Overcoming hate

“Overcoming the Rule of Hate” will be the topic of a special interfaith service at the Unitarian Universalist Westside Congregation today at 11 a.m. Featured during the service will be a Remembering Our Dead candle-lighting ceremony for recent victims who have been murdered because of their gender. The service will celebrate the passage of the Matthew Shepard/James Byrd Act as well as observe the International Transgender Day of Remembrance.

The guest minister for the service will be Rev. Joni Kay Rose. The Unitarian Universalist Westside Congregation is located at 1650 Abrazo Rd. People of all faiths who wish to overcome hatred are welcome to attend. For information, call 896-8192 or 266-3643. Parenting classes

Healthy Families Consulting will offer a free, introductory class on “Becoming a Love and Logic Parent,” from 6 to 8 p.m. today, at Unitarian Universalist West Congregation, 1650 Abrazo Rd.

The class teaches skills and techniques to: put a stop to disrespectful behavior; end power struggles; create youngsters who resist society’s pressure to experiment with drugs, alcohol, promiscuity and other potentially dangerous behaviors; learn to communicate and discipline without anger or violence; raise respectful and responsible kids; make parenting fun; and bring parents together as a team, working together to parent effectively.

For more information, call Elissa Chazdon at 710-0236 or e-mail echazdon@cableone.net.

Wine tasting

The Democratic Women of Sandoval County are holding a wine tasting and silent auction event today from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Anasazi Fields Winery, 26 Camino de los Pueblitos, Placitas.

Food, wine and live music for only $15. There will also be auction items. Music will be provided by Rex Barron. Call Janice Saxton at 867-1139 for information.

Early Christmas

Calvary Chapel is preparing to serve as a collection point for Operation Christmas Child.

Through Operation Christmas Child, Rio Rancho residents are packing shoe box gifts for children in more than 100 countries. The gifts will be sorted and sent using whatever means necessary — sea containers, trucks, trains, airplanes, boats, camels, even dog sleds — to reach suffering children around the world.

Operation Christmas Child uses technology that allows donors to “follow your box” to the destination where it will be hand-delivered to a child in need. To register shoe box gifts and find out what country they are delivered to, use the EZ Give donation form found at samaritanspurse.org.

Donations can be dropped off at Calvary Chapel, 138 Frontage Rd. NE, on the following dates: Nov. 16–20, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Nov. 21, 11 a.m.–noon or by appointment; Nov. 22, 7:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

Call 571-5046 for more information. For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call (303) 745-9179 or visit samaritanspurse.org.

City seeks input

The City of Rio Rancho is updating its Vision 2020-Integrated Comprehensive Plan and is seeking input at public meetings.

Meeting dates, times and locations include:

• Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Sandia Vista Elementary School, 6800 Franklin Road NE

• Thursday 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Maggie Cordova Elementary School, 1500 Veranda SE

The comprehensive plan was established in 2001 to help guide land-use planning and community development. As part of the city’s strategic plan, and due to growth and change that has occurred in Rio Rancho, an update to the comprehensive plan is being facilitated.

Following these meetings, staff from the city’s Development Services Department will develop recommendations regarding the comprehensive plan, will seek additional public comment during spring 2010, and will ultimately present a list of updates to the City Council for consideration.

The comprehensive plan is available via the city’s Web site, ci.rio-rancho.nm.us/vision2020.

Contact Development Services at 891-5005 for information.

Free vision screening

The Rio Rancho Host Lions Club is conducting a vision program to check the eyes of the children in Rio Rancho. The next clinic will take place on Friday from 9 to 11 a.m. and from 1 to 3 p.m., at Shining Star Preschool, 4477 9th Ave NE.

This is a free vision screening for children ages 3 to 7 and is used to determine the presence of eight eye disorders, which, left unattended, could cause vision problems in the future. The Rio Rancho Lions Club has completed more than 600 screenings in Rio Rancho and Bernalillo since May.

Schools, preschools and other programs interested in hosting a screening may call Liz Thomas at 892-6467.

Applications sought

The City of Rio Rancho is seeking applications from those interested in serving on a recently created Arts Commission.

The commission will serve in an advisory capacity to City Council and will work to enhance and promote the arts within Rio Rancho.

Representation on the commission will consist of seven residents selected by the mayor and approved by the council. Those who submit applications for consideration should have professional experience or knowledge in an art-related discipline.

Applications can be obtained from the Office of City Clerk located on the first floor of Rio Rancho City Hall, 3200 Civic Center Circle NE, or by visiting the city’s Web site, ci.rio-rancho.nm.us/artscommission.

Applications and résumés must be submitted to the clerk’s office by 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20. For more information contact the clerk’s office at 891-5004.

Something for everyone

On Saturday at the Sabana Grande Recreation Center, the annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Festival will provide unique gift opportunities to complete every shopping list. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is free.

While adults do their shopping at the arts and crafts festival, children can purchase gifts at Santa’s Workshop. All items will be priced at $5 or less. In addition, kids will be able to visit with Santa and have their picture taken. This event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., admission is free and all ages are welcome.

