1)      Agenda packet is attached for the Town of Taos Special Council Meeting, 1:30 pm, Friday, September 3.  Item currently on agenda is the new “Reduction in Force/Furlough” ordinance for consideration.  Should this ordinance pass, its provisions will be close to those of the State of New Mexico.  Currently, there are no specific, proposed changes to Town of Taos staffing/operations.  NOTE: The new Sign Code Ordinance is NOT on this agenda.  Questions?  Please contact Renee Lucero, Town Clerk, 575-751-2005.

2)      Reminder:  The New Mexico Municipal League Conference (550+) has started arriving in Taos as of today, Tuesday, August 31 – with conference-specific activities running through Thursday night.  Be sure and welcome this group to Taos.

3)      Governor Bill Richardson will hold a press conference to announce the awarding of a grant to the Taos Center for the Arts from the Governor’s Media Fund, this Thursday, September 2, 10:15 am, at the Taos Communicate Auditorium, owned by the Town of Taos and operated/programmed by the Taos Center for the Arts. This grant will be used for upgrades to the Center’s media equipment that will be used for program presentation and education. The TCA will continue to be a strong media partner within the community, state, and region with the upgrade enhancing all aspects of those programming partnerships – including the Taos Mountain Film Festival, Taos High School Drama, Milagro at Los Luceros, University of New Mexico-Taos/Southern Methodist University-Taos Lecture Series, The Met: Live In High Definition, Taos School of Music, Movies At The TCA, and community presentations, just to name a few. The community is encouraged to attend this press conference event to support the Taos Center for the Arts and let the Governor know his help in advancing the resources in Taos is appreciated. Call the TCA for more information at 575-758-2052.

4)      “A Night Out With Taos Pueblo” Fundraiser Gala featuring Taos Pueblo cuisine, song, dance and fashion, 6 pm, September 8, Taos Pueblo Community Center.  Tickets $25 or $180 for table of eight.  Call Shawn Duran at 575-758-5990 for tickets/more information.  Proceeds will benefit the Blue Lake Commemoration Celebration Committee.  September 17 and 18 are the dates for the 40^th Anniversary of the Return of Blue Lake Commemoration.  See attached flyer for September 8th details and www.taospueblo.com (click on Blue Lake) for commemoration information. 

5)      Town of Taos Requests for Proposals (RFPs) -- http://www.taosgov.com/finance/solicitation.php.  On this page at www.TaosGov.com, one will find all the current Town RFPs in circulation.  Two new ones include RFP # 10-11-03 Housing Plan/ Element of the Taos Comprehensive Plan and RFP # 10-11-04 A Cultural Plan for the Taos Arts and Cultural District ONE TIME SERVICE REP . 

6)      Funds being raised for SANE:  Help raise the funds needed to pay for the training and equipment necessary to put the S.A.N.E. (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) Unit in place at Holy Cross Hospital.  Once the training is completed and the equipment is in place, victims of sexual assault or domestic violence will no longer need to be driven to Santa Fe to be appropriately examined by trained SANE nurses.  $40,000 has been committed/raised toward the $125,000 needed.  Your donation can be made any of the following ways:  At Taos Area Banks:    People, First Community, or Centinel.  By mail:  Holy Cross Hospital Development Department, Weimer Road, NM 87571.  Online: www.taoshealth.com.  Questions?  Leslie Cronin, Volunteer Fund Raising Chairman, SANE Task Force, 575-779-5920, totallytaos@aol.com.  

7)      Follow the yellow flags north this Saturday, September 4, 4-7 pm, for the Paseo del Pueblo Norte block party.  A sample of offerings include Maria Romano photography at Jewelz, Russian Impressionism applied to barnyard animals on canvas by Paula Jones at Act I Gallery, blow out summer dress sale at Moxie, music, food and fun at McCormick Gallery and much more.  Come out and stroll Paseo del Pueblo Norte while enjoying all the fun. This block party will continue the first Saturday of each month through October.  For additional information: Katie Thomas, Moxie, 575-758-1256.  And that same evening from 4-7 pm on Bent Street, Jan Mellor hosts part of the First Saturday Art Walk activities, “Sacred Journey”, new works by Issa De Nicola, the taos gallery, 133 Bent St.  For more info., jan@thetaosgallery.com, 575-758-3911, www.thetaosgallery.com. All part of www.TaosSacredPlaces.com ongoing activities.  

