# Pueblo of Isleta website: www.isletapueblo.co (2024) > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Apueblo_isleta%3Af046fd4ee52ee6ad ## Record - **Collection:** Tribal code - **Document type:** Tribal code ## Text Volume 19 Issue 9 Isleta Pueblo News Pueblo of Isleta website: www.isletapueblo.co September 2024 Governor’s Report Maguwam, We hope this newsletter finds our community in good health and spirits. We would like to welcome back staff and students for this upcoming school year. As a reminder we ask everyone to be cautious during this time with bus stops and construction around the reservation. Parent and students, we wish you all a safe and blessed school year. or MRGCD staff. If you are found to be tampering with or lifting a check gate without proper authorization, you may be charged with trespass or misuse of public property. As we continue to celebrate in honor of St. Augustine, Isleta’s Patron Saint, the Mayordomos would like to extend this invite to join them for Vespers Mass on September 3rd at 7pm with precession, traditional dances, food, and a live band. The feast day to continue on September 4th with Mass at 9am, procession, traditional dances and food. We would like to recognize and thank our Mayordomos for hosting this feast day: Tribal administration would like to extend our gratitude to the departments, directors and employees for all the events that have taken place. We would like to continue to encourage the community to participate in these events, as these are for you! We would like to thank the community who attended in the community meeting on August 24th at the Isleta Resort and Casino. Our office has collaborated with our POI departments to hold the 2nd Youth Summit and extended the invitation to families, as well. We look forward to hosting the next summit, more information forthcoming. We would like to remind everyone, exercise caution around the drainage canals and ditches. During irrigation and monsoon seasons, the water levels and pressures in the drains can change rapidly and become very dangerous. Swimming in the ditches is strictly prohibited. All tribal members and residents are required to respect check gates and locks. Check gates may only be lifted by authorized personnel, mayordomos, Mayordomos: Michael Eastman and Theresa Montoya Robert and Laura Eddakie Joe and Wilberta Lucero Tristen and Dawn Kasero Ami Riley and Loretta Mojica Mayordomos September 3rd: Jacob Valdez September 4th: Terrance Lujan We would like to take this time to recognize and thank our Mayordomos for hosting the St. Augustine Feast Day on Wednesday, August 28th. We thank the families, and friends who helped make this feast day special. I would also like to thank the POI Departments in assisting with the set up to make our feast day special! HAWU, everyone and many blessing to you in return. We have issued a memo regarding no fishing or swimming in the Rio Grande River on the West and East side. We ask that you follow all signs posted regarding this order, we are working on re-opening the North side of the river soon. We appreciate your patience. Last, we want to send my condolences to the families of those who have lost their family members during the month of August. Ha-Wuh Max A. Zuni Governor Pueblo of Isleta Page 2 Isleta Pueblo News September 2024 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR DEADLINE for October Newsletter articles is set for Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at 4:30 pm. Articles may be dropped off at the Library or emailed to Nathaniel. Lujan@isletapueblo.com. Should you email your article, expect a confirmation email. If you do not receive a confirmation email, odds are it never made it to me and then it’s time to panic, so call Nate at 505.869.9808. People who wish to submit an article or flyer are responsible for generating their own article or flyer. Should you need help, please call the Library at 505.869.9808 and set up a date and time to sit down with a Library staff member who will help you throughout the process. The Library will NOT accept notes dropped off at the Library or information over the phone to generate your article. PROBATES need to be published in the Newsletter for two consecutive months. Probates are considered court documents, therefore, all submitters must provide: 1) Name of Deceased, 2) Date of Deceased 3) Court Case # and 4) Date of Court Date. A Probate form can be found on the Newsletter Archive page at http://www.isletapueblo. com/newsletters.html . CLASSIFIED ADS: The new administration has requested that the Newsletter start a Classified Ad section for Tribal members selling land, houses, mobile homes, vehicles, and farm equipment. Leasing of houses and mobile homes will be accepted. Smaller items which can be sold at the local flea markets or weekly yard sales will NOT be accepted. Currently, this service is FREE to Tribal members. Land, houses, and mobile homes must be within the reservation boundaries. Ads must meet the 160 character limit. Ads that exceed the 160 characters will NOT be submitted into the Newsletter. A single picture may be submitted with the ad. Submitters of classified ads are responsible for generating their own ads as this is a FREE service. As a reminder, Tribal business owners may submit a small flyer at no charge. Like the classified ads, business owners are responsible for generating their own flyers as this is a FREE service. Classified ads and business flyers will be posted no more than two consecutive months. In the event where the Newsletter may exceed the 24-page limit, classified ads and business flyers will be “bumped” for newsletter articles. Again, this is a FREE service for Tribal members. The Isleta Newsletter is owned and operated by the Pueblo of Isleta. Therefore, the Governor of the Pueblo of Isleta has the final say of all articles and contents within the Isleta Newsletter. For additional questions, you my call the Library and speak with Nate or Diane at 505.869.9808. Thank you, Nathaniel Lujan Newsletters may be found at the fifteen distribution locations listed below. Remember, Digital copies of the Newsletter may be obtained from the Newsletter archive at http://www.isletapueblo.com/newsletters.html The fifteen Newsletter distribution locations are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. TR 2 & TR 22 - Chical SE of Community Hall TR 10 - Behind the old 47 Sales TR 1 & TR 5 – Ranchitos / Bosque Farms Reservations Line Ranchitos Park Post Office - Big Tree TR 82 & TR 84 - Teller Road TR 78 & TR 82 - Carlos Trujillo Sr. TR 90 @ Y - CF Padilla Mouse Town Park – Health Center – South end of Health Center Parking lot Library Sunlight & Moonlight Intersection TR 6 - 47 Intersection TR 12 - 47 & 147 intersection (Old Smoke & Save) TR 71 & TR 54 @ Y - Holiday Robot / Paved Road / Railroad Tracks TR 45 & TR 40 @ Y - Tata Mel (POI Signage) DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL & HISTORIC PRESERVATION Isleta Pueblo and Our Little Island Lecture Series Isleta Pueblo Cultural Center will be hosting our Fall Lecture Series with Councilman Randy Jiron. He will speak on the history of Isleta’s past and how Isleta was given the name “Little Island”. Beginning September 19th 6:00pm to 7:30pm Isleta Pueblo Cultural Center 71 Tribal Road 40 Isleta Pueblo, New Mexico Come and Enjoy Our History and Camaraderie from Past to Present Contact the Isleta Pueblo Cultural Center at 505-869-9767 September 2024 Isleta Pueblo News Page 3 Thank You From The Pueblo of Isleta Environment Department We would like to thank everyone who attended the 2024 Environmental Fair! This year’s Environmental Fair marked the 10th annual fair. We had over 60 exhibitors participate including a combined event with Department of Education’s Back-to-School Supply event. We were excited to combine these two events as it brought more children and their families to the fair. We would like to give a huge shout out to Department of Ed. staff members for their assistance and collaboration. There were a variety of table displays ranging from environmental educational