors per hour.

The Eta Aquarids are debris from Halley’s Comet, which last appeared in 1986 and just passed through aphelion—its farthest point from the sun—a little more than a year ago. It comes our way again in 2061.

You may notice there aren’t as many bright stars in our May evening skies as there are at other times of the year. During May, we are looking out away from our galaxy into intergalactic space. While there are fewer stars in this direction with the naked eye, telescopes allow you to see a large numbers of other galaxies.

The nearest large cluster of galaxies is in the constellation of Virgo—just south of overhead during the mid-evening hours— and is some 55 million light-years away from us. The Virgo galaxy cluster contains more than a thousand galaxies, a few hundred of which are detectable with small to moderate-size backyard telescopes. e

The central regions of the Virgo galaxy cluster were imaged by the Palomar Observatory Sky Survey in the 1980s and 1990s. PHOTO COURTESY OF NASA, ESA AND THE DIGITIZED SKY SURVEY

Generational Wealth

to Protect Roadside Move Over

By Scott Flood

When lineworkers are perched in a bucket truck, repairing power lines along a busy road, they have good reason to be concerned about their safety. Although most lineworkers are less apprehensive about working with high voltages or falling, their biggest worry is also the most unpredictable—a distracted driver hitting their vehicle or a nearby power pole.

The National Safety Council reported that 891 people were killed and 37,701 people were injured in work zone crashes in 2022, the most recent year for which statistics are available. Most of those crashes occur in construction sites, which are usually well marked.

Electric utility crews are likely to face even greater danger, as they often work alone along remote stretches of roads, frequently in heavy rain or other adverse weather conditions that can make it harder for passing drivers to see them.

The danger of work zone crashes led every state to adopt move-over laws that require drivers to lower their speeds and switch lanes when possible to protect emergency vehicles. The goal is to provide an added safety buffer and minimize the potential for accidents. Drivers caught violating the laws can face penalties, such as significant fines.

Unfortunately, the Journal of Road Safety reports that just 14 states’ move-over laws protect other types of service

vehicles, such as construction trucks and utility vehicles. That means drivers in those states are under no legal obligation to give lineworkers that added margin of safety.

Compounding the issue is the dramatic increase in distracted driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reported that as many as 1,000 Americans are injured each day because of activities that take drivers’ attention away from the road. The most common is reading and responding to text messages. If a driver traveling at 55 mph glances at their phone for just five seconds, they’ll have traveled the length of a football field before returning their gaze to the road.

The design of today’s vehicles contributes to distractions. Many vehicles have complex controls for entertainment and climate that demand the driver take their eyes off the road to make even simple adjustments.

Geography can also be a factor. Electric utilities serving rural and remote areas often have power lines along twisty and hilly roads. Locals accustomed to driving those roads at high speeds may be startled and have little time to react when they encounter a work crew past a hill or around a curve.

Besides the potential for lineworker injuries, accidents can also damage or destroy expensive service vehicles, reducing a utility’s ability to respond to outages and other

Crews Over

problems. Power poles and other infrastructure may also suffer severe damage.

Additionally, many of the tasks performed by lineworkers, such as reconnecting high-voltage power lines, are inherently dangerous and require their complete focus. When their attention is distracted by speeding or noisy vehicles, they’re more likely to make mistakes that can complicate the repair or cause injury.

Electric utility employees aren’t only at risk when their vehicles are parked and repairs are underway. Lineworkers frequently have to drive slowly along the road’s shoulder to pinpoint broken power lines or failed transformers, especially in darkness or conditions that interfere with visibility.

Many state transportation agencies have work zone awareness programs. Amplifying those efforts by devoting part of a utility’s advertising, publicity and social media to roadside safety reminds drivers of the importance of giving lineworkers a wide berth.

Utilities are considering ways they can modify bucket trucks and other service vehicles to make them more visible.

Warning signs and cones are often placed in advance of the work zone during emergency outages where flagging crews are unavailable.

Sometimes, a little bit of extra attention is all that’s needed to prevent a serious incident. e

New Mexico’s Move Over Law

Operation of vehicles on approach of moving authorized emergency vehicles; operation of vehicles on approach of certain stationary vehicles.

A. Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle displaying flashing emergency lights or when the driver is giving audible signal by siren, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right of way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in that position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.

B. Upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle or a recovery or repair vehicle displaying flashing emergency or hazard lights, unless otherwise directed, the driver of a vehicle shall:

(1) if reasonably safe to do so, drive in a lane not adjacent to the stationary vehicle, decrease the speed of the vehicle to a speed that is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances and proceed with caution; or (2) if it is not reasonably safe to drive in a lane not adjacent to the stationary vehicle, decrease the speed of the vehicle to a speed that is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances, proceed with caution and be prepared to stop.

C. This section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle or the driver of any other vehicle from the duty to drive and park with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.

PHOTO BY JERRY MOSEMAK

Power Life

May is Electrical Safety Month

By Abby Berry and Nina Todea

Every May, Electrical Safety Month serves as a vital reminder of the importance of preventing electrical hazards at home. Electricity powers nearly every aspect of modern life, but if handled improperly, it can pose serious risks, including injuries and property damage.

Your electric utility understands the risks associated with improper electricity use, which is why we’re committed to reminding you to stay vigilant and practice electrical safety year-round.

By following key safety practices, you can reduce the risk of electrical hazards and ensure your family stays protected. Here are eight essential tips for powering up safely at home:

1. Be vigilant. Regularly inspect your home’s electrical system, including smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, for signs of damage or outdated components.

Electrical fires can start silently and out of sight, making functional smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors essential for early detection. Test alarms monthly, replace batteries annually and ensure you have alarms installed in key areas of your home, including inside and outside of bedrooms.

2. Replace frayed electrical wires or cords. The Electrical Safety Foundation International estimates roughly 3,300 home fires originate from extension cords every year, primarily due to overloading, overheating or fraying. If you’re relying on extension cords as permanent power solutions, consider contacting a qualified electrician to install additional outlets where you need them.