      Recently Griffin & Associates, the Town of Taos’ marketing firm, conducted a limited, initial survey of tour group operators to get their direct feedback on Taos and encouraging them to work with us to focus/book improved trips in 2011 and beyond.  They are operators who have expressed interest in refreshing/reviving their New Mexico/Taos tours.  In the last few years there has been a fall-off in this group tour activity, and the survey outreach is part of reinvigorating this traveler element in Taos.  Should you have package/tour offerings for this travel segment, please email this office cconnelly@taosgov.com with your offerings/interest after reviewing initial responses below.  The survey will be further targeted from these initial responses and offered again in early November with a broader operator audience.  Initial highlights follow: 

o       The majority of the operators book travel in the spring and fall and the tours run between five and seven days.  Respondents represented tour groups predominantly in the 50+ age bracket. 

o       Lodging price range they are looking for $100 - $150 per night – including a full breakfast.

o       If they were to package a tour:

§         100% were interested in combining it with Santa Fe

o       Things that they were interested in exploring if they booked a group (other listed items scored less than 75%):

§         Historic walking (other packaged) tours – 100%

§         Taos Pueblo – 100%

§         Shopping – 100%

§         St. Francis de Asis Church – 75%

§         Historic Museums – 75%

§         Weaving shops – 75%

§         Galleries/artist in-studio tour – 75%

§         Taos Plaza Live – 75%

§         Petroglyph Tour – 75%

§         Performance/Story evening – 75%

o       They want cultural, experiential tours.

o       What operators/they have enjoyed about Taos before is Taos Pueblo, the history, the Plaza and the shopping.

9)      Griffin & Associates, on behalf of the Town of Taos, has negotiated a two-page advertorial inclusion (on pages two and three) in the Official Santa Fe Visitors Guide for 2011 (this includes online exposure).  400,000 copies of this guide are distributed internationally.  Visitor centers, restaurants and other key locations throughout the state also distribute the guide. The City of Santa Fe is very aggressive is sending these out to major visitors/groups considering travel to New Mexico, plus taking them to traveler/media outreach events.  And, the entire guide is available in an on-line format that links to www.TaosVacationGuide.com and www.TaosSacredPlaces.com websites. About 1.5 million people come to the SF site.  It is arguable that most people visiting New Mexico do visit Santa Fe, and we want more of them to come to Taos and stay longer.  This new move seems a strategic way to get them to extend their planned stay and do just that.  The Town is underwriting half the cost of the advertorial and the other half will be paid for by the first eight Taos tourism businesses that sign up for this opportunity.  Each business will need to invest $1,000. For that amount, the business and its website/logo will be discussed as part of the advertorial.  This is a first come, first served opportunity. Please respond immediately by email to Joanie Griffin at jgriffin@griffinassoc.com. 

10)  Recent Taos media mentions: What you Get for $400,000 – Outlet: New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/25/greathomesanddestinations/25gh-what.html?_r=1&hpw

Taos Country Club Hosts Taos Amateur Golf Tournament -- Outlet: AOL/Daily Finance

http://www.dailyfinance.com/article/taos-country-club-hosts-taos-amateur/1230178/

Labyrinths www.glamquo.com

Off-season travel has benefits/Outlet: AARP.org  http://www.aarp.org/travel/travel-tips/news-08-2010/off_season_travel_has_benefits.html

11)  Dan Featheringill, AIA, LEED AP, and principal architect of Santa Fe-based Feather & Gill Architects, was selected in June 2010 as the consultant to be used by the Town of Taos for the revision of their Historic Preservation Design Standards.  As the selected consultant, Featheringill will be working with the Town of Taos Planning & Zoning Department in revising the standards for all new construction within the Taos Historic Overlay Zone (HOZ).  Featheringill will be working together with Matt Foster, AICP, Long Range Planner for the Town of Taos Planning & Zoning Department.  The contracted work for the Town of Taos will include review of the existing design standards and development processes for new construction in the Historic Overlay Zone of the Land Use Development Code (LUDC).  As part of the process, Featheringill will meet with the staff and the Historic Preservation Commission to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the design standards in the LUDC, as well as the purpose and goals for the revisions.  Work on this project is slated to take approximately 2 months, beginning in August and ending in September 2010.  For more information contact Matt Foster, mfoster@taosgov.com.