For more information about these events, call the city of Rio Rancho Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department at 891-5015 or visit ci.rio-rancho.nm.us.

The Sabana Grande Recreation Center is located at 4110 Sabana Grande Blvd. which is located one block north of NM 528/Pat D’Arco Highway and Southern Boulevard.

Girls gone green

Girls Gone Green are coming to Rio Rancho on Saturday. They will be appearing at 3 p.m. at the Westside Forum, a community outreach program of the Unitarian Universalist Westside Congregation, at 1650 Abrazo Rd.

One may ask who are the Girls Gone Green? What are they up to? This remarkable group of 5th-7th grade girls began at East San Jose (ESJ) Elementary School, a magnet school for Environmental Education. They are passionate about saving the environment. Last spring, Lisa Silva of the New Mexico Solar Energy Association met with ESJ classes and challenged them to see which class could be responsible for getting the most people to change from incandescent bulbs to CFL or compact fluorescent bulbs. One student, Georgina Mendoza, rose to her feet claiming “That’s not enough! I want … the entire school ... all the schools in Albuquerque ... and New Mexico, and the entire country!”

Within a few weeks, other girls joined this challenge, and produced drawings, a name for their club, and even a song, as well as a list of friends to join them. Now these girls have become teachers. Girls Gone Green meet with adults in community venues to explain how to calculate our own “carbon footprint,” the pounds of carbon dioxide, CO2, we generate each year, and then how in simple, easy ways we can “go green” in our own homes. People of all ages will be taught by these students how to take one green step after another.

Crafty arts fair

The Vista Grande Retirement Center, 4101 Meadowlark Lane, will host the “Small but Crafty” Holiday Arts Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21.

Find deals on hand-crafted crochet, knitting, needlework, art and jewelry at this event.

Erosion workshop

SSCAFCA, the Southern Sandoval County Arroyo Flood Control Authority, is sponsoring a free seminar on erosion control techniques on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. It will begin at Enchanted Hills Elementary School, 5400 Obregon Rd. in Rio Rancho. Following a presentation by SSCAFCA and Jim Brooks of Soilutions, Inc. at the school, participants will walk across the street to a recently completed detention pond to see the erosion control techniques demonstrated.

“With these techniques, homeowners keep any rainfall on their property,” said Brooks. “When water is stored in soil, it’s productive. But when it runs off, it not only can cause damage, it also carries pollutants with it.”

The workshop will teach homeowners how to control water that falls on their property through the use of mulch, swales, berms and basins, as well as the use of buried organic material to absorb water.

To attend, RSVP by Thursday by calling 892-7246. Those who attend will receive materials on how to implement erosion control techniques. For more information about the seminar, contact SSCAFCA at 892-7246.

Rio Rancho toy run

The 17th Annual Rio Rancho Toy Run will take place on Sunday, Nov. 22 and will kick off at 11:30 a.m. at Rio Rancho High School, 301 Loma Colorado Dr.

Riders participating in this motorcycle rally must donate one new toy and two non-perishable food items, or make a $20 per person donation.

From the high school the rally will travel along Northern Boulevard, Unser Boulevard, US 550, N.M. 528, and east on Sara Road ending at the Italian-American Association, 1565 Stephanie Street.

At the Italian-American Association there will be music, a bike rodeo, refreshments and a raffle.

For more information call 604-4326 or visit RioRanchoToyRun.org.

This event is made possible by Rio Rancho Toy Run Inc., the Rio Rancho Convention and Visitors Bureau and the city of Rio Rancho.

Grief Center open

The Children’s Grief Center of New Mexico (CGC), a nonprofit organization providing free, open and ongoing support groups for grieving kids and their families, is pleased to announce it will now hold groups in Rio Rancho at Maggie Cordova Elementary School (1500 Veranda Rd SE) for young people ages 5-14 and their caregivers on alternating Thursday evenings.

To join the Rio Rancho groups, families need to call CGC headquarters (323-0478), located at Sunset Mesa School in Albuquerque’s northeast heights. Monthly orientations for new families are held at Sunset Mesa, then families can choose to attend either Tuesday or Wednesday night groups on the Sunset Mesa campus, or Thursdays in Rio Rancho. The next orientation will be on Monday, Nov. 30 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The mission of Children’s Grief Center is to provide a safe and supportive environment where children, teens and their families can share experiences while grieving a death. Groups are run by volunteer bereavement facilitators and are always free to families. Before each group families are served a free meal as well. Volunteers are always needed to serve meals, raise money or distribute flyers.

To learn more about Children’s Grief Center, visit childrensgrief.org.

Give the gift of warmth

During this economic recession, thousands of people in New Mexico are in need of food and clothing. The holiday season is particularly difficult for many families. This year, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express has teamed up with the Storehouse of Greater Albuquerque to sponsor a holiday coat drive. In that spirit, collection barrels have been placed on each Rail Runner train, now through Nov. 30. Bring jackets, coats, sweaters or anything that can be considered “outerwear.”

