Artist Julianna Kirwin and carpenter/builder Rick Catanach have created life-sized marionettes for a production of "La Llorona" that will take place at The National Hispanic Cultural Center on November 5th. The Urban Ballet Theatre, a dance company based in New York City, is largely composed of kids from the streets who are given the training to become world class dancers. The marionettes will be used in the production to represent the children who are drowned by their mother, La Llorona, the legendary figure of Hispanic folklore who is condemned to search forever for her children. Carved of pine, the figures are 40" and 35" high. Director of the production, Daniel Catanach, likes to collaborate with each community to create the sound, props and costumes for forthcoming productions. This ballet wil be touring six cities in New Mexico.
In conjunction with the ballet, on November 8 and 9, the marionettes will be used in a small version of La Llorona at Roosevelt School in Bernalillo and art students will be creating their own production of this timeless New Mexico classic.

For more information, contact Julianna Kirwin at 771-0590 or julianna@swcp.com

BHS students gain real-world experience at Hyatt Tamaya

Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa is providing internships to eleven Bernalillo High School students, giving them a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into operating a hotel. During the fall semester, students will spend their first two hours for two days each week at the resort, rotating through selected departments. Bernalillo hospitality teachers evaluate the students weekly on unit work, tests, and individual as well as group assignments. Through the Culinary ProStart and Lodging Management programs students are eligible for national certification, each of which requires documentation of industry work hours. The time spent at Hyatt Regency Tamaya will be credited to the hours required for national certification.

Community survey helps identify charter-school interest

—ROSANNE EAKIN
At the Village Academy Charter School governance council meeting in October, members discussed results from the interest survey distributed earlier in the month. Although surveys were still being received at press time, the council noted that initial survey data was positive, and they are very encouraged by parent interest in the new middle school.
Council members welcome input from parents and others who want to participate in any capacity, and are actively soliciting new members for committees and the 2006 governance council itself. Interested individuals are encouraged to attend the school’s public meetings to obtain information and offer suggestions.

Regular public meetings and work sessions will be held the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at 7:00 p.m.
If you would like to receive information about student participation, the academic program, and how VACS can address your child's needs, write to Village Academy Charter School, P. O. Box 1247, Placitas, NM 87043-1247, or vacsplacitas@cs.com

(l. to r.) Alice Allen and Katherine Ghadimi at their Library Farewell Party

Placitas Library happenings

—ANNE FROST, VICE-PRESIDENT, PLACITAS COMMUNITY LIBRARY
Earlier this fall the Placitas Community Library said farewell to two of its favorite volunteers. Alice Allen and Katherine Ghadimi (our eldest and youngest volunteers) have been the Saturday afternoon team since the library opened. Alice is moving into town and Katherine is off to college. We will sorely miss them both—Alice kept us nurtured with smiles and treats, while Katherine has been our computer guru.

Come visit us at the Placitas Elementary School during the Placitas Arts and Crafts Fair on November 19 and 20. We will have some marvelous art by the Junior Optimists to show you, a lottery tree raffle, and our gorgeous new tote bags for great gifts.

The books donated by Carl Hertel have now been added to our collection. We also have several copies of a memorial publication relating to Carl’s art and other works in conjunction with an exhibition of his paintings and lithographs at Pitzer College.

Watch your mailboxes for our annual Friends of the Library membership mailing. Though the library has been blessed with several grants this year from the state and the county, these can only be used for the purchase of land and the design of a new building. Your library is totally dependent on your generosity for operating expenses. Even as an all-volunteer organization, we still have monthly expenses, and only your donations can cover them.

We are as frugal as possible, using grant money, in-kind donations, and used-book credit whenever we can. At this time we incur approximately $600 monthly in regular expenses to cover rent, utilities, phone, and such. Then, of course, there are all the other expenses like insurance, printing, and postage. We know this is a difficult year for many in our community. Please be a generous as you can, and please come and enjoy your library often.

UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE LIBRARY

• October 30: Sunday, 2-4 p.m. Halloween Party. Games, goodies, and scary stories. Don your costume, bring your kids, and join us.

• November 3: Thursday, 7 p.m. Placitas Talks presents Charlie Christmann with “Our Winter Night Sky.” Charlie says bring your binoculars and bundle up. The night should be dark, clear, and cold: perfect for stargazing. We'll have goodies to warm you up.