Features

Dr. Gary Storkan, a local chiropractor, spent seven-and-a-half years in battle. Now, he is announcing his victory.

Storkan, who has lived and worked in Los Alamos for 20 years, came face to face with his enemy, Squamous Cell Carinoma, when he was diagnosed with the cancer, which was found in one of his tonsils, on May 31, 2001. The cancer had manifested in a bronchial cleft cyst in his neck.

This diagnosis started a seven-and-a-half year ordeal to beat this foe.

Adam Izraelevitz, a senior at Los Alamos High School, has been chosen as the Rotary Club Student of the Month for February. He recognized Joy Handsberry as his honored teacher. Handsberry has greatly inspired and motivated him in his academic pursuits and advised and supported him throughout his high school career.

The New Mexico Dance Theater Performance Company   (NMDT-PC) will fill the stage with magic once again next weekend when it performs director Susan Baker-Dillingham’s newest original ballet, “Cinderella,” Feb. 20–22. As a contribution to Los Alamos’ 60th anniversary celebration, NMDT-PC has invited Los Alamos’ own Living Treasures to attend the Sunday matinee as honored guests.

Between 15-20 young adults will be gathering at Pajarito Mountain Ski Area, but not for a day of recreation. Instead, these young people will be learning how to rescue skiers and snowboarders caught in an emergency situation.

Each year, said Bill Somers, director of the ski patrol at the ski area, the Rocky Mountain Division of the National Ski Patrol hosts a young adult jamboree and this year, the local ski area will be the location of the event.

Bernadette Lauritzen wears a large number of hats in the community. She is a wife, a mother and a board member of the Leadership Los Alamos and Friends of the Senior Center. Laurtizen also runs Assets in Action, works as the wedding coordinator at the United Church of Los Alamos, operates the Los Alamos Youth Leadership program, writes and photographs for the Monitor and hosts a program on KRSN radio.

Danny Stillman’s 10 trips to China all started with a conversation about a prompt burst reactor.

He explained he ran the intelligence division at Los Alamos National Laboratory for 13-and-a-half years. During this time, Stillman made it a point to interact with his counterparts.

During a conversation with a scientist from China, Stillman asked him about prompt burst reactors. This particular reactor, Stillman said, simulates neutrons and gamma rays  from a nuclear device that is going off.

That topic, he said, was his opening to travel to China.

This week, we look at Asset #40, a Positive View of Personal Future. According to the Search Institute, “Youth are more likely to grow up healthy when they are optimistic about their personal future.”  Nationally it is reported that 74 percent of youth have this asset.

If you set aside the national economic news, the future seems to have a connotation of looking a little rosier. It does seem that lately everyone seems to try a little harder to get along, to work together and to make a difference.

The whole purpose of the Los Alamos Photography Club is to get people excited and appreciative of the art of photography. What better way to fulfill this purpose than to host an exhibit that shows just what photography can produce and where the art form can take you?

The exhibit, which opens with a reception from 5-7 p.m. Monday at the Mesa Public Library, is not exclusive to members of the club; anyone can submit work. Show coordinator Doug Coombs said there is no limit for photographs, as long as there is room.

The public is invited to attend a piano concerto recital at 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Fuller Lodge.

The four students who were chosen by a juried audition to participate in the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra’s Jackie McGehee Piano Concerto Competition will present the concert. These auditions will held on Feb. 14 in Albuquerque at Keller Hall.