Features

Anyone that’s visited Rancho de las Golondrinas in Santa Fe knows that it’s steeped in history.
In addition to educating visitors about Spanish Colonial ways of life, the living museum also offers various festivals and events throughout the year. One of the museum’s regular events is the Herb and Lavender Fair. This year, will mark its 10th year and will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The fair provides visitors with the opportunity to listen to Marimba and Flamenco music while celebrating their love of herbs and lavender. In addition, there will also be tours of the Las Golondrinas herb gardens, arts and crafts vendors and lavender crafts vendors.

An individual’s home insurance rates may increase if they own pets. Some insurance companies are now requiring proof of pet breed, especially if they own a dog breed deemed “aggressive” or an exotic animal.
Some agents and companies may even ask for pictures of the pets in order to finalize a rate.
One way is to fight against this is to have a dog declared a “canine good citizen.”
Started in 1989, the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen program focuses on teaching dogs to be well behaved at home and in the community.

The Assets program oversees the local coordination of a program called Change of Heart.
The seven-hour curriculum is about improving school climate. It focuses on more than bullying — like the foundational relationships and life experiences that mold youth throughout their school years.
After what happened in Aurora, Colo., on Friday, I feel I would be remiss not to address it, at least on a local level.
I’m actually quite impressed that we haven’t seen everyone that has ever known the shooter coming forward to have their say and get their 15-minutes of fame.
Their police department isn’t leaking out every detail of what is going on post-event. They are releasing what needs to be known and that’s it.

This summer I had an experience that made me appreciate my community. I am a teenager that lives in White Rock.
Our one-year-old Malti-Poo has never been away from our family before, so when we went on a two-week vacation, we picked a family similar to ours, where she would receive lots of love and attention.  
After five days into our vacation, we got a call that one of the kids got a rash, possibly from the dog. She was then taken to an alternative family that has a dog of its own.  
Our puppy did not handle that change well, so when the opportunity came, she took the chance to escape from the unfamiliar people’s yard.  

After what seems to be a busy summer, Los Alamos High School senior Leia Roach, of Mush Crafts is getting down to business.
The anime-inspired artist has built a business around her SPARK, creating jewelry and plush animals, made specifically for her clients.  
“Last year, I started making plushes with my friend and we thought people would enjoy them,” Roach said.
The idea drove her to etsy.com/shop/.mushcrafts, which allows her to sell to online shoppers, looking for a gift.
Mush Crafts jewelry starts out as a hand-drawn piece of art. Roach is happy to take suggestions from customers and create custom orders, during the creative process.

Trinity on the Hill members serve pies at their Pie in the Sky fundraiser last week. The House of Hope fundraiser auctioned off pies and served dinner to the community with a goal to build a home in Juaréz in October. Those wishing to make donations can contact the church for details.

The following restaurant inspection reports were provided by the New Mexico Environment Department.

Santa Fe

Above Sea Level, 1274 Calle de Commercio
Date inspected: July 10
Violations: One moderate-risk violation for contaminated equipment — food scales were not properly cleaned and sanitized. One low-risk violation or floors/walls/ceilings — ceiling needs to be repaired.
Status of establishment: Approved, no follow-up required.

Atomic Grill, 103 E. Water St.
Date inspected: July 12, complaint

Brandon Williams was the recipient of the 2012 New Mexico Sheriff’s Association Scholarship Award. He plans to attend Western New Mexico University and study zoology. He also served as a member of the NJROTC at Los Alamos High School and was active in football and lacrosse. Pictured from left to right are: Deputy Sheriff John Horne, Sheriff Marco Lucero, Brandon Williams and Undersheriff Eric Ringquist.

As part of the downtown Friday night activities in Los Alamos, Terry Foxx and her granddaughter Rose Carlisi will sing and tell stories at the Romero Cabin from 6-7:30 p.m. Friday.
The program is called, “A Quilt of Stories.” Stories, legends, myths and songs come from all cultures. As pieces of fabric can make a quilt, fragments of history, when stitched together, can make a mosaic that helps people understand past and present.
Sitting in front of the Romero Cabin, Foxx and Carlisi will explore some of the history of the old West, interwoven with history of the Pajarito Plateau and area.