3. Use surge protectors. Safeguard your sensitive electronics and appliances with surge protectors. These handy devices help divert excess voltage away from your electronics, reducing the risk of damage or electrical fires. Not all power strips include surge protection, so read the product label carefully. Additionally, surge protectors can lose effectiveness over time and should be replaced when damaged or outdated.

Avoid overloading electrical outlets with power strips that exceed the outlet’s capacity.

PEXELS PHOTO BY ZION

Safel y

4. Practice safe use of power strips. Avoid overloading electrical outlets with power strips that exceed the outlet’s capacity. High-energy devices, such as heaters, microwaves and hair dryers, should be distributed across multiple outlets. Overloading an outlet with “busy” power strips can lead to overheating and create a fire hazard, so be sure to check the power strip’s wattage rating before plugging in items.

5. Don’t mix water and electricity. It may seem obvious, but accidents involving water contact with electrical items happen. Always keep electrical appliances and devices away from water sources, such as sinks, bathtubs or swimming pools. Make sure your hands are dry before touching any electrical switches or appliances. Never handle electrical devices with wet hands. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters should be installed in areas where water and electricity are typically in proximity, including kitchens, bathrooms and outdoor outlets.

6. Hire a qualified electrician for major work. While DIY projects may seem like a tempting way to save money, working with electricity requires specialized knowledge of your home’s electrical system and national safety codes. Cutting corners can be a costly mistake beyond your wallet.

Recent data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports nearly 400 electrocutions in the United States each year, 14% of which are related to wiring hazards. A licensed electrician has the expertise to handle major electrical tasks, such as installing new wiring, upgrading your circuit breaker panel or troubleshooting electrical issues. When it comes to electricity, safety should always be your priority—leave the major jobs to the experts.

7. Educate family members. One of the best ways to ensure the safety of everyone in your household is to talk about electrical safety. Teach children not to play with electrical outlets or appliances, and ensure they understand the potential dangers of electricity. Create and practice a home fire escape plan that includes electrical safety precautions in the event of an emergency.

Practicing electrical safety at home is essential for protecting your family, property and peace of mind. Remember, electrical safety isn’t just a one-time effort—it’s a year-round responsibility. Taking these steps can help ensure a safer, more secure home for you and your loved ones. e

Electrical Fire Do’s and Don’ts

Homeowners should always take precautions to mitigate the risk of electrical fires and other electrical hazards—but what happens if those precautions are still subject to human error?

Faulty wiring, power surges or malfunctioning appliances can ignite flames in an instant. In those critical moments, knowing exactly what to do can mean the difference between safely containing an electrical fire and facing a devastating loss. Follow these guidelines if an electrical fire breaks out in your home:

Do cut the power: If a faulty appliance causes the fire, unplug it immediately. If you can’t reach the plug but have a safe path to your home’s breaker panel, turn off the electricity at the panel.

Do use a fire extinguisher: Not all fire extinguishers are created equal. Electrical fires should be extinguished with Class C fire extinguishers, which are specifically designed to address electrical fires. Fire extinguishers should only be used on small, contained fires. Electrical Safety Foundation International recommends homeowners buy a fire extinguisher large enough to effectively put out a small fire, but not so heavy that it is difficult to handle. In a pinch, small electrical fires can also be smothered with a fire blanket or baking soda.

Don’t use water: Although it may be your first instinct, water conducts electricity and can make the fire worse or cause electrocution.

Do evacuate immediately: If the fire spreads out of your control, get everyone out of the house and to safety, then call 911. Closing doors behind you can slow the spread of the fire.

Spring Clean

Your inbox shouldn’t feel like a junk drawer

By Sable Riley

Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home— your digital spaces need attention, too.

Much like cluttered closets or messy garages, disorganized digital environments can be overwhelming. Searching through digital clutter for an important email or document can be incredibly frustrating. But tidying and streamlining your digital environment can improve productivity and give you more peace of mind. With more of our lives happening online, a little spring cleaning goes a long way.

Begin with your inboxes. Emails pile up quickly. A study by Campaign Monitor shows the average person receives more than 120 emails daily, many of which go unopened. Cut down on clutter by unsubscribing from newsletters you never read and organizing important emails into labeled folders like “Bills,” “Work” and “Family.”

“Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them,” says productivity expert David Allen, author of “Getting Things Done.” “Digital clutter is just as distracting as physical clutter.”

Next, focus on decluttering files on devices and cloud storage.

Deleting outdated documents, apps

your digital life

you never use, and old photos and files frees space and helps you access important information quickly. An organized digital space is easier to manage and reduces frustration.

Boosting cybersecurity is equally important. Just as homeowners lock their doors and windows, enabling automatic updates on devices guards against cyberthreats.

“Regularly updating software is one of the simplest, yet most powerful, steps you can take to prevent cyberattacks,” says Brian Krebs, cybersecurity expert and founder of KrebsOnSecurity.

Passwords should be strong, unique and managed securely. Password managers provide a convenient way to store complex passwords, eliminating the need to remember multiple login details. Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible for an extra layer of security.

Home Wi-Fi networks also benefit from regular maintenance. A reliable internet connection should run smoothly and efficiently, like a well-tuned engine.

Position your router in a central location away from electronics or metal objects that may disrupt signals. In larger spaces, you can add range extenders or mesh network systems to eliminate dead zones. In your router settings, prioritize bandwidth for high-demand activities like gaming or streaming to reduce buffering and lag.

Finally, consider integrating smart home technology. Smart home devices offer more than convenience. Devices such as smart

thermostats, voice-controlled lighting and automated vacuums can simplify daily chores and also reduce energy costs, enhance comfort and improve home security. Stacey Higginbotham, technology journalist and creator of the “Internet of Things Podcast,” says consumers spend the most money on smart solutions focused on safety.

“People want to know what is happening at their home when they’re away,” Stacey says. “Products ranging from security cameras and video doorbells to sensors that can alert a homeowner if their gun safe is open or their kid is in their liquor cabinet fit under safety.”

This season, give your digital spaces the attention they deserve. After all, a little spring cleaning—both online and off— lets you move through your days with a lighter step and perhaps most importantly, peace of mind. e

Please share this free resource to save lives

A Beginner’s Guide to Composting

By Robin Howard

Every year, an estimated 35 million tons of food waste goes into landfills—the equivalent of burying 35 million Volkswagen Beetles in the earth.

