Albuquerque
NM History for Kids! By WENDY KAPLAR
Albuquerque
Albuquerque
Sandia Park
MUSEUM 5111 Homestead Circle NW Albuquerque, NM 87120 1st Class Learning Center is a childcare center licensed by the State of New Mexico. • Quality childcare 6 weeks to 12 years. • CYFD subsidized care available, we do not charge sales tax. • Reasonable prices & discounts available. • We have an age appropriate curriculum. • We serve nutritional meals mandated by CACFP, which is included in the price. • All staff are CPR/First Aid certified and have their background clearance. • Staff also takes childcare training mandated by CYFD.
COVID-19 safe practices! Please feel free to visit our newly renovated center in Taylor Ranch, across the street from LBJ Middle School.
(505)898-5702
New Mexico Kids!
only a visit away. Timed-Ticket Entry
OPEN Fridays-Mondays 10am-4pm Purchase tickets at:
1stclasslearningcenter@gmail.com 1stclasslearningcenter.com facebook.com/1stClassLearningCenter
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Inspiration is
www.tinkertown.com 505-281-5233
September/October 2021
During the World War II era, the Wartime Advertising Council developed the first forest fire prevention program and ad campaign. Walt Disney donated a short series of posters portraying Bambi for the campaign. Then, the concept of "Smokey Bear" was born, first appearing in an advertisement on Aug. 9, 1944. Artist Albert Staehle created the first likeness of Smokey dousing a campfire with the caption, "Care will prevent 9 out of 10 fires." The real Smokey Bear was an American black bear rescued from a wildfire in New Mexico more than 70 years ago. The Capitan Gap Fire in the Lincoln National Forest started May 4, 1950. A group of 25 firefighters from Taos Pueblo, jovially dubbed the Taos Snowball Crew owing to their white helmets, journeyed by school bus to the Capitan Mountains, where they tirelessly dug firebreaks to impede the raging wildfire's progress. In the aftermath of the fire, the Taos Snowball Crew discovered an injured baby black bear clinging to a tree. The foundling bear had sustained multiple wounds, including terribly burned paws and hind legs, as well as a scorched abdomen. The crew nicknamed the baby cub Hot Foot Teddy, and New Mexico Game and Fish Warden Ray Bell, also a pilot, flew the bear to Santa Fe. Hot Foot Teddy's injuries were attended to by Dr. Edwin J. Smith, a Santa Fe veterinarian. Smith had previously assisted the Forest Service by treating injured wildlife, but never a bear! Smith used a salve and bandages to treat and dress the baby bear's wounds, and the Bell family cared for him until the little cub recovered. The story of a bear club clinging to life after a devastating forest fire gained immense popularity, and the tiny New Mexico bear became the real-life counterpart to Albert Staehle's artistic rendition, a living symbol of fire prevention. Smokey received numerous gifts of honey and letters via U.S. mail. He became so popular that in 1964, he received his own zip code! Remarkably, the only other individual to be given a personal zip code is the acting U.S. president, who only retains this honor while in office. Smokey was relocated to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., where he lived with a female American black bear named Goldie for the rest of his days. Smokey passed away at the age of 26 in 1976, a lengthy lifespan for an American black bear. He is buried in Capitan at the Smokey Bear Historical Park, where park visitors can learn more about the New Mexico icon and pay respect to his memory near the monument where Smokey rests. More information: emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/smokey-bear-historical-park or 575-354-2748.
