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A LIFETIME OF ACHIEVEMENTS

VOL 9 | ISSUE 452 | NOVEMBER 24, 2023

Gallup martial arts instructor reflects on career. Story Page 4

GALLUP FUN!

Gallup Sun • Friday November 24, 2023 1

GMCS CONNECT E F MPOWERING OUR

UTURE

Volume 36 Fall 2023

indigenous science Science is defined by a study of structure and behavior within the physical and natural. For most educational institutions it is studied through theory, observation, experimentation, and testing. For some students, learning science can sometimes conflict with their cultural beliefs, norms, and practices. For Native American students, there is a dichotomy between what science teaches and what their own culture believes to be true. For many Native educators, incorporating western philosophy with their own cultural tradition and ideology is an evolving process. To help with this process, The DEP or Diné Educational Philosophy Paradigm has been created. The DEP is a teaching method used by educators to help sustain a cultural link when educating Navajo students. This philosophy impresses on the importance of thinking, living, achieving, evaluation, and competency. This teaching method helps to diffuse the conflict between western and Native philosophy.

Navajo Pine High School science teacher, Kim Etsitty is new to the GMCS district. She comes to us with over a decade of teaching experience. She was previously an instructor in the Window Rock school district and has spent her teaching career teaching Navajo students.

Kim herself is Diné. She was raised only an hour from Navajo in Chinle, Arizona and was educated at Diné College in Tsalile. She is close to her family which still resides in Chinle, and she visits as often as she can. To her, anywhere on Diné Bikéyah or the Navajo Reservation is home.

Kim’s traditional Navajo upbringing and her own struggles trying to understand and acclimatize to western physiology in school have shaped her own teaching methods. Kim is a science teacher who approaches teaching her students through a concept called “Indigenous Science”.

Indigenous Science incorporates cultural perspectives of respect and responsibility to mainstream science principles.

NPH science teacher incorporates Native belief in her daily It uses knowledge science lesson.

and practices of the community and its people to connect nature and land to scientific phenomena. Indigenous Science has helped scientists study things like climate, animal wildlife, and infectious diseases, like the Hantavirus. The collaboration of the two disciples has broadened the understanding of how we think of science and how to be more objective in our focus. Etsitty stated that the models of teaching science over the last few years have evolved to include Indigenous Science principles, and this illustrates the parallels between Native traditional practice and science. She wants her students to understand how to build relationships within the community and the land. She stated, “I believe one of the most powerful lessons we can learn as a people is to re-establish that bond we had with our environment so we can learn to care for the land and move towards restoring the land.” Etsitty teaches her students how to see themselves as “science” so that they can learn to appreciate the natural cycles embedded within them.

Etsitty explained that there are certain phenomena in nature that sometimes conflict with scientific practice. An example of this is the viewing of an eclipse or stars in the constellation. Native Americans have a kinship with the universe and feel an event such as an eclipse is sacred. During an eclipse, most Natives stay indoors, with family, fasting and not sleeping until the event is over because they believe that there is a spiritual alignment taking place, and that it is considered very intimate.

They also believe that the sky has many stories to tell, however there is a time and place for this, and it is in the winter months. This is because the constellations that influence their story telling are only seen in the night sky in the winter months. The stories also follow animals that are hibernating during the winter months. Etsitty has accommodated Native tradition into her science classes and is planning a star party in February with the help of NTU and the NASA space program.

Kim hopes that her students will become curious about the natural world and they will learn to appreciate themselves and their environment because they are interconnected. She stated that her teaching methods are influenced by all her students and her children.

She believes that the universe teaches us so much and what she hopes her students will learn is how to establish a bond with the land so they can know how to take care of it. She would like her students to see themselves in scientific terms so they can appreciate their own innate cycles. Kim Etsitty’s personal perspective, and her own journey and struggle with feeling disconnected helped her to see that her students were also feeling similarly. By using a method of teaching science that is respectful to the beliefs and customs of her Native American students, she hopes that her students will learn how to be respectful to their community, their land, and themselves.

Preserving the Native Tongue

Gallup McKinley County is a culturally rich community. We are home to the Zuni, Hopi and part of the Navajo Nation. Although the Native culture is a dominating presence in this community, there is a sharp decline of Native speakers, especially within the youth as they have over the years acclimated to American culture. This has given many tribes reason to worry about the preservation of their own languages and heritage. This has led to the development of heritage language programs within Native communities, notably the Navajo Nation’s Dinè content standard. The Dinè content standard is the model used by many native language programs that are used to assess the quality of the curriculum as well as providing methods of evaluation. According to program Director, Ophelia Sanchez, the Dinè content standard aligns with the Indigenous way of life and promotes a strong sense of self and life successes.

She said that although the program offers more than just the Dinè language, the standard is used throughout because she believes there are shared values between different cultures concerning language and heritage preservation.

Gallup McKinley County Schools has developed their own Cultural Education program that involves the preservation and revitalization of the Zuni and Navajo languages and culture.

The program also helps those students

that speak primarily Spanish learn English, while still also maintain the integrity of their own Native language and culture. Our heritage language program is offered in all 32 GMCS Schools. The Heritage Language and Culture or HLC also provides support to our educators by providing professional development, resources and instructional material for grades K-5 instructors, as well as English language and math instructors for grades 6-12. Our cultural education department uses the Dinè content standard method, mentioned above, to align their curriculum with Indigenous customs and practices. This method is used across the board for all GMCS HLC languages and cultures as it utilizes practices that are respectful and thoughtful to the culture it is teaching about as well as the students that are learning.

In addition to preserving Native language and helping students understand English, the HLC program works to help all students who may need additional guidance with academic assessments. The HLC department hosts a number of workshops and training throughout the school year for all HLC instructors and also provides unwavering support to all other GMCS academic departments.

All students regardless of ethnic background can participate in any HLC program classes. The HLC program is required for students grades K-3 however parents do have to option to decline participation. Heritage Language classes are offered to middle and high school students, as scheduling permits. The HLC program is different from a foreign language program,

which is also offered to high school students, depending on availability.

Foreign language programs use different standards of approach and have a different focus than the Heritage Language program.

Over the last few years, the HLC has also hosted large scale academic cultural events for the entire school district, including a Cultural Stem Fair and Cultural Social Studies Fair. Over the past years, students participated by presenting projects that were both culturally and academically relevant.

This has led to some very exciting and innovative projects. This year the HLC department will be hosing two cultural events that involve our College, Career and Civic Readiness department or CCCR and will have 5th, 7th and 10th grade students participating along with community business partners and other native and non-native professionals. The event forum to introduce students to the professional world through the eyes of their cultural peers.

The HLC program is also expanding and constantly looking for Heritage Language Teachers. The program offers internships to Native language speakers who are interested in teaching native language and customs to students. This two-year program offers mentoring by experienced native linguists and hands on experience. Those that complete the internship can go on to earn a 520-teaching license and will be eligible to teach HLC courses throughout GMCS. The Heritage Language and Cultural Department at Gallup McKinley County Schools works to preserve the Navajo and Zuni languages for generations to come. They strive to assist those non-English speakers learn bilingual skills that will help them to acclimate to an English-speaking world while still also preserving their own cultural identity. The overall goal is for our students to have a fully developed education that allows them to be self-aware, responsible and successful in life.

