Placitas Community Blood Drive seeks donors to replenish blood supplies

United Blood Services begins March with the need for all types of blood donations, due to statewide winter storms which have continued to pelt the state since last December. The state’s major volunteer blood supplier is working hard to recuperate from the decrease in donations during those statewide snowstorms, which impeded travel in many parts of New Mexico and several bordering states.

To help state hospitals and clinics meet their daily need for 320 units of blood and blood products, Placitas Volunteer Fire and Rescue is sponsoring a blood drive at the Placitas Fire Station on Saturday, March 17, from 10:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. While appointments are encouraged, walk-ins will be accepted. Donors are encouraged to call Chief Bud Brinkerhoff at 771-0130 to sign up or to get more information. Donors may also log on to: www.unitedbloodservice.org, click on “Schedule a Donation,” and enter the sponsor code: PVFD.

A regular whole blood donation takes about an hour. If you are at least seventeen years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, have not made a regular whole blood donation in the past eight weeks, have not acquired a new tattoo within the past twelve months, and are not currently taking antibiotics, you may be eligible to donate whole blood. Please bring your ID when you come to donate, and be sure to eat healthy meals and drink plenty of fluids for several days before. The Placitas Fire Station is on Highway 165, on the northeast side of the S-curves.

Protect your property from fire

On Saturday, March 24, come to the Placitas Fire Education program at the San Antonio Catholic Mission Church in the village of Placitas. From 9 a.m. until noon, speakers will teach residents how to work around their homes to protect them from fire and to thin the forest and brush along the creek to prevent fires and encourage water flows. Sponsored by the Coronado Soil and Water Conservation District, Las Placitas Association, and New Mexico State Forestry, this program will help residents protect their property and the forest. Admission is free and refreshments will be provided.

Women’s commission provides support for victims of sexual harassment at work

While sexual harassment has been a problem for women throughout history, it has only been within the last three decades that U.S. courts have stated that sexual harassment is a form of sexual discrimination and awarded remedies.

“Sexual harassment in the workplace affects not only women's economic stability but also their mental and physical health,” stated Mary Molina Mescall, executive director for the NM Commission on the Status of Women.

The commission is charged with providing information and serving as a clearinghouse on all issues of concern for women.
“Many women feel they are alone or they have no choice but to keep quiet and deal with the behavior for fear of losing their jobs,” said Lorraine Bantista, coordinator for the commission's Displaced Homemaker's Office.

The commission’s free booklet Dealing with Sexual Harassment, in English and Spanish, defines sexual harassment, with recommendations on addressing the problem and referral information.

For a free booklet or more information on the commission, call 222-6600 or 1-800-432-9168.

Bernalillo Police Department releases crime statistics

Burglaries and DWI arrests drop
The Bernalillo Police Department received a whopping 28,909 calls last year. Of note:
• The number of burglaries reported in 2006 dropped to 42 compared with 78 the year before.
• The number of DWI arrests dropped to 104 compared with 110 the year before.
• The number of crashes reported on US 550 dropped to 163 compared with 182 the year before. Also, six crashes were reported last year on Avenida Bernalillo, compared with 13 in 2005.
• Crashes on Camino del Pueblo jumped slightly to 52 compared with 38 the year before.
• Traffic citations also increased to 6,102 last year. There were 4,398 issued in 2005.
• Twenty-one robberies were reported last year, compared with eight in 2005.
• There were eighty domestic violence reports.