Preppers Checklist: Finding the Perfect Survival Retreat in 7 Easy Steps

Survivalist Blogger Marjory Wildcraft Shows How to Be Safe When Doomsday Hits

What could be worse than having the economy collapse?

Answer: Being in location that you thought was safe and sustainable, but wasn’t really either.

“I’ve seen estimates that more than 4 million American families are now beginning to prepare for a major disaster,” said Marjory Wildcraft, a survivalist expert and author of the new book, “7 Shortcuts to Finding the Perfect Survival Retreat” (http://relocationshortcuts.com/).

“Finding that perfect survival retreat, farm, or homestead can be a very challenging adventure. You are trying to find a place that is safe. One that has good soil, water, and the natural resources that will provide you with the things you need once your supplies run out. You want an area with like-minded people. And you want a place that is enjoyable to live, where your family will want to be, even if hard times weren’t coming,” said Wildcraft who writes a survivalist blog at: www.GrowYourOwnGroceries.com

“Let’s face it, most of us have reluctant spouses or children that just don’t get it. You want to accommodate their needs and yet prepare for the journey ahead,” said Wildcraft who has been interviewed numerous times on national television shows about the prepper movement.

“What also complicates this decision is you probably don’t know that much about gardening, hunting, or home defense. What trees make the best firewood? What plants are a natural alternative to antibiotics? What predators will be trying to eat your chickens and how do you protect them?” said Wildcraft, a former money manager who accurately predicted the collapse of the real estate market.

“To top it all off, you are under the pressure of the ticking time-bomb clock. We just don’t know how long this house of cards will stay up. It has defied gravity for many years now, but we all know the merry go round is going to stop someday – and probably soon. When it goes down, it will crash hard. There will be a lot of misery among the unprepared. You probably won’t get a second chance to relocate again. So you have to get this decision right,” she said.

This report is full of tips, tricks and tactics that she’s learned from her own journey and from helping many people as a professional relocation consultant.

To get the full report go to http://relocationshortcuts.com/

The report includes:

  • The top 9 regions known for self-reliance, and why they are chosen by most preppers
  • How something as trivial as a wiener dog race can help you find the perfect town for your family and why
  • The big compromise: how you and your spouse can have it all and sacrifice nothing no matter how different your views for your preparations are
  • Three simple steps to finding your perfect retreat
  • The four biggest threats that must influence your decision on where to relocate
  • The best to resources for finding the best region for your family
  • How to teach your children about your survival safe haven without scaring them
  • How to identify major threats in any area, and factor that into your plan
  • How close is too close, and what direction should you locate when a nuclear plant is present
  • The best climate to relocate to
  • The biggest mistake you can make when first thinking about your retreat
  • How far from town should you relocate to
  • How to plan for living beyond your stockpile

The report comes with a bonus report called, “How Much Land Do You Need To Be Food Self-Reliant?”

“Of course whenever you go out to buy land, everybody always wants more.  That’s natural.  This report will give you a realistic idea of how much you really need,” she said. “If you are serious about getting your family to a safe place, and starting this amazing adventure, then you need to read these reports.”

Wildcraft has been a leader in the preparedness industry for the last decade.

“My primary expertise is in survival food and determining the viability of an area for providing food, shelter, water, medicine, defense, and other needs for a sustainable life,” said Wildcraft who produced a video called “Grow Your Own Groceries” that has almost a quarter million copies being used all over the world by homesteaders, permaculturists, universities, and missionary organizations.

 

Verizon Wireless Completes Purchase of Southeastern New Mexico Rural Market

Verizon Wireless announced today it has completed its purchase of wireless assets in New Mexico RSA #6, owned by E.N.M.R. Telephone Cooperative and its subsidiary Plateau Telecommunications and operated under the brand name Plateau Wireless.  The purchase will expand Verizon Wireless’ brand and network footprint in southeastern New Mexico to the counties of Eddy, Chaves, Lea, Otero and a portion of Lincoln that it doesn’t currently serve.  Financial terms are not being disclosed.

The purchase includes Plateau Wireless’ Cellular, PCS and AWS spectrum covering the market, as well as customers and related GSM operations.  The licenses and the operating assets being acquired cover a population of 259,000 and approximately 26,100 square miles, including state highways U.S. 285, U.S. 54 and U.S. 70.  Major population centers include Roswell, Carlsbad, Artesia and Hobbs, N.M.

Verizon Wireless will convert the Plateau Wireless GSM network to CDMA for voice service; and EV-DO (3G) and 4G LTE for data services.  Verizon Wireless will serve acquired Plateau Wireless customers, using the existing Plateau Wireless brand name, until the network conversion is complete in 2013.  At that time, Plateau Wireless customers will receive a letter from Verizon Wireless explaining their service transition.

