Happy New Years

Did you know that this year is the 100th year that the New York Times Square Ball has dropped on New Years Eve?

Happy New Years

Please don't stay out late drinking. Please use a taxi if you do stay out late drinking. Please very careful if you are on the road for any reason. Please keep your horses inside and your pets safe with the bell ringing and fire works it's bound to be a bit stressful for your animals.



Please be safe.

Holidays

Here it is the days the office and the library will be closed, as you can see that is one more day than normal. hmph.

Approved the 2008 holiday schedule. The council voted unanimously to include Veterans Day in the schedule next year, along with New Years Day, President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas and the day after plus a floating holiday. By adding Veterans Day to the schedule, village employees will now have 12 holidays off rather than the previous 11.



http://www.news-bulletin.com/news/76708-12-26-07.html

Welcome Back

Hired Jeff Hogan as a sergeant in the police department.

http://www.news-bulletin.com/news/76708-12-26-07.html

Looks like "the hog" is back here in Bosque Farms. This author is hoping he'll start posting some comments again. Certainly he doesn't need to but it might be nice to have someone sharing some information.

Is this the same person?
http://lmsdefense.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=79

New Years and Other Countries

This has nothing to do with Bosque Farms, but it is interesting. Take a peak at how other countries celebrate New Year's Eve.

http://www.coolquiz.com/trivia/explain/docs/newyears.asp

Here are some of this author's favorites.

In Scotland, the New Year is called Hogmanay. In the villages of Scotland, barrels of tar are set afire and then rolled down the streets. This ritual symbolizes that the old year is burned up and the new one is allowed to enter.

Think of this great idea. The Village could adopt this new tradition and just like the running of the bulls in Pamplona there could be the annual running from the burning tar barrels. This author can see the Village attorney shuddering now from the thought. But wow! Think of the economic possibilities.

In European countries such as Italy, Portugal and the Netherlands, families start the New Year by first attending church services. Afterwards, they visit friends and relatives. In Italy, boys and girls receive gifts of money on New Year's Day.

Happy Holidays

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

This author is....

Looking forward to the election season.

Christmas Around the World

There is no way, short of going to these countries, to know if this is accurate or not but it is interesting to read about how other cultures and countries celebrate this season.

Many western customs in observing Christmas have been adopted by the Japanese. Besides exchanging gifts they eat turkey on Christmas Day, and in some places there are even community Christmas trees. They decorate their houses with evergreens and mistletoe, and in some homes Christmas carols are sung gaily.


In Japan there is a god or priest known as Hoteiosho, who closely resembles our Santa Claus. He is always pictured as a kind old man carrying a huge pack. He is thought to have eyes in the back of his head. It is well for the children to be good when this all-seeing gentleman is abroad.

http://www.the-north-pole.com/around/

Frosty Snow Balls

You will need:
4 tablespoons butter
1 cup light brown sugar
3 to 4 drops green food coloring
2 cups crispy rice cereal
cinnamon candy (optional)
1 quart ice cream
Preparation:
1) Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.
2) Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add sugar and stir well.
3) Add three to four drops of green food coloring and stir well.
4) Add cereal and stir gently.
5) Spoon cereal mixture onto waxed paper and divide into four pieces. Form each piece into a wreath. If you like, decorate the wreaths with cinnamon candy.
6) Refrigerate wreaths for about 1 hour or until set. Before serving, place a scoop of ice cream in the middle of each wreath. Serves 4

Once again in honor of the long ago reader who complained about this author making healthy meals for children. Go figure.

December

This is National Tie Month.

This author thinks that this should be 'remember to buy your dad a gift month'.

A man gets a new neck tie for his birthday but within a few days he takes it back to the shop. The salesperson at the shop asked him what was wrong with it he replied “One end is longer than the other end”.

More Jokes here:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Wonderful-Neck-Tie-Jokes&id=245784

And if you are a teacher here are some good ideas for this great month.

http://edhelper.com/DailyThemes_December_14.html

Great Decision

In an attempt to keep this month going on a mostly positive note this author will give credit to the two still sitting Councilors and the Mayor for not voting to have a Village Credit Card. Those of us who live here deserve to have as many checks and balances on where our tax money is going as possible.

This author hopes the Current and upcoming Council will never change their mind about this very issue.