“This is a great way for Rail Runner passengers to reach out to those in need this holiday season,” says Lawrence Rael, executive director of the Mid-Region Council of Governments. “Many of the thousands of New Mexicans who don’t have sufficient winter clothing are children. The Storehouse of Greater Albuquerque has more than a 150-people coming to receive food and clothing each day, so we’re glad the Rail Runner can help with their efforts.”

“We’re very excited about partnering with the Rail Runner to help those in need”, says Lee Maynard, executive director for the Storehouse of Greater Albuquerque. “Last year we gave out nearly a half-million articles of clothing, and this year the need is greater than ever. With the economy the way it is, our client count is already significantly up from last year, so every jacket, sweater, and coat will help.”

Rail Runner passengers are encouraged to bring an outerwear donation on the train. For information, go to nmrailrunner.com or call (866) 795-RAIL.

Blue Star Mothers

The Rio Rancho Blue Star Mothers need the public’s help with donations to pack and send to troops overseas. The next mailing will be Dec. 12.

Blue Star Mothers needs donations of the following items to send to troops: beef jerky (individually wrapped), beef sticks, bean dip (pop-top container), beef-a-roni (pop-top container), chicken/corned beef hash (pop-top container), lasagna (pop-top or easy to open container), sun screen, shaving gel/cream, sanitary wipes/gel, batteries, seasonal items, drink packets to add to water (Crystal Light, coffee, tea, cider, filler candy, tootsie roll pops), small canned fruits (pop-top cans), canned SPAM (pop-top), Hormel chile (pop-top), tuna/salmon packets, travel size body and foot powder, toothbrush covers, travel size mouthwash, pocket-size notebooks and carpenter’s pencils.

Mayor’s talk show

The latest episode of Rio Rancho Mayor Tom Swisstack’s talk show has begun airing on the city’s public, education and government cable channels.

In this installment, Swisstack interviews Linda Wedeen, communications manager for Hewlett-Packard’s Rio Rancho site. “Conversations with Mayor Swisstack” can be seen on RioVision cable channels 15 and 22 for those Rio Rancho residents who are Cable One subscribers. The mayor’s talk show airs each day on channel 15 at 6 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Channel 22 shows this program daily at 8 a.m., 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Approximately every four weeks, a new episode airs on both cable channels in their regular time slots. In addition, episodes are posted to the city’s Web site, ci.rio-rancho.nm.us/mayorswisstack, shortly after a new episode debuts on RioVision. Edit House Productions, LLC is the contracted service provider for the city’s RioVision cable channels. “Conversations with Mayor Swisstack” is directed, produced and edited by RioVision staff. Visit RioVision online at riovision.tv.

Grants available

The city of Rio Rancho’s Keep Rio Rancho Beautiful (KRRB) Division is now accepting grant applications for recycling, litter prevention, beautification and environmental education activities which serve the community.

Mini-grants up to $1,000 are available to schools, churches, community-based groups and nonprofits. In total, $4,000 has been provided by New Mexico Clean and Beautiful under the New Mexico Litter Control and Beautification Act.

The grant application, as well as additional guidelines for how grant funding can be used, is available on the city’s Web site, ci.rio-rancho.nm.us, by clicking on KRRB’s Kerby Coyote mascot icon and link located on the right side of the main home page. For more information or questions, contact Jennifer Scacco, KRRB coordinator, at 896-8389 or jscacco@ci.rio-rancho.nm.us.

Applications must be submitted to the KRRB offices located at Rio Rancho City Hall, 3200 Civic Center Circle NE, by 5 p.m. on Dec. 21. Applicants will be notified about the status of their application no later than Jan. 15.

Donations needed

St. Felix Pantry, a nonprofit that provides food, clothing, tutoring and referral services is in need of donations to provide for over 600 families each week. Donations of non-perishable food or clothing may be dropped off at 4020 Barbara Loop SE, Monday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to noon.

Monetary donations or gift cars may be dropped off or mailed to P.O. Box 44724, Rio Rancho, NM 87174-4274.

Winterfest Parade

Registration forms for Rio Rancho’s Winterfest Parade are now available via the city’s Web site, ci.rio-rancho.nm.us/winterfest, or can be obtained at the City Hall offices of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department.

Forms must be received no later than Dec. 2 to participate. This year’s parade will take place on Saturday, Dec. 12 and will begin at 5:15 p.m. The parade will start at the intersection of Golf Course Road and Southern Boulevard, and travel east where it will conclude near the intersection of Southern Boulevard and NM 528/Pat D’Arco Highway.

At the conclusion of the parade, spectators are encouraged to visit Haynes Park, 2006 Grande Blvd., for the city’s annual Luminaria Tour. More than 12,000 luminarias will be arranged along several different walking paths. This event ends at 9 p.m.

The Winterfest Parade is sponsored by Mayor Tom Swisstack, the Joiner Family and the city’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department. For more information about either event, call 891-5015. Rio Rancho City Hall is located at 3200 Civic Center Circle NE.