Not only does food waste needlessly take up 28% of all landfill space, because it is deprived of oxygen as it breaks down, it also creates biogas made of methane and carbon dioxide—two gases that trap heat in the atmosphere.

According to the Composting Council, composting food scraps instead of tossing them in the garbage has the same environmental impact as taking 7.8 million cars off the road.

Composting is the process of recycling food and yard waste so it breaks down into its smallest components. The process drastically reduces household trash bound for a landfill and creates a rich earthy product that feeds the soil.

Even if you are not a gardener, allowing your household food waste to break down naturally is an easy way to contribute to a healthy environment—and, when your food scraps are happily breaking down outside, your trash cans won’t smell.

Unless you have a large amount of land that can accommodate a compost heap, you need a bin to start composting your food scraps. The bigger your bin, the more you can compost. Most households do just fine with a bin the size of a milk crate.

Compost bins can live outside, in the garage or carport, underground, above ground or even on the countertop.

Composting is easy if you follow a few simple rules. Done correctly, they are odorless.

What Can Go in My Compost Bin?

There are two types of compost: green and brown.

Green compost includes fruit and vegetable scraps and plant trimmings.

Brown compost includes dried leaves, eggshells, newspaper, coffee and tea grounds, filters, paper plates, towels and napkins, sawdust from untreated wood, and corrugated cardboard.

Don’t put meat, dairy, oils, fats, glossy paper or waxed cardboard in your bin.

You will add equal amounts of green and brown to your bin in layers, along with enough water to keep everything damp but not soaked.

How It Works

When organic waste such as paper, cardboard, leaves, grass, fruit and vegetable scraps come in contact with soil, water and air, microorganisms in the soil eat the carbon in the waste, breaking it down into its simplest form.

In vermiculture, composting worms similar to earthworms eat the scraps and produce a rich fertilizer called castings.

Compost worms, or red wigglers, are the same worms used for fishing bait. They are voracious little critters that can eat their body weight in food scraps every day.

That means a pound of red wigglers in your worm bin can consume up to a pound of household food scraps a day.

People who use worms to compost get a kick out of feeding their worms and watching their food scraps, lawn debris and cardboard shipping boxes disappear virtually overnight.

Types of Compost Bins

A compost bin speeds the decomposition process by giving food and yard waste the right balance of air and moisture to break down quickly.

A healthy compost bin environment breaks down food so quickly it doesn’t have time to develop odors or attract animals.

Bins aren’t complicated. You can build your own out of scrap wood or pallets, cinder blocks, stone, wire fencing, or plastic or ceramic containers.

A Google search for “DIY Compost Bins” turns up hundreds of ideas, plans, and YouTube videos for building your own above or below-ground bin. The search options include building from repurposed and inexpensive materials.

If you don’t want to make a bin, you can buy durable above or belowground compost bins and worm farms online for $100 or less.

With a garage or yard, you have plenty of options for commercial or do-it-yourself compost bins.

If you have even a little outdoor space, the easiest way to start composting is to drill large holes in a plastic flowerpot or bucket, cut out the bottom, and bury the container in your yard or garden. Cover the top with a lid, such as a sturdy plant tray, and layer your green and brown scraps.

To speed up the process, add a few hundred red wigglers. Buy them online or at a pet or bait store.

If your bin fills up before your scraps are broken down into the soil, simply pull it out of the ground and move it.

One of the most popular new options is the Subpod, a milk cratesized bin meant to be buried in a raised bed, planter on a porch or balcony, or directly in the ground. The box has aeration holes so compost worms can go in and out and a lid that snaps tight.

After you bury the box, layer green and brown compost inside, add a big bag of red wigglers, then watch up to 34 pounds of food waste, paper and cardboard disappear every week.

The brown box barely sticks up above the ground, so neighbors won’t get nervous about having a compost bin next door, and it won’t disrupt your pretty lawn or garden.

Give Composting a Try

Composting is easy and practical.

You will always have a free supply of garden and flower fertilizer, you will spend less on garbage bags and, without rotting food in them, your garbage bins won’t smell.

Most importantly, composting keeps an average of 250 pounds of trash per household out of the landfill every year, according to the Composting Council.

If you are ready to try your hand at composting, there is a lot of information available for beginners. Some can seem scientific and complicated, but rest assured composting is easy—even if you are new to it.

“The Complete Compost Gardening Guide” by Barbara Pleasant and Deborah Martin simplifies the process. “Composting for a New Generation” outlines innovative, zero-cost ways to compost wherever you live. e

ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY TORTOON

Savor memories with classics

reimagined

Anchors aweigh for this month’s recipe collection, including a dressed-up version of an old United States’ Armed Services recipe.

The notorious and slang-named S.O.S. recipe contained stewed, chipped beef and was typically served over dry bread. It appeared in the 1910 “Manual of Army Cooks,” and research states it fulfilled the military’s need for a quick, easily stored and nutritious meal.

Spuds ’n stuff on a shingle—a pasta and ground beef upcycled version of the famed recipe—pays homage to the military service members we remember this Memorial Day.

Strawberry tacos, anyone? Strawberries are an early berry-season favorite and can be used in a variety of dishes. These simple strawberry tacos make a visually appealing addition to any meal. Taste tester Pattie Burns said she would ask for seconds and happily ate the leftovers the next day. With summer approaching, these cool tacos are a perfect addition to any picnic.

Those with diabetes can use a granulated sugar substitute.

Spuds ’N Stuff on a Shingle

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 medium potatoes, washed and finely diced

½ onion, diced

1½ pounds ground beef

5 tablespoons flour

32-ounce package beef broth

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

8 ounces fresh, sliced mushrooms

1½ cups milk or half-and-half

24 ounces frozen egg noodles, cooked

2 green onions, sliced

• Warm the oil in a skillet. Cook potatoes and onion until potatoes are slightly soft. Add ground beef, and brown.

• Stir in flour to coat the mixture. Add beef broth. Stir until no lumps remain. Add salt and pepper. Cook until broth is steamy.

• Stir in mushrooms, and slowly add milk. Cook until mixture has thickened and is bubbly on the sides.