materials, parrots, live snakes, and so much more! We hope you enjoyed the fair and learned something from all the environmental experts and exhibitors. If you missed this event, do not worry because the Environmental Fair will return next year! ENVIRONMENT Monthly surface water quality results Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority reported an exceedance in the concentration of E. coli at its outfall, which is where treated wastewater flows into the Rio Grande at the Southside Water Reclamation Plant (SWRP) located south of Rio Bravo Blvd. On August 5, 2024 a grab sample measured over 2,519 CFU per 100 ml. The following day, on August 6, 2024, the compliance E. coli grab sample at the same point of collection was 4.1 CFU/100 ml. The UV system was inspected for deficiencies by the SWRP and none were found. POI Environment collected water quality samples from the Rio Grande at NM 147 and west of Isleta Lakes: Special thanks to the Following POI Departments and Programs: Department of Education, Animal Control, B’ee-K’oo-ee Wellness Center Prevention Program, Forestry Department, Isleta Head Start, Isleta Health Center, Isleta Police Department, Public Works, Parks & Recreation Department, Social Services, Victim Services, Water Resources Department, and WIC. LAND FOR SALE • • • 4.782+ Acres Tribal Road 10 Call, Text, or Voicemail Kimo @ (505) 506-3432 *Water quality samples are collected on a monthly basis from the Rio Grande except Indian Interior Drain at 240 Wasteway, Albuquerque Riverside Drain, and the irrigation locations. - Dash in data table indicates sample not collected. “MPN” is a unit of measure that stands for most probable number. MPN is equivalent to colony forming units (“CFU”). The Pueblo of Isleta’s most stringent surface water quality standard for E. coli bacteria is 88 MPN/100 ml at all times and at all flow rates. Please continue to watch signage at the NM 147 bridge for surface water quality advisory No fishing or swimming is allowed on the east and west side of the Rio Grande River nor ditches by Order of the Governor; please follow all signs posted regarding Governor’s order. If you have questions about surface water quality, contact Ramona Montoya, Water Quality Control Officer, at 505-869-7565. Isleta Pueblo News Page 4 Job Postings Visit us online at http:// www.isleta.com/career-opportunities.aspx Fax: 505-244-8232 September 2024 OUR LOCATION Isleta Resort and Casino is located 7 minutes south of downtown Albuquerque at Interstate 25 and Hwy 47, exit 215. The Human Resources office can be found on the east side of the building through the Employee Entrance doors. The New Beginnings Job Search We are looking for someone to assist in community integration to help an individual to enhance their personal, social, and vocational experience successfully in the community by attending several functions within the surrounding communities and local Albuquerque, Los Lunas, Belen areas. Focusing on, but not limited to broadening possibilities in the community and general population activities. Individual support is based on the identified needs and desires of the person served who has a disability daily. Individuals are active partners in determining the activities they desire to participate in and identifying their most meaningful experiences. Job Qualifications - Must be 18 years of age - Ability to read and carry out the requirements of the job - Ability to communicate in the language that is functionally required by the individual - Must complete all state required competencies - Must have a valid driver’s license and insurance - Must have own vehicle to transport to and from activities - Must have a high school diploma or equivalent - Will receive mileage reimbursement - 60 hours per bi-weekly/paid every two weeks - Salary negotiable Please contact if any questions or concerns: Christian Satterfield 505-363-6421 The New Beginnings, LLC Goodwill Goodwill Goodjobs! Serving Albuquerque south valley/ Isleta Pueblo, and Valencia County We offer individual free assistance with job search, interview skills, and resume assistance. Contact : Vicki Herring Career Specialist at 505-944-0289 Vicki Herring Career Specialist Goodwill Industries of New Mexico _____________________________________ vherring@goodwillnm.org 505-944-0289 or 505-881-6401 x4097 201 Desert Willow Rd, Los Lunas, NM 87031 www.Goodwillit.org September 2024 Isleta Pueblo News Page 5 Pueblo of Isleta Career Opportunities Position Posting Office Location Closing Date Position Posting Office Location Closing Date Page 6 Isleta Pueblo News September 2024 CURTIS GARCIA Our family would like to congratulate Curtis Garcia for completing Marine Corps bootcamp on August 16, 2024. He is the son of Christine (Renee) Anzara and Ben Garcia. Curtis signed up for the Marine Corps on May 5, 2023 while he was a junior in high school. He would meet with his recruiter every Wednesday, where he would prepare for bootcamp and learn what is expected to be a marine. He graduated Los Lunas High School on May 18, 2024 and two days later he shipped out to MCRD San Diego for 13 weeks. During his time at bootcamp, he endured rigorous training and learned more about the Marine Corps history. Since he was in JROTC in high school, he graduated bootcamp as Private First Class. He is currently back home for little over a week. During his break, he plans to visit family, eat all the food he missed, and relax as much as he can, but more then likely you will probably find him at the gym. He reports back to Camp Pendleton on August 28, where he will start Infantry training. This training will not be as strict as bootcamp, but he will be in training for 14 weeks. Once he completes this training, he will be notified of his duty station. Words cannot express how proud we are of Curtis. He chose his career path and continues to push his way through. We all are looking forward to see where his journey will take him. Curtis has had a great support system during this time, not just including his family and friends, but also from other military personnel who have encouraged him to chase his dreams. Please join our family to congratulate and pray for him to give him strength and motivation in his military career. Thank you to everyone who has supported and guided him. We are so proud of our Marine! Also, thank you to all our other service men and women who have served and continue to serve our country! We love you hetu! Thank you from the family of PFC Curtis Garcia, United States Marine Corps! Isleta Pueblo News Editor: Nathaniel Lujan Asst. Editor: Diane Abeita Published By: Valencia Express September 2024 Isleta Pueblo News Page 7 PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY CHANGES LEAD RULE On October 16, 2024, the revised requirements for the Lead and Copper rule go into effect. One major requirement is taking a community wide inventory of lead service lines. Public Works has been out and about in the community working on this inventory BUT we need your help. There are gaps in the data. Even with the use of records provided by Indian Health Services (IHS), Google maps and as-builts, the inventory isn’t complete. Public Works would appreciate community members calling in to let us know if your home was constructed before or after 1990. Prior to 1990, lead may be present in the fixtures, piping or wiring used to solder pipes. Even if the homes were constructed in 1990 or later, they must be included in the inventory and shown to be lead free. Below are years to keep in mind: Possible traces of lead in home builds: 1986 and prior years Confirmed use of lead in home builds: 1986-1988 Lead ban: 1988 1988-current: all water related products manufactured cannot have lead used in the manufacturing process Research done so far has shown the Pueblo has not ever utilized lead piping as a service line. The records show water main lines were constructed of AsbestosClay (AC), PVC or poly. Service lines from the main to your home shut-off have been polyethylene (PE) or back in the 1970’s it could have been galvanized or copper pipe. Depending on how your home was originally plumbed, the line going from the water shut-off into the home could be copper, galvanized, pvc or pex. The concern is if your galvanized piping was ever downstream from a lead service line. Information to call in: 1. 