Wild West Days 2011

Children under 6 years

FREESeniors $2Adults $3

Uranium Mining Uranium Mining MuseumMuseum

Stop by the Chamber for visitor info, tour the museum and see

our displays of historical artifacts and minerals from

around the globe.

Mon. - Sat. 9 -4Closed Sunday

WILD WEST DAYS 2011 3

CIBOLA COUNTY – Planningstarted in late March for the annualFourth of July festivities, includingthe traditional parade.

“So many people come ‘home’for the Fourth of July to visit fam-ily and friends,” said Star Gonza-les, Grants/Cibola CountyChamber of Commerce director.“Here the Fourth is the big event of

the summer for most residents.”She pointed out that this year’stheme is: Stars and Stripes Forever.

The Grants’ Rodeo Associationand the chamber coordinate threedays of family-friendly activities.Some events are held in Grants andall rodeo activities are held at therodeo grounds, west of Highway53 on the road to San Rafael, saidthe chamber director.

“It really takes a lot of hard work

by many people to make theFourth of July a successful event,”noted Gonzales. “We are gratefulfor all the community memberswho help with the parade, espe-cially the Quadrathlon committee.”

“The Grants’ rodeo is the oldestcontinuously-held Fourth of Julycelebration in the state,” acknowl-edged Jamie Holton, long-time

STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER

“COMING HOME” FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY“COMING HOME” FOR INDEPENDENCE DAYBy Rosanne BoyettBeacon Staff Writer

See FOREVER, Page 4

GRA member. “For 85 years the rodeo associationhas provided leadership for the parade and the cham-ber has assisted with the event.”

She highlighted this year’s rodeo theme: ToughEnough to Wear Pink. “One of our association vice-presidents, Harold Matthews, recently passed awayfrom cancer,” explained Holton. “It was his idea todedicate this year’s rodeo proceeds to support cancerresearch.”

“The weekend brings generations of people togetherand it’s like a big party,” noted one parade organizer.

“It’s like a big family reunion – people who haven’tseen each other for years stop and talk on the side-walks, wave at familiar faces in the parade and enjoythe hometown atmosphere,” agreed the chamber di-rector.

“There are usually 80-100 parade entries,” ex-plained Bob Clark, chamber board member. “Withthis year’s theme there will be lots of U.S. flags every-where downtown. We expect more than 30 floats willcompete for first, second and third place.”

The three-member judging panel will award topprizes of $175, $100 and $50 respetively to the win-ning floats. The judges’ decisions will be based on

how well the entry represents this year’s theme, over-all appearance, attention to decorating details and thedesign’s intricacy, according to Clark.

On Saturday and Sunday mornings more than twodozen vendors will offer passersby everything fromarts and crafts to turkey burgers plus information fromnumerous community non-profit groups, according toGonzales. She pointed out there will be live entertain-ment each day and booths will close in the late after-noon to allow time fans to drive out to the rodeogrounds where events will be held all three days.

The parade, which starts at 9 a.m. on Mondaymorning, July 4, is just one part of the weekend. Thistraditional display of Cibola County pride is followedby family-friendly activities in the downtown parks.The festive day will draw to an end at the Coyote delMalpais Golf Course with live music, food and theever-popular fireworks.

“I can’t think of a safer way to celebrate the holi-day,” said Gonzales. “The fireworks start at dusk andlast about 30 minutes. The golf course is the perfectplace because the fire department is there to ensuresafety and the greens are a much better place to shootoff fireworks than in someone’s backyard.”

Last year hundreds of people gathered to watch thedisplay, according to the chamber director. Shepointed out that this is the third year for the profes-sional fireworks’ display.

The city and the rodeo association welcome com-munity members to the three-day celebration. “Peopleof all ages are guaranteed fun and excitement at thisyear's event,” promised organizers.

For information on the schedule of holiday eventscall the chamber at 287-4802 and for information onrodeo events visit [email protected] andhttp://www.grantsrodeo.com/

833 E. Santa Fe Ave.

287-7946

It’s Wild West Days

in Grants!

4 WILD WEST DAYS 2011

-From Our Family to Yours.

Grants MainStreet Project523 W. Santa Fe Ave.PO Box 337 Grants, NM 87020ph:(505)285-3573 fax:(505)285-3574


Friday, July 1• Team roping, 6 p.m.Buckles awarded to high money header and heeler

#10 and # 11.Three for 60 a team, or three for 30 aman.