• Place cooked egg noodles in a serving dish, cover with ground beef mixture and sprinkle with green onions for garnish.

Makes 4-6 servings.

ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY EZUME IMAGES

Strawberry Tacos

10 small flour tortillas

½ cup canola oil

1 teaspoon cinnamon

3 teaspoons granulated sugar

4 ounces cream cheese

2 cups powdered sugar, or 1 cup powdered sugar and 1 cup granulated sugar substitute

1 cup prepared whipped cream

2 cups fresh sliced strawberries

1/3 cup granulated sugar or granulated sugar substitute

Whipped topping spray

• Two to three hours prior to serving, warm oil in a skillet. Lightly fry tortillas, then remove and drain on paper towels.

• Mix together cinnamon and granulated sugar, then sprinkle one side of the tortillas with the

mixture. Fold in half or place in taco form to cool, with the spiced side on the outside.

• Core and cut fresh strawberries, and sprinkle with sugar or sugar substitute. Stir and refrigerate until needed.

• In a mixing bowl, mix together cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Stir in whipped topping.

• Place 1-2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture inside the cooled taco shells.

• Add prepared strawberries to each taco. Garnish with a spray of whipped topping and fresh mint or chopped nuts, if desired. Serve cooled.

Makes 5-10 servings.

ADOBE

THE MARKET PLACE

Animals

BLACK ANGUS BULLS. Thick, easy fleshing, low maintenance bulls for sale. Range raised at high elevation. Low birth weight and herd bulls available. 18 month old bulls available now starting at 2800.00. Yearlings available in April starting at 2400.00. Call Bobby Salvo 575 642 0962.

Business

THE OLD ROAD TO RUIN BAR AND GRILL completely equipped and updated ready for you and your family to run located on busy Hwy 54 close to Ute Lake, Great School System, $400,000.00! 575-403-7161

A SMALL BUILDING CURRENTLY USED AS A BARBERSHOP and has a single wide that is currently lived in will be available July 1, 2025. $100,000.00 Logan, NM 575-403-7161

LONG TERM ESTABLISHED HARDWARE/ LUMBER/FEED AND GROCERY

BUSINESS for sale in Mora, NM. 1.86 acres with one water right, 4000’ retail building plus storage and outbuildings. Highly successful seasonal garden center. All inventory with complete business equipment will transfer. Great parking and plenty of space to develop other business enterprises - i.e.- storage sheds anyone? www.moravalleyranchsupply.com Text 505.429.4112 with contact info for a business brochure and more information.

WEDDING CARRIAGE OPPORTUNITY, vis a vis carriage, haflinger driving mare, breast collar harness. Ready to start work, weddings, quinceanera, prom, special occasions, or carriage rides. Call or text for pics and details. 575-703-2620.

TILE SHOWERS BUILT ESPECIALLY FOR YOU! Call 931-201-2791. Ask for FREE Estimate! Great Prices, Beautiful Showers! *In business since the late 1900s* Any shower, anywhere. Call Ed 931-201-2791.

Equipment

IRRIGATION PIPE FOR SALE. Make irrigating faster and more efficient. PVC and aluminum pipe and fittings like T’s, elbows, plugs, hydrants, alfalfa valves, butterfly valves. Half the price of new and ready to use. Call Sierra (575) 770-8441.

1953 9N FORD TRACTOR WITH 4’ BRUSH HOG IN TORRANCE COUNTY, $5,900. Call 505-239-1672.

Great Finds

BUYING OLD GAS PUMPS, PUMP PARTS, OIL CANS, GLOBES, ADVERTISING SIGNS THERMOMETERS CLOCKS, OLD LICENSE PLATES, OLD NEON SIGNS. Call the Gas Guy in Embudo 505-852-2995. Have TruckWill Travel.

HEADSTONES (I.E. CEMETERY MONUMENTS) is our business. Over 1,000 designs. An eternal memory of a loved one. TAOS MOUNTAIN HERITAGE. Call 575770-2507 or 575-758-3903 or Email: taos_mt_ heritage@msn.com. Alfalfa Bales for sale also. Website: www.taosmountainheritage.com

FOR SALE; OAK TABLE AND CHAIRS. 44”square with 6 chairs (oak). $400 1 set of French Doors (wooden)$150 1 Stenner injector pump with 15 gal. tank $250. Call 505-384-5163.

Real Estate

PRIME BUSINESS LOCATION ON HISTORIC BRIDGE STREET just steps from Las Vegas’ historic plaza. Surrounded by beautiful historic commercial establishments, this building is an infill built in 1988 in the style of its neighbors. Downstairs retail; upstairs residential or 3 separate offices w/kitchen, dining area, & full bath with laundry. New roof 2004; central heat & air; security system; parking in back & on-street. Laurie Frantz, Real Broker, 505-920-1346, lauriefrantz@gmail.com.

2 CONTIGUOUS PINON/JUNIPERFORESTED LOTS, 45.563 acres, Mujeres Ranch, Cibola Co. Electricity at lot line; well, septic needed. No HOA or covenants; MHs allowed. Owner financing possible. $99,500 for both. Big mountain views! Laurie Frantz, Real Broker LLC, 505-920-1346, lauriefrantz@ gmail.com

40 BEAUTIFUL, FORESTED LOTS IN THE PENDARIES SUBDIVISION, featuring Ponderosa Pines. Each lot is available for purchase individually, with prices as low as $5,000. Community water access and views. Don’t miss this opportunity—secure your ideal lot today! Laurie Frantz, Real Broker LLC, 505-920-1346, lauriefrantz@gmail.com

FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY TO OWN A PIECE OF HISTORIC NORTHERN NEW MEXICO, IN HISTORIC TIERRA AMARILLA. This two-story traditional style adobe home with tin roof was built in 1881 and is known as the Garcia House. The original interior adobe walls and wood floors are still in most of the house. The property is zoned both commercial and residential. The current owners have a room in the back which was used as a stage. Laurie Frantz, Real Broker LLC, 505-920-1346, lauriefrantz@ gmail.com.