NEWS

LOCAL NEWS

National lights shine on Gallup martial artist DYLAN VARGAS TALKS MARTIAL ARTS CAREER, ACCOMPLISHMENTS

By Molly Ann Howell Managing Editor

F

rom winning the title of Youngest Grand Champion at six years old to

opening his own martial arts studio while he was still in high school, Dylan Vargas is a name known around Gallup. And now he’s got another title under his belt: a member of the 2023 U.S.

STAY CLOSE, GO FAR

Sports Karate Hall of Fame.

This marks Dylan’s fourth entry into a martial arts Hall of Fame. He flew out to Houston, Texas to accept the award Oct. 7.

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2

INDIGENOUS SCIENCE The latest issue of GMCS Connect

6

Four-year-old Dylan Vargas sits on his dad Charlie's lap after winning a Championship title in 2005. Dylan has been competeing in martial arts ccompetitions since the age of 3.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Charlie Vargas In an interview with the Sun, Dylan explained what this latest achievement means to him.

“Being inducted, especially into this latest Hall of Fame, has just reached new levels and heights for my career. I’ve met so many great people. It’s really an experience I hold fondly,” he said.

Charlie Vargas, Dylan’s dad, got emotional talking about everything his son has achieved.

“I can’t even say [how proud I am] without tearing up,” Charlie said. “It’s been amazing. Words

can’t even express it.”

BIG BEGINNINGS Dylan started his career in martial arts at a very young age. He was a shy kid, and his parents enrolled him in the sport hoping it would boost his confidence.

“When I was three, I was just very shy, non-sociable. We would go to family functions and holiday get-togethers with

MARTIAL ARTS | SEE PAGE 28

WHAT’S INSIDE …

PET OF THE WEEK Meet Ciara, a little ball of fluff

4 Friday November 24, 2023 • Gallup Sun

7

TEACHER OF THE MONTH Red Rock instructor finds work/life balance

25 26 GALLUP VOLLEYBALL Bengals face off in the second round of state tournament

VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT Tohatchi, Miyamura also make the cut NEWS

Learn the Days of the Week in Navajo

For more information on our upcoming events please follow us on Facebook @Gallup-McKinley County Schools or Instagram @GMCSNews.

Pet of the Week Gallup Sun Publishing, LLC Publisher Babette Herrmann Managing Editor Molly Ann Howell Executive Director Mandy Marks Accounts Representative Lacey Lonjose Design Volodymyr Lotysh Contributing Editor Cody Begaye Correspondents Dee Velasco Holly J. Wagner Photography Kimberley Helfenbein Merrisha Livingston Jenny Pond On the Cover: Dylan Vargas traveled to Houston, Texas Oct. 7 to accept his entrance into the 2023 U.S. Sports Karate Hall of Fame. Photo Courtesy of Charlie Vargas The Gallup Sun, published Fridays, is not responsible or liable for any claims or offerings, nor responsible for availability of products advertised. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. The Gallup Sun distributes newspapers in McKinley, Cibola and Apache counties.

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Ciara is a 1-year-old cuddle bug, but she is a little on the timid side at fi rst.

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NEWS

EDUCATION

Red Rock Elementary teacher fi nds work/life balance through theater MEET CAMILLE’S TEACHER OF THE MONTH: KELLI FURNEY psychology and a minor in behavioral analysis, Furney was able to use her education to join the alternative licensure program through the New Mexico Public Education Department.

She said she wasn’t planning on going into elementary education, but now that she’s here she loves it.

“I originally wanted to be a college professor, and then I decided I wanted to try something different, so I just kind of ended up in this position,” she explained. “I wasn’t

anticipating staying in elementary, but after I finished my first year, I really liked it and I stayed.”

MORE THAN TALKING Teaching isn’t just standing in front of kids and talking all day.

Teachers write lesson plans and often have to analyze data to see how their students are doing and how they could improve. Furney said the “extra” parts of the job aren’t as fun as being with the kids, but they make it all worth it.

“I really love working with the students. The students make

everything worth it,” she said. “I know there’s a lot we have to do for the district and data and stuff, but really seeing the kids every day and building those relationships, that’s the best part for me.”

When it comes to advice for new teachers, Furney said some new teachers may think they need to master everything at once. In reality, teaching is a multitude of

TEACHER OF THE MONTH | SEE PAGE 8

Kelli Furney is a fifth-grade teacher at Red Rock Elementary. In her spare time, she also helps run the Gallup Repertory Theatre. Photo Credit: Bryanny Rich

By Molly Ann Howell Managing Editor

E

ach month, Camille’s Sidewalk Café recognizes one local teacher within the Gallup area for his or her determination to help students go above and beyond. Prospective teachers are nominated by students who feel they deserve to be recognized.

This month’s award went to Kelli Furney, a fifth grade teacher at Red Rock Elementary.

EDUCATION

PATH TO GALLUP Furney has been with the Gallup-McKinley County Schools district since 2015, after she graduated from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. She moved to Gallup right after college because one of her close friends got hired at GMCS and so she moved out to New Mexico with her. Almost nine years later, the friend has moved away from New Mexico, but Furney’s still here.

Although she graduated from college with a degree in Gallup Sun • Friday November 24, 2023 7

TEACHER OF THE MONTH | FROM PAGE 7 things, and Furney said you can’t get everything all at once.

“My advice would be to take one thing at a time, you don’t have to do everything at once.

Get one thing and then move to the next,” she said. “There’s so much in teaching, you’re not going to be good at everything at once.

Focus on one thing, get good at what you’re doing, and move from there, and everything will piece itself together.”

A KEY TAKEAWAY One thing that Furney said didn’t come naturally to her was classroom management. She

explained how important classroom management can be, especially when you’re in a room full of elementary school kids.

“Nothing can happen in your classroom if you can’t manage your classroom, [and] you can’t manage your classroom if you don’t build relationships with your students,” she said. “You’ve got to get your kids to like you and want to be around you. If you need to be weird and dress up like a superhero to teach something, do that.”

Eva Prieto is the principal at Red Rock Elementary, and she has gotten the chance to work with Furney as a fellow teacher, an instructional coach, and as her principal. In all these roles, Prieto said she has seen Furney’s

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Kelli Furney poses with her fifth grade class at Red Rock Elementary. She said one of the most important elements of teaching is classroom maintenance and being able to connect with the students. Photo Credit: Bryanny Rich dedication.

“Since I’ve known her, Kelli is extremely dedicated and committed to providing students the right amount of support for each kiddo,” Prieto said. “She is excellent at just knowing students’ needs and being able to diagnosis where they need the most supports and then just providing the right supports. That typically results in amazing proficiency and learning and growth for her students.”

FINDING LIFE BALANCE Despite her dedication and proficiency, just like anyone else, Furney’s job isn’t her whole life, although she said she does struggle with finding a good life/work balance. She participates in many extracurricular activities, including the Gallup Repertory Theater, a group she cofounded in 2017.

“I did theater kind of my entire life. I did it in high school and college, but when I moved out to Gallup there wasn’t really any theater companies,” Furney said. “So I got together with a few of my friends and we started a company.”

The company puts on two to three shows a year and is open to both kids and adults. Their most recent show was Madea. Furney serves as the company’s production manager. She also helps build the sets and manages the lighting crew.

She is currently putting

together a children’s production of The Wizard of Oz. She said theater is a sort-of escape for her.

“It’s like a creative outlet for me when things get really rough with teaching or I get super stressed out,” she explained. “It’s definitely a creative outlet for me, it’s how I unwind. I love watching theater, I love being involved in theater.”