Enter at 6 p.m., start roping at 7 p.m.Roping competition information: 287-3405 or 1-505-

409-1645

Saturday July 2• NBHA Open Barrel Race, 11 a.m. For entry forms: www.grantsrodeo.com or

www.nmnbha.comLate entry fees accepted Saturday, July 2, 7 - 9 a.m.For more information: 285-6311 or 285-5772• 18 and under Junior Rough Stock, 7 p.m.Buckle to event winners in: Sheep riding, calf riding,

steer riding, bull riding, bareback riding and saddlebronc.

Late entries accepted from 5-7 p.m.Entry forms www.grantsrodeo.com or call 1-505-634-

1484.

Sunday, July 3• 18 and under Junior Timed Events, 9 a.m.All-Around Saddle awards to boy and girl in each

age group.Late entries accepted from 7-8:00 a.m. No entries will be accepted after the rodeo starts.Entry formswww.grantsrodeo.com or call 1-505-634-

1484

Monday, July 4 • Open Rodeo, at 1:30 and 7 p.m.Saddle bronc, bareback riding, bull riding and novice

bull riding, $75.13 and under steer riding, $45, nine and under calf

riding, $35.Mutton busting (50 pounds and less) $20, calf rop-

ing, $75, breakaway roping, $75.Steer wrestling, $75, 4-D barrel racing, $55.

Team roping, $40 per man enter two times. Kids! Shoe Scramble.Slack will be after first performance.Entries open June 21 from 6-10 p.m. and each night

until slots are filled.Entry information: 1-970-739-3851

or 1-970-769-3243Email entry to:

[email protected].

Stock provided byCrossroads Ranch Rodeo Company

Pueblo Country will be playing Friday and Saturdayevenings at the Cow Palace, 9 p.m.

From I-40 take Exit 81, Highway 53 south. Rodeogrounds offer 100 livestock stalls.

This is a “Tough Enough ToWear Pink Weekend” event.

Proceeds from this program will be used to providemammograms at Cibola General Hospital in Grants.

For more information visit: www.grantsrodeo.com

Schedule: Wild West Days Rodeo

24 Hour Telephone Banking: (505) 285-4405 • Fax: (505) 287-22603 Locations: 824 West Santa Fe Ave., • Grants, NM 87020

1015 Roosevelt Ave. • Grants, NM 87020 & Old Route 66 • Milan

Grants State Bank

Happy 4th of July!

Tues. - Sat. 7am - 2 pmTues. - Sat. 7am - 2 pmSundays 9 am - 2 pmSundays 9 am - 2 pm

Wild West Days 2011


The Grants/Cibola County Chamber of Commerceannual Fourth of July Celebration is scheduled for July2-4 at City Hall Park, West Santa Fe Avenue and IronAvenue in Grants.

Saturday, July 2, noon - 5 p.m.• “Over the Limit” band performs, sponsored by

Dancing Eagle Casino• Vendor booths open• Face-painting• Kids! games

Sunday, July 3, noon – 5 p.m.• “Common Ground” band performs• Vendor booths open• Face-painting• Kids! games

Monday, July 4, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.• “Red, White and Blue Parade”, line-up at 8 a.m. at

the intersection of Wayne and High Streets.• Parade starts at 9 a.m. and the route will be east

on Santa Fe Avenue and then north on First Street.• Cheerleaders and dance teams perform in City Hall

Park immediately after the parade, approximately10:30 a.m.

• Vendor booths open• Kids! games• “Power Drive” band performs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.• Live entertainment at Coyote Del Malpais Golf

Course, 6 – 9 p.m., includes hotdogs and beveragesfor sale.

• Fireworks! display at golf course, beginning atdusk. Display is open to the public and is sponsored bythe City of Grants and Cibola County.

Schedule: Chamber of Commerce

Fourth of Julyfireworks’ displays

planned forIndependence Day

Grants

The City of Grants is hosting its annual fireworks!display at the Coyote Del Malpais Golf Course,2001 George Hanosh Blvd., in Grants. Live enter-tainment, food and beverages will be availablestarting at 6 p.m. and the fireworks are scheduledto begin around dusk, which is close to 9 p.m., ac-cording to Star Gonzales, Grants/Cibola CountyChamber of Commerce director. For more informa-tion call 287-4802.

Pueblo of Acoma

A fireworks! show by Zambellli Fireworks! Interna-tionale will begin at dusk. The event will be heldnorth of the rodeo grounds. Seating capacity is1,500 and there is no entrance fee. For more infor-mation call 1-505-552-6017.