“We are excited to expand our presence and coverage in rural New Mexico and to welcome Plateau Wireless’ customers to the nation’s most reliable network.  We believe the strength of our network enables people to live better and stronger lives,” said Andres Irlando, president, Southwest Region, for Verizon Wireless.

Verizon Wireless has invested more than $70 billion – more than $6 billion on average every year – since its inception to increase the coverage and capacity of its premier nationwide network, including the building and rapid expansion of its 4G LTE network, which currently is available to more than 75 percent of the U.S. population.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 94.2 million retail customers, including 88.8 million retail postpaid customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 78,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD).  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com.  To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About E.N.M.R. Telephone Cooperative and Plateau Telecommunications
Formed in 1949 as Eastern New Mexico Rural Telephone Cooperative, E.N.M.R. Telephone Cooperative and its subsidiary Plateau Telecommunications provide advanced telecommunications services (including 16,000 access lines and over 64,000 Internet and wireless subscribers) in all or parts of 18 counties in eastern New Mexico and 12 counties in the Texas Panhandle. Plateau continues its commitment to expand and strengthen the existing network to meet the rapidly changing demands of its customers and remains focused in the investment in and support of the rural communities served.

Meet the Neighbors…

What do you see when YOU look out your window? When you decide to leave the hustle and bustle of the big city behind and head for the wide open range, you’ll find your outlook—on life and out your windows—changes considerably for the better.

Take a peek at what awaits you in New Mexico and find out just how easy it is to go from bumper-to-bumper traffic, noisy neighbors and pesky pollution to a wandering trail through the National Forest, a herd of curious elk and pristine night skies.

 

This Week At Ponderosa Views

Meet Jacque.

Jacque

Jacque was born this past April on Mike and Cyndi Fowler’s place at Ponderosa Views. Sweet, isn’t he? Life at PV moves at a different pace than it does anywhere else—we think you might like it.

“When Mike retired from the San Diego Police Department after 23 years we moved out to the Ponderosa property we had purchased in March of 2007. We arrived at the Ponderosa property in Oct. 2010 and have been setting up our life ever since. We just wanted to live out the rest of our life on this beautiful, peaceful piece of property.

We enjoy the quiet, the fresh smell of the trees and the most breathtaking sunsets we have ever seen in our lives. We try to take pictures and send them back home for everyone else to see, but they just don’t capture what we are seeing. I guess they will just have to come out and see for themselves.

We love riding our horses out here in this wide open country with views that are beyond the imagination. Love the wildlife everytime we go anywhere. We occasionally look at each other and ask: Do you miss California? We just smile and say ‘I will never leave here. This place is Heaven.'”

~  The Fowlers

Thanks, guys. We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

At Ponderosa Views, you and your family will have plenty of room to roam on our 10 – 20 acre parcels starting at a low $19,995. Close to BLM land, the National Forest and Pie Town, you can indulge in your new lifestyle surrounded by the rugged beauty of New Mexico.

Don’t Wait – Act Now!

Just click here and ask for more details or call 888-812-5830.

*Electric and well-maintained gravel roads available to all parcels.

Governor Susana Martinez Unveils New Funding Formula For New Mexico’s Colleges And Universities

NM Flag

Institutions will be rewarded for graduating more students, as opposed to constructing buildings

SANTA FE – Governor Susana Martinez recently met with a large group of regents, governing board members and post-secondary institution presidents in Socorro to discuss the state’s new higher education funding formula.

The new formula will reward New Mexico’s higher learning institutions based on outcome measures that reflect student achievement and preparedness for New Mexico’s workforce, as opposed to basing the allocation of funding on measurements like the size (square footage) of each institution. In addition, while the current formula funds colleges and universities based on courses and degree programs started, the new formula would be based on courses and degree
programs completed.

“The central goal of New Mexico’s higher education institutions should be to graduate the students New Mexico’s economy will depend on for decades,” said Governor Martinez. “In an increasingly competitive global economy, this formula will help us deliver the graduates we need for the jobs of tomorrow, and it serves to intently focus our attention on the achievement of our students.”

Under the formula, institutions would receive funding for graduating students in so called “STEHM” (Science, Technology, Engineering, Health Care and Mathematics) fields. A recent study disclosed that New Mexico’s economy will require nearly 50,000 employees with STEHM degrees by 2018 and nearly 95% of those jobs will require post-secondary education and training.