Leslie Farrell is a fellow founder of the Gallup Repertory Theatre. In an email to the Sun she said Furney’s willingness to work with children also translates well in the company.

“Kelli is extremely hard-working and detail oriented. She is an amazing leader and can always be counted on to get things done,” Farrell said. “She often

sees problems before they happen and always has several solutions if a crisis occurs - which it always does in live theatre! …

You can tell she loves working with the kids and is great at letting them discover their own way of doing things while at the same time guiding them in the right direction.”

Furney also has other hobbies besides theater. She has a true love for learning and is always eager to take on a new skill.

“I’m kind of a life-long learner, if I’m not working, I’m always looking for other things to learn,” she said. “I taught myself knitting.

So, I’m always trying to learn things. I feel like having a love of learning leads to having a love of teaching.”

EDUCATION

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The view from below COUNTY LANDLUBBERS ENJOY BALLOON RALLY FROM THE GROUND

By Holly J. Wagner Sun Correspondent

T

he Red Rock Balloon Rally is a big deal every year, especially for the balloon enthusiasts who flock here from near and far

to participate. For them, any day aloft is a good day.

But the rally is different for the ear thbound: those color ful balloons ha nging over the area like gigantic Christmas ornaments in the sky bring joy and signal the

12 Friday November 24, 2023 • Gallup Sun

real beginning of the holiday season and the winter chill to come.

LOCAL PRAISE “W hen we’re h av i ng our ba lloon ra lly, for me, i t ’s , ‘ O h ye a h , i t ’s w i n ter time. Christmas is

coming,’” McKinley County Commissioner Robert Baca said.

Baca went up in a hot air balloon for the first time last year.

“After going up the first t i me, I’m s t i l l sc a red of heights, but it’s just awesome once you are up there…. As long as I don’t look down I’m good,” he said.

McKinley County Com m is sioner Wa lt Eddy spends most of his time on rodeo s, but he love s t he Balloon Rally all the same.

“Gallup needs the diversity of events. We can’t just be rodeo, rodeo, rodeo,” he said. “To get people out in Gallup on the weekends we need events. It used to kind of kick off the Christmas season and local retail Christmas shopping.”

For lifetime Gallupians, the balloons may bring memories of school days. “[The] Ba lloon Ra lly is one of t hose event s t hat really connects the community -- there’s a buzz in the air Balloon Rally weekend in Ga llup, a long w ith the balloons, and everyone participates in some way,” gallupARTS Executive Director Rose Eason said. “When I was a teacher, we timed our fire drills to the balloon launch that Friday so we’d have an excuse to take the kids outside to watch the balloons fly past.”

A COMMUNITY STAPLE Ga llupia ns believe ba lloons let ever yone get i n touch with their inner child.

“Ever since being a kid, ever ybody enjoy s wat ching balloons. These are just bigger and more exciting,”

Gallup City Councilor Ron Molina said.

You could say Molina has an ethereal connection to the rally: He’s been in the propane business for 44 years, so the rally is good for business. But he’s also scared of heights.

“I’ve been in the gas business for 44 years. Between being in the gas business, knowing gas as well as I do, and [being] afraid of heights, I’m not about to get off the ground with a bottle of propane under my bottom,” he said.

Molina grew up in Belen a nd remember s ba l loon s la nd i ng i n nea rby a l fa l fa fields when he was a child, before there was a Red Rock rally. “ T hey’d apolog i ze a nd vehicles would come and pick them up,” he said. “We didn’t realize at the time that it was such a special thing. It was a normal thing to wake up on a Saturday morning and see them.”

He enjoys the ba lloons from the ground, sometimes pulling off the road to watch when he sees them flying or sharing the experience with his grandchildren.

ALL-AGES APPEAL Children aren’t the only ones who love to see balloons lingering in the sky like so many sugar plums dancing before their eyes.

“Gr a nt e d , out her e i n Ga l lup, New Mex ico, we already have gorgeous scenery. When the balloons are about a nd up it just adds more color to the scenery,” Pam Held, a veteran chase crew member and volunteer organizer for the Red Rock BALLOON RALLY

Balloon Rally Association, sa id. “People from ever ywhere ca n get toget her a nd not k now ea ch ot her really well and we all work t oget her a nd h ave a f u n weekend.”

A fa m ily con nection pushed Cit y Cou ncilor Michael Schaaf to go up in a balloon. His brother, John, a longtime Gallup policeman, wa s involved in the ra lly through the 90s, before he retired and moved away.

“A number of times he had me be a judge. They’d fly me out – they put out an X and people would have to fly by and drop a wooden block with their name on it,” Schaaf said.

“The closest to the X won a prize.”

In recent years Schaaf has been called away over rally weekend for school board training in Albuquerque, so he’s missed the rally. Others try to get out for the mass ascension every year.

“It’s one of the premier events for the county. For BALLOON RALLY

the last couple of years, since COVID we’ve been one of the sponsors,” County Manager Anthony Dimas said. “Usually if I’m in town I go out to see the balloon lift. I think it’s a great event.”

BOOSTING THE COMMUNITY One thing that’s sure to get a lift from the rally is the local economy.

“The balloon rally has a big impact. It’s a great thing for the citizens. We get to see all these beautiful balloons and meet pilots from other areas. They come into town, they spend their money here,” Schaaf said.

Ga l lup Tou r i s m a nd M a rket i ng M a n a ger M a t t Robinson ran the numbers from last year as an example. He found that the 13,000 people that at tended la st year’s rally pushed the area’s hotel occupancy rate for the weekend to about 56%. That’s roug h ly 2,600 hotel room nights, which accounts for nearly half of the estimated

Michael and John Schaaf pose for a photo back in the 2000s. As a police officer, John was often involved in the Red Rock Balloon Rally in the ‘90s, and he would make his brother Michael judge the rally’s competitions. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Michael Schaaf $1.014 million in direct impact the rally had on the local economy. Much of the rest was from food and beverage sales.

“It does attract a healthy crowd. They have discretionary income, and they spend it here. It’s good for t he economy. They are a happy group and it’s a good bonding

time for all of them. In that respect, it lifts the spirits of the city a little bit,” Gallup BID Director Fra ncis Bee said.

Bee credits the rally association and Gallup McKinley Cha mber of Com merce Executive Director Bill Lee for making each year more memorable.

“Bill does a very good job of being an ambassador for Gallup and McKinley County to these people who come in from out of town for the balloon rally,” Bee said. “Those people in turn can become goodwill ambassadors for Gallup themselves, because they came here and had a good experience.”

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Ballooning strengthens a relationship ALBUQUERQUE COUPLE REFLECTS ON YEARS OF PILOTING

By Molly Ann Howell Managing Editor

T

his year at the Red Rock Balloon Rally there will be 124 hot air balloons floating among the red rocks at Red Rock Park, but there will also be one gas balloon.

Peter Cuneo and Barbra Fricke will be the pilots flying the gas balloon. They’ve been together for nearly 40 years and flying for almost 35.

GETTING INTO BALLOONS Fricke was the first one who became interested in ballooning. Before she retired, she worked as the Director of the Medical Technology Training Department at the University of New Mexico. One of her colleagues invited her out to go ballooning one day, and she was instantly hooked.

But finding time for her new hobby proved to be difficult.

Ballooning requires early morning wake up calls, and with a full-time job that can be near impossible. But when Fricke became the director of her department, she began setting her own hours, and was able to take a week off to volunteer for a pilot as a crew member.

