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Essence of Los Alamos and White Rock December 2011/January 2012, Volume 5 Issue 7
‘Tis the Season for Giving in Los Alamos Volunteering • Helping Special Needs • Arts Holiday Tamales • Businesses with Big Hearts
the Essence Special Need Programs ................... 4 LAFC Helping Others ........................ 4 Holiday Tamales ................................... 6 Interview with Melanie McKinley ................................ 8 Randy Smith Shares his Giving Philosophy ................. 10 Calendar of Events
10 Putting Assets into Action .........12 Arts in th Los Alamos ....................14 LA Businesses Volunteer................16 Local Happenings in Your Town..............................
Chad Lauritzen volunteers to teach science at Chamisa Elementary School in White Rock.
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Editor’s Note
Participating CommunityMatters Chamber Members
Welcome to the Essence! It has been two years now that I have been editor of the Essence, a bi-monthly publication, created to inform and remind us of what’s special about living in Los Alamos and White Rock. It has been my goal to produce a publication that celebrates our community and the people in it. The Essence is part of an initiative of the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce called CommunityMatters. CommunityMatters participants (listed on the left) are the supporters of a multitude of local activities and services... charities, social services, senior activities, athletic events, activities for youth and adults, concerts, dances, festivals, history and education. Your support of these participants provides everyone the opportunity to give back. Taxes paid on purchases flow to our local government to help fund fire, police, cultural, recreational, and infrastructure services and facilities provide a foundation for our community. The Essence aims to build and improve community relationships, to uphold the unsung heroes. These articles are aimed at getting to know you, business owners and organizations, a little better - giving recognition that is well-deserved and reminding us all why we chose to live here. I would love to hear from you about the people in your life who are making a difference and show how community matters.
Assets in Action Bennett’s Jewelry BC Glass & Mirror Blue Windo Bistro Bob’s Bodacious BBQ CB FOX & CB FOX Kidz Central Avenue Grill Don Taylors Photography Enchanted Paradise Spa Family YMCA Hampton Inn & Suites High Mesa Institute Hill Diner Juvenile Justice Board- LA Karen Wray Fine Art Kiwanis
In this Issue of the Essence –
Little Forest Play School
You will discover a theme of ‘Giving’. It’s the perfect time of year to give thanks to those who make the world a better place to live, just by their existence.
Lorraine Hartway Los Alamos Co-Op Market Los Alamos County Environment Servies Los Alamos County Library Mesa Public Library
❅ ❅ ❅ ❅ ❅ ❅
Discover local businesses that demonstrate their generosity Essence interview with Melanie McKinley Randy Smith shares his giving philosophy Los Alamos Family Council helps those most in need Putting action in assets And much more…
Los Alamos Family Council I wish everyone a very special holiday season and offer this quote to ponder:
Los Alamos Farmers’ Market
“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members, a heart of grace, and a soul generated by love.” – Coretta Scott King
Los Alamos Fitness Center Los Alamos Heart Council Los Alamos Historical Museum Los Alamos Medical Center Los Alamos National Bank New York Life
Suzette Fox, Editor Community Projects Coordinator/LA MainStreet Manager Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation 505.661.4844, suzette@losalamos.org
Mandy Marksteiner North Road Inn Pajarito Environmental Education Center Pajarito Greenhouse Pajarito Mountain Ski Area Pet Pangaea The Finishing Touch United Way UNM Graduate Program UPEX Waddell & Reed
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Special programs for special needs By Lynn Strauss “It never ceases to amaze me how supportive people in Los Alamos are,” says Barbara Ellsworth, mother of three daughters. The oldest, Taylor, is 11 years old and has Down Syndrome. Taylor has played basketball at the Family YMCA, taken their rock climbing classes and done a hip hop class there. Because of her condition, she is small for her age, so she plays on teams with younger kids more her size. “Every activity we have signed her up for, the Y has been fantastic about accommodating her needs to be with the younger kids,” says Barbara. “Not to mention all of the instructors have treated her just like they treat the other players on the team.” Taylor has done guitar lessons, art classes at Fuller Lodge Art Center and the Kids’ Triathlon. She has also participated in extra curricular activities at Barranca Mesa Elementary School including the Double Dutch Team and the Swing Dance Club. “All of these organizations have been wonderful about letting Taylor participate in the younger age group with her sisters,” says Barbara. Barbara also gives credit to the Los Alamos Public School District for mainstreaming the special needs kids into the general student body as much as possible. “I am a firm believer that this helps them both -- the special needs kids feel accepted and the peers accept and understand them,” she says. “She may look a little different and she may act a little different, but at the end of the day she wants to be like all the other kids -- go play, have fun, make friends, love and be loved.” Los Alamos County’s recreation programs happily accommodate youth with disabilities. The Ice Rink occasionally provides a skilled skater to push a wheelchair, so that kids can enjoy the movement and social atmosphere of the rink. “All county programs try to accommodate people with disabilities,” says Ice Rink Manager Dianne Marquez. “At the rink, staff assist people with disabilities to be sure everyone can enjoy the program. We’ve had children with Down Syndrome or mild-to-intermediate autism. We work with the parents to see what will work.” There’s also the County’s Bear Camp summer activities program. “We take it on an individual basis,” says Marquez, who also supervises this program. She says an average of 2-4 special needs kids enroll in the program each year. (Overall, the program has about 75 enrollees.) “We work around limitations whether we’re swimming, playing dodge ball or doing improv skits,” she says. The Family YMCA also offers climbing programs for youth with disabilities. “The Y endeavors to include individuals of all ages, abilities, backgrounds and incomes in our membership and programs,” says Executive Director Linda Daly. “We have had a vision-impaired youth scale our climbing wall with the help and encouragement of our staff and instructors, and we’ve held special climbing classes for children with disabilities.” Another special climbing class will be offered through Family Strengths Network, which offers a number of services for families, including “Special Saturdays.” The program allows kids with special needs to form an independent social life. Special Saturdays also offers parents a little time off, which is especially hard to come by for parents of children with disabilities.