12)  Artspace presentation about potential affordable live/work housing for the creative community in Taos can be viewed here, http://www.taosgov.com/econdev/econdev.php.  Per Matthew Spriggs, Town of Taos Community Economic Development Director, at the direction of Council/Mayor, “staff is drafting a contract with Artspace for Town Council consideration to begin predevelopment of an Artspace project here in Taos.  The end result, we hope, will be a $15 million to $16 million investment in Taos by Artspace through a variety of federal, state, and philanthropic sources.  The critical path deadline for this project is a completed Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Application due to the State Mortgage Finance Authority by February of 2011.  If the Council decides to engage Artspace, there will be a tremendous amount of work to be done by Town staff and Artspace to meet this very important deadline.  Questions?  Contact Matthew Spriggs, CEcD, EDFP, AICP, Community Economic Development Director, mspriggs@taosgov.com, 575-737-2620. 

13)  Taos musician Nancy Laupheimer will present a concert of works for solo flute and flute with recorded sound in the My Beautiful Life Gallery of FaFa’s (311 Paseo del Pueblo Norte) on Friday, September 10 at 7:30 p.m. Works by J.S. Bach, Rhonda Larson, Astor Piazzolla, Katherine Hoover, Claude Debussy, Eve Beglarian and Steve Reich will be featured. Tickets are $12 at the door. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Lemlem School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In addition, Laupheimer, who is also Director of the Taos Chamber Music Group, has announced that TCMG’s 18th season which begins in October is now posted on their website www.taoschambermusicgroup.org. For more information on Sept. 10 program click here...all part of www.TaosSacredPlaces.com.  Nancy Laupheimer, nancy@taoschambermusicgroup.org. 

14)  Taos Milagro Rotary Club Chile Challenge, Battle of the Breweries, Golf Tournament, and Silent Auction, the club’s major fundraiser, will be held at the Taos Country Club on September 24th. This event provides funds for scholarships awarded to qualified, local, graduating high school seniors and others continuing their education.  This is an opportunity for Taoseños to invest in the future of our community by providing educational opportunities for our young people.  Contact: John Crouch, 575 758 9470 or Marci Beatty marciabeatty@hotmail.com. 

15)  Sipapu Awards College Scholarships to 7 Area Students:  The Sipapu Education Foundation – in conjunction with Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort – recently awarded over $7,000 in college scholarships to seven area students.  “We are proud of our recipients and extremely pleased to have the opportunity to support their college careers, ” said James Coleman, Managing Partner.  “The Sipapu Education Fund scholarship winners are setting a fantastic example for younger generations at Sipapu and throughout the northern New Mexico community.”  Recipients were selected based on academic performance, essay responses and demonstrated financial need. The 2010 Sipapu Education Foundation scholarship recipients are:

·            Kimberly Lopez of Chamisal received a $2,000 scholarship. Entering her junior year, Kimberly is pursuing certification as a surgical technician.

·            Victoria Lopez of Penasco received a $2,000 scholarship. Victoria will be a freshman at New Mexico State University, where she plans to receive a degree in biology.

·            Janet Romero of Llano received a $1,000 scholarship. Romero will be a senior at the University of New Mexico, where she working toward a degree in nursing.

·            Francesco Rossetti of Sapello received a $1,000 scholarship. Francesco is entering his junior year at the University of New Mexico, where he has been accepted into the Psychology Honors Program. Francesco plans to receive a degree in psychology.

·            Angelique Romero of Llano received a $500 scholarship. Romero will be a sophomore at the University of New Mexico, Taos campus, where she plans to pursue a degree nursing.

·            Jolynn Valdez of Ranchos de Taos received a $500 scholarship. Valdez will be a freshman at the University of New Mexico, Taos campus, where she plans to receive a degree in early childhood, multi-cultural education.

