.....Advertisement.....
.....Advertisement.....

Features

  • Join first Friday forts crew

    The weather is warming up and that means it’s time to build more forts at PEEC.
    The fort-building area now includes a mud pie kitchen, complete with mud muffin tins, shovels, and spatulas. Whether you are an architect or mud chef, plan to be at PEEC on Friday, 3:30-5 p.m. for First Friday Forts!
    PEEC’s Nature Play area is fun for kids of all ages. Preschoolers come during field trips to explore and find insects while older kids watch their little seedlings turn into vegetable-producing plants. Spring of 2013 promises exciting improvements to the Nature Play area, including the much-anticipated mud kitchen.
    A recently downed tree has provided new building materials, so the forts are growing bigger and better than ever. Last month saw front porch and multiple room additions to a main fort complex. There was no shortage of help hauling branches to the site, as parents and many children worked together to construct their forts. Meanwhile, kids ranging in ages 1 to 11 worked the mud into cool creations at the dirt piles.

  •
    Students at Chamisa are a crafty...

    On Monday, the kindergarten through the sixth graders unofficially celebrated the end of SBA testing and the countdown to spring break with a parade.
    A variety of masks were created while working with local artist and teacher, Thelma Hahn and Renee Mitsunaga, for an upcoming celebration.
    On Thursday, from 5-7 pm, a White Rock Multi-cultural Fair will take place at Chamisa with performances and displays from all around the world, presented by students, parents, friends, neighbors, staff, and community members.
    The 5th and 6th graders at Chamisa and 4th and 5th grades at Pinon have studied Carnival celebrations around the world with, artist-in-residence and former LAPS Art Teacher, Thelma Hahn.
    Funding for the six week, artist-in-residence program for White Rock schools, came through a LAPS Fine Arts Grant.
    “This project perfectly integrated into another event sponsored by the Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation called “Around the World in White Rock”- Multicultural Fair,” said Mitsunaga. “Thelma Hahn was wonderful to observe and work with in our classroom. She showed her love for teaching and art through her instruction and interactions.”
    Mitsunaga benefited from Hahn’s instructional strategies and insight into the pedagogy of art.

  •
    PEEC hosts historical hike of...

    Join PEEC on a historical hike of Burnt Mesa Pueblo. Dorothy Hoard will lead this popular hike to spectacular viewpoints starting at 10 a.m. Saturday.
    In the 1290s, the Ancestral Pueblo people built several villages across the Pajarito Plateau of a special design that archaeologists came to call “plaza sites.” Roomblocks were built in a tight square around a plaza with only one narrow entrance.
    The roomblocks were multistoried, even up to five stories high in some places.
    The intervening years have eroded the pueblos into mounds resembling giant donuts or bunkers. Burnt Mesa Pueblo is the most accessible of these plaza sites. It has been excavated (but backfilled) so that quite a bit is known about it.
    Hoard will share interesting facts about the trails and locations on her historical hikes.
    The level hike is two miles round trip. Estimated time is 3 hours, or a bit more if you would like to see the Los Alamos County alligator juniper trees.
    Meet at 9:30 a.m. at PEEC or 10 a.m. at the Burnt Mesa trailhead on N.M. 4. Free, no registration required.
    The Pajarito Environmental Education Center is located at 3540 Orange Street, behind the high school.
    Visit PajaritoEEC.org, call 662-0460, or email Programs@PajaritoEEC.org for more information.  

  • Wine, cheese and chocolate!

     The Los Alamos Cooperative Market is hosting its first wine and food pairing class on Saturday in the Co-op’s Café. 

    There will be two 75 minute classes; at 1:30 p.m. and at 3 p.m. 

    Vivác Winery’s Marketing and Publicity Director Michele A. Padberg, a certified executive sommelier, will teach the basics of wine and food pairing in a relaxed setting so attendees can feel free to explore different taste sensations. 

    Experience five different Vivác wines, all using New Mexico grapes, paired to local, regional and international cheese, beef and dark chocolate. 

    Learn what to look for when pairing wine and food and how to describe the flavor sensations. 