On December 17, FSN’s Special Saturday kids will build gingerbread houses. In February, they will rock climb at the Y, and in April, play putt-putt miniature golf at East Park. “Most children as they get older are able to establish a social network and identity independent of their parents,” says Susan Mack, Executive Director of FSN. “Children with special needs rarely have this opportunity; parents must always be present during their activities. Special Saturdays allows participants to build confidence and socialize with peers. It gives them a measure of independence and a sense of belonging to a group other than their family.”
Taylor Elsworth enjoys an afternoon of climbing
Los Alamos Family Council serves those in need By Wendy Hoffman Sometimes when the going gets tough, the tough decide to do something nice for the less fortunate. That’s exactly the theory behind Los Alamos Family Council’s recent restructure, says Executive Director Joy Beery. Begun nearly 50 years ago, LAFC has been the community’s only continuously operating behavioral health facility. In recent years they have faced the same challenges that are affecting businesses throughout America - a growing demand for services and a shrinking bottom line. Consequently in April 2011, the organization decided to downsize. Beery said, “The Board feels strongly that by down sizing we are now able to focus on that portion of Los Alamos community who is least able to help itself and to promote their ‘emotional and social well being.’ Too often our community has the attitude that mental illness doesn’t happen here, but anyone involved in behavioral health care in Los Alamos knows that a great need exists for our organization to continue serving the needs of individuals in all age groups throughout the community. We’ve decided to focus on our neediest neighbors.” LAFC no longer accepts private insurance but sees clients who have Medicaid, Salud, Los Alamos Health Assistance (formerly the Indigent Fund) and the state behavioral health
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insurance, OptumHealth NM, Beery said. “We can see people with no insurance and a low income for about $10 per visit,” she added. At Family Council, appointments are now available for such mental health issues as depression, anxiety, serious mental illness, marriage counseling, etc., and for substance abuse assessments. They also offer DWI School, groups and therapy, and serve children, adolescents, adults, families and couples, Beery said. Another of LAFC’s many and varied services is the Youth Activity Centers (YAC), Beery said. “The centers offer free after-school and summer programs for students in grades 3 through 8. Activities are designed to build resilience in youth, and the director has training as a prevention specialist.” Along with the YACs, Family Council offers other prevention programs and services for senior citizens, she said. While the decision to restructure was very hard for the board and staff, Beery said, it has allowed LAFC to carry out its much cherished mission. “If we are going to serve anyone,” Beery said, “it is right and fitting that the neediest in our community should come first.” For more information or to make an appointment, please call 505-662-3264.
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Essence December 2011/January 2012
Dancers twist the night away at the Sock Hop, a benefit for Los Alamos Family Council
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in LOS ALAMOS More Choice. M More Choice. More Choice.
Suzette Fox Editor
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Edible Essence 12 cups of Water 8 Cloves of Garlic 2 Pork Roasts (4 lbs) Shredded Combine the oil and the flour in a large sauce pan. Brown the flour until it is a golden brown then remove from heat. Add chili powder to the mixture in the sauce pan. Once the chili is mixed into the flour add your 12 cups of water and heat on low – medium. Add garlic cloves to the chili using a garlic press. Wash chili pods and puree in a blender with 1 ½ cups of water. Then add chili puree to sauce pan. Stir until evenly mixed then pour over the shredded meat. Make sure the meat is evenly covered with chili and make sure that your chili is not too runny. Your chili is now ready for your tamales so you can place it in the fridge while you start your masa.