Fricke was soon assigned to a pilot from Las Cruces in 1982, and she became one of his crew members. After a couple of years, he began giving

her flying lessons. It was a slow process though, as the pilot was only able to give Fricke about one lesson a year.

Soon after Fricke began taking lessons, the couple bought a used balloon in 1988.

PATH TO PILOTING In an interview with the Sun, Cuneo said he initially wasn’t really interested in his partner’s new hobby, but he was willing to support her.

“We were going to go 50/50 on it, and she was going to be the pilot on it and I was going to be the silent partner,” he explained.

After buying the balloon, the next step was for Fricke to receive her pilot’s license.

In order to get a pilot’s license you must go to ground school, where you get all the information needed to pass the written test that the Balloon Federation of America requires.

Cuneo said that while he was watching Fricke go through ground school, he began to have a change of heart.

“I said, ‘well geesh, I could do that, I’m an engineer, I can learn all the technical side of things and I still wouldn’t have to fly the balloon,’” Cuneo said.

After ground school Fricke started taking flying lessons from another pilot in Rio Rancho and Cuneo decided to tag along.

“I thought it would be a good BALLOON RALLY

idea to go along and protect my half of the investment and make sure nothing bad happened to [the balloon],” he said.

Fricke received her private pilot’s license, and Cuneo soon followed suit.

“Eventually I decided it wasn’t such a bad thing, and it’s grown on me since then,” he said.

Fricke said her favorite part about ballooning is bringing new people up in the air.

“I love taking new people up who get really excited about it,” she said. “Flying our crew is also wonderful, and I love giving them the chance, but for me it’s somewhat the adventure that it is, because you never know quite where you’re going to land or what exactly will happen at the landing site, because you’re at the mercy of the winds to take you someplace, and you can change the altitudes, you can try to get the right winds, but you’re still at the mercy of the wind to go where you’re going to go.”

BR I NGI NG PEOPL E TOGETHER While discussing his favorite aspect of ballooning, Cuneo talked about the social aspect of the sport.

Barbra Fricke and Peter Cuneo have been together for about 40 years and flying for almost 35. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Peter Cuneo “You can take a plane and fly the whole thing solo and never see another person besides the person who’s refueling the plane, [but] ballooning is a much more social endeavor,” he explained. “It takes five or six people to get the balloon in

the air and then a chase truck to follow along underneath the balloon and a couple of passengers. It becomes a family.”

Cuneo continued the airplane comparison by talking about the different experiences between the two modes

of transportation.

“Maybe this is why RE/MAX has a balloon as their logo, but when you get up in the air you have time to very slowly observe everything that is beneath you since you’re going maybe three or five miles per hour as

opposed to 150 miles per hour in an airplane,” Cuneo said. “It’s a very different feeling, there’s no glass window between you and the outside world, there’s no vibration from the engine.”

The couple goes to about eight balloon festivals a year with their gas balloon, and they say they have no plans of slowing down any time soon.

D u r i n g t h i s ye a r ’s Albuquerque International Balloon Festival in October, the Fricke and Cuneo competed in the 66th Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett race, otherwise known at the FAI World Long Distance Gas Balloon Championship.

Na m e d a f t e r G o r d o n Bennett, who initiated the race in 1906, the race awards the balloonists who fly the longest distance. Fricke and Cuneo placed fifth in the competition, with a score of 1947.68 kilometers, or just over 1,200 miles.

GOING WITH GAS The competitive trip lasted 66 hours, but the couple have spent much more time up in the air together. They said the most time they’ve ever spent is 72 hours.

Their gas balloon allows them to do that.

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Unlike hot air balloons, which use propane to lift up into the air, gas balloons use helium or hydrogen. Hot air balloons also use colorful fabrics and a lightweight fabric. A gas balloon is usually white, and a heavier fabric.

The balloons are also used

differently. Hot air balloons can only fly for a couple of hours and are usually used for entertainment and can usually hold up to 12 passengers. Although the gas balloons’ baskets are bigger than a hot air balloons, they are not typically used for entertainment purposes.

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Instead, since gas balloons can fly for longer amounts of time, they are often used to transport items or people.

Fricke and Cuneo have traveled all over the U.S., Canada, and Europe. They said the long journeys are like “camping in the sky,” and they have to bring many supplies with them, including food, water, comfortable clothes, and a pot to use the bathroom.

The gas balloon’s baskets are slightly bigger than a hot air balloon’s basket, which allows the couple to stretch their legs and get comfortable during long trips.

BUILDING TRUST A 72-hour trip is a long time to be in a small space with someone. But Fricke said it hasn’t caused any problems in their relationship.

“It definitely hasn’t harmed it at all,” she said. “It’s kind of neat to have done this all with Peter.”

Traveling for that long requires excellent communication. A single person cannot fly a balloon for that length of time, and Cuneo said communication is key.

“There’s definitely a joint decision-making process. We kind of have an understanding that when we’re in the air if either one of us says it’s time to get on the ground we don’t question it, we just get on the ground,” he said. “So there’s a lot of trust because half the time you’re sleeping and the other person is flying the balloon and you have to be able to relax enough to go to sleep. If you’re a control freak and you want to be flying the balloon all 72 hours that it’s up there, it’s not going to work out.”

Cuneo believes he has the best partner to be taking on this adventure with.

“I can’t imagine doing it with anybody else but Barbra,” he said.

Peter Cuneo and Barbra Fricke bought this gas balloon in 1988, and they've been flying it ever since. A gas balloon is different than a hot air balloon because it uses hydrogen or helium instead of propane. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Peter Cuneo BALLOON RALLY

Full of hot air BALLOON RALLY CHASE CREWS HELP GIVE PILOTS A LIFT

By Holly J. Wagner Sun Correspondent

I

t’s said that you have to walk before you can run.

Very few people learn to fly when they’re still learning to walk. But that’s how it was for longtime Red Rock Balloon Rally committee member Pam Held.

“I’ve been with the rally for 41 years. I’m only 44,” she said, explaining that her mother worked on balloon chase crews when she was a baby and brought her along. “When I started walking, I became involved in holding things. I’ve been around since I was very small.”

These days she spends most of her time on the ground, helping to coordinate the rally and especially the volunteer crew members who help pilots get their balloons off the ground.

Ballooning is a group project. Balloons generally fi ll up a trailer or truck bed for transport. On site they have to be unloaded, have their gondolas put together and their envelopes spread out and inflated (that’s balloonist speak for puffing up the pretty, floaty part). Four or five crew members are an essential part of this project.

“We don’t fi ll a balloon, we inflate it,” Held corrected. “It’s just a large envelope and we kind of blow air into it. Once the envelope has been filled to the pilot’s desired fill, we heat the air up and with hot air, it rises.

It’s just kind of a contained bubble of hot air that rises.”

Setup generally takes 20 to 30 minutes, depending on how many people are helping.

“The envelope and the basket are quite heavy,” Held said.

“More hands makes for light BALLOON RALLY

Peter Procopio’s stepdaughter Marissa Myers mans the burner that heats air to get a balloon aloft as crew member Gabrielle Browder holds the balloon’s cables. Myers is a veteran Red Rock Balloon Rally crew member and took her first turn piloting a balloon at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta in October. Photo Credit: Peter Procopio

vertical.

That’s when the real fun begins.

“Once all that is set and done and the balloon is up, those who want to ride can go for a ride,” Held said. “Sometimes the pilots fly a little way and then set down and change out passengers. Those in the basket will get out and those in the chase car will get in.”

