United States President Joe Biden unveiled on April 28, 2021, the American Families Plan, which according to a Fact Sheet released on the same day by whitehouse.gov is a plan that is going to offer 2 years of community college to all Americans, including DREAMers.
It also proposes to provide an increase in the amount of individual Pell Grant awards by an additional $1,400 per student and allow DREAMers to access Pell Grants as well.
The Plan would also provide two years of free universal pre-K education, make child care more affordable, provide twelve weeks of paid family and medical leave to employees, as well as additional provisions.
Through legislative processes, Congress will consider the proposal.
The House and Senate have to pass the bill before it can take effect.
If the bill does not receive bipartisan support, then it may onlybe able to pass through a reconciliation vote, which requires only a simple majority vote in the Senate.
The money to finance this plan will come from taxes according to whitehouse.gov, but the majority of Americans will not feel the impact of those taxes.
The taxes will be taken from people who make $400,000 or more annually.
To read more about the proposed plan check out this link:
While the pandemic has brought human activity at CNM’s Joseph M. Montoya Campus to a minimum, it appears that some coyotes are attempting to reclaim the domain for the Animal Kingdom. The coyotes have created a base in the drainage tunnels under G Building, according to CNM postings. Signs have been placed in a variety of places around Montoya campus warning humans of increased coyote sightings in the area. Nestled in the foothills of the Sandia Mountain in Northeast Albuquerque, the campus is fairly open to nature. Photos taken May 20th.
While most CNM students are on break between Spring and Summer semesters, the roses in the garden, by Smith Brasher Hall on Main Campus, are busy blooming during the second week of May.
KC is getting some artsy brick walls as it gets ready to host CNM’s Art Department.
A look down the central hallway at KC reveals a lot of work to be done on the remodel.
Hallway/lounge connecting Ken Chappy Hall and Max Salazar Hall looks complete.
Work on the Ken Chappy Hall remodel is progressing, as the Spring semester winds up. The connection hallway/lounge between KC and Max Salazar looked to be in completed form. But a gander down the central hallway in KC showed a lot of work left to be done.
Workers under the supervision of Franken Construction Company of Albuquerque have installed some artsy-looking brick walls on the South side of KC, appropriate to serving as the home of the Art Department, with a naturally lit, cupola-topped art space in the middle of the KC to replace an open courtyard.
To accompany this year’s virtual graduation ceremony, CNM will host a graduation celebration, according to Dean of Students, Chris Cavazos.
The celebration is scheduled to take place on May 1st from 2-4 pm, and students are welcome at any time during this window, said Cavazos.
Cavazos explained that the event would be a parade style route through the Smith Brasher parking lot on CNM’s Main Campus.
CNM faculty and staff will be lining the route to cheer and celebrate the graduates, said Cavazos.
CNM is encouraging only one vehicle per graduate, and family and friends will be asked to remain inside of the vehicles due to COVID-19 restrictions, Cavazos said.
“There will be a stage area where graduates will be allowed out of their vehicles for a photo opportunity,” stated Cavazos.
Members of the Executive Team and CNM Board Members have also been invited to be present on the stage, Cavazos explained.
In addition to CNM diploma covers, Cavazos said, “We will be giving away some CNM swag for our graduates.”
The staff will attempt to move the parade along fairly quickly, but with enough time to allow for students to have their moment, said Cavazos.
Area Director at the CNM Bookstore Ann Heaton said the bookstore is currently working with their buying team on adding new merchandise to the store, like UNM, NMSU, and New Mexico United. She also added, the CNM Bookstore which is located in the newly finished CNM Marketplace building would like people to know that they want to be a part of the community and not just seen as CNM’s Bookstore.
The new bookstore will still offer the same services that they have always offered as well as new food services offered at the marketplace, she said.
A Grab-N-Go option will be available to the community and as more people return to the campus area more options will become available, she said.
Heaton added, “we are also planning on opening a Starbucks as proudly serving for the fall and then opening it as a fully licensed Starbucks in spring 2022.”
There were mixed emotions regarding the new move, but her team has adjusted well and are excited to be in the new building, she said.
“It has been exciting being in this new location with so much natural lighting occurring all around us. We love the feel of not just looking like a ‘college bookstore’ but having more of an appearance of a regular retailer.” She said.
Covid-19 preparations have been made to ensure the safety of students and employees as they begin to return to campus within the next month, said Heaton.
Workers under the supervision of Brycon Construction of Albuquerque doing the foundational work for a brewery/catering facility at the Robert P. Matteucci Hall on April 20th, at the CNM Main Campus.