2. 3. 4. Address Type of service line installed at your residence Year of home construction Number of service lines- one or two Your help is greatly appreciated. Homes with no information will be reported as “unknown” to EPA and at intervals set by EPA, educational materials regarding lead will be disseminated. NM Poison Control We should be cleaning and disinfecting more often. It is important that you do not inject or ingest these chemicals into your body. Please remember to keep ALL chemicals out of children’s reach. If any cleaning or disinfectant solution is swallowed or injected, please contact the NM Poison Control immediately. 1-800-222-1222 Page 8 Isleta Pueblo News September 2024 September 2024 Isleta Pueblo News Page 9 TRUANCY Greetings, The first month of school has come and gone and before you know it, it will be winter break. Make sure you are not only on time to school in the mornings, but to each of your classes, as some teachers might not change the status of your attendance and you will stay marked as absent and those absences do add up. Also, be sure to turn in all your work on time and completed so that you can receive a grade. The Truancy Department was happy to be a part of the annual National Night Out that was hosted by the Isleta Police Department at the recreation center. We were happy to see so many community members that attended this event, participating and walking away with various small incentives. We were also invited to participate at the Isleta Elementary School for Open House. We were so glad to see the returning students and many new faces. We obtained signed Release of Information forms from many of our families. Please remember to fill out a Release of Information (ROI) and be sure to agree to Isleta Elementary sharing information with the Truancy Department so that we can provide your child with perfect attendance incentives throughout the school year, and if any issues arise Truancy will be able to assist you and your child. Several Truancy Department staff attended the Innovative Schools Summit during the month of July which was held in Las Vegas, Neveda. It is held annually in different states throughout the year. Multiple conferences included in the summit included: Helping At-Risk Students, Innovative Teaching Strategies, School Discipline, Wired Differently Trauma Informed; each conference included mini conferences related to each of the four topics. We were not able to attend all conferences, but the ones that we attended did have a lot of useful information that we can’t wait to implement. We hope to attend other conferences in the future so that we can strengthen the services and supports that we provide to our Pueblo of Isleta families and students Please remember we are here to support and assist you and your child to ensure that they gain a successful education. We are here to show positive encouragement and to cheer on our students as they achieve their goals at the schools they attend. If you would like additional information on any of the services we provide, please do not hesitate to contact our office or drop by our office. (We are located at the Tribal Complex). Thank you, Isleta Truancy Department Page 10 Isleta Pueblo News September 2024 September 2024 ST. AUGUSTINE PARISH IT TAKES A VILLAGE… Our St. Augustine Parish and community has been blessed with a new ministry called ITHIRST. This ministry is an addiction and recovery program supported by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. It is an international ministry of Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity. The ministry is designed for clergy, religious, and laity who desire to accompany the addicted and offer faith based companionship and support. We have recently certified 6 individuals from our community who have been trained, received certification and are qualified to assist individuals suffering from addiction and their families. They are called Spiritual Companions and are now available to begin the ministry. Anyone struggling with addiction and their loved ones are invited to reach out to the Spiritual Companions at this number 505-750-0226 or by contacting the St. Augustine Parish Office. Our iTHIRST ministry will offer: • Masses for recovery, healing and special intentions • Group meetings utilizing the AA 12-Step Program with a spiritual component • Gatherings for family and friends with frequent guest speakers • Spiritual Companionship on an individual basis • Rosary recitation and Holy Hour “Addiction isn’t just a physical and psychological illness; it’s also a spiritual disease that requires a spiritual remedy.” (Keaton Douglas, Executive Director of the ITHIRST Initiative) We must crush the stigma of addiction and embrace individuals that are struggling to remain sober, we follow Christ’s teachings…. When one encounters situations that are disturbing to your peace, this is the place to come! All are welcome!! iTHIRST was created with the desire to quench God’s thirst for love. They were among the last words Jesus spoke from the cross (Jn 19:28). Yours in Christ, Spiritual Companions and Father Thomas Milton St. Augustine Parish Purchased Referred Care Did you know? Did you know Isleta Health Center is your payor of last resort? Payor of last resort means if you have primary insurance, Isleta Health Center would be your secondary insurance. If you have a primary and secondary insurance, Isleta Health Center would be your Tertiary insurance. Please list Isleta Health Center as your last payor. Did you know you have to call PRC to inform them of all appointments? This includes all ER/urgent care visits, any follows ups, any secondary referrals, telemed appointments, rescheduled appointments. Not calling in for appointments will delay payment Did you know if you receive a bill from a provider, you have to bring it in to PRC, even if you have a referral? Some facilities will send a bill to the patient but not Isleta Health Center. It is best to bring all bills in received by mail to make sure PRC contacts the facility to bill Isleta. Isleta Pueblo News Page 11 Page 12 Isleta Pueblo News September 2024 PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT Hello Isleta Pueblo! I hope you are all doing well! Believe it or not, another month has passed and here we are in September 2024. This year is just flying by. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year are all just around the corner, so keep your eyes open for upcoming holiday activities and events that are associated with those holidays. Quick Department Overview – The department is doing well and continues to plug away. The weather is changing a little and it is getting to be that time when the Parks Crew starts to prepare our grounds for the winter months. The Aquatic center is doing their thing, swim classes are still available, you can call the center to find out what swim times are available during the day. Unfortunately, we recently lost some lifeguards and we are in the process of trying to get them replaced. In our sports section we just finished our men’s and youth basketball leagues games and we are getting ready for our youth cross country meets. Other sports activities will be coming soon. Our Recreation Section is busy with our youth after school recreation program. We currently have 35 plus children enrolled in this program and all is going well there. This year we’ve been able to pick up students like we used to in the past, this has given us the opportunity to serve more participants/children in the program this year so far. Our Fitness sections (Old Rec and New Rec) are busy and doing well, both facilities serve quite a few tribal members, POI employees and Casino employees on a daily basis and we are hoping to serve even more in the future. New Rec Fitness is offering various fitness classes as well, and we are hoping to expand those classes