  • Free YMCA orientation this week

    The Family YMCA will be offering free orientations to the new Y Express facility.
    These orientations are free to the public and there is no need to register.
    Dress comfortably.
    There are several days and times to choose from:

    Thursday — 12:30p.m.
    Friday — 4:30 p.m.
    April 9 — 5:30p.m.

    The Y Express is located at
    140 Central Park Square, facing the Little Theater. Please call The Family YMCA, 500-8026 or
    662-3100 for more information. 

  • Walkers pledge to end DWI problem

    Buffalo Thunder Resort will host a walk to benefit high school students at Pojoaque for their 2nd annual after prom fundraising event.
    For just $10 for adults and $5 for youth, the Walk to Stop DUI is a 5K, noncompetitive walk geared toward businesses and their employees, family members and individuals to raise funds through pledges. Walkers collect pledges from family, friends, and co-workers and all monies raised support the Santa Fe County DWI Program’s mission to stop Underage Drinking and Driving Under the Influence of drugs and alcohol. This event is sponsored by the Santa Fe County DWI Program and Santa Fe County Public Safety Division (Sheriff’s Office, Fire Dept. and Dept. of Corrections).
    This walk begins at the Buffalo Thunder Resort on Saturday. Registration is from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m.
    “The money raised will go towards the purchase of doors prizes such as laptop computers, flat screen TVs, Nooks, gas cards, digital cameras,” said Victoria De Vargas, a coordinator for the event.
    They also hope to raise enough to provide students with complimentary photos and frames for each participant and to purchase breakfast burritos for the Post Prom Party for Pojoaque High School. For more information, check their website at santafecountynm.gov under hot topics or call 995-6529. 

  • April events at Pajarito...

    For more information or to register for an event, visit Visit PajaritoEEC.org, call 662-0460, or email Programs@PajaritoEEC.org.
    Friday
    First Friday Forts. Come to PEEC and get building! Join other kids and parents who like fort building to construct, play, and hang out. Also, check out the mud pie kitchen! 3:30–5 p.m. Free.

    Underground of Enchantment Exhibit Opening. The 3D photo exhibit and movie features one of the most beautiful caves in the world- Lechuguilla Cave in Carlsbad Caverns NP. Opening reception at Mesa Public Library 4-5:30 p.m. and at PEEC 5-6:30 p.m. Contact PEEC or MPL for more information.

  • World Health Day focuses on high...

    This year on April 7, World Health Day, focuses on high blood pressure, one of the many chronic diseases that are increasingly common around the world. 

    The World Health Organization reports that one third of adults worldwide have high blood pressure, and one in ten adults worldwide have diabetes. These diseases are already well known in the United States, where high blood pressure affects 31 percent of American adults. However, the highest levels of hypertension now occur in many African countries, where more than 40 percent of adults are affected, but where the money and infrastructure needed for treatment are most lacking.

  • Be There 04-02-13

     

    Wednesday

    Brown Bag, LAAC presents Belisama Dance Company and Scottish Country Dancers. Presenting a wide range of programs, from Beethoven to ballet, opera to jazz, chamber music to bagpipes. Noon at Fuller Lodge. Free. Brown bag is funded in part by the County of Los Alamos. 

     

    Christine Chavez, Los Alamos County’s Water and Energy Conservation coordinator will present the county’s Energy and Water Conservation Plan, which outlines conservation goals for utility customers. The talk will be at 7 p.m. at UNM-LA, media room 203, building 2.

    Friday

  • Time management learned via...

    Welcome to April and the Asset category of Constructive Use of Time.

    This category contains four Assets, which include: 

    • Creative activities — Young person spends three or more hours per week in lessons or practice in music, theater, or other arts.

    • Youth programs — Young person spends three or more hours per week in sports, clubs, or organizations at school and/or in community organizations.

    • Religious Community —Young person spends one hour or more per week in activities in a religious institution.

    • Time at home — Young person is out with friends “with nothing special to do” two or fewer nights per week.