In the last decade, many local governments have begun using purchasing cards (p-cards), a type of commercial credit card, to pay for goods and services. But, if used inappropriately, p-cards can cost agencies money and public trust.


http://americancityandcounty.com/admin/economic_dev/government_charging/

Christmas Around the World

There is no way, short of going to these countries, to know if this is accurate or not but it is interesting to read about how other cultures and countries celebrate this season.



http://www.the-north-pole.com/around/



Caroling is particularly popular in Wales where it is called eisteddfodde and is often accompanied by a harp. In some rural areas a villager is chosen to be the Mari llwyd. This person travels around the town draped in white and carrying a horse's skull on a long pole. Anyone given the "bite" by the horse's jaws must pay a fine.



What a great idea. Wouldn't you like to be the one carrying the harp?

Christmas Around the World

There is no way, short of going to these countries, to know if this is accurate or not but it is interesting to read about how other cultures and countries celebrate this season. Watch for more posts like this in the upcoming weeks.



Iran, formerly Persia, is the land where the Three Wise men are believed to have lived when Jesus was born. Today Christians in Iran begin fasting from animal products on December 1. This is called "Little Fast." "Big Fast" occurs during Lent, the six weeks preceding Easter. After Church service of December 25 they enjoy Christmas dinner which they call "Little Feast." A traditional dish is a chicken stew called harasa. Gifts are generally not exchanged but children get new clothes which they wear proudly on Christmas Day.



http://www.the-north-pole.com/around/

Voter Keys

Every year the League of Women Voters puts out a "Voter's Key". This is a non partisan look at who is running, what their stances might be on a given issue and any other information that might be helpful in you making an informed decision.



This first link is to their main page, the second link is to their voters key.



This author is interested in who you might be voting for? What if you could vote in both primaries- who would you vote for? Why?



http://www.lwvnm.org/index.html



http://www.lwvnm.org/reports/2007VotersKey.pdf

A reponse.

In response to a comment from "Coulrophobic" one author wrote a blog response and it was so good, this author decided to move it right up front (with some editing).

http://bfgovernment.blogspot.com/2007/12/new-and-old.html


The way it seems on the business count you have the Movie Gallery closing, a restaurant closed and two new businesses open. Sounds like things are just the same.

And now you have a piece of property sitting vacant that previously had a used car lot. And you can thank Councilor Proctor for that one, it's his property.

That is one to the negative now.

Not to mention the Bristles Art Supply is no longer doing retail, only opening for classes. (Can you say gross reciept taxes out the window?) The strip mall Curves is in used to be fully rented out and now? There are two for rent signs right in front of it. That is down three, and that is only if you don't count Bristles. Chevron closed too. Down four.

There are others that have closed in the past few years- a kids hair cutting place. There are some that have moved: Jimny Crickets moved right down the street to Los Lunas.

Then there is the old doctor's office that has housed H and R Block. Here again and gone again. If the Council has done so much for businesses, why hasn't this place moved in 'for good'?

Point to a vacant lot that now has a business on it? There is not one.

But here, just for you, "Coulrophobic" has pointed out a few one author has missed. And "Coulrophobic" is correct- good luck to these businesses.

Oh, and by the way, why no welcome for Paddock Saddlery? I guess BosqueGal missed that one. And the new storage unit place. Missed that one, too. And the computer store next to Sam’s Butcher Block, they went from being a home occupation to a businesses on the Boulevard. Missed that one, too. Congrats to all of these businesses.

Spotty Posting

With young children coming to visit and the holidays coming up, this author will find it more and more difficult to post in the upcoming days. This author will post when possible. The posts will pick up again on the other side of the New Year's Eve when the kids go back to school and their own home.



This author expresses great appreciation to all the readers of this blog. This new year should be fun with the election coming up.

Toys for Tots

This author thinks it is great that the police did what they did this past weekend with the young children of Valencia County. All the police departmetnst hat participated should be appreciated for their taking time to do this.



Remember, there are toys for tots collection sites around town too. At the dollar store, at the Mayor's office. Are they still collecting as the big event was this past weekend? Maybe some officer will log on and tell us?

National Pearl Harbor Rememberance Day

This is the day in 1941 that Pearl Harbor was attacked. This is the National Day of Remembering this fateful event.