Masa 4.4 pound bag of Masa Harina (Gluten Free) 1 lb Morell Lard 1 ½ tsp Onion Powder 1 tsp Garlic Salt 1 ½ tsp Salt 11 cups of Warm Broth (the water from the roast) 2 bag of Ojas (Corn Husks)
Tamale Palooza
by Rachaud Archuleta
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, a time for giving, a time of gathering together and a time for enjoying great food. As the holidays quickly approach, I am reminded of my family’s Christmas tradition, making tamales. Although the history of the tamale is uncertain as to how far back it dates one thing is clear, the New Mexico Culture has refined the art of tamale making. In our region of New Mexico, the traditional tamale filling is red chili with shredded pork which is surrounded by a corn meal mixture known as masa harina. Masa harina is corn soaked in lime and dried before grinding. This delightful main dish is wrapped in a beautiful golden corn husk and steamed to perfection. The corn husk not only adds a beautiful presentation but also gives it a true New Mexican authenticity. When my family gets together for this seasonal event we usually go to my Grandma Lulu and Grandpa Clark’s house. My Grandma learned how to make tamales from her motherin-law, my Great Grandma Lucy. Grandma Lulu will make the chili and the masa. Usually recipes are handed down from generation to generation. My family does not write down their recipe for the tamales, they just know how much of each ingredient they need to make the dish. They often cook based on quantity and taste. This year when Kevin Holsapple and Katy Korkos asked me to host a tamale palooza party for work, I didn’t hesitate since my family does this each year. This year my Auntie Beverly came to help out with the party, it was a blast. It was great to see everyone having fun and socializing while putting together a New Mexican tradition. We made sure to measure out every ingredient so we could share our recipe with you and your family. I definitely recommend having your own tamale palooza party for the holidays; it will bring family and friends closer together.
Soak your ojas in a large bowl of luke-warm water while you make your masa (you can place another smaller bowl on the top to weigh down the ojas). Take the broth out of the fridge and warm on the stove for a few minutes (you do not want to get too hot). Pour all of the dry ingredients and lard into a large mixing bowl. Then knead the mixture. Next add the 11 cups of broth (a little at a time) and continue to knead until the broth is completely mixed into the masa. The masa should have a spreadable consistency. Note: you may have to add more broth to the masa over time to keep it moist. Take the ojas out of the water and place a few in a smaller dry bowl so that they will not be sopping wet. The ojas need to be moist and flexible to fold.
Putting Together the Tamales Now comes the fun part! Gather your family and friends around the table to create an assembly line. Even the youngest members of the family can join in, patting down the masa with tiny hands. Place your chili, masa, and ojas in the center of the table. You can have a couple of people spread the masa onto the ojas with rubber spatulas. Then they can pass it on to the next set of people who fill it with chili. Then the next set of people can wrap the tamale up. There are different ways to wrap/tie the tamales up: -you can wrap the open end with wax paper -you can have the masa and chili more towards the middle and tie both ends Keep doing this until you run out of chili.
Cooking the Tamales Cover bottom of steamer with ojas, so the tamales do not burn. Then add 1 ½ -2 inches of water and load your steamer with tamales. You can steam the tamales according to your steamer instructions. A regular steamer will usually take 1 -1 ½ hours to cook the tamales. You can also use a pressure cooker to cook your tamales; usually this will take 30 min. The way that you will be able to tell that the tamales are done cooking is by taking one out of the oja. If the tamale is firm then it is done, if not just steam a little longer.
Beverly's Tamales 2 Pork Roasts (4 lbs) each 2tsp Cominos (cumin) 1 tsp Garlic Salt 1 ½ tsp Onion Powder 3 tsp Salt Put mixture in roasters then fill almost to the top with water. Cook on low heat overnight (it needs to cook for 12 hours). Once meat is cooked remove it from the roaster and place it in a bowl. Then remove the broth (the water that the meat cooked in) and place it in a pot and refrigerate. You will want to save the broth for when you make your masa. Get two forks and shred the meat. Once you are done shredding place meat in the fridge.