and add even more classes in the future. For more detailed information about any of this general information, please call the Main Recreation Center at (505) 554-7232. FITNESS SECTION - Isleta Recreation Center would like to thank all of the participants that exercise and with that, improving their health. These individuals that have been consistent with their workouts and their commitment to their health goals have been entered into monthly drawings and many of them have won some pretty cool health and wellness related prizes. Come workout on a consistent basis and enter yourself into these monthly drawings. Each month, we (Isleta Recreation) give our 2 monthly prizes that are fun and exciting and best of all its something that you can benefit from. Be on a look out for our information flyers advertising classes and drawings so that you can see what is our next give away, but don’t just come for the drawings, come for your health and workout. We look forward to seeing you here. For more information, please call 505-869-9777. SPORTS SECTION – This section just finished up with the Men’s Basketball League and it really went well. The tournament was very competitive, everyone was geared up to make a run at the title. In the first round in this double elimination tournament we had Gentlemen vs Evolution on the top side of the bracket and on the bottom side we had No Bodies from Laguna squaring off with Los Crudos from Isleta. The Gentlemen won and moved on to square off against defending champs Mudd Doggs and the No Bodies also won and went on to play the runners-up from last year’s tourney the Timberwolves. The Isleta Eagles were a surprise team this year, they went on to win 4 games from the loser’s bracket. This put them in the position to play the defending champs (Mudd Doggs) from last year. Their game against the Mudd Doggs actually went into double overtime, it took them that long to decide who was going on to play the Timberwolves in the Championship game this year. Despite the heroic efforts from the Isleta Eagles, unfortunately they came up short and lost a very good game to the Mudd Doggs. So, the game helped decide who would be playing for this year’s championship game and those teams were the Timberwolves and Mudd Doggs. The Timberwolves went on to defeat last year’s defending champs and they were crowned the champions of the 2024 Men’s Basketball League. We have also started our youth Cross Country team and we are still signing up children, if your child is interested in joining the team, please call the Rec Center for more information, you can reach us at (505) 869-9777. We have practice every September 2024 Isleta Pueblo News Page 13 Wednesday and Thursday afternoon from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm here at the Rec center. Season (first meet) will be on August 31st at Zia Pueblo. We are very excited to see what our kids can accomplish this year. RECREATION SECTION – Welcome back to the After School Recreation Program, students!! We are extremely excited to have our students back at the center for our Afterschool program. Right now, we have over 30 students enrolled in the program and we still have openings for more children. We are still accepting applications but we are extremely limited in our transportation, but we have plenty of room for more students, especially if you are able to bring your child to the program after school. Transportation is provided only for Isleta & Sundance schools, because our Bosque Farms transportation is at full capacity at this time and on hold until further notice. The program provides services from 3:00pm to 5:30pm every day and Recreation Staff provides services with homework help, craft activities, gym play, swimming, sports activities and much more. Parents if you are interested in the After School program, call the Recreation Center for more information at 505-869-9777. AQUATIC CENTER SECTION – We hope Back to School has gone smoothly for parents and students alike! Isleta Aquatics is still hiring Lifeguards! If you know anyone interested in becoming a lifeguard, please call or visit the POI website for the job posting! We do provide all training on site and work with school and extracurricular Students and Rec. staff making coasters and stepping stones with Plaster of Paris and designing them with gem stones. activities’ schedules. We do still have 7:30pm from Monday through Thursday penings for the fall swim lesson session and 4:30-5:30 on Fridays. We will still have and are currently taking registration a Saturday Session from 8:30am-11:30am! forms. Registration forms are available at Morning Lap swim can also be scheduled the Recreation Center front desk or email through the Aquatics office at 505-869Joshua.roybal@isletapueblo.com and we 9783 and is available from 5:30am-8:30am can send you over a printable version to M-F. For anyone interested in information fill out at home. Registration forms can about Lifeguard certification, child or adult be turned into the Aquatics Office or the swim lessons, groups and other aquatic Front Desk here at the Recreation Center. programming, please call Josh or Jayna at Open Swim will be open from 5:30pm until 505-869-9783. Sports Physicals By Dr. Ray Kelley It’s sports physical season! Summer is flying by, and soon parents and student athletes will need to complete their sports physical forms. Please contact IHC sooner rather than later to set up your appointment. We are saving a few appointment slots a week to get these done for our students, so we encourage you to take advantage of this and don’t procrastinate until the last minute! Sports physicals are an important part of preventing sports-related injuries and making sure our student athletes are able to participate fully in their seasons. We focus especially on the heart, bones, joints, and muscles at these visits. For tween and teen athletes, we also check in on topics like body image, nutrition, and emotional and mental health. If your young ones are not playing sports this year, we would still love to see them! An annual check-up is a good idea for most kids. Not only does it teach them the habit of taking care of their health, it also is a good opportunity to check up on their physical growth curve, their emotional development, their vision and hearing, and make sure they are up-todate with their childhood immunizations. Dr. Sapien, our pediatrician, is here every other week, and doctors Nelson, Pope, Kistin, and Kelley are family doctors also trained in pediatric primary care. See you soon! Isleta Pueblo News Page 14 September 2024 Pueblo of Isleta Public Library Hello September! For many, September signals the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. With autumn vibes in the air, it’s time for hoodies, books and football. Let’s goooo! Of course, we cannot forget the upcoming Feast Days and all the delicious food. The library’s calendar is filling up fast with programs to fit the season. News the front entrance as you drive in on your A staff meeting will be scheduled sometime right side. It is a small blue wooden box during the first week of September. We of books. The library has been donating will be planning upcoming programs for gently used children’s books to add to the children, teens, and adults. The library library. We hope the community stops by will remain open during this time so don’t and picks up a book or two for their little hesitate to come on in and check out any learners! library material. Library staff will be going over to Isleta The library will be closed on Saturday, Elementary School (IES) to help with August 31st, Monday, September 2nd library services. Currently IES does not and Wednesday September 4th in have an active librarian so library staff will observance of Labor Day and Isleta be going over in the afternoons so students Feast Day. We understand that even can have a set scheduled to include though we are closed, school is still in library time. During our time there we will session. With that said, we ask parents/ be going over library etiquette, checking guardians to please make the necessary in & out material, reading comprehension, arrangements for after school so students cataloging and organizing the library. We are not left outside the library. All library are excited to help get IES Library up and media checked out on August 29th and running once again for students to utilize. 