The chase crews follow the balloons until the pilots are ready to come down, then they help pack everything up and get it back into the trailer.

“We take volunteers all the way up until the morning of our fl ights. Even if they don’t call me in advance, they are invited to come out to the park and say

work. We all work as a team to take everything out of the trailer [and] spread out the envelope.

We all help hold the throat open so the air can blow in.”

TAKING FLIGHT How hot does the balloon air have to get? Rally founder Peter Procopio explained: “Flight of a hot air balloon is achieved by heating the air in the envelope until the heated air in the balloon is lighter than the ambient temperature. The point at which this is achieved is called equilibrium and varies with the outside air temperature. The colder the ambient air, the lower the balloon temperature needs to be to achieve equilibrium,” he said.

The balloon is filled with cold air with the use of an inflation fan, which is placed at the throat of the balloon and operated by a crew member.

Once the balloon envelope is fully packed with air, the pilot fires the burner to heat the air, causing the envelope to stand Gallup Sun • Friday November 24, 2023 19

they want to be in a chase crew,” Held said. “I will always have pilots that would like to have somebody help them.”

No s peci a l sk i l l s a re required to be a part of a chase crew.

“Just being able to follow instructions is enough,” Held said.

The rally association only asks that volunteers who are under the age of 18 be with a legal guardian.

Of course, one of the perks of working a chase crew is the likelihood that you’ll get a balloon ride.

“I always let people know, it’s a good chance of getting a balloon ride,” Held said. “You get

to meet people from different areas and you get to see your own backyard from a different perspective.”

What’s the view like from up there?

“It’s a unique way to go rock

climbing,” Held said.

For information on the rally or to volunteer for a chase crew, see the rally association’s website at https://redrockballoonrally. com.

Welcome Participants & Spectators to the 42nd Red Rock Balloon Rally

www.butlersofficecity.com 20 Friday November 24, 2023 • Gallup Sun

BALLOON RALLY

Let your dreams take flight RAINBOW RYDERS OFFERING HOT AIR BALLOON RIDES AT BALLOON RALLY

By Molly Ann Howell Managing Editor

F

or 41 years, only balloon pilots and sponsors of the Red Rock Balloon Rally were allowed to go up in the air during the Red Rock Balloon Rally. But this year, thanks to a partnership with Rainbow Ryders, the general public will get a chance to be among the 125 registered pilots and their balloons during the mass ascensions in the early mornings.

Rainbow Ryders is the largest hot air balloon company in the U.S. They serve the Southwest region, flying both commercially and for corporate promotions in Albuquerque, Phoeni x, Scottsda le, a nd Colorado Springs.

The company’s founder and president Scot Appleman fell in love with balloons when his parents took him to the first Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 50 years ago.

He got his pilot’s license in the early ‘80s and started flying recreationally, and then turned ballooning into a career. “ I n e v e r wou ld h a v e expected it to do what it’s done, in a good way, but I’m very blessed and very lucky to have my hobby as my career,” Appleman said.

Nowadays, the company helps about 10,000 people a year cross something off their bucket list.

“Flying in a hot air balloon is a bucket list experience, without a doubt, and we’ve really seen a lot of that after COVID where everybody just wants to get things checked off their bucket lists,” Appleman said.

“Flying in the Red Rock Park is simply magnificent. It is just BALLOON RALLY

Rainbow Ryders is the largest hot air balloon company in the U.S. They serve the Southwest region, flying both commercially and for corporate promotions in Albuquerque, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Colorado Springs. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Rainbow Ryders beautiful.”

FEES AND GUIDELINES Rainbow Ryders’s flights during the rally will cost $395 per person. Each ride is about 45-60 minutes, but people will need to carve out about three and a half hours in the morning for the whole experience, including boarding the balloon and traveling back to their cars.

The mass ascensions are at 7:30 am each morning of the rally.

A balloon ride is limited to 4-12 people each trip. People can request a private ride, which can be done with two or three people, but that will cost $500 per person. The other rides are considered “shared rides,” and multiple groups will be flying together.

Appleman said he expects his pilots will give 40-50 people a ride each day of the rally.

The hot air balloon enthusiast said his favorite part about his hobby-turned-job is exposing people to the activity of ballooning.

“They’ll come up, about 70% of people say they’re afraid of heights, and then five minutes into the fl ight they’re going ‘oh, well this isn’t too bad, I can do this,’” Appleman said. “I think being able to provide the experience and allow people to face personal challenges or to just enjoy the true feeling of floating in the air, that’s what ballooning is all about. Watching people’s smiles and watching how they react after their balloon ride is probably my favorite part.”

To make a reservation with Rainbow Ryders for the Red Rock Balloon Rally, visit the company’s website at rainbowryders.com.

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Bus. 505.726.1535 Fax 505.726.1536 2711 West Hwy 66, Gallup, NM 87301 www.jjtruckservice.com Gallup Sun • Friday November 24, 2023 21

The anatomy of a hot air balloon Staff Reports

I

Parachute valve

Gores

Envelope

n New Mexico, the sight of a hot air balloon is common.

But not everyone knows what parts make up this iconic vehicle.

There are three main parts of a hot air balloon, and they all work together to create an amazing flying machine.

THE ENVELOPE The first part of a hot air balloon is the envelope. This is the “balloon” part of a hot air balloon.

The envelope, also known as the canopy or kapok, encloses all the other parts and helps the vehicle get off the ground. It has several different layers which serve multiple purposes: • Inner liner - This thin layer protects passengers from getting burned by embers that escape from the burner during flight • Beaded netting or skirt - This layer holds in heated air after it leaves the burners, creating an inflatable shape • Outer shell - This outermost layer prevents heat loss while providing protection against environmental factors such as water and ultraviolet light damage Envelopes are typically made

of nylon and coated with a fireproof material such as Kevlar or Nomex. This ensures that if a fire does break out, it will not spread quickly or burn through the envelope.

The top of the balloon is held in place by a hoop of flexible fabric called the crown. This is the part that often has fun designs and colors, which adds to the beauty of a hot air balloon.

T H E B A SK ET OR GONDOLA The second part of a hot air balloon is the basket or gondola.

This is where passengers stand and supplies are stored.

Typically, hot air balloon baskets are made of steel or aluminum alloy to ensure that they are lightweight while sitll being able to hold large numbers of passengers.

The parts of the gondola include: • Pilot seat - This is where the pilot sits to control the direction of flight • Passenger seats - These are used to transport people sitting down • Supply area - This is where supplies or luggage can be stored during flight • Fuel tanks - These tanks

Skirt

Burners

Propane tanks

Gondola or basket

There are three main parts of a hot air balloon: the envelope, the basket, and the burners.

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carry propane or natural gas which is used to power the burners. The number of fuel tanks a hot air balloon has will vary depending on size, but each balloon must have at least two • Sand bags - These bags prevent the balloon from tipping over and helps it maintain balance under certain weather conditions THE BURNERS Lastly, the third part of a hot air balloon is the burners. Without a way to heat up the air inside of the envelope, a hot air balloon

wouldn’t fly.

The parts of a burner include: • Fuel container - This is where the propane or natural gas is stored during flight • Ignition switch - The pilot uses this switch to start the burner • Chamber - Air is forced through here, where it is heated and released to create a strong burst of hot air • Valve - This part controls how much propane enters the chamber • Combustion chamber This part ensures that the fuel

does not explode, but instead burns in a controlled way Burner parts are typically made out of stainless steel to prevent rust from forming due to the humidity and rain that can get trapped inside of the basket during flight.