CLOVIS-409 HUMPHREY ROAD, Vacant land with commercial potential. 8.5 acres not far from US 60-84. $77,000. Big Mesa Realty, 575-456-2000, Paul Stout, Broker 17843, 575760-5461. www.bigmesarealty.com.

CLOVIS-0000 CURRY ROAD 10, Vacant land, commercial or residential possibilities. Just over 88 acres. $352,000. Big Mesa Realty, 575-456-2000, Paul Stout, Broker 17843, 575760-5461. www.bigmesarealty.com.

TUCUMCARI-1120 S SARATOGA, (Also next to US 54/Mountain Road) $20,000. City water close by. Big Mesa Realty, 575-4562000, Paul Stout, Broker 17843, 575-760-5461. www.bigmesarealty.com.

CANADIAN RIVER-WEST UTE LAKE- SIX 40 ACRE +/- PARCELS. Lake and Mesalands view. Call for showing and pricing. Owner Financing Available. Big Mesa Realty, 575456-2000, Paul Stout, Broker 17843, 575-7605461. www.bigmesarealty.com.

FORT SUMNER-SUMNER LAKE- 225 Indian Place, Two bedroom, two bathroom home on 20 acres with loft space. Amazing views of the Pecos River valley. $325,000. Big Mesa Realty, 575-456-2000, Paul Stout, Broker 17843, 575760-5461. www.bigmesarealty.com.

SANTA ROSA- 1070 BAR Y ROAD, HOLLYWOOD RANCH SUBDIVISION.

SALE PENDING. Three parcels totaling 41 acres. Water, electricity, fencing. $70,000. Big Mesa Realty, 575-456-2000, Paul Stout, Broker 17843, 575-760-5461. www.bigmesarealty.com.

MILAGRO- 0000 PECOS SPUR, PORTILLO CREEK RANCH SUBDIVISION. Tract 6, 164 acres. Partial fencing. Wide open space. $84,000. Big Mesa Realty, 575-456-2000, Paul Stout, Broker 17843, 575-760-5461. www.bigmesarealty.com.

MAGDALENA-0000 TBD STATE ROAD 169, 1.28 acres. Great mountain views 15 miles from Magdalena. Borders Cibola National Forest. Hunting potential. $15,000. Big Mesa Realty, 575-456-2000, Paul Stout, Broker 17843, 575-760-5461. www.bigmesarealty.com.

DATIL/PIE TOWN- VARIOUS 40 +/- ACRE TRACTS north of Sawtooth Mountains and national forest in former Criswell Ranch area. Call for pricing. Big Mesa Realty, 575-4562000, Paul Stout, Broker 17843, 575-760-5461. www.bigmesarealty.com.

SAN MARCIAL-SOUTH OF SOCORRO, Willow Springs Subdivision- 702 acres with southwestern style home. Great views in the Chupadera Mountain foothills. $1,100,000. Big Mesa Realty, 575-456-2000, Paul Stout, Broker 17843, 575-760-5461. www.bigmesarealty.com.

To Place a Classified Ad

1. Visit www.enchantment.coop/classifieds and complete form. You will be contacted by email with price and deadline to submit check or money order.

2. Ads will not be accepted over the phone.

3. Or, complete form and select category.

4. Write ad on another sheet of paper.

5. Price:

One column inch ads are $50 Two column inch ads are $100

To Send and Pay Your Classified Ad

1. Mail ad and payment (Payable to NMRECA)

NMRECA • enchantment

614 Don Gaspar Ave. Santa Fe, NM 87505

HISTORIC VILLANUEVA GENERAL STORE AND RESTAURANT ON HWY-3 near serene Villanueva State Park. Outfitted with commercial kitchen, appliances. .35 acres. Owner financing possible. $349,000. Keller Williams Realty (505)983-5151. Crystal Latimer, broker (206)719-3312. crystallatimer@kw.com

160 ACRE OASIS NEAR VILLANUEVA (626 CR B36), thoughtfully designed 300 sq. ft. cottage, electricity, private well and septic, productive garden beds, permaculture design. $450,000. Keller Williams Realty (505)9835151. Crystal Latimer, owner/broker (206)7193312. crystallatimer@kw.com Motivated seller will consider all reasonable offers!

FREE RENT AT ELEPHANT BUTTE LAKE FOR RV, BOAT & YOU FOLKS, IN TRADE FOR RIDES TO T OR C, MY CAR OR YOURS. Leave voicemail at 623 247 5922 with your lake plans and phone number. No text, my eyes are bad.

3 BEDROOM TWO BATH, COMPLETELY REMODELED WITH NEW SEPTIC, COUNTRY WELL CLOSE TO HWY 54 AND UTE LAKE SITS ON 14 ACRES! Three good schools within 20 minutes! Great fishing, boating! $225,000.00 575-403-7161.

3 BEDROOM TWO BATH, COMPLETELY REMODELED ON TWO LARGE CITY LOTS WITH UTILITIES CLOSE TO LOGAN AND UTE LAKE! Great School system! $225,000.00 575-403-7161.

NICE QUIET LOT WITH CITY UTILITIES, covered RV spot included a nice 2018 31 ft Royal by design complete with washer/dryer/ full bath! Close to all things beneficial in Logan NM and Ute Lake! $75,000.00. 575-403-7161.

EASTERN NEW MEXICO- LET US SELL YOUR LARGE ACREAGE WORKING FARM OR RANCH. Broker is farm owner/operator and lifetime New Mexico resident. Big Mesa Realty, 575-456-2000, Paul Stout, Broker 17843, 575-760-5461. www.bigmesarealty.com.

OKLAHOMA PANHANDLE- LET US SELL YOUR LARGE ACREAGE WORKING FARM OR RANCH Broker is farm owner/operator. Big Mesa Realty, 575-456-2000, Paul Stout, NMREC Broker 17843, OREC Broker 209965. 575-760-5461. www.bigmesarealty.com.

CATTLE/HORSE RANCH ESTANCIA/ CHILILI NM 209 subdivided acres, Incredible 2843 +/- sq ft SW Pueblo style home with stunning mountain views. 2 car carport, 2 car garage, indoor outdoor dog kennel, 44 ft RV bay, 3 stall horse barn, huge hay barn, vet clinic with Priefert chute, livestock scale, poultry barn, livestock barns, riding arena, round pen area, greenhouse. $1,450,000 See SWMLS,MLS#: 1081470 Jay 505-263-7419.