  • People in the News 03-31-13

     Hannah Breshears of Los Alamos, has been named to the dean’s List at the Savannah College of Art and Design for fall quarter 2012. Full-time undergraduate students who earn a grade point average of 3.5 or above for the quarter receive recognition on the dean’s list.

    n n n

     

    Andrea Cherne graduated from the Adams State University, Alamosa, Colo., fall 2012 commencement on Dec. 15, in Plachy Hall. Cherne received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry and music/performance. Adams State awarded 155 undergraduate degrees in the fall ceremony.  

     

  • News for retirees 3-31-13

    April 1-6, 2013

    For information, call the Betty Ehart Senior Center (BESC) at 662-8920, the White Rock Senior Center (WRSC) at 662-8200 and “Day Out” (adult day care, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.) at 661-0081. Reservations must be made by 10 a.m. for daily lunches.

     

    Betty Ehart

    MONDAY

    8:30, 10:30 a.m. Tax preparation

    8:45 a.m. Cardio

    11:30 a.m. Lunch:Chicken 

  • Animal shelter 03-31-13

    The Los Alamos Animal Shelter, 226 East Road, 662-8179, has a great selection of onsite adoptable pets waiting for their forever home. Others are currently off-campus in loving foster homes.

    Be sure to visit the Friends of the Shelter website, lafos.org, where you can get more information about volunteering, adopting and donating. 

    Also check out the Petfinder page for pictures and to learn more about all of the adoptable pets, petfinder.com/shelters/friendsoftheshelter.html.

    All adoptable pets are spayed or neutered, have their shots and are micro chipped.

  • Restaurant Inspections 03-28-13

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

    Santa Fe

    Bistro 315, 315 Old Santa Fe Trail
    Date inspected: Mach 19
    Violations: Two low-risk violations, two for contaminated equipment — dirty ice crusher; dirty top of maka table.
    Status of establishment: Approved, no follow-up required.

    Fox’s Uptown Grill, 450 Galisteo St.
    Date inspected: March 20
    Violations: Two low-risk violations, one for animals/vermin/openings — screen door needs to be self-closing. One for floors/walls/ceilings — replace light cover over stove.
    Status of establishment: Approved, no follow-up required.

    Giant #861, 5741 Airport Road
    Date inspected: March 20
    Violations: None
    Notes: Bathrooms very clean
    Status of establishment: Approved, no follow-up required.

    Giant #863, 1229 Cerrillos Road
    Date inspected: March 20
    Violations: One moderate-risk violation for other — burritos at 138 degrees, turn heater up.
    Status of establishment: Approved, no follow-up required.

  • Don’t expect ‘down home’ at Dixie...

    If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it can apply to many things — including restaurants.
    Recently, the Hill Diner, a longtime Los Alamos staple closed down. Owner Denise Lane, who opened the Dixie Girl Restaurant late last year, shifted some of the Hill Diner menu items over to the new eatery, but don’t be fooled — the Dixie Girl shares very few similarities with the Hill Diner.
    An attempt to visit the Dixie Girl was made a few weeks ago, but despite the sign on the door that said they close at 3 p.m. on Sunday, the door was locked at 2:35 p.m. Recently, however, the visit was successful — of course, it was also around noon.
    The Dixie Girl occupies the old Central Avenue Grill location right next door to Starbucks. A menu is on display outside so you can decide if going in is worth it.
    Despite the lunch hour, the restaurant was nearly empty, with only a handful of tables occupied. The hostess was pleasant and a table was secured very quickly.
    The one-page menu offered a variety of choices from soups and salads to burgers, sandwiches and “blue plate specials” like meatloaf.
    Hill Diner items like the New Mexican Dip sandwich and the Texan hamburger have new names, but are available at Dixie Girl — as is the club sandwich. There are a few new offerings as well.

  •
    Underground of Enchantment

    An exhibit, “Underground of Enchantment,” featuring 3D photos of the microbial secrets of Lechuguilla Cave in southeastern New Mexico, will open with a reception from 4-5:30 p.m. April 5 at Mesa Public Library; and from 5-6:30 p.m. at Pajarito Environmental Education Center.

    The cave is part of Carlsbad Caverns National Park and the exhibit originated with — and is traveled by — Carlsbad Museum and Art Center.