Pueblo of Laguna

Day-long activities begin at 7 a.m. at the K!AwaikaCenter and include free admission. The governor!saddress is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the fireworks!display begins at dusk, shortly after 9 p.m. For moreinformation call 1-505-552-7243.

(505) 287-5101Barbara L. Cregger

FAX: 285-9892NM WATTS: 1-800-753-7475


Fire Restrictions in PlaceThe Fourth of July holiday is quickly approaching

and it!s time to remind everyone that possessionand use of fireworks is illegal on public lands! TheBureau of Land Management (BLM) in New Mexicohas issued a Fire Prevention Order, stating that it isillegal to carry, discharge or otherwise use fireworkson BLM-managed lands. Fireworks are only one ofthe causes of wildfires, especially on rangelands—the order also prohibits incendiarybullets, tracer ammunition, and ex-ploding targets; and burning, ignit-ing or causing any tire, wire,magnesium, plastic or any otherhazardous or explosive material.

Cibola County Emergency Man-ager Tony Boyd is stressing resi-dents to NOT use Fireworks due tothe extreme conditions. Boyd is suggesting resi-dents attend public displays to help reduce the pos-sibility of firework related fires. Grants has alreadyhad a couple small fires where they found fireworksto be the cause.

BOYD


CIBOLA COUNTY - RussDouglas is a fine wine that getsbetter with age, and he is now theGrand Marshall for the Fourth ofJuly parade. Douglas, a charmingand ageless man, has been a longtime Grants resident and a very ac-tive community member. He tookthe time to share his long story ofhow he came to Grants and themany activities he’s participated inand created over the years.

Douglas was born in Clifton,

Colorado, and raised in GrandJunction. His father was a carsalesman, and his mother a stay athome mom. Before coming toGrants, Douglas lobbied in severalstates, including Washington D.C.as well as being a national speaker.“I loved it. It allowed me to travel,and I love to travel. I got to seesome really great historicalthings,” explained Douglas. Hehas worn many hats in the jobworld, but his job as a realtor iswhat brought him to Grants. Dou-glas has participated in many or-

PARADE GRAND MARSHALL

By Aubrey AshbaughBeacon Staff Writer

— RUSS DOUGLAS —— RUSS DOUGLAS —

Russ Douglas at Bi-County Fair.

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ganizations in the area, as well as creating some of

his own. He helped organize a women’s softball team

when he first arrived in 1959 that competed with

teams from all over the state. He went to work at

Kerr-McGee Recreation in 1960 and was president of

the company for six years. He organized and started

his own paper for the company named the ‘Plateau

Partyline.’ He is a WWII Veteran and is currently the

Commander at the V.F.W. posts. He was an avid par-

ticipant in the Booster Club at Grants High and was

an announcer for many years at the Grants High

Football games. He has run for city council and

county commissioner several times. He participated

in Youth and Loyalty Day in the 80’s and was active

in helping with Cub Scouts. To add to the stack of

hats Douglas wears, he also managed to make a name

for himself in acting and singing. He’s participated in

many plays in the community with what was known

as Cracker Barrel Playhouse Productions starring in

plays such as Mary Mary, The Life of Helen Keller,

The night of January 16th and The Christmas Story.

Though many believe no one quite deserves the title

Grand Marshall as much as Douglas does, Douglas

says otherwise. “ I never really tried to do any of this

stuff. It just happened, and these are the things that

make me happy. They are my livelihood, and have

built the life I live. I have many great stories from all

of them,” smiled Douglas. “I’m happy to do it, but

I’m just a guy with lots of good stories.”

Though Douglas is retired, he has no itch to sit

around. Douglas is active in the Bi-County Fair, sings

for his church, and attends Karaoke night occasion-

ally at Sky City Casino. He is married, and still travels

regularly. Aside from collecting stories, Douglas will

be happy participating as Grand Marshall at the Pa-

rade, and hopes to see his fellow community mem-

bers there. He is still out looking for things to do to

be able to give back to community, but somehow can

never find the time to do all the things he would like

to do.

Douglas as a volunteer Reserve

Officer for the sheriff!s department.

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CIBOLA COUNTY – Lost oftentimes, in rodeo cel-ebrations, is a proper nod to their origins.

What began as a competitive sport that arose out ofthe working practices of cattle herding in Spain andMexico, blossomed in the new world, including intothe conclave of what is now Cibola County. Heck,many of the words used in rodeo – lasso, corral, chaps,stampede and mustang included – have Spanish lan-guage roots, to further cement this association.