Vehicles

1957 FORD TRACTOR. Rear blade and front end loader. $800 OBO. Not running. Call 505-398-6072.

84 MERCURY COUGAR. 5.0 engine. $3k OBO. Call 505-398-6072.

Name:

Deadline

1. Due the 7th, one month prior. Ex: Ads due June 7 for the July issue.

Good to Know

1. Only members of New Mexico electric cooperatives may place ads.

2. We reserve the right to reject any ad.

4. Advertisements in enchantment are paid solicitations and are not endorsed by the publisher or the electric cooperatives of New Mexico.

5. PRODUCT SATISFACTION AND DELIVERY RESPONSIBILITY LIE SOLELY WITH THE ADVERTISER.

6. Enchantment prints monthly, except for June and December.

Questions? Call: 505-982-4671.

Address: City: State: ZIP:

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Select Category Below

AROUND NEW MEXICO

The Land of Enchantment is filled with stunning desert landscapes, breathtaking mountain ranges and a diverse array of 18 national and 35 state parks, not to mention historic cities such as Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Taos. New Mexico is a fusion of cultures with Native American, Mexican and Spanish heritage. It is a truly unique state offering something for everyone. Here are a few local events you might want to add to your calendar:

Opens in May—Albuquerque

Cliff’s Amusement Park Season Opening

Kick off the summer with roller coasters, water rides, kiddie attractions, games and snacks. Cliff’s is Albuquerque’s premier amusement park and perfect for an all-day family outing. https://www.cliffsamusementpark.com

Throughout May—Edgewood

Wildlife West Nature Park

Explore 122 acres of natural habitat with native wildlife such as bears, hawks and cougars. The park hosts educational activities, music events and the Chuckwagon Supper Show. It’s a true rural New Mexico gem for family fun and learning. http://www.wildlifewest.org

May 2-3—San Antonio

Spring Migration Celebration at Bosque del Apache

Celebrate the awe-inspiring spring migration at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Enjoy two days of guided birding tours, educational presentations and fun for all ages in a beautiful wetland landscape that’s perfect for spotting cranes, geese and other migratory birds. https://friendsofbosquedelapache.org

May 4 and 25—Santa Fe

Family Art Making

Families can drop in from 10 a.m. to noon at the New Mexico Museum of Art’s Vladem Contemporary to make art together inspired by current exhibits. Supplies are provided, and light snacks are available. Admission is free for children and museum members. https://www.nmartmuseum.org/events/ family-art-making

May 4 and 25—Santa Fe

MAKE & TAKE at

Museum of International Folk Art

Create a beaded bowl and other hands-on crafts in the Hands-on Studio at Santa Fe’s Museum of International Folk Art. Running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the event includes self-guided treasure hunts, coloring activities and art projects geared toward all ages.

https://www.internationalfolkart.org

May 9-11—Albuquerque

Rio Grande Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show

Held at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque, this nationally recognized dog show brings together hundreds of purebred dogs competing in obedience, rally and conformation events. It’s great for animal lovers of all ages—and a fun learning opportunity for children.

http://www.riograndekennelclub.org

May 10—Raton

World Migratory Bird Day

Join a ranger-led walk through Chicorica Creek at Sugarite Canyon State Park to learn about migratory birds and local habitats. It’s ideal for beginner birdwatchers and kids who love nature. Don’t forget your binoculars!

https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/spd/ sugarite-canyon-state-park

Include Your Upcoming Event

May 11—Raton

Pinecone Bird Feeder Workshop

Make and take your own pine cone bird feeder at Sugarite Canyon State Park while learning how to support local bird populations. This interactive, educational event is great for kids and parents alike.

https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/spd/ sugarite-canyon-state-park

May 17-18—Albuquerque

Boots in the Park Albuquerque

A two-day family-friendly country music festival at Balloon Fiesta Park features live performances by Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Jon Pardi and more. The event includes food vendors, craft beer, line dancing and games.

https://bootsinthepark.com/albuquerque

May 24-26—Las Cruces

Southern New Mexico Wine Festival

This Memorial Day weekend festival is familyfriendly with live music, food trucks, local art and wine tasting for adults. There are shaded areas and entertainment for children, making it a fun outing for the whole family. https://nmwine.com

June 13—Albuquerque

Albuquerque Woodworking Show

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St John’s United Methodist Church, New Mexico’s woodworking artisans show and sell their work. Fine furniture, woodcarving, woodturning, wood sculpture and more are represented. www.abqawa.org

Send your event details to eventcalendar@nmelectric.coop. Include the event title, date, town and a summary of the event. Include the event website address so readers can get additional event information. Submit the event notification at least 60 days before the event to meet our press deadline. Space is limited, and events are run at the discretion of the editor.

CAN YOU SPOT THE ELECTRICAL HAZARD?

Electricity is essential for everyday life, but when combined with seemingly harmless items or elements, it can create a hazardous situation. View the grouped items below, then circle the two items that (when combined) create a potential electrical hazard.

Check your work in the answer key below.

As families gather for high school and college graduation celebrations, be aware of the dangers of releasing balloons into the air

This summer, local students and their families will celebrate the end of school, as they move into the next stage of their lives. The air at graduation parties will be filled with fun, laughter and balloons.

Balloons are great at most every occasion, but metallic balloons need to be used and disposed of properly. Mishandled metallic balloons can cause power outages and damage to electrical equipment.

These balloons have a metallic coating which makes them conduct electricity. If they contact power lines, they can short out circuits in your community’s power system. You and your neighbors could lose power, traffic lights could go out, and entire blocks of homes and businesses could go dark.

Metallic balloons have been known to float for several days before losing their helium and falling. If one lands within the fence of an electric utility substation, it can cause electrical fires and extensive damage to hightransmission circuitry.

To prevent outages, keep metallic balloons secured. When done with the balloons, deflate them and throw them away. Do not release them.