    Lechuguilla Cave is the deepest limestone cave (1597.4 ft./486.9m) in the United States and the fifth-longest cave in the world (128miles/206km). The cave holds a fragile ecosystem, which was cut off from the surface until 1986. To protect this system, entry into Lechuguilla is restricted to exploration and science. This exhibit gives the public a chance to glimpse the varied forms and geologic features all in 3D photographs and films.

  • LLA taking applications

    Leadership Los Alamos was founded in 2003 with the recognition that the future of Los Alamos is directly dependent upon the quality and contributions of its leaders.
    The LLA program offers an education that makes participants more effective leaders with a deeper knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing our community.
    The LLA Board of Directors is now accepting applications for the class of 2013-14. They cordially invite you to apply and become a part of their vision:
    “Leadership Los Alamos identifies, enlightens and encourages leaders of diverse backgrounds, occupations and cultures for the purpose of broadening the understanding of our community and enhancing the quality of leadership.”
    In 2013, the LLA program will offer an exciting updated curriculum, new alumni continuing education and social/networking activities and a greater focus on leadership skills training. The program is nine months in duration beginning with a leadership orientation and retreat, followed by one full-day educational session per month. Program session topics include:
    • Cultural issues
    • Economic development
    • Local government
    • Nonprofit/community organizations
    • Education
    • Youth
    • Environment

  • Event benefits Friends of Shelter

    The Posse Shack Breakfast on April 7, will benefit Los Alamos Friends of the Shelter, a local non-profit organization. It’s more than a breakfast — bid on gift baskets; register early for the 2013 Dog Jog; enter a raffle for a $400 gift certificate for a pet photograph from Don Taylor; Josephine Boyer will do glitter tattoos (on face and hands); meet some shelter dogs at a mobile adoption. Bring your family and friends and enjoy the event. They might even have a Doggie Kissing Booth again this year. The Posse Shack is at 650 North Mesa Road, near the stables.  The cost is $10 for adults and $4 for children younger than 10-years-old. 

  • LAMS students impose justice

    The 2012-2013 school year found Los Alamos Middle School implementing the beginning stages of a program called Restorative Justice.
    The Juvenile Justice Advisory Board, with help from Los Alamos County. funded the work with training in 2005, led by the Los Alamos Community Health Council.
    The cases were criminal in nature and generally referred by the Juvenile Probation Officer.
    According to JJAB Coordinator Ellen Ben-Naim, “LAMS is implementing a Restorative Justice program to address conflicts before they escalate into situations involving criminal offenses,” she said. “We felt like the program would be more successful if several members of the LAMS staff were trained in Restorative Justice.”
    The program is designed to handle conflict by allowing everyone in the room to be heard, while allowing the offender to admit responsibility, accept group sanctions and end by regaining a place in the community.
    This month, training was designed not just for those interested in the handling issues locally, but to those interested in the CYFD offering from across the state.
    Approximately 45 attendees representing Silver City, Lordsburg, Raton, Luna, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Rio Arriba and Taos attended the daylong event.

  • Assets in Action: Wedding bells...

    It all started with the Hill Diner’s banana cream pie.
    A year ago last month, you may have read my column about local teacher, Valerie Adams receiving a surprise proposal after the conspiracy of the Hill Diner, De Colores at the Gate and few devious pals.
    Adams and boyfriend Tim, went on their first date to the Hill Diner. Recently, a new chapter was opened as the couple exchanged nuptials in the backyard of Valerie’s dad’s home.
    The story gets better.
    When the couple met, my husband Chad introduced his former Navy pal to Valerie. That weekend visit included stops at the Bradbury Science Museum and a spin around The Next Big Idea at Ashley Pond — and of course a stop for banana cream pie.
    The weekend was over too soon and after a drop at the airport, Val went to breakfast with her dad at an Albuquerque eatery.
    Feeling like a giddy schoolgirl, Val prayed that if she wasn’t too old to feel this way, she needed a sign. She also asked that the sign be pretty blatant because sometimes even adults miss the signs.
    Her dad took her to a restaurant in Albuquerque called Tim’s place.
    Tim is a lovely young man with Down’s Syndrome and the owner of the restaurant where their motto is, “World’s friendliest restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch and hugs.”