So, for this year’s Fourth of July parade, the word“charro” lets residents of the County expound upon

AND NOW FEATURING

By Ron GonzalesBeacon Staff Writer

— CHARRO GARCILAZO —— CHARRO GARCILAZO —

Charro Tomas Garcilazo Continued on Page 14

this further. As in, Tomás Garcilazo, a “charro” (or

traditional horseman from Mexico) will bring his su-

perior horsemanship to the 4th of July parade in

Grants, which begins at 9 a.m.

“He’s amazing,” Grants/Cibola County Chamber

of Commerce executive director Star Gonzales said.

“The actual horses he uses are breathtaking and beau-

tiful and he can do things with a rope that nobody has

ever done. We’re thrilled to have an act of his caliber

coming to our area.”

Garcilazo’s training in “la charreria” began in his

native Mexico City, where he commenced as the third

generation in his family to do so. Those humble be-

ginnings have allowed him to travel the world, per-

forming his dazzling rope artistry and mastery in

locales like Germany, France, Italy and Holland, as

well as all over the United States.

An internet search for reviews of his perform-

ances 7reveal that wherever Garcilazo goes, he is

met with dropped jaws. Writer Ross Hecox wrote,

505-287-7927600 W. Santa Fe Ave.

Grants, NM14 WILD WEST DAYS 2011

Continued on Page 17

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“the diminutive charro is not only skilled with a loop,but his horsemanship is excellent. His palomino, withits mane reaching nearly to the ground, performs theentire routine (without a bridle), loping, spinning andstanding calmly while Tomás twirls his loops.”

Grants Rodeo Association member Jamie Holton iswell aware of Garcilazo’s skill as well, and hopes thathis appearance in the Grants area can lead to more ofthe like.

“I hope that some day we can have a Mexican-typerodeo here, a day during the 4th of July celebration,where the charros and other Mexican riders can showhow differently they do things from here,” Holtonsaid.

Garcilazo often performs with young family mem-bers, and Gonzales feels that this is certainly in linewith his approachable nature. Whether or not he’ll beable to impart some of his knowledge towards CibolaCounty’s charritos is unknown, but Holton said thata man of his stature can serve as a role model foryouth in attendance; 4H practitioners included buteven those that are not.

“From personal experience, kids I’ve known thathave been involved in 4H have become teachers andlawyers,” she said. “But our rodeo has always beengeared for all children. Our focus has always been onwhat we can do for the kids.”

Following his appearance in Grants, and other U.S.performances, Garcilazo is slated to spend 10 days inSao Paolo, Brazil, making his stop in Cibola Countya must-see event.

Garcilazo to appear atGrants Rodeo Grounds and

Fourth of July Parade

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CIBOLA COUNTY - Are you tough enough towear pink? Matt Matthews, vice president of theGrants Rodeo Association was and wore it with pride.Harold E. “Matt” Matthews died on June 1 from can-cer and was laid to rest in a pink western shirt.

‘Unconventional’ is a term that comes to mind whendescribing Matthews life. Not only did he buck thenotion that the color pink didn’t quite represent thecolor of clothing the bull riders and steer wrestlerswore; but by the way he came to love rodeo.

The first rodeo Matt attended was the BoysvilleRodeo held at a baseball field in upper Michigan.

According to his wife Patsy Matthews, Matt’s love

for the Rodeo came from the pageantry, odor andsmells.

He wrote in an unpublished essay, “Never saw somany people dressed in western boots, hats, shirts,every color in the rainbow and horses black, bay, pintoand appaloosa, oh man the excitement. The odor‘Whoa Nelly’ hotdogs, hamburgers, popcorn smellmixed with leather and horse and cattle odors. Youeither loved it of got sick and left,” Matt loved it.

Matthews wore western boots, wranglers and snapshirts topped with a Stetson hat to school which wassorta out of place in the Midwest town he grew up in.He wrote that he remembers his grandfather saying,“don’t worry about what people say they are not buy-ing your clothes and anyway they have to live with

Grants Rodeo highlights the ‘ToughEnough to Wear Pink’ theme

By Bob TenequerBeacon Staff Writer

CIBOLA COUNTY CORRECTION CENTER

MILAN, NM

Enjoy the fireworks and be safe this Fourth of July!


their thoughts.”As a fitting tribute to one of their own, whose battle

with cancer and his undying love for rodeo exempli-fied the meaning of the event the Grants Rodeo As-sociation choose the “Tough Enough to Wear Pink(TWWP) theme for the overall 87th Annual July 4thCelebration, Wild West Days Rodeo.