Never tie a metallic balloon to a child’s wrist. If the balloon encounters electricity, the voltage could travel through the balloon and into the child. This can cause serious injury or even death. e

Celebrate Shock Free Congratulations to the graduating class of 2025!

Climb aboard the historic Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad which operates in the scenic landscapes of southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. Journey back in time experiencing the Old West as it was in 1880, as you venture over the highest mountain pass reached by rail, cross gorges and trestles, blast through tunnels, and chug across alpine meadows and high deserts. Depart from Antonito, Colorado or Chama, New Mexico for a ride of a lifetime!

JEMEZ MOUNTAINS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

NOTICE TO RATEPAYERS FOR RATE RIDER NO.’S 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

ADVICE NOTICE NO. 137, 138, 139, 140, 141 and 142 RESPECTIVELY

JEMEZ MOUNTAINS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (JMEC or Cooperative) will file proposed rate rider, under Advice Notice No ’s 137, 138 139, 140, 141 and 142, on May 1, 2025 with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (Commission) for Native American Access Cost Recovery The Rate Riders will continue the system wide and local cost recovery for the Native American Access Cost Recovery amounts as previously approved by the Commission in 2012-2014 and includes a reconciliation of amounts collected under this rate rider surcharge through December 31, 2024 Thirteenth Revised Rate Rider No. 2 – Entire Consumer Base (System Consumers) and Tenth Revised Rate Rider No ’s 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 (Local Consumers), approved by operation of law on November 1, 2024, will be replaced with Fourteenth Revised Rate Rider No. 2 and Eleventh Revised Rate Rider No ’s 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 and will result in a decrease to all consumers. The costs approved by the Commission for recovery are from the six following Pueblos of Ohkay Owingeh, San Ildefonso, Nambe, Pojoaque, Santa Clara and Jemez and the Jicarilla Apache Nation

Pursuant to 17.9.540 NMAC of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, JMEC's consumers are notified that:

a) Original Rate 19 was approved by the Commission August 14, 2012 and established a mechanism for JMEC to recover Tribal right-of-way (ROW) costs incurred due to a requirement that JMEC make payments to Native American governments for ROW access expenses Access costs are defined as expenses for Rights-of-Way on Native American Lands and were identified as either System Rights-of-Way or Local Rights-of-Way.

b) Fourteenth Revised Rate Rider No. 2 is applicable to all consumers within the territory of JMEC that are provided regular utility service under Rate Schedules 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6, on file with the Commission and is in addition to the regular charges under the applicable rate schedule. Pursuant to the methodology approved by the Commission, the kWh charge approved by the Commission is derived from taking the yearly system costs of ROW payments and preliminary costs approved for recovery in each of the Tribal ROW cases and dividing these monthly dollar amounts aggregated on an annual basis by the total kWh for the most recent calendar year of actual usage data for Rate Rider No. 2 to obtain the new base surcharge for Rate Rider No. 2. Additionally, pursuant to the Commission’s approved reconciliation requirement, JMEC has taken the actual balance of the cumulative over collection or under collection and divided it by the actual kWh usage for the previous calendar year to calculate the true up charge/credit.

Eleventh Revised Rate Rider No.’s 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are applicable to all consumers within the exterior boundaries of their defined Tribal governments as stated above that are provided regular utility service under Rate Schedules 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6, on file with the Commission and is in addition to the regular charges under the applicable rate schedule. Pursuant to the methodology approved by the Commission, the local kWh surcharge approved for recovery in each of the Pueblo ROW cases is derived from adding the yearly local costs and dividing the monthly dollar amounts aggregated on an annual basis by the total kWh for the most recent calendar year of actual usage data for Rate Rider No.’s 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 to obtain the new base surcharge for Rate Rider No.’s 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Additionally, pursuant to the Commission’s approved reconciliation requirement, JMEC has taken the actual balance of the cumulative over collection or under collection and divided it by the actual kWh usage for the previous calendar year to calculate the true up charge/credit.

c) The proposed changes affect the following consumers in each rate as of December 31, 2024:

Rate Rider No. 2 - Large Power 459, Large Power Contract 4, Residential 27,315, Residential Time of Use 237, Security and Streetlight 184, Small Commercial 2,986, Small Commercial Time of Use 30

Rate Rider No. 3 – Large Power 30, Residential 2,500, Residential Time of Use 12, Security and Streetlight 20, Small Commercial 134, Small Commercial Time of Use 1.

Rate Rider No. 4 – Large Power 1, Residential 771, Residential Time of Use 1, Small Commercial 46

Rate Rider No. 5 - Large Power 12, Residential 812, Residential Time of Use 5, Security and Streetlight 5, Small Commercial 50

Rate Rider No. 6 – Large Power 48, Large Power Contract 1, Residential 1,516, Residential Time of Use 5, Security and Streetlight 7, Small Commercial 149, Small Commercial Time of Use 1.

Rate Rider No. 7 – Large Power 102, Residential 4,659, Residential Time of Use 17, Security and Streetlight 56, Small Commercial 414, Small Commercial Time of Use 1

d) JMEC is proposing that this surcharge be effective June 1 2025 JMEC will file this revision in the Tribal ROW surcharge pursuant to the requirements in the Stipulations and Orders issued by the Commission in various Native American Access Cost Recovery cases in which the Commission approved the recovery of these ROW costs through surcharges to be applied over the extended terms of the ROW easement agreements with each of the Tribes, and consistent with 17.9.540 NMAC and the Commission’s Order Granting Variances and Approving Proposed Form of Notice in NMPRC Case No. 15-00087-UT (Order Granting Variances).