30th will be due on September 5th. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Enjoy your Labor Day weekend and Isleta Feast Day! We would like to send out a big Thank You to our Summer Intern Jayden Zuni for all your help this summer. During her time at the library Jayden helped with the Summer Reading Program, Summer Meal Program, cataloging library material, and working the front desk. We would like to wish her the best of luck as she starts her semester at UNM. School is back in session which means students are everywhere. With that said, the library would like to remind you all to PLEASE be aware of flashing school zone lights and obey posted speed limits as we have students walking, riding bikes, and so on. The Head Start Story Time will also be starting soon so that means they will be walking to the library, so keep a look out for them as well. Family Story Time is back after taking a break during the summer to focus on the Summer Reading Program. Please join us every Thursday at 11:00am, no sign ups required so just come on in. Library Staff member Abbey will read a story and engage toddlers and families in an activity. This program gives parents and caregivers the opportunity to introduce reading to their children. If you have any questions, please give Abbey a call at the library at 505-869-9808 or by email at Abbey.Whitaker@isletapueblo.com. The library and Head Start have collaborated to start up a “Little Free Library” located at the Head Start. What is a Little Free Library you may ask? A Little Free Library is a free book sharing box where anyone may take a book or share a book, and you do not need to share a book in order to take one. The Head Start’s Little Free Library is located at Upcoming Join us on Wednesday, September 18th from 5:30pm to 7pm as library staff member Cheyenne brings in the start of Autumn by teaching participants Wood Soldering in crafting a wooden pumpkin. Unleash your inner artist with a wood burning tool to carve out a design to add to your fall décor. This program is for adults 18 and older and open to the first 8 patrons to sign up. Sign ups begin September 3rd. For more information, please contact Cheyenne at 505-8699808 or by email at Cheyenne.Castillo@ isletapueblo.com. A message from library staff member Astrid. To my Dearest Reader, The Pueblo of Isleta Public Library will be hosting a book club from September to Mid-October. Join Astrid for a frightening experience reading Mexican Gothic. After we conclude the book club sessions, we will go to an Escape Room and experience the mystery of the Blackwell Manor. Dates for sign up will be announced soon. Don't hesitate to call for more information. Sincerely Your Dearest Friend, Astrid Q. September 2024 For more information on Astrid’s program please call 505-869-9808 or email Astrid. Quintana@isletapueblo.com. The library will be planning programs for children, teens and adults in the upcoming weeks and months. Please keep your eyes and ears open. We are excited to share our knowledge with you. You can always refer back to our library website, library social media, Isleta Newsletter, and library flyers throughout the community. All our programs are open to the community and public. Recap It’s Open House Season and library staff have been busy attending Open Houses at the following schools… • • • • • • • • • • Los Lunas Middle School Valencia Middle School Sundance Elementary Bosque Farms Elementary Native American Community Academy (NACA) High School & K-8th Isleta Elementary School of Dreams (SODA) Santa Fe Indian School (SFIS) Valencia High School Isleta Head Start and Child Care Library staff drew in different audiences promoted library services and resources to students, parents and family members. We would like to thank those who visited Students trying out the keyboard that we just set up in the back of the general area of the library. Isleta Pueblo News our booth, gave suggestions or stopped by for some library swag. We would also like to thank the schools for allowing us to promote our services to everyone. Intern Jayden Zuni has been busy adding Accelerated Reader labels to the Children and Teen Books. The library has implemented this system to coincide with Bosque Farms Elementary library books. The goal being students can still utilize the Accelerated Reader System to follow their school’s protocol with reading comprehension. Accelerated Reader helps teachers/librarians guide students to books that are geared towards their grade or reading level. Students can take a short quiz after reading a book to check if they’ve understood it. On August 14th the library hosted a Financial Literacy Night featuring Jeremiah Esson as the presenter. The event covered a range of financial topics aimed at assisting attendees in planning for their future. Topics included retirement planning, business owner solutions, infinite banking and creating generational wealth. We would like to say think you to everyone who attended. We’re off to a great start with our After School Program with students from Isleta, Sundance and Bosque Farms Elementary. We currently have 20 students enrolled in our program, with transportation to the library after school for Bosque Farms Page 15 students. Library staff members have been helping students with homework, reading, crafts and activities. We already have an incentive field trip planned for September and students have been coming in and earning their points to attend the field trip. Incentive field trips are a great way to get students motivated to do their homework and encourage them to read. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the After School Program, please give us a call and speak with a staff member at 505-869-9808. The first Learning Outside the Classroom field trip for the new school year took place on Monday, August 19th and was led by library staff member Abbey. This program was an approach to an “All Learners Day” that Los Lunas School District conducts one day a month throughout the school year. The idea being that students can make the most of their day and learn outside the classroom. Library staff members Abbey and Diane, along with 10 students went to the Petroglyph National Monument for a morning of hiking at the Boca Negra Canyon and after enjoyed lunch at Main Event. We are currently planning our next field trip to Main Event Play Academy. For more details, check out the flyer. If you have any questions or would like more info about this program, please feel free to give us a call at 505869-9808. First Learning Outside the Classroom field trip to The Petroglyph National Monument! After School Program students on their daily crafts! Page 16 Isleta Pueblo News September 2024 ISLETA POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER - 2024 The time is flying by for this year with the youngsters back in school, fall is fast approaching with Halloween around the corner and followed too quickly by Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Fifth Annual National Night out was held August 9, 2024 and it appears it was a huge success. Sponsored by by the Isleta Police Department with the help of the many departments from the Pueblo as well as outside agencies. Donations were received by not only Pueblo merchants, departments and individuals but outside businesses as well. Many thanks to: Public Works, Truancy, Governor’s Office, Lente’s Painting, Census, Isleta Rec Center, IRAC, Housing, the Elderly Center, Pick-ADilly, Isleta Dispatch, C.F. Padilla, LLC, Transportation Department, Treasury, Truancy, Rec Center, IPHA, Social Services, Isleta Elementary, Prosecutor’s Office, Isleta EMS, Headstart, Realty, B’eeh K’oo-ee Wellness Center, Public Works, DOE, HR, Coalition to Stop Violence, CHR, and Victim’s Advocates. Buffalo Wild