Norene Canada, Grants Rodeo Association volun-teer, said the TWWP idea came about last year whenthe rodeo committee was discussing plans for thisyear’s event. We had heard stories many stories aboutrodeo families that were impacted by cancer and howthey were organizing “Are You Tough Enough toWear Pink,” challenges to broaden the awareness ofearly detection of the disease and to support familiesin need.

Little did the committee know at the time that theirVice President, Matt Matthew would be diagnosedwith cancer. After they found out all the committeemembers said “let’s do this,” Canada said.

Two weeks before his death, Matthews picked uphis Wrangler pin stripped pink shirt, embroidered

HAROLD E. “MATT” MATTHEWS

Continued on Page 20

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with a pink ribbon, Canada re-

members. He was planning on

wearing the shirt at this year’s

rodeo, she said.

Canada said that in support of

the Grants Rodeo Association’s ef-

fort in promoting the Tough

Enough to Wear Pink theme the

committee wants everyone who at-

tends the rodeo to wear pink.

Ms. Matthews said that Matt still

worked the rodeo grounds even

after he found out he had cancer.

She recalled him saying that if

he knew he was going to live this

long he would have taken better

care of himself when he was

young.

Before moving to Grants, Mr.

Matthews helped organize the 4-H

rodeo in Albuquerque, N.M. for 14

years.

“Tough Enough to Wear Pink”

was created by Terry Wheatley, an

entrepreneur and cancer survivor,

as a challenge to the cowboys and

cowgirls to wear pink apparel to

bring attention to the early detec-

tion and cure to breast cancer.

The challenge was introduced

during the Wrangler National Fi-

nals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada

in 2004.

According to Canada this years’

rodeo overall theme: “Are You

Tough Enough to Wear Pink,” is

being organized by the barrel rac-

ers and will be on prominent dis-

play at all rodeo events, at the

parade, and there will even be a

pink horse.

The proceeds raised during the

rodeo will go to the Cibola Gen-

eral Hospital. The funds will help

individuals who do not have health

insurance or any other the means

for paying for the costs of a mam-

mogram. After the event Grants

Rodeo Association President,

Richard Jones will make a presen-

tation to the hospital.

Since May 19th, the public lands managed by the

Bureau of Land Management’s Albuquerque District

including Cibola County have been under fire restric-

tions. Due to continued high temperatures, low rain-

fall and humidity, and gusty winds, the BLM has

added to those fire restrictions, effective Wednesday,

June 29, 2011, to help prevent wildfires and ensure

public and firefighter safety.

The increased restrictions include a prohibition on

all off-road travel throughout the District and no fires

allowed in established campfire rings and grills at

Datil Well and Joe Skeen Campgrounds, and the So-

corro Nature Area.

Effective at 8:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 29, 2011,

and until rescinded, the following acts are prohibited:

1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire,

campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove. The use of

petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns or heating devices,

provided such devices meet the fire underwriter’s

specifications for safety, is allowed.

2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or

building.

3. Discharging fireworks or using an explosive re-

quiring fuse blasting caps.

4. Operating a chainsaw without an approved spark

arrester and without a chemically pressurized fire ex-

tinguisher of not less than eight-ounce capacity by

weight, and one round point shovel. The extinguisher

will be with the equipment operator. The shovel may

be kept with fueling supplies but readily available for

use.

5. Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch

with open flame, except within an area that is barren

or cleared of all flammable materials at least 10 feet

on all sides from equipment.

6. Possessing or using a motor vehicle off roads, ex-

cept when parking in an area devoid of vegetation

within 10 feet of the roadway.

These restrictions have been coordinated with other

land management agencies, the New Mexico State

Forestry Division, and affected counties.

Fire Prevention Orders are available at each District

Office and will be posted to http://www.publi-

clands.org/firenews/NM.php. As this year’s busy fire

season continues, additional restrictions or closures

may be necessary; check for updates at www.nmfire-

info.com

Questions regarding this order, or temporary road

closures, should be addressed to the BLM Fire Man-

agement Officer, Todd Richards, at (505)761-8769 or

the Albuquerque District Office at (505)761-8700.

285-3600

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 1 AND 2 BEDROOM APARTMENTSProfessionally Managed By: Showe Management, Corp.

Low Income Housing • Equal Housing Opportunity


Fire Restrictions increased for BLM Public Lands

Wild West Days 2011

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