As we celebrate Independence Day, we are reminded of the meaning of citizenship that our colleague Madeleine Ahlborn shared with us when we started this project we call The Alamosa Citizen nearly a year ago. Maddy had received a card titled “Citizen” on the front. The card came from a visiting artist at Adams State, Mary Rothlisberger, who had been working at the Art and Rural Environment Field School in Antonito hosted by UC Berkeley’s Ron Rael, a native son of Conejos. We appreciate the ideals on the back of the card:
Nurture the strengths of my community and work to alleviate the weaknesses.
Treat my neighbors (human and environmental) with compassion, cooperation, and respect.
Communicate about problems with a willingness to take an active role in finding solutions.
Donate my time and my talents to improving quality of life in my neighborhood.
Set healthy boundaries and be aware of my limitations.
Enjoy and celebrate this unique place I call my home.
- Take care of one another.
Happy Fourth of July. Here are a few more items to get your week started. And if you missed it, please do take a look at the Alamosa Veterans Memorial Park fundraising efforts as a worthy local project to support.
1.Those June rains
June 2022 was a good month for precipitation, measuring 1.27 inches and finishing above the .043 inches that is normal for the month of June in Alamosa, according to the National Weather Service Pueblo station.
For the past two years, 2021 and 2022, the month of June has measured above the historical norm, reversing a June pattern in 2020 and 2019 that fell below the norms.
When the winter months don’t yield the snowpack and spring runoffs needed to feed the Upper Rio Grande Basin, then it becomes essential that the summer rains show up to deliver some relief. So far, so good in 2022.
July 2021 was also good, bringing 1.14 inches of rain. Here’s to at least 1.04 inches of rain in July 2022 which would be considered a normal July year.
2. We love mural art
The first new mural in Downtown Alamosa in 30 years was unveiled on the south side of Papers of Distinction (510 State Ave.) facing Centennial Park. The mural represents a collaboration between David Montgomery, Sally Lopez (Papers of Distinction owner) as well as the city of Alamosa, according to Alamosa Development Services Director Rachel Baird.
Funded with a $11,400 Colorado Creative Corps American Rescue Plan Grant, the mural was created by Montgomery and is called “Chicos and Capulin,” celebrating the unique culture, traditions, and agricultural heritage of the San Luis Valley. It portrays the traditional harvesting and roasting of corn (chicos), the gathering of chokecherries (capulin), and Rosehips (champas). Chico and chokecherry harvesting harken to a time when communities came together for mutual prosperity and is ancestral to all cultures.
3.Weekly Wednesday market at Rio Grande Farm Park
The Rio Grande Farm Park continues to build on its healthy local food system with its weekly Mercadillo en el Rio that allows farmers, growers, makers, and crafters to have a place to sell and to introduce themselves to our SLV community. The season starts Wednesday.
“The main thing is that it’s a San Luis Valley market. It’s for the valley as a whole,” said Daliah Torrez, a farm park assistant. “We’re really wanting people to connect with their community, know who they’re shopping from, know our growers from within our food chain and the different creative businesses.”
The weekly Wednesday market series begins July 6 and runs through Sept. 28. Each weekly market is open from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. A ginormous community yard sale is envisioned for Mercadillo en el Rio on July 20. Torrez said anybody who has anything to sell can set up a table at the market.
4.Bullfighting at the Stampede grounds
The Ski Hi Stampede is hosting a pre-Stampede event and dance for the first time in 20 years to celebrate its 100th year. To get the centennial party started, Stampede Events is hosting BFO, Bullfighters Only, on Saturday, July 9, at the Ski Hi Stampede Fairgrounds in Monte Vista. The event starts at 7 p.m. and you can get tickets and more information SkiHiStampede.com. And if you don’t have your tickets to any of the Stampede’s 100th Celebration concerts or rodeos, better get those now too since record crowds are expected. There are tickets still available for Dwight Yoakam and Josh Abbott Band.
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