
Shut ‘er down
Well, looks like the president is threatening to close the whole kit 'n' caboodle down at the US-Mexico border. He says that if Mexico doesn't immediately stop all undocumented migration into the US, that nothing will be allowed through, not even goods. In addition to being a bit of an extreme idea (a bit) that will face serious legal challenges, it would also screw with your avocados and bananas. Nooooo!
Stuffed pancakes for all!
Smart kids in town already know that when The Pantry's packed, you head to Flying Tortilla on the Southside for almost the same menu and a larger dining room. Even better news now is that the Pantry Dos is slated to open in Oshara Village (near the community college), further extending the reach of buenos dias with two eggs 'n' red. The New Mexican ($) has the deets; expect to see the restaurant's doors open in September or so.
We have work to do
The Santa Fe Municipal Drug Task Force spoke to over 200 respondents in community conversations about intergenerational drug abuse, and came to some deflating though not entirely surprising conclusions. More and more drug-addicted babies are being born in hospitals here, and family members report that stigma against addicts and a lack of knowledge about treatment options precludes many folks from getting help, with a particularly harsh impact on immigrant communities and people of color.
Pluggin’ along toward deadline
The gov has her signing pen out, and just in time. April 5 is the last day that Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham can sign bills into law; anything waiting on her desk after that day will be pocket-vetoed. Yesterday she made official a minimum wage increase ($), which will see the statewide minimum jump from $7.50 to $9 next year, and eventually to $12 in 2023. This won't affect Santa Fe directly, as our minimum wage of $11.80 is already higher than the state minimum.
Barricade the doors, folks
Any book nerds in the audience? Cool, same here. SFR's occasional web column, Lee on Lit, features well-read smarty-pants Lee Miller's musings on current events through the lens of classic and otherwise important literature. This time, he takes a look at potential societal collapse in America through JG Ballard's novel High-Rise, and it ain't pretty. But it's an interesting read, and a fun column to follow if you like to understand your books at a higher level.
For real tho
Well, looks like he means it. US Rep. Ben Ray Luján is officially running for Senate. A few folks have already stepped up to fill the void to be left at Luján's vacant Representative post. It's a bunch of hot air for now, and the election isn't until 2020, so the Word is just gonna hang tight for a bit and watch what happens.
Not so much a menace
Drew Barrymore was caught hanging around Madrid and Santa Fe last week, and the townsfolk were all in a tizzy. KRQE took a look at the draw of Madrid and how it's "becoming" a place to see celebrities. The Word would like to point out that in 2006, William H Macy smiled and waved at her when the Word stopped her car to let him cross Highway 14 near the general store, so um, clearly it's been a hotspot for quite a while for those in the know.
They’re (not) gonna let it burn burn burn burn
A prescribed burn planned for today-ish has been delayed till Friday-ish, and the health department has info for you about air quality related to these fires. If you are concerned about smoke and particulates in your home, did you know the Santa Fe Fireshed has a HEPA filter loan program? Check it out if you have respiratory issues or any other reason to desire exceptionally clean air.
Thanks for reading! The Word has been a little hoarse lately. [slyly reaches into pocket]