Kelly and Michael Hermann tend the greenhouse
at Green Dog Nursery in Placitas

The Green Dog experience

—SIGNPOST STAFF
Sheila, the “Green Dog,” greets visitors to the Green Dog Nursery as if they had come just to visit her. She’s called the Green Dog because she has been known to roll in the neighbor’s horse manure. But Sheila was not all that green on the day of the Signpost’s visit. In fact, she was a pleasant hostess.

Michael and Kelly Hermann, who have resided in New Mexico most of their lives, are the proprietors of Green Dog Nursery, a very small home-based business in Placitas West subdivision.

“The nursery got its start when we assembled this greenhouse kit to handle the overflow of plants from our house,” Kelly explained. “Then we began selling plants at the flea market across the road, at Homestead Village, and at the Farmers’ Market in Bernalillo.”

Green Dog specializes in native plants and seeds—whatever will grow out here.

Kelly says, “It’s a challenge to get anything to grow in Placitas, what with the crappy soil, the hungry rabbits, and the wind. Everybody’s yard is different, with its own microclimate. We emphasis the use of water-wise and native perennials in our very arid, drought-affected state. I also have a fairly large resource library I use to help answer anyone who may have questions about plants, soil, pests, etc. People are starting to seek me out as their own personal plant person. I’m not a landscaper, but I can consult with people about what they might grow, and if we don’t have it here, I can get plants and trees at the bigger garden centers.”

Michael works part-time as a geologist. He collects interesting rocks while he’s in the field and uses them to build fountains and water features for clients. He also installs drip irrigation systems, which he says are the most efficient way to water plants.

Kelly and Michael have an NMDA growing, dealing, and plant-collecting permit. “We always get permission before collecting on public and private land, and we know how to avoid areas with pests and diseases,” said Michael.

Green Dog Nursery, at 20 Placitas West Road, just south of Wild Horse Road, offers a diverse supply of houseplants, herbs, grasses, and cactus at competitive prices. In spring, summer, and fall the nursery is open Thursdays through Sundays from10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information, call 867-0325.

Film studio holds TV logo contest

Rio Grande Studios, a pre- through post-production film studio in Rio Rancho that will operate RioVision, the City of Rio Rancho’s new community-access television channels 15 and 22, is offering prizes and recognition to the person who can create a new distinctive logo for RioVision. The logo would be used on a variety of items, such as letterhead, signage, listings, meeting materials, promotional materials, and clothing, as well as the channel Web site, and would become the symbol of RioVision for years to come.

The contest is open to all Rio Rancho residents, students, and individuals working within the city limits capable of meeting the guidelines and contest rules, regardless of age. Persons serving on the contest committee, employees of Rio Grande Studios, and their direct relatives are not eligible.

The designers of the top five selected entries will be invited to attend the Rio Rancho Regional Chamber’s Mingle & Munch Lunch, on Friday, May 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at Chamisa Hills Country Club, where the contest winner will be announced. The first-place winner will receive a $100 prize; the second-place winner a $50 prize. The next three winners will receive a certificate acknowledging their participation in the contest. All entries will be placed on the RioVision Web site for viewing.

Entries will be accepted until 5:00 p.m., local time, on May 1.
For details about submitting an entry, please visit www.RioVisionCAT.org, e-mail logo@RioVisionCAT.org, or fax an entry request to 505-345-7883.

Are your debts overwhelming?

A free consumer debt/bankruptcy workshop will be held on Wednesday, April 26, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the State Bar of New Mexico, 5121 Masthead NE, Albuquerque.

The workshop includes a presentation by volunteer attorney Thomas Mucci and an open question-and-answer period. Attendees can receive a free one-on-one consultation with an attorney. This event is open to the public, free of charge, as a community service. Call 800-876-6227 or (505) 797-6048 for details.

The State Bar of New Mexico, the Bankruptcy Law Section, and the New Mexico Civil Legal Services Commission sponsor this program. This working partnership helps educate the public on consumer issues and on the resources available to meet legal needs.