Usually, the burner or burners point directly into the mouth of the envelope to ensure that hot air is released as quickly as possible.

On average, most burners produce around 400,000 British Thermal Units of heat. This is equivalent to around 148,000 watts of energy.

BALLOON RALLY

42nd Annual Red Rock Ballon Rally schedule THURSD AY, NOV. 30 6:00 pm - Butler’s Office Supply - Sponsor & Pilot Registration at Sammy C’s Rock N’ Sports Pub & Grille FRIDAY, DEC. 1 - LAM CORPORATION DAY 7:30 am - iHeart Media/ Castle Fur niture - Mass Ascension at Fox Run Golf Course and Red Rock Park 6:30 pm - Cedar & Ivy Real Estate - Glow in the Rocks at Red Rock Park 6:30 pm - McKinley County Indian Dances at Red Rock Park 7:30 pm - Four Corners Welding and Gas Supply Pilot Registration at Sammy C’s Rock N’ Sports Pub & Grille Richardson Trading Post Pilot Appreciation Sponsor Fa m i ly Med ici ne Associates Platinum Sponsor S AT U R DAY, DEC. 2 SUPERSMITH INC. DAY 6:30 am - Amigo Automotive Group Dawn Patrol at Red Rock Park 7:30 am - Rocket Cafe/Equipment Share - Mass Ascension at Red Rock Park 8:30 am - Pinnacle Bank/ Rico Motor Co. - Pyramid Rock Run at Red Rock Park 6:30 pm - Gallup Eye Group/ Rio West Mall - Balloominaria at Rio West Mall Rico Auto Complex/Earl’s Restaurant Pilot Pack Sponsor Jerry’s Cafe/Thunderbird Supply Company Platinum Sponsors SUNDAY, DEC. 3 - SONIC DRIVE IN DAY 6 : 3 0 a m - Hor izon BALLOON RALLY

Ent er pr i se s Plu mbi ng & Heating - Dawn Patrol at Red Rock Park 7:30 am - Sammy C’s Rock N’ Sports Pub & Grille - Mass Ascension at Red Rock Park 10:00 am - New Mexico Gas. Co - Awards Brunch and Auction at Red Rock Park Big Mike’s Equipment Rental Platinum Sponsor Perry Null Trading Company Pilot Appreciation Sponsor Mass balloon ascensions are scheduled daily at Red Rock Park and other select locations.

“Special shape” balloons from around the

there is an incredible brunch and auction featuring the area’s beautiful Native American art and other great items and prizes.

Additional festivities during the three days include: Native American jewelry and art vendors; Native American dance performances (as Gallup is in close proximity to the Navajo reservation, and the pueblos of Zuni, Laguna and Acoma); a parade in downtown Gallup; an art show; and nightly balloon glows. The city of Gallup also has a wide variety of restaurants, galleries, museums and other attractions for visitors to enjoy.

count r y , including Red Rock Balloon Rally’s very own Koshare Gallup, will participate in the rally. On Su nday mor n ing following the fl ight Gallup Sun • Friday November 24, 2023 23

42nd Annual

Red Rock Balloon Rally December 1-3, 2023 New Mexico's Premier Ballooning event since 1981

Admission is FREE to all events!

(with a small $5.00 parking fee for each event at Red Rock Park)

redrockballoonrally.com

SPORTS

Lady Bengals dominate in fi rst round of tournament Gallup Lady Bengal SJ Haines (5) prepares to act at the net with Bengal teammates Shanlie Smith (6), Danika Delgai (9), and Layla Livingston (4) against the Goddard Rockets in the second round of the 2023 Rudy Real Texas Bar-B-Q State Volleyball Tournament Nov. 17. Photo Credit: Jenny Pond

Gallup Lady Bengal Shanlie Smith (6) waits for the ball while flanked by teammates Layla Livingston (4) and Danika Dalgai (9) during the second round of the 2023 Rudy Real Texas BarB-Q State Volleyball Tournament Nov. 17 in Rio Rancho. Photo Credit: Jenny Pond

Gallup Lady Bengals Danika Dalgai (9) and SJ Haines (5) jump into the action and battle for the ball during the game against the Goddard Rockets Nov. 17. Photo Credit: Jenny Pond

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• Rollie Mortuary offers a genuine desire to be of assistance to you and your family in this time of need.

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Gallup Sun • Friday November 24, 2023 25

Lady Patriots lose in the fi rst round of volleyball tournament Miyamura Lady Patriot Brielle King (8) hits the ball over the net while Lady Warrior Vivian Castro (6) attempts to block it during the Nov. 17 Rudy’s Real Texas Bar-B-Q State Volleyball Championship. Photo Credit: Kim Helfenbein

Miyamura Lady Patriots Brielle King (8) and Hailey Situ (4) attempt to block the ball while Lady Warrior Ana Heredia (3) attempts to hit it over the net during the Nov. 17 Rudy’s Real Texas Bar-B-Q State Volleyball Championship. Photo Credit: Kim Helfenbein

Miyamura Lady Patriot Amber Dubois (14) sets the ball up for a teammate during the Nov. 17 Rudy’s Real Texas Bar-B-Q State Volleyball Championship in Rio Rancho. The Santa Teresa Lady Warriors defeated the Lady Patriots 3-2 in the first round of the tournament. Photo Credit: Kim Helfenbein

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SPORTS

Lady Cougars outplay the Lady Dons

The Tohatchi Lady Cougars won their first match against the West Las Vegas Lady Dons 3-2. They then faced off against the St. Michael’s Horsemen, but lost 3-0.

Photo Credit: Kim Helfenbein

Tohatchi Lady Cougar Crra Cecil (27) hits the ball over the net while West Las Vegas Lady Don Malie Satete (24) attempts to block it. Photo Credit: Kim Helfenbein

Tohatchi was one of the GallupMcKinley County Schools facing off in the Rudy’s Real Texas Bar-B-Q State Volleyball Championship in Rio Rancho. Photo Credit: Kim Helfenbein SPORTS

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www.gallupsun.com Gallup Sun • Friday November 24, 2023 27

MARTIAL ARTS | FROM PAGE 4 the family and I would not associate with anyone,” he explained.

“I was always hiding around my parents. … So my mom and dad enrolled me in martial arts to try and break me out of that shell and it was just perfect.”

Charlie remembers those early days of martial arts fondly as a parent.

“All the other kids, even the teens, would move around a little bit and fidget, [but not Dylan],” Charlie said. “He would be as still and stiff as a board because that’s what he was told to do. Everything they said he took it overboard and did exactly what they said….”

Fast forward almost 20 years later, and martial arts is a permanent fixture in Dylan’s life.

He attended Gallup Catholic High School, and when the school struggled to put together extracurricular programs, they recruited Dylan to teach martial arts when he was in eighth grade. He taught grades K-8.

Once he moved on to high school at Middle College High School, he opened those classes up to the general public. Two years later in 2016, he needed to open a small studio of his own because more and more people wanted to attend his classes.

At this point, he was teaching about 50 students as a junior in high school.

Fast forward seven years, and he’s now teaching classes of about 200 students of varying ages. He’s moved his studio to three different locations over the years as his classes have grown in popularity. Currently, he teaches classes in the Rio West Mall.

OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND When he’s not teaching others his craft, Dylan is still out winning awards. He has won 1,167 trophies and awards,

28 Friday November 24, 2023 • Gallup Sun

81 Gr a nd Ch a mpion sh ip titles, and 117 World Karate Championships.

He’s already done a lot in just 22 years, but as for the future, Dylan doesn’t plan on going very far.

“I’ve always heard my entire life from friends and even family members ‘what are you going to do in Gallup? Why don’t you move to Albuquerque or Phoenix, you’ll have more opportunity,’” Dylan said. “I’m thinking ‘I’m sure I could, but I want to do it here. I can do it here.’ Just because Gallup is a small place doesn’t mean big things can’t happen.”

Just because he wants to stay local doesn’t mean he doesn’t have big dreams though.

He said he plans to keep doing what he’s doing and seeing what opportunities come his way.

Hollywood is one of Dylan’s big dreams. It came knocking in 2021 when an opportunity to work with actor and martial artist Bob Wall landed in Dylan’s lap. Wall often starred in movies alongside martial arts legend Bruce Lee, and he wanted Dylan to play a young Bruce Lee in a sequel to 1973’s Enter the Dragon.

Dylan accepted Wall’s offer and shaved his mustache in preparation to start filming in March 2022.

However, it wasn’t meant to be. Wall died on Jan. 30, 2022, and the movie was halted. Dylan said they may pick the idea back up again someday, but right now there are no concrete plans to move forward.

“We’re keeping our fi ngers crossed. If the Lord permits it, then it’s right at the time,” Dylan said.

As for now, Dylan is keeping busy by teaching martial arts and self-defense lessons to the Gallup community. He also plans to keep competing, and hopefully, winning more awards.

NEWS

CLASSIFIEDS GALLUP SUN ARCHIVES Need a past issue? $2.00 per copy. Note issue date and send check or M.O. to: Gallup Sun, PO Box 1212, Gallup, NM 87305. Subject to availability.

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CLASSIFIEDS | FROM PAGE 29 maintained. $15.000.00 May view at 1700 South 2 nd Street, Gallup, 505-863-3660 Test ride bring your own helmet, and full amount of dollars in hand.

LEGAL/PUBLIC NOTICES ELEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF MCKINLEY STATE OF NEW MEXICO In the matter of the Estate of No. D-1113-PB-2023-00041 FREDDIE MICHAEL PALACIOS JR., Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS FREDDIE M. PALACIOS SR., has been appointed Personal Representative of the Estate of FREDDIE MICHAEL

PALACIOS JR, deceased.

All persons having claims against this estate are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this Notice or the claims will be forever barred. Claims must be presented either to the Personal Representative at the offices of Mason & Isaacson, P.A., 104 East Aztec Avenue, Gallup, New Mexico, 87301, attorneys for the Personal Representative or filed with the District Court of McKinley County, New Mexico.

Dated: _______________.

FRED M. PALACIOS, SR. MASON & ISAACSON, P.A.

By James J. Mason Attorneys for Personal Rep-

resentative 104 East Aztec Avenue Gallup, New Mexico 87301 (505) 722-4463 Published: Gallup Sun November 17, 2023 November 24, 2023 December 1, 2023 *** Public Notice Public Notice is hereby given that Gallup Business Improvement District, Inc. will present the annual report virtually on Wednesday, November 29th at 10 AM. The log in information will be available 72 hours prior to the meeting from: fb.gallupbid@mailfence.com and on City of Gallup website.

Published: Gallup Sun November 24, 2023 *** LEGAL NOTICE

Reminder: McKinley County property taxpayers that they must pay the First half of the 2023 property taxes by December 11, 2023, to avoid penalties & interest. Mail must be postmarked on or before December 10, 2023. As the first half deadline approaches, we appreciate and thank all the taxpayers for their payments.

You can also pay your taxes online by logging on to the McKinley County Website at

www.co.mckinley.nm.us or call 1-844-329-7600 Convenience fee of $2.00 or 2.5% will be added for Credit/Debit Card or $1.50 for electronic checks.

By NM State Law, NMSA 7-38-47, Property Taxes are the personal obligation of the Property Owner, whether or not the Tax Bill was received.

For more information, call (505) 722-4459

CLASSIFIEDS WEEKLY RATES

25 WORD OR LESS: $10 26-50 WORDS: $20 51-75 WORDS: $30 76-100 WORDS: $40 $10 FOR EACH ADD’L 25 WORDS EXTRAS - $10 PER WEEK, PER ITEM: TEXT BOX, YELLOW HIGHLIGHT, PIC, AND/OR LOGO Newspaper published Fridays. Prepayment required. Classifi eds due Wednesday Noon.

Deadline subject to change Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.

Email: gallupsunlegals@gmail.com Offi ce (505) 722-8994

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Gallup Planning and Zoning Commission will consider the following action at its regular meeting to be held on Wednesday, December 13 th, 2023. The meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall located on the corner of South Second Street and West Aztec Avenue.

ITEM ONE: CASE # 23-00600001: Request

by Stephanie Rodriguez & Matthew Jensen, property owners, for the Rezoning of 0.221 acres M/L FROM Mobile Home Park Zone (MHP) Zone District TO Heavy Commercial (HC) Zone District. The property is generally located at 2442 E. Aztec Avenue immediately located on the southwest corner of Aztec Avenue and Williams Street; more particularly described as Lot 1 thru 3, BLK 3, William Boardman Subdivision.

ITEM TWO: CASE # 2300100001: Request by City of Gallup, for Annexation within Section 28 T15N R18W, N.M.P.M, containing

30 Friday November 24, 2023 • Gallup Sun

approximately 45.5070 acres with an initial zoning designation of Rural Residential Zone District (RR). Said properties is located along Dusty Road and Cipriano Avenue.

Auxiliary aides for the disabled are available upon request. Please contact C.B. Strain at (505) 863-1244, at least one (1) week prior to the meeting or as soon as possible in advance of the meeting to make any necessary arrangements.

All interested parties are invited to attend.

Copies of the Agenda are available on the City of Gallup’s website at: https:// www.gallupnm.gov/agendacenter The meeting will be accessible through the City of Gallup’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ CityOfGallup City of Gallup, McKinley County, New Mexico

CLASSIFIEDS | SEE PAGE 31 CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIEDS | FROM PAGE 30 By: /S/ Alfred Abeita, City Clerk PUBLISH: 28 November 2023 *** ELEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF McKINLEY STATE OF NEW MEXICO CRISTINA VILLICANA, Plaintiff, vs.

No. D-1113-CV-2023-00379

JOSE M. TERAN, LOURDES TERAN, and ANY UNKNOWN CLAIMANTS OF INTEREST IN THE PREMISES ADVERSE TO THE PLAINTIFF, Defendants.

NOTICE OF PENDENCY OF ACTION THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO TO: JOSE M. TERAN, LOURDES TERAN, and ANY UNKNOWN CLAIMANTS OF INTEREST IN THE PREM-

ISES ADVERSE TO THE PLAINTIFF

County, New Mexico on April 15, 1981.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that Plaintiff CRISTINA VILLICANA has commenced an action to quiet title to the premises described below:

The above described property is located at 305 Summit Ave., Gamerco, McKinley County, New Mexico.

You are hereby notified that unless you file a responsive pleading on or before January 8, 2024 with the above Court, the Judgment or other appropriate relief will be rendered against you by default.

