Since (nearly) everyone in attendance is a PNM customer, it was especially informative to have PNM specialists Alaric and John as our guest speakers on Apr. 19th. 

Electric and gas operations began in Albuquerque as early as 1882, and the Albuquerque Gas and Electric Company was formed in 1917.  Throughout the years, many changes in services and partnerships occurred to better serve our state, and currently, the organizational goal is to be 100% carbon free by 2040.  Much of the discussion focused on Electric Vehicles, including ease of use, various charging station locations, what time of day is best to charge the vehicle, and incentive offers for folks who have or hope to have an EV soon.  It was a lively, conversational time of sharing questions, experiences, and anecdotes of this new kind of travel, and we thank these gentlemen for spending time with our club.  

The April 23rd meeting was a celebration of amazing youth in our community.  We congratulate the winners of our Club’s 4-Way Test Essay Contest.  We were especially pleased to announce that one writer’s submission was also a District-Level award winner.  Well done, students and sincere congratulations to your teachers and families.  We were also treated to a performance by the Sandia High School Guitar Ensemble and thank them for sharing their talents and friendship with us through their lovely performance. 

4-Way Test Essay Contest Committee & Adjudicators: Jill Cook, Sandy Rausch, Alice Mehlberg, Harris McClain, and Rachelle Ford.

 

 

 

At the Satellite meeting held on April 16 guest Speaker Tracy Rodden from Feed NM Kids provided the program. Ms. Rodden provided information on how Feed NM Kids evolved from recognizing that New Mexico leads the nation in childhood hunger. There is a need to feed New Mexico children throughout the state. Feed NM Kids is a nonprofit organization that operates within the city of Albuquerque, but partners with thirty-five organizations throughout New Mexico to reach out to New Mexico children. Feed NM Kids delivers nutritious non-perishable snack packs to schools within the Albuquerque Public School system for them to distribute to needy children. The organization recognizes the importance of meeting children’s nutritional needs and is similar to our very own Manzano Mesa Backpack program. Both know that hungry children cannot focus on learning when they are worried about where their next meal will come from. However, when a hungry child receives food assistance regularly there is notable improvement in their attendance, behavior, and grades.

After Ms. Rodden’s presentation, Monica Padilla reviewed social and volunteer opportunities for all Rotary Club of Albuquerque Del Norte members to participate in. The next Satellite meeting will be held at the Padilla’s on Wednesday, May 7^th at 6:00pm. Social time begins at 5:45pm.