IF A HEARING IS HELD BY THE PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSION, ANY COSTS INCURRED BY THE UTILITY MAY BE INCLUDED IN THE UTILITY'S FUTURE RATES, FOLLOWING THE UTILITY'S NEXT RATE CASE

e) Any interested person may examine the rate filing together with any exhibits and related papers that may be filed at any time at the main office of the Cooperative, 19365 S.R. 84/285, Hernandez NM 87537 (telephone 505-753-2105 or 888-755-2105) or www.jemezcoop.org; or on or after the date of filing at the offices of the Commission, PO Box 1269, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504 (telephone 1-888-427-5772 or at the Commission’s website at https://www.nm-prc.org/ where such documents may be found through the “Case Lookup Edocket” link, using, for example, the “Company Search” function to find recent Advice Notices filed by the Cooperative or using date filed parameters to search the New Documents List on Edocket’s main page).

f) The proposed new rate will go into effect automatically and without hearing by the Commission unless one percent or twenty five (25) members of a customer rate class, whichever is less, of JMEC file a protest with the Commission no later than twenty (20) days after JMEC has filed the schedule proposing the new rates and the Commission determines there is just cause for reviewing the proposed rates on one or more of the grounds of the protest. Procedures for protesting a proposed rate or rates are set forth in Commission rule no. 17.9.540 NMAC, a copy of which can be obtained upon request from or inspected at JMEC’s offices located at 19365 S.R. 84/285, Hernandez NM 87537, New Mexico 87537 (telephone 505 753-2105 or 888-755-2105) or on JMEC’s website; or at the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, PO Box 1269, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504 (telephone 1888-427-5772) or at the Commission’s website through the “Electric Coop Rate Increase Procedures” link under Quick Links). A form and instructions for protesting cooperative rates are available on the Commission’s website through the “Forms” link also under Quick Links. Pursuant to the requirements of Rule 17.9.540.11, persons protesting the change in rate rider surcharges must, along with other required information, identify the proposed rate or rates being protested. The Tribal ROW rate rider numbers are displayed on the current billing statements.

g) Prior to filing a protest with the Commission, a Cooperative member should attempt to resolve any grievance by presenting your objections to the new rate, in writing, and allow JMEC seven (7) days in which to attempt a resolution of your objections or otherwise respond.

h) The proposed rate rider kWh monthly surcharges are as follows:

Fourteenth Revised Rate Rider No. 2 System Charge - All Applicable kWh sales @ $0.00172/kWh sold (base charge of $0.00217, true up charge of $-0.00045). The current surcharge, Thirteenth Revised Rate Rider No. 2, is $.00203/kWh sold.

Eleventh Revised Rate Rider No. 3 Local Charge for Pueblo of Ohkay Owingeh - All Applicable kWh sales @ $0.00885/kWh (base charge of $0.00877, true up credit of $0.00008). The current surcharge, Tenth Revised Rate Rider No. 3, is $0.00813/kWh sold

Eleventh Revised Rate Rider No. 4 Local Charge for Pueblo of San Ildefonso All Applicable kWh sales @ $0.00153/kWh (base charge of $0.01095 and a true up credit of $0.00942 The current surcharge, Tenth Revised Rate Rider No. 4, is $0.00803 kWh sold.

Eleventh Revised Rate Rider No. 5 Local Charge for Pueblo of Nambe - All Applicable kWh sales @ $0.00167/kWh (base charge of $0.00492, true up surcharge of $-0.00325). The current surcharge, Tenth Revised Rate Rider No. 5, is $0.00574/kWh sold.

Eleventh Revised Rate Rider No. 6 Local Charge for Pueblo of Pojoaque - All Applicable kWh sales @ $0.00086/kWh (base charge of $0.00070, true up credit of $0.00016). The current surcharge, Tenth Revised Rate Rider No. 6, is $0.00086/kWh sold.

Tenth Revised Rate Rider No. 7 Local Charge for Pueblo of Santa Clara All Applicable kWh sales @ $0.00105/kWh (base charge of $0.00107, true up charge of $-0.00002). The current credit, Tenth Rate Rider No. 7, is $0.00107/kWh sold.

i) A comparison of the present rate and proposed rate with rate rider adjustment at various kWh consumption levels is as follows (Residential Service – Time of Use rate comparison is not included due to the variations in the consumption characteristics of an individual consumer):

RESIDENTIAL SERVICE – RATE 1 (BILLING RATE 1) AND RATE RIDER 2

RESIDENTIAL SERVICE – RATE 1 (BILLING RATE 1) AND RATE RIDER 2 AND 3 (OHKAY OWINGEH)

RESIDENTIAL SERVICE – RATE 1 (BILLING RATE 1) AND RATE RIDER 2 AND 4 (SAN ILDEFONSO)

RESIDENTIAL SERVICE – RATE 1 (BILLING RATE 1) AND RATE RIDER 2 AND 5 (NAMBE)

RESIDENTIAL SERVICE – RATE 1 (BILLING RATE 1) AND RATE RIDER 2 AND 6 (POJOAQUE)

* Present and proposed rates do not include the cost of purchased power and interest on long-term debt above the base costs built into the base rates.

j) Pursuant to the requirements in the Stipulations and Orders issued by the Commission in the various Native American Access Cost Recovery cases in which the Commission approved the recovery of these ROW access costs through surcharges to be applied over the extended terms of the ROW easement agreements with each of the Pueblos, the Cooperative will propose its next adjustment and reconciliation to these rate rider surcharges in the next calendar year.

youth art

July Topic: Happy Independence Day! Draw something red, white and blue.

August Topic: International Cat Day is Aug. 8. Dress up your cat in a fancy outfit.

Congratulations to the winning artists who drew their favorite summertime activities.

Jinsen Johnson • Age 6

Lea County Electric Cooperative, Lovington

Send Your Drawing By mail: Youth Editor 614 Don Gaspar Ave. Santa Fe, NM 87505 By email: tcondit@nmelectric.coop

Deadline: Submit by the 9th, one month prior to publication.

Hooray!

Winners receive a $15 gift card.

Have a Youth Art Topic? Email or mail to the addresses above, or call 505-982-4671.

5 items to include on the back of your drawing, otherwise YOU ARE DISQUALIFIED:

1. Name

2. Age

3. Mailing Address

4. Phone Number

5. Electric Co-op DON’T FORGET THESE ITEMS!

Artwork accepted up to age 13.

Central New Mexico Electric Cooperative,

Conor Keeney • Age 7

Moriarty

Lucia Vigil • Age 8

Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative, Chimayo

Mila Sandoval • Age 8 Mora-San Miguel Electric Cooperative, Mora

Jeanne Morrissey • Age 5 Sierra Electric Cooperative, Caballo

Layla Blea • Age 10 Farmers’ Electric Cooperative, Fort Sumner

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