·            James Lopez of Penasco received a $250 scholarship. James will be a junior at the University of New Mexico, where he is working toward a degree in physical therapy.

The Sipapu Education Fund was established in 2008 to recognize and support Sipapu employees, their children and grandchildren to pursue higher education. For more information, call 800-587-2240 or e-mail scholarships@SipapuNM.com.

September 2010 Town of Taos Calendar                                                                                                     

Contained below is information about meetings, activities and events sponsored by the Town of Taos, and as space permits by Taos nonprofits, scheduled at Town venues, or sponsored by Taos traveler education partners.  To receive regular e-news briefs/updates each week via email, opt in with cconnelly@taosgov.com.  Get the complete Taos Master Calendar of events online at www.TaosSacredPlaces.com/calendar (enter your own there too!).

September 2010 Town of Taos Calendar (as of 8/30/10):

9/1 - 5:30 to 9:30 pm – Regular Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting, Conference Room 109, Town Hall, 400 Camino de la Placita.  For info call Chief Planner Allen Vigil at 737-2646. 

9/3 - 1:30 pm – Special Town Council Meeting, Council Chambers, Coronado Hall, 120 Civic Plaza Dr.  For info call Town Clerk, Renee Lucero at 751-2005.

9/4 thru 6 and 9/11 thru 12 – Two weekends of Taos artist studio tours through nonprofit TAO.  See details at www.taosartist.org. 

9/8 – 6 to 9 pm, “A Night Out With Taos Pueblo” Fundraiser Gala featuring Taos Pueblo cuisine, song, dance and fashion, Taos Pueblo Community Center.  Tickets $25 or $180 for table of eight.  Call Shawn Duran at 575-758-5990 for tickets/more info.  Proceeds will benefit the Blue Lake Commemoration Celebration Committee. And 9/17 & 18 – the dates of the 40^th Anniversary of the Return of Blue Lake Commemoration.  Go to www.taospueblo.com/blue_lake.php for details or call Duran, 575-758-5990.

9/11 – 1 to 4 pm, the 11^th Annual Town of Taos Touch-A-Truck, at the Town’s Youth & Family Center, 407 Paseo del Canon.  This is a drug free event for the whole family.  Come climb into your favorite big rig, police car, fire truck or construction truck and explore free of charge.  These vehicles, as well as others, will be available for hands-on inspection.  The first 450 children will receive a free goody bag.  Added attractions:  fun activities/refreshments/ music, and free billiards.  The Taos County DWI Program will provide a DWI Simulator Course.  The Town of Taos Police and Kiwanis Club will provide children’s finger printing for Identification Kits during this event.  Special guest - The Taos Police K-9, Brady!

9/14 – 1:30 pm – Regular Town Council Meeting, Council Chambers, Coronado Hall, 120 Civic Plaza Dr.  For info call Town Clerk, Renee Lucero at 751-2005.

9/15 - 5:30 to 9:30 pm – Regular Historic Preservation Commission Meeting, Council Chambers, 120 Civic Plaza Drive, for info call Long-Range Planner Matthew Foster at 751-2037. 

9/16 – 5 pm, Taos Regional Airport Advisory Board Meeting, Town Hall.  More info., Mark G. Fratrick, CM, Taos Regional Airport Manager, 575-758-4995, 575-770-1755 cell.

9/17 & 18 – 40^th Anniversary of the Return of Blue Lake Commemoration.  For details please go to Taos Pueblo’s web site, www.taospueblo.com/blue_lake.php or call Taos Pueblo Tourism, 575-758.1028.

9/18 – 3 to 5 pm, Ledoux Street Art Stroll.  Stroll the quaint street amongst museums, galleries, shops and artist studios with happenings, openings, festivities and fun, all part of www.TaosSacredPlaces.com.  More info., 575-751-1262.

9/24 thru 10/11 - 2010 Fall Arts Festival at Civic Plaza Drive, Town of Taos Convention Center, www.taosfallartsfestival.com

9/24 – 6:60 to 8:30 pm, Hollywood Teen Dance at the Town of Taos Youth & Family Center.  Entry fee $1.  D.J. Evid3nt will be playing all your favorite music.  No in and out privileges - if you leave the dance during dance hours you are not allowed back in.  This dance is supervised for your safety.  The dance ends promptly at 8:30 pm - please ensure you have transportation.  For more info., Judy at 758-4160.