Wings, Home Depot, Top Golf, Starbucks, Starlight Movie theatres, Friends of Valle de Oro, NM United, Fiesta Tents, Dions, NM Escape Room, Isotopes, Niagara Water, Gold Streeet Pizza, NM Army National Guard, MADD, Los Lunas High School Cheer, FBI, BIA Fire, YDI, and POP Warner Cheer. My apologies if anyone was left off the list, but as you can see there were so many and we are forever grateful for you participation and donations. September 2024 Isleta Pueblo News Page 17 This is truly what NNO is all about. Building Community and Law Enforcement/Public Safety Partnerships WELCOME The department would like to introduce you to the newest employees who have joined the family: Charles D. Eaton -- Code Compliance Officer - Pueblo of Isleta Police Department Charles is life long resident of Valencia County and has 25 years of experience in County and City Government. He has worked with Valencia County and the City of Belen. His work experience has been in Code Compliance and Fire Safety. In Code Compliance he has addressed everything from nuisance complaints to property management issues. In Fire Codes, he performed life safety inspections for homes and businesses in the Community. He prides himself in serving the community and protecting the environment, and most importantly making a difference in the community and serving the people. He really looks forward to getting out and meeting the residents of Isleta Pueblo. RESIDENCY As many may be aware, the Isleta Police Department in conjunction with Census have been responding to complaints of residency non-compliance and taking action. As a reminder, the Residency requirements are listed in the Law and Order Code and have been in effect for quite some time. Just a reminder, prior for anyone who is a non-tribal member of the Pueblo of Isleta, an application must be submitted (application forms at Census). You must have a sponsor who is enrolled and that sponsor must reside in the home. Once submitted, together with the required application fee, the applicant will go through a background check and once completed, the packet is submitted to the Governor’s Office for review and approval or denial. Please keep mind, per the Law and Order Code, until the application is approved and/or denied, the non-tribal member cannot reside on the Pueblo. There is also now a charge of harboring a non-tribal if the Non Compliance is not addressed by the party responsible for the residence. The new Code Compliance Officer and a police officer are keeping up with these noncompliant individuals and a list is reviewed weekly. If you have questions please do not hesitate to contact the Census Office, Code Compliance Officer Eaton or Officer Sharon Mitamura (505-869-3030/IPD Dispatch) as we are happy to help. IHSP TRAFFIC DIVISION The Traffic Division is always conducting traffic enforcement for the safety of all who travel on the roadways of the Pueblo and are conducting special operations throughout the year. Saturation patrols, DWI roadblocks, detection of DWIs, seatbelt enforcement, etc. are a constant focus of this division as well as patrol officers. We ask all to ensure you and your passengers are always in proper restraints, buckling up the moment you are seated in your vehicle. Make sure your children are in appropriate childseat safety seats and always check your backseat before leaving your vehicle during inclement weather, i.e., heat or cold, as the interior of a vehicle will quickly heat up or quickly cool off respectively. This advice is also for your pets as well. WELLNESS SUMMIT AND COMMUNITY MEETING The Police Department was also a participant at the Wellness Summit and Community Meeting held on August 24 at the Isleta Resort and Casino. There was information presented in the three breakout sessions held regarding Mental Health Awareness by Behavioral Sciences Clinician C. Massey and narcotics and their effects as well a demonstration with K9 Officers L. Lujan and Rollo. Information was available for dissemination as well. FENTANYL Narcotics in the surrounding area and unfortunately on the Pueblo has been recognized. One of the more prevalent narcotics being found is that of fentanyl. Below is an article published by the Drug Enforcement Administration: Top Local Drug Threat Local DEA officials have identified illicit fentanyl as the top drug threat in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid drug approved by ( CONTINUED NEXT PAGE ) Page 18 the Food and Drug Administration for use as an analgesic (pain relief) and anesthetic. It is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin as an analgesic. Drug Facts The DEA laboratory has found that, of the fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills analyzed in 2023, seven out of ten pills now contain a potentially lethal dose of at least 2 mg. This is an increase from DEA’s previous announcement in 2022 that six out of ten fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills were found to contain a potentially lethal dose. • Criminal drug networks are massproducing fake pills and falsely marketing them as legitimate prescription pills to deceive the American public • Fake pills are easy to purchase, widely available, often contain fentanyl or methamphetamine, and can be deadly • Fake prescription pills are easily accessible and often sold on social media and e-commerce platforms, making them available to anyone with a smartphone, including minors • Many fake pills are made to look like prescription opioid such as oxycodone (Oxycontin®, Percocet®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), and alprazolam (Xanax®); or stimulants like amphetamines (Adderall®) NOTE: In 2023, it was noted that “tranc” was identified in the Albuquerque area and is fentanyl with Xylazine Xylazine is a medicine given to animals to sedate them for surgery or relieve pain. It is a strong synthetic alpha2-adrenergic agonist, synthesized in 1962 as an analgesic, hypnotic, and anesthetic. Xylazine is not approved for human use, but is now being used as a recreational drug. It is often mixed with heroin, fentanyl and other opioids that are taken illegally. Xylazine can cause drowsiness, amnesia, and can also slow breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure to dangerously low levels. One of the alarming factors regarding this narcotic which has surfaced is the fact that Narcan (Naloxone) is not effective or may use multiple doses and is becoming a great concern as there have been fatalities regarding this. Please be aware of “street” fentanyl or “fake” fentanyl. Isleta Pueblo News September 2024 September 2024 Isleta Pueblo News Page 19 Anyone. Any struggle. Any time. This is the English version of the Tiwa article published in the August POI Newsletter and the IHC Summer Newsletter Did you know that NM Native American youth who have a trusted adult in their lives are less likely to experience mental health distress and engage in risky behaviors? Unfortunately, for many people when they experience mental health distress, they do not feel that they have the support and care they need, making the bad situation worse, sometimes resulting in suicide or overdose. Studies have shown that in New Mexico, suicide is the leading cause of death for Native Americans. However, there is hope. Regardless of someone’s current situation or who they are, they deserve to feel heard and met with compassion and understanding. The National Suicide and Crisis Line- more frequently referred to as 988- is that support for a lot of New Mexicans and could be a good support for you or someone you know. The lifeline is not only free, confidential and available 24/7, but it also provides the support from trained professionals who are equipped to handle a variety of situations quickly. 