You are further notified that the name of Plaintiff’s attor-

Lot Nine (9) in Block Two (2) of GAMERCO TOWNSITE SUBDIVISION as the same is shown and designated on the plat of said subdivision filed in the office of the County Clerk of McKinley

Community Calendar November 24 - November 30, 2023 FRIDAY, NOV. 24 SATURDAY, NOV. 25

OFPL WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY SATURDAY, NOV. 25

GALLUP 9TH ST. FLEA MARKET

9 am - 5 pm @ 340 9th Street.

The Gallup 9th Street Flea Market is one of the largest Native American markets in the United States.

SUNDAY, NOV. 26

HOLIDAY REMEMBERENCE PROGRAM

3 pm @ the Gallup Masonic Lodge (4501 E. 66 Ave.). The Community Grief Support Group will hold a holiday remembrance program for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. This a free event open to the public.

For more information text (505) 615-8053.

MONDAY, NOV. 27

FAMILY STORYTIME

11 am @ the Children’s Branch (200 W. Aztec Ave.).

November is Indigenous Heritage month so storytimes will feature Indigenous scientists who were pioneers in their STEM fields.

CALENDAR

City Manager’s Conference Room (110 W. Aztec Ave.).

until Dec. 21.

EUREKA!

MIDWEEK MATINEE AT OFPL

4 pm every Wednesday @ OFPL’s main library (115 W. Hill Ave.). This week’s film is What’s Cooking?

gallupARTS is seeking proposals for shows of local art on social justice topics. The shows would be presented at the ART123 Gallery in May and June. The proposal deadline is Nov. 30.

TUESDAY, NOV. 28

WE READ, WE TALK BOOK CLUB

6 pm in-person @ OFPL’s Main Library (115 W. Hill Ave.) or on Zoom. OFPL’s book club book for November is Bury My Heart at Chuck E. Cheese’s by Tiffany Midge. Email bmartin@ gallupnm.gov or call 505-8631291 for more information.

CHESS CLUB

4:30 pm @ OFPL’s Children’s Branch (200 W. Aztec Ave.).

Join the chess club at OFPL! Email pneilson@gallupnm. gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 29

KEEP GALLUP CLEAN AND BEAUTIFUL BOARD MEETING

4 pm - 5:30 pm @ the Solid Waste Building (1580 Hasler Valley Rd.) and streamed on Zoom. For more information go to gallupnm.gov.

SPORTS COMMISSION MEETING

5:30 pm @ Gallup City Hall,

Published: Gallup Sun November 24, 2023 December 1, 2023 December 8, 2023

CALENDAR

Email bmartin@gallupnm. gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.

4 pm @ OFPL’s Children’s Branch (200 W. Aztec Ave.).

Email pneilson@gallupnm. gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.

ney is Douglas W. Fowles, Rosebrough, Fowles & Foutz, P.C., 101 West Aztec Ave., Gallup, New Mexico 87301, (505) 722-9121. /s/ Douglas W. Fowles Rosebrough, Fowles & Foutz, P.C. Attorney for Plaintiff P.O. Box 1027 Gallup, New Mexico 87305 (505) 722-9121

FAMILY STORYTIME

11 am @ the Children’s Branch (200 W. Aztec Ave.).

November is Indigenous Heritage month so storytimes will feature Indigenous scientists who were pioneers in their STEM fields. Email bmartin@ gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.

OPEN MAKERSPACE TIME

4 pm - 6 pm @ the Children’s Branch (200 W. Aztec Ave.).

OFPL’s MakerSpace is a collaborative work space for making, learning, and exploring. Participants ages 5 and up can come in to create their own design for the 3D printers or explore the many engineering activities and equipment!

THURSDAY, NOV. 30

POP-UP HOLIDAY ART MARKET OPENS

2 pm - 6 pm @ ART123 Gallery (123 W. Coal Ave.). Find the perfect one-of-a-kind, hand-made gift by a local artist for everyone on your list! The Pop-up Marker runs

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

CRAFTY KIDS

4 pm @ OFPL’s Children’s Branch (200 W. Aztec Ave.).

For more information email: bmartin@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291.

SAVE THE DATE THURSDAY, NOV. 30 SUNDAY, DEC. 3

42ND RED ROCK BALLOON RALLY

@ Red Rock Park (825 Outlaw Rd., Church Rock). Don’t miss the most beautiful ballooning in New Mexico, flying high over the red rocks.

SATURDAY, DEC. 9

GALLUP ELKS HOOP SHOOT

11:30 am @ JFK Middle School (600 Boardman Dr.).

MINI WINTER ARTS FESTIVAL

1 pm - 5 pm @ ART123 Gallery (123 W. Coal Ave.).

Thirty-three local artists will be present. A family craft and hot cocoa will be available.

SHOW OPENING: 8TH ANNUAL MEMBER ARTIST GROUP SHOW

12 pm - 6 pm @ ART123 Gallery (123 W. Coal Ave.).

See new work by 13 of your favorite local artists.

ONGOING

FREE HIV, SYPHILIS, AND HEPATITIS C TESTING

@ First Nations Community HealthSource-Gallup (1630 S. Second St.). First Nations Community HealthSource-Gallup offers Free Rapid HIV, Syphilis and Hep C Testing, Monday – Friday from 1 pm to 6:30 pm by appointment. Get your results within minutes. To schedule an appointment call (505) 863-8827.

BUILD-YOUR-OWN-BUNDLE

OFPL staff who will create a bundle of material specially for you! Let them know what type of materials and genres you are interested in, and they’ll browse for you and create a custom bundle of material for you to pick-up curbside. Email bmartin@ gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.

To post a nonprofit or civic event in the calendar section, please email: gallupsunevents@gmail.com or fax: (505) 212-0391. Deadline: Monday at 5 pm.

Gallup Sun • Friday November 24, 2023 31

— Happy Thanksgiving— :H ZRXOG OLNH WR WKDQN RXU WHQDQWV IRU ZLWKRXW WKHP ZH ZRXOGQoW KDYH D MRE >)URP WKH 6WDƪ @ We would like to thank the Mayor and City Council for appointing a great Board of Commissioners to RYHUVHH RXU SURJUDPV DQG WR JLYH ZLVH JXLGDQFH DQG GLUHFWLRQ >)URP WKH 6WDƪ @ We thank all of our dedicated employees for having a positive attitude and always performing their ZRUN DW WKH KLJKHVW OHYHO >)URP WKH %RDUG@ We would like to thank all of our contractors and vendors who do work for us and provide the goods DQG VHUYLFHV ZH QHHG WR PDLQWDLQ DQG NHHS RXU SURSHUWLHV LQ JRRG RUGHU >)URP WKH VWDƪ DQG WKH %RDUG@ :H ZRXOG DOVR OLNH WR WKDQN WKH $OEXTXHUTXH +8' Ƭ HOG RƯ FH IRU DOO WKH WHFKQLFDO VXSSRUW DQG DGYLFH \RX JLYH XV ZKHQ QHHGHG >)URP WKH 6WDƪ DQG WKH %RDUG@ Last, we want to thank the citizens of Gallup for all your support and encouraging comments you give XV SHULRGLFDOO\ >)URP WKH 6WDƪ DQG WKH %RDUG@

God Bless You! Alfred Abeita, Sr. Board Chairman

Richard F. Kontz Executive Director

Located at 203 Debra Drive in Gallup, NM – (505)722-4388 Applications may be requested by email: GHA.Main@galluphousing.com