9/24 – 7 to 10:30 pm, 'Manitou API - Where the Sun Rises,' Taos Community Auditorium, 145 Paseo Del Pueblo Norte. Call (575) 758-2052.  More info.,Julia Pyatt 779-4778 - juliapyatt@gmail.com.  Filmmakers, Cindy & Andy Pickard invite you to two gala screenings of their documentary film, Manitou API- Where the Sun Rises. Tickets $12.  All part of www.TaosSacredPlaces.com.  www.The8thFire.Org.

9/25 & 26 – 12 noon to 5 pm, the 23rd annual Taos Trade Fair at La Hacienda de los Martinez, in 2010 partnership with Hilos Culturales ("Cultural Threads") whose mission is to preserve the unique culture of northern New Mexico/southern Colorado through song and dance.  Continuous performances all day.  The fair also includes “mountain men” and traditional craft demonstrations/sales including micaceous pottery, blacksmithing, weaving, quilting and more.  LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) will be selling traditional Hispanic foods. Children's craft projects will start on the half hour; story tellers at the top of the hour.  Admission - $10 for adults; $5 for children under 16; $30 for a family (2 adults and their children).

http://taosmuseums.org/hac_martinez.php, 575-758-1000.

9/25 – 12 noon to 4 pm, TCA Annual Quick Draw and Art Auction, Taos Center for the Arts, 133 Paseo del Pueblo Norte.  More info?  Dancer Dearing, 575-758-2052, dancer@tcataos.org.  This is the annual opportunity to watch art in the making with 40 New Mexico artists and master craftspeople working onsite, at the TCA.  Free, public welcome to meet the artists; live music by some of Taos' best local performers; silent and live auctions. For info., 758-2052, www.tcataos.org.

9/26 – 6 pm, SOMOS, Taos’ literary nonprofit, presents An Evening with Sam Shepard, Taos Center for the Arts, 113 Paseo del Pueblo Norte.  Tickets $20 at the TCA, tca@tcataos.org, 575-758-2052.  Sam Shepard, Pulitzer Prize-winning legendary American playwright, actor, writer, and director will read from his latest book, Day out of Days: Stories (Alfred A. Knopf, 2010). He will sign books, which will be available for sale at the event.  Questions?  somos@somostaos.org 575-758-0081 www.somostaos.org.

9/28 – 1:30 pm – Regular Town Council Meeting, Council Chambers, Coronado Hall, 120 Civic Plaza Dr.  For info call Town Clerk Renee Lucero at 751-2005.

9/28 – 6:30 pm – Quarterly Citizens Forum, Council Chambers, Coronado Hall, 120 Civic Plaza Dr.  For info call Town Clerk Renee Lucero at 751-2005.

Added Town of Taos Information:

The Town of Taos, in partnership with the Taos News, has developed a new, Taos Master Calendar for visitors and locals alike.  Enter your own events at www.taossacredplaces.com/calendar.  All are invited to link to this calendar and use it on your own web sites.  Need help?  Email Melody Romancito at taosexperience@gmail.com. 

New, Free Taos Historic District Online-Only Map:  Make sure you’re on this map (free) if you have a location in the historic district.  Need to add your entity?  Go to www.zeemaps.com/166175, and click on “Additions” and then “Add Marker – Detailed.”  Also, add this free link to your own web site.  This map appears on the Taos traveler education site, www.TaosSacredPlaces.com/experiences, as well as other locations.

The Town of Taos now uses a public, online auction website to dispose of items no longer needed, www.publicsurplus.com.  This is an "EBAY' type of site -- a perpetual auction with items regularly added, so check back often for new listings.  Examples of Town items include: vehicles, furniture, computers, office supplies and selected heavy equipment.  All items are sold “as is” and “where is”.  For more info., contact Carol A. Valade, Fixed Assets Clerk, Town of Taos, cvalade@taosgov.com, 575-737-2584.