988 Some reasons to call, text or chat with 988 include: ● ● ● ● ● ● Worried about safety Hard time managing strong emotions Relationship troubles Worried about substance use Need information about local community services Or any other reason, you need to talk to someone For more information about 988: visit 988nm.org. Page 20 Isleta Pueblo News September 2024 September- Newborn Screening Awareness Month Newborn Screening Awareness month aims to educate families about newborn screening. About four million babies each year are screened for disorders that are present at birth. Newborn screening is free. There are programs in all 50 states and territories ensuring children in the US are tested within 24-48 hours of being born. This screening has identified over 12,000 infants annually with a condition that, if left untreated, would cause disability or death. The test only takes a few drops of blood from a heel prick and a simple hearing test. Newborn screening saves lives and prevents future health complications. WIC NEWS Thank you everyone who participated in our World Breastfeeding and WIC Turns 50 event! Thank you to all our donors! New Mexico Breastfeeding Task Force, Isleta Tribal Council, Isleta Resort and Casino, the Isleta Recreation Center, Albuquerque Isotopes, NM United, Dion’s, Albertsons, Whole Foods, Sam’s Club, Jerry’s Market, Zuni Smoke Shop and Randy’s DJ Services! Congratulations to all of our raffle winners! Nick Trujillo Amberrose Papuyo Patricia Charlie Audrena Abeita Andrea Pesina Rachel Chapen Keanna Lucero Travis Jaramillo Autumn Abeita Joanne Sanchez Judy Abeita FeliciaPapuyo Michelle Chavez Jerri Peace Monica Saucedo Marla Zuni Mayra Perez Cheyenne Montoya SEPTEMBER 2nd September 2024 Isleta Pueblo News Page 21 ASK THE CLINIC Isleta Health Center Provider, Dr. Ray Kelley, 505-869-3200 It is normal to have low blood pressure? Great question! Blood pressure measurements have two numbers – the top number is the systolic pressure, and the bottom number is the diastolic pressure. The goal for most people is about 120 to 130 systolic, and about 80 to 90 diastolic. Many people have a blood pressure lower than 120/80, and they are perfectly healthy. For example, children’s blood pressures are supposed to be lower than adults’ -- their goal blood pressures change with age. Adults with great cardiovascular fitness – like runners and swimmers – often have blood pressures below 120/80. It is common that people with certain health conditions such as cirrhosis have lower yet normal blood pressures. When is low blood pressure a problem? Most of the time, low blood pressure is not a problem (see above). Lower blood pressure measurements are only a problem when the person is having symptoms. Someone could have a blood pressure of 110/70 and feel 100% normal – that’s no problem! However, someone else could have a blood pressure of 110/70 and feel dizzy, light-headed, or sick – that’s a problem! Sometimes low blood pressure is related to being sick, being dehydrated, or certain medications. If you or a loved one have symptoms alongside low blood pressure, get checked by a health professional. Ask the Clinic, is a new section in the POI Newsletter, where you can ask the Clinic ANY Question and we will answer it in future newsletters. If you have a Question for the Isleta Health Center, please contact Stephanie Barela at 505-869-4479 or email her at Stephanie.Barela@islclinic.net. Page 22 Isleta Pueblo News September 2024 Health Beat: Cholesterol Education Month (September) ~CHECK, CHANGE, CONTROL Stephanie Barela, Health Educator Phone: 505-869-4479 | stephanie.barela@islclinic.net www.heart.org www.cdc.org September is National Cholesterol Education Month. Cholesterol is a waxy substance that your body actually needs to build cells, however, too much of it can be a problem. It comes from either your liver or from the food we eat that comes from animals, for example, meat, poultry and full-fat dairy products. These foods are high in saturated and trans fats and cause your liver to make more cholesterol than it otherwise would. Another thing that can trigger your liver to make more cholesterol is some tropical oils, such as palm oil, palm kernel oil and coconut oil. Cholesterol circulates in the blood and when the amount of cholesterol increases, so does your health risk. That is why it is important to have your cholesterol checked. Make it a point this month to learn your numbers and know your risk. The next time you are at the clinic, ask your provider if you need to get a lipid profile, which is a measurement of your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. According to the heart association, all adults over the age of 20 should have a lipid profile. There are two types of cholesterol: LDL cholesterol, which is bad, and HDL, which is good. Too much of the bad kind, or not enough of the good kind, increases the risk that cholesterol will slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain. When it builds up, it can form a thick, hard deposit on the inside of the arteries, which can narrow the arteries and make them less flexible (atherosclerosis). If a blood clot forms and blocks one of these narrowed arteries, it can cause a heart attack or stroke. When it comes to cholesterol, this is what to remember: check, change and control. That is: • • • Check your cholesterol levels. It’s key to know your numbers. Change your diet and lifestyle to help improve your levels. Control your cholesterol, with help from your doctor if needed Here is what your cholesterol numbers mean: Total cholesterol(mg/dL): Less than 200 is desirable 200-239 is borderline high: Depending on your other risk factors, you may be at a higher risk for heart disease. talk to your provider about your overall risk for heart disease. 240 or higher is high: You are at risk for clogged arteries and a heart attack. See your doctor to determine your risk for heart disease. LDL Cholesterol is BAD cholesterol. KEEP IT LOW!! • Less than 100 is optimal or ideal. • 100-129 is near optimal/ above ideal • 130-159 is borderline high • 160-189 is high • 190 and above is very high HDL Cholesterol is GOOD cholesterol. THE HIGHER THE BETTER! • Keep it above 40 Triglycerides are another type of fat in the blood. They come from fat that you eat and are made in the body. Here is what your triglyceride numbers mean: Less than 150 is NORMAL. 150-199 is borderline-high. You may be at an increased risk for heart disease. To lower your level, aim for a healthy weight and be more physically active. 200-499 is high. Weight control and physical activity are very important to lower your level. Watch out for other heart disease risk factors such as overweight and obesity, diabetes, low HDL and high blood pressure. Over 500 is VERY HIGH!! ALERT! See your doctor immediately. This level requires attention to prevent severe problems with your pancreas. Contraception There are many different types of contraception (also known as “birth control”). These include pills, shots, implants, intrauterine devices (IUDs), among others. These are all available from the doctors at Isleta Health Center. Certain types of contraception such the implant/Nexplanon and the IUD work for a long time and can be removed by a provider whenever the patient desires. These are called, “Long Acting Reversible Contraception” or “LARCs.” There have been some updates regarding how long these are effective, so they may last longer than you think! Copper IUD/Paragard: • • • Effective for 12 years When it was placed, you may have been told it was effective for 10 years If you have an IUD and you still have a regular period, you likely have the copper/Paragard IUD Hormonal IUD/Mirena: • • • • Effective for 8 years When it was placed, you may have been told it was effective for 5-7 years If you have an IUD and you do not have a period, or you just have light spotting, you likely have the hormonal IUD Bleeding pattern may change over time, but it is still effective at preventing pregnancy Implant/Nexplanon: • • Effective for 5 years When it was placed, you may have been told it was effective for 3 years • If you have a small rod in your arm, you likely have the implant/Nexplanon • Bleeding pattern may change over time, but it is still effective at preventing pregnancy None of these methods affect long-term fertility. Make an appointment with one of the Isleta Health Center doctors if you have any questions about birth