Voices of Taos

This episode is brought to you by the NCRTD Blue Bus. This week on "Voices of Taos," sports editor Blynn Beltran talks with Adonais "Nité" Márquez, Peñasco resident, food content creator and educator.  Márquez and Beltran talk about Peñasco High School's culinary program and their aspirations to make another run at state. After learning to cook from his mother, who herself was a chef in the 70s, Chef Márquez started his career as a professional chef at Doc Martin's Restaurant and now makes recipe videos of traditional Northern New Mexico cooking. Chef Márquez is also set to release a new cookbook, "Taste of Taos," featuring traditional Northern New Mexico cuisine this summer. Read more about Chef Márquez Follow Chef Nité on Instagram Subscribe to the Taos NewsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is brought to you by the NCRTD Blue Bus. This week on Voices of Taos, copy editor Emily Sender talks with Darien Fernandez, executive director of Taos Land Trust and Town of Taos Council Member. Sender and Fernandez discuss the recent purchase by the Taos Land Trust of a 144-acre property in El Salto. The property has been on the market for many years, and neighbors have had concerns about the fate of the ecologically sensitive area, especially the possibility of it being used for housing developments. Emily and Darien also talk about short-term plans for the land, such as wildfire treatment plans, as well as long-term goals. They also talk about ways community members can get involved, including helping identify wildlife and plant species and potentially important cultural sites. To learn more about what Taos Land Trust is working on, or to get involved, visit taoslandtrust.org, call 575-751-3138, or visit their office at Rio Fernando Park. Subscribe to the Taos NewsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode mentions suicide. 988 offers 24/7 judgment-free support for mental health, substance use, and more. Text, call, or chat 988. This episode is brought to you by the NCRTD Blue Bus. This week on Voices of Taos, editor Geoffrey Plant talks with Sandy Campbell, executive director of TrueKids1. TrueKids1 is a youth media and technology nonprofit that works to inspire students, teach media literacy skills, and promote digital health for both students and parents. TK1 also collaborated with the Taos News during the recent elections to livestream candidate forums. Sandy and Geoffrey talk about what TrueKids1 has been working on lately. This year, the organization has opened a photo studio next door to their facility on La Posta Road that helps teach business skills, as well as a space program, in which students are building actual satellites that will be able to gather light pollution data, as well as other important information. Plant and Cambpbell also talk about the Raise the Rails rally, staged by TrueKids1 in response to a record number of deaths at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge this year.  Learn more about True Kids 1 Subscribe to the Taos NewsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is brought to you by the NCRTD Blue Bus. This week on Voices of Taos, reporter Olivia Lewis talks with Kristen Van Norman, the new executive director of Stray Hearts Animal Shelter. Van Norman brings with her 15 years of nonprofit experience, most recently as Director of Overseas Operations for USA Girl Scouts Overseas. She was appointed by the Stray Hearts board of directors in October, and has spent the past few months preparing for the reopening of the shelter, which occurred on Dec. 1. Kristen and Olivia talk about the steps needed to prepare the shelter for the reopening, including facility maintenance and restructuring of the organization. They also discuss the realities of keeping an animal shelter open, and how the planned incremental reopening can help keep the facility on track to being fully functional. Van Norman hopes to be able to stabilize the organization — both financially and operationally — in the coming year. Read more about Kristen and Stray Hearts Subscribe to the Taos NewsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is brought to you by the NCRTD Blue Bus. This week on Voices of Taos, editor Geoffrey Plant talks with Aurora Valdez, deputy secretary of the NM Indian Affairs Department. Valdez is a member of Taos Pueblo and Tesuque Pueblo. She worked as a field representative for Sen. Martin Heinrich and was a research assistant for the Native Nations Institute. She’s been a grant writer and community organizer — for the 100% Taos County Initiative and the Taos Pueblo Sports Alliance. She also served as community wellness manager for the Taos Pueblo Division of Health and Community Services, and was named as one of Taos News’ Women of Impact in 2022. Geoffrey and Aurora talk about the priorities of the Indian Affairs Department, the challenges they are facing due to changes at the federal level, and how the department works to fulfill the vision of making sure tribal communities and Indigenous people in New Mexico are happy, healthy and prosperous. Learn more about the NM Indian Affairs Department Subscribe to the Taos NewsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is brought to you by the NCRTD Blue Bus. This week on Voices of Taos, Taos News sports editor Blynn Beltran interviews first-year cross country varsity head coach Billy Romero Sr. and his son, junior distance-runner Billy Romero Jr. Beltran, Romero Sr. and Romero Jr. talk about the road to district, state, and their training over the summer. At the time of this recording, Romero Jr. was ranked as the number one in Milesplit New Mexico and won first a few meets in Colorado and New Mexico this season. The three also discuss the challenges of combining coaching and parenting, as well as Billy Jr.’s plans for the future and how he handles the pressures of being one of the top ranked runners in the state. Subscribe to the Taos NewsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.