As one survivor has lived in Valencia County this author wants to remember those survivors and thank the vets that served during this fateful time.



http://www.pearlharborsurvivorsonline.org/



http://www.holidaysmart.com/12natpearlharborrememday.htm

New and Old

It looks as if at least one of the local eating establishments has closed. The Council has chased another business away. What a shame. This author is also seeing several space for rent signs in the mall by the day care. Too bad.

Congratulations to Subway. This author loves Subway and has already visited the place. Yum.


This author is STILL waiting for the donut place to open too. Donuts are a great treat for when the grandkids come visit and spend the night.


Good luck new businesses.

This does make the author wonder-
What happened to the promises the Council made- to attract new businesses? to be business friendly. That got us a cell tower a few new place and what else? There is still a lot of vacant land of the main street.

Going Shopping

Day after Thanksgiving came and went and this author didn't go out. So now it's time to go fight the crowds and do some shopping. So let's see, where can this author go to shop locally and get some nice Christmas Gifts.


Uh. This author could give gift certificates to used cars. How would that work. $25 towards the purchase of a lovely used car. No. Don't think so. Same for Mobile Homes, maybe the mobile home guy by the daycare center will sell this author one of his piece of junk trailers for $25. Then what? A bonfire on Christmas day maybe?!


Sopa's is nice. Ok. That is one gift for someone who lives locally. And Subway too.


This author needs some kids toys for a few nieces, nephews and grandkids. Dollar Store just won't cut it because the toys break and the selection is not so hot.


Maybe the hardware store will have a wagon for the youngest kid. What else does the hardware store have? Ok. Tools. Maybe that will work for a son in law?


A ristra from the glass shop will take care of a friend.


This author hears the words- shop locally. This author hears that businesses are going under because no one shops here. This author hears the business group saying the Village should pay for brochures, advertising, and allow for bigger signs. This author would love to not travel to town to buy some simple gifts. This author would love to avoid Walmart at this time of the year.


Well that is two gifts maybe three that this author can buy here in Bosque Farms. That is it.


It looks like the selection is slim here in Bosque Farms. Anyone else have any great finds here in Bosque Farms for gift ideas?

Some Trivia

This author has decided in the spirit of goodwill and peace to try to limit some of the normal posts this month and concentrate on some fun holiday cheer.


(Note: For those who have a tendency to critique every word- this author did not say there would be zero postings on political, Village business- just limited!)

Try your hand at these questions and watch for the answers soon.
1- In Frosty the Snowman, who brought Frosty back to life?

2- What was Scrooge's first name?

3- In most versions of the Nut Cracker what is the name of the little girl?

4- What fruit is St. Nick's nose like?

5- Name three reindeer whose names begin with D.

Lamp lights

This author enjoys driving through Belen and through Los Lunas and looking at the lights on the lightpoles. What a special, small town type of thing to do. This author even likes looking at the ones in Bosque Farms.

This author does wish that the Council would work to find it in the budget to find more money for a few more lighted lamp post decorations each year. If they bought one or two each year then pretty soon Bosque Farms would rival Los Lunas and Belen. And wouldn't it be neat if they decorated the lamp posts at the Village offices too?

Now, for those who might say 'but you, Bosque Gal, are the budget worry wart and now you, Bosque Gal, are saying spend money?' let this author be very clear. This author thinks that there are probably places that fluff or unneeded expenses can be pulled out of the budget and a few lighted decorations be bought.

And while the banners are 'ok', this author prefers the lighted pole decorations. And let's face it our street doesn't look nearly as nice at night as other communities near us. This is particularly true as every lamp post in our Village doesn't have a decoration. The blank spots sure stand out at this time of the year.

If the Council were doing a quarterly or even biannual budget meeting to check the financial standing of the Village budget then by mid year they might be able to see where extra funds are for this expense. They run from about $300 to $600. Not too unreasonable. Surely the Village can find a couple of hundred bucks in the Village somwhere? Right?

Maybe instead of buying new trucks for supervisors that won't carry tools they could buy a few lighted decorations. Maybe instead of rifles and associated training, a few of these lighted decorations can be bought. Better yet, this author knows of one person in Peralta who made his own, right in his own garage. Maybe the Village can ask him for lessons and the employees can make a few.


http://www.bronnerscommercial.com/lade.html

http://www.sierradisplay.com/hd_dynamic.asp?var=polemounted&page=8