control. September 2024 Isleta Pueblo News Page 23 Community Engagement Initiative: Opioid Settlement Funds for Isleta Pueblo The Pueblo of Isleta is embarking on an important journey to address the impact of the opioid crisis within our community. As recipients of opioid settlement funds, we have a unique opportunity to channel these resources into initiatives that can bring lasting, positive change. To ensure that these funds are used effectively and align with the needs of the community, we will be hosting several town hall meetings to gather your input. The opioid crisis has affected communities across the nation, including Isleta Pueblo. Families have been torn apart, lives lost, and the ripple effects have touched all aspects of our society. The settlement funds are a form of restitution, offering a chance to heal, rebuild, treat, and prevent. Our primary goal with these town hall meetings is to engage directly with community members. We believe that the best solutions come from those who are most affected. By listening to your voices, we can develop initiatives that are not only effective, but community-driven. During the town hall meetings, we will cover several key topics, including: 1. Prevention Programs: How can we prevent opioid misuse in our community, especially among our youth? 2. Treatment and Recovery Services: What types of treatment and recovery services are most needed, and how can we make them accessible to everyone? 3. Support for Affected Families: What support systems can we establish for families dealing with the fallout of opioid addiction? 4. Education and Awareness: How can we raise awareness about the dangers of opioids and promote healthy, drug-free lifestyles? We invite all community members to attend these town hall meetings. Your insights, experiences, and suggestions are invaluable. Together, we can create a comprehensive plan that reflects our collective wisdom and meets the unique needs of our community. Meeting Schedule The town hall meetings will be held at various locations across Isleta Pueblo to ensure accessibility for all residents. Specific dates, times, and venues will be announced through the Pueblo of Isleta Newsletter, social media, and the electronic message board outside of IHC. Let's work together to make our community a model of resilience and recovery. Your voice can help transform these settlement funds into a powerful force for positive change. Join us at the town hall meetings and be part of this crucial conversation. Please contact Nancy Gonzales, IHC Public Health Director at (505) 869-4462 or nancy. gonzales@islclinic.net with any questions or for more information about the town hall meetings. Page 24 Isleta Pueblo News September 2024 ISLETA ELDER CENTER - ADULT DAY CARE SERVICES It is common knowledge that elder care is one of the fastest-growing areas in the healthcare industry, with a demand that skyrocketed in the last five years. And the country will continue to see an increasing demand for elder care services in the coming years due to a rapidly growing elder population. Adult day care centers provide participants with services such as meals, basic health care and health assessments, assistance with appointments and activities of daily living (ADL). Adult day care centers also provide for transportation, care coordination as well as therapeutic, recreational and socialization activities. In a nutshell, it is a comfortable place where the elders can spend the day participating in health-seeking activities, while their caregivers are at work, running errands, or enjoying a well-deserved rest and relaxation. It is a compassionate and safe environment for the elders and is considered as a home away from home for some elders. Father’s Day Celebration at Isleta Lakes A glance at what elders may enjoy while attending the Isleta Adult Day Care Services. A game of concentration/ coordination Come join us at Adult Day Services and see what the FUN is all about! Nutrition Education/Bingo with medical interns and Karen Roop, Dietitian Fire Safety by Isleta Fire Department We are very thankful for our Summer Interns; they made our days bright and full of cheer! Songbird Music by Sayushane Mother’s Day Fundraiser, Bouquet Cookies Educational Sessions by Nevaeh September 2024 Isleta Pueblo News Page 25 Ceramic painting at the Santa Ana Senior Center Fresh pickings from ADS garden For more information contact: Outreach Manager Isleta Elder Center (505) 869-9770 A fun day at the ABQ Zoo Page 26 Isleta Pueblo News September 2024 Health Beat: TEMPERATURES AND FOOD SAFETY Karen Roop, Isleta Diabetes Programs Dietitian Phone: 505-869-4093 Improper handling of food affects millions of people each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 48 million Americans become sick from food every single year.¹ This is about 14% of the population or 1 in 7 people. Of those 48 million people, “128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 die.”¹ One way to help reduce foodborne illnesses is to be mindful of the role temperature plays in food safety. How long can I keep food out of the fridge? According to the CDC, foods can be kept out of the fridge at room temperature for two hours.² This refers to the temperature of the environment, not the food itself. Once a food is cooked or taken out of the fridge or freezer, you have two hours to consume it before putting it back into the fridge or freezer. If the food is kept at a temperature over 90°F, you only have one hour before putting it into the fridge or freezer.² If you want to let the food cool down before putting it in the fridge to prevent dropping the fridge’s temperature, that is okay. However, keep in mind you will need to put the food away within the 1- to 2-hour time limit. Why is it important to not leave foods at room temperature or high temperatures for too long? Bacteria grow rapidly in a temperature range called the “Danger Zone.”³ The danger zone is between 40°F and 140°F.³ This is why refrigerators are kept at 40°F or below. Hot-holding foods at a temperature above 140°F are also okay for feasts or gatherings. To learn more about food safety and to take your food handlers training online through IHS, you can reach the course at https://www.ihs.gov/foodhandler/. Visit these websites for more information: ¹. ². ³. https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/foodbornegerms.html https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/ten- dangerous-mistakes.html https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safefood-handling-and-preparation/food-safetybasics/danger-zone-40f-140f What to do if you find a used needle outdoors People, especially children, must never touch or pick up needles found on the ground. Discarded needles can be harmful. Needles or hypodermic needles are also known as syringes or sharps. Cleaning up discarded needles must be done carefully to protect human health and the environment. If a used or discarded needle is found on Isleta tribal land, please call Isleta Police Dispatch at 869-3030 to report the location so that a qualified tribal employee can safely collect and dispose of the discarded needle. Individuals who use needles for insulin shots or other medical uses are expected to dispose of their used needles appropriately in sharps containers that individuals have to purchase themselves. An exclamation mark within a triangular border is the international symbol for caution. Always exercise caution if you see a discarded needle. If you have any questions about this article, please contact Environment Department at 869-7565. September 2024 Isleta Pueblo News Page 27 Ask the Clinic, is a new section in the POI Newsletter, where you can ask the Clinic ANY Question and we will answer it in future newsletters. If you have a Question for the Isleta Health Center, please contact Stephanie Barela at 505-869-4479, email her at Stephanie.Barela@islclinic.net, or scan the QR Code below. Page 28 Isleta Pueblo News September 2024 --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Apueblo_isleta%3Af046fd4ee52ee6ad. Public record. Not legal advice.