“For the first time in the history of New Mexico, the younger generation is less educated than the generations before,” said Higher Education Secretary Jose Garcia. “This new formula is our opportunity to make sure today’s students are tomorrow’s successful employees.” For decades, the New Mexico higher education funding formula rewarded measure such as student enrollment and square footage. This created a system where New Mexico taxpayers paid over $53,000 per completed degree, compared to neighboring Arizona, which pays $39,000.

Last year, in an event that was also held at New Mexico Tech, the Martinez administration announced that an agreement had been struck with the state’s colleges and universities to impose a two-year moratorium on the construction of new buildings, in an effort to curb the proliferation of new construction that had been occurring, at least in part, due to the incentive for increasing square footage that was built into the state’s current higher education funding formula.

 

Take Shelter: Living In Tornado Alley? Why Not Move To New Mexico?

According to CNNMoney,  “The tornado season of 2011 will go down as one of the most destructive and dangerous in U.S. history. More than 1,500 tornadoes were reported this year, exceeding the 10 year average of 1,300, according to the National Weather Service. Even worse: An estimated 550 people have been killed by tornadoes, roughly 10 times the average annual rate, according to Greg Carbin, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center. And we haven’t even entered the storm-heavy months of October and November yet.” Click here for more…

Sales of storm shelters have skyrocketed, but… Have you considered moving to a safer state? Consider the lack of major natural disasters in New Mexico—and you might want to consider buying land in New Mexico and building a home you can feel safe in!

Right now, Southwest Properties and Hitching Post Land Co. have some excellent deals on home-ready building sites and gorgeous raw land with extras! Give your friendly Ranch Representative a call now!

Hubbard Museum awarded federal grant

 

Officials of the Hubbard Museum of the American West announced they are the recipient of a federal grant in the amount of $79,355 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services/Museums of America 2011 grant program.

Funds from the grant are to be used to upgrade all of the technology in the Johnny & Marty Cope Learning Center which opened at the Museum in the Fall of 2009. The newer technology will enhance the Center’s ability to connect to a variety of Smithsonian Institution museums in real-time, as well as other museums around the world who share similar technology.

“We are very pleased and a little surprised to receive the award,” commented Jim Kofakis, director of the Museum, “We received a call from the New Mexico office of United States Sen. Jeff Bingaman giving us a heads up that we would be receiving official notification on July 29th. With all that is going on in Washington, it is truly an honor to receive the grant award.”

The Hubbard Museum was one of three museums in New Mexico to receive funding through the 2011 phase of the Museum’s of American grant block administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The Los Alamos Historical Society and the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture were also awarded funding. Nationwide, 160 museums received project funding.

The Johnny & Marty Cope Learning Center was officially opened in October of 2009 with the financial assistance of Mr. & Mrs. Cope, the R.D. & Joan Dale Hubbard Foundation


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and many donations from museum members and patrons. The center provides multi-faceted functionality including real-time live video connections to most of the Smithsonian Institution’s museums and many other high-tech options. The equipment in the Cope Learning Center is being completely updated to the most current technology available and will additionally allow the Museum to broadcast tours and educational programming to people all over the world.The Hubbard Museum of the American West is located at 26301 Highway 70, and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission to the Museum is $6 for adults, and reduced admission is available for senior citizens, military personnel, and youth. Visit our web page at www.hubbardmuseum.org or call 575.378.4142 for information.

GOVERNOR SUSANA MARTINEZ KICKS OFF TAX-FREE WEEKEND

Gross Receipts Tax Exemption Will Make it Easier for Teachers and Families to Purchase School Supplies from August 5-7

SANTA FE – Governor Susana Martinez kicked off New Mexico’s tax-free weekend today with a visit to Target in Santa Fe along with several children who are part of summer programs at the Santa Fe Boys and Girls Club. The tax-free weekend, which will take place from August 5th through 7th, will give teachers and families the ability to purchase back-to-school supplies at a lower cost thanks to a Gross Receipts Tax exemption. Tax-free weekend generally applies to school supplies, clothing and shoes, and computers and computer equipment. Governor Martinez was also joined by Public Education Secretary-designate Hanna Skandera, Higher Education Secretary Jose Garcia, and Taxation and Revenue Deputy Secretary John Monforte.
“The beginning of the school year can be an expensive time for parents, teachers and students,” said Governor Martinez. “In these challenging economic times, this weekend will provide much-needed relief for New Mexicans as our children return to school. Most importantly, it will give them the opportunity to get the supplies they need for a successful school year at a lower cost than usual.”

Items that qualify for this gross receipts exemption include:

  • School supplies
  • Clothing and shoes $100 and under
  • Computers $1,000 and under; and
  • Associated computer equipment $500 and under

A full list of exempt products can be found on the Taxation and Revenue Department’s website at http://www.tax.newmexico.gov.