The days of CNM’s current Student Service Center are apparently numbered, according to college officials. Tracey Hartzler, CNM’S president, announced in January that CNM would be building a new Student Service Center on an area now occupied by a parking lot in front of the Ted Chavez building, at the southeast corner of Coal Avenue Southeast and University Boulevard. The new Service Center will come on line in 2023, according to Hartzler. CNM officials are saying that the plan is not to remodel, or convert the current service center to other use, but to completely demolish the building. Such was the fate of “N” building last year. N has been replaced by a plaza, and parking spaces. CNM officials say that a new applied technologies building could go on the space currently occupied by SSC, as the current applied technology building–Ted Chavez–is slated for eventual demolition, as well.
According to Topgolf employee, Jake Plotkin Topgolf is open Mondays through Sundays from 10am to 10pm.
Covid policies currently required reservations for bays required, and max capacity per bay is six people, including infants & children.
The bar and common areas are open for walk-ins but all guests are required to wear a facemask when in the venue.
Healthcare workers and Teachers are given a discount of 10% off all Topgolf game play plus additional benefits are offered for healthcare workers and teachers through April 30, 2021.
The normal cost per bay is listed below.
Tuesdays
Wednesdays -Mondays
Open-12PM
12.50/hr per bay
$25/hr per bay
12PM -5PM
$17.50/hr per bay
$35/hr per bay
5PM- Close
$22.50/hr per bay
$45/hr per bay
TopGolf Albuquerque
The Albuquerque Museum
According to Albuquerque museum employee, Haley Webb the Albuquerque Museum is open Tuesday and Wednesday 9 to 5, Thursdays through Sundays 9 to 8, and closed Mondays.
Covid policies currently require everyone to wear a facemask, and only 40 people are allowed in the museum every 30 minutes.
Tickets are not available to buy at the museum but are available to buy online through Hold My Ticket only.
According to the city of Albuquerque employee, Tim Garcia the Biopark is 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday and closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Covid policies are social distancing between guests, restrooms will be available and are cleaned and sanitized frequently.
All ABQ BioPark staff members are required to wear facemasks and all guests are required to wear a facemask unless eating or drinking.
The Biopark is limiting the number of tickets available each day.
Guests can choose a time and date when they can buy tickets online and must arrive within a half-hour of that time.
There is a military discount offered, the normal cost for tickets is listed below.
Adult
Senior (65+)
Youth (3-12)
New Mexico resident
$10.00
$5.50
$5.00
Non-resident
$14.50
$7.50
$6.00
Military discount- New Mexico resident
– $8.00
$4.00
Military discount- Non-resident
$12.50
$5.00
ABQ BioPark
* Children (2 and under) – Free with a purchase of an adult ticket
ABQ BioPark – Botanic Garden
According to city of Albuquerque employee, Renee Castillo the Botanic Garden is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday and closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Covid policies require guests to buy tickets online just like the zoo and wear a facemask unless they are eating or drinking.
Outdoor food and beverage options and outdoor kiosks for merchandise are available.
Food can also be order online from the restaurants ahead of time.
There is a military discount offered, the cost for tickets is listed below.
Adult
Senior (65+)
Youth (3-12)
New Mexico resident
$10.00
$5.50
$5.00
Non-resident
$14.50
$7.50
$6.00
Military discount- New Mexico resident
– $8.00
$4.00
Military discount- Non-resident
$12.50
$5.00
ABQ BioPark- Botanic Garden
* children (2 and under) – Free with a purchase of an adult ticket
Sandia Peak Tramway
According to Sandia Peak Tramway’s marketing manager, Jessica Fox they are open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Mondays, closed Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.
Covid policies are that guests will be required to wear a facemask while on the Tramway and in Tram facilities, disposable face coverings will be available for use and temperature checks will be required.
TEN 3 Restaurant on the property will be doing indoor dining at 25% capacity.
Tramcars will operate at one-third capacity and will be cleaned and sanitized between each trip.
Windows and vents will be open during the tram flight and they ask you to wear warm clothing because it can be chilly.
Tram Tickets are available to buy online 24 hours before the day you plan to arrive and are limited.
There is a military discount offered, the cost for tickets is listed below.
As summer-time begins to settle on Albuquerque, many ducks have already flown north. The duck population at the UNM Duck Pond–which numbers easily more than 500 Ducks in mid-winter– is down to less than a hundred now in mid-April.
Two large white ducks were taking in the sun on the gravel path next to the pond, and seemed in no hurry to leave, on April 13th. Some mallards were paddling slowly around in the water, enjoying a lot more room to maneuver. Others were floating around a grouping of rocks, and sometimes stopping to rest. After-all, it is summertime, and the living is easy, at the UNM Duck Pond.