Chili 28 Chili Pods – Washed 10 Tbsp of Oil 8 Tbsp of Flour (Can substitute Rice Flour if Gluten Free)* 1 1/3 cup Chili Powder
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Making Tameles is more fun with friends and Family
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Have Historic Holidays! Let your giving begin with cards and gifts from the Los Alamos Historical Museum, 1050 Bathtub Row, just north of Fuller Lodge www.losalamoshistory.org 505-662-6272 www.losalamoschamber.com
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CommunityMatters
There’s Always Something Deeper Essence Interview with Melanie McKinley
Essence: Tell us about yourself and your history with the Los Alamos community. Melanie McKinley: I’m a native of Los Alamos. I grew up here in White Rock and I graduated from Los Alamos High in 1988. I was one of those who graduated and swore that I’d leave and never come back …. Well, here I am! After graduating high school, I left for college and other than visits and a couple of short stints back with my parents I didn’t think a lot about life in Los Alamos for quite a number of years. I worked on my career at Philips and then later at Intel in Rio Rancho, met my husband in Albuquerque and got married. We started our family in Albuquerque, and by 2006 we had four kids ages four, six, eight, and ten. Looking around us, we weren’t totally comfortable with the environment for raising the family and we thought there could be better. Somehow my ‘never coming back’ thinking of my youth had evolved into wondering about whether Los Alamos could be the kind of place we were looking for. It happened that my parents were going to be away for an extended trip for the summer and it opened the opportunity to do an extended ‘test drive’ of what it would be like to live back here with our family. I moved up with the kids and my husband continued to work as an orthopedic surgeon in Albuquerque … he would come up for the weekends. Somehow we melded right in. We love the outdoors and the kids were immediately out and about, making friends, and feeling quite at home. Within just a few weeks, the house next door to my parents in White Rock came on the market. We took a look, liked it, and then came to the conclusion that the idea of living in Los Alamos had already been a successful test drive … we made the decision to make the move and worked to make the transition over the next many months. My husband transitioned his work to Presbyterian Medical Center in Espanola and I concentrated on the household here. Essence: What was different for you from those ‘never coming back’ days? Melanie McKinley: Sometimes things aren’t like you remember. Like I said, we love the outdoors and the setting here was a real attraction … but that wasn’t so different. I just appreciated it differently. What I found to be incredibly enjoyable and different from what I remembered are the people. Los Alamos is full of interesting people with fascinating stories …. they have done things … they have been places. I just met a lady the other day. She is into dancing and is a ballerina who had danced professionally in the city and now does some dance teaching here. Well, that’s not so unusual compared to anywhere else to meet a person like that. But then I learned that she also has a degree in nuclear engineering. There was this whole other side of her to know about. I find that over and over in Los Alamos … there is always something deeper, interesting, and
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often surprising about our people. Essence: The theme of this month’s Essence is ‘giving’ and I know that you have volunteered your time, energy and talent as a member of the School Board. What has that been like? Melanie McKinley: Having four school-age kids, I got involved right away with PTO and volunteering at our schools. At some point, someone suggested the idea of getting involved with the school board. One thing led to another and I’ve been doing that for about three years now. ‘Giving’ is critical to the current and future success of our schools … we can’t be effective without community and parental involvement. I sense a passion here for getting involved and giving to our schools … more so than I saw going on in the city. More businesses than I can name off the top of my head also take the time to help and get involved. The Smith’s stores are always helping with things I’m involved in. Ruby K’s and the Bandelier Grill also come quickly to mind. There is always room for more involvement, though. One of the revelations for me in the school board experience is that the way the system is set up; the professional educators who are really the experts don’t call the shots. They answer to a school board. Our school board is a great set of people and we do have members who have experience as education professionals, but we are more everyday citizens. I am impressed that our professional educators aren’t put off by that. I find they are patient and thoughtful in helping our Board to understand the issues and make the best calls that we can. The success of our schools is owed to our amazing people who work hard within the system to make it the best it can be. We are working hard right now on strategic planning for the schools … who we are … what we want to be … how we will pursue getting there. Personally, I’d like to see a continuing emphasis with hands-on programs that get kids excited about vocations. Robotics, solar, gardening … these are all areas of opportunity. We are also excited that the new High School facilities will be coming on line soon. The community support in the bond election that has enabled facility upgrades is another great example of giving connected to a strategic purpose. Passing that bond enabled us to obtain 1/3 matching funds from the State to leverage our local investment as well. I think the community will see and agree that we’ve spent their money wisely. I think that people and businesses in this community have been incredible in giving of their time, talent and resources - continuing that will be critical to our future as a great community to live in.
Essence December 2011/January 2012
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Thank you for Giving During Campaign 2012 GIVE LOCAL. SEE RESULTS. United Way of Northern New Mexico Your generous donation helps United Way Community Partners directly serve friends, families, and neighbors in Los Alamos and Rio Arriba Counties.
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Essential Person
Events
December 2011
WinterFest Activities ❅ 2 – 4 WinterFest. Downtown Los Alamos all weekend Light Parade, Performances, Live Music, Good Cheer.
❅ 2 – 4 Dance Arts Los Alamos presents The Nutcracker Performance held on December 2nd at 7pm and December 3rd and 4th at 2pm. Follow Clara on her journey though the magical Kingdom of Sweets in this beloved holiday favorite. Duane Smith Auditorium.
❅ 2 – 3 18th Annual Crèches From Around the World Friday, Dec. 2, 1 to 7 p.m., and Saturday, December 3rd, 9 a.m. to 4 Church of the Latter Day Saints featuring hundreds of Nativity sets.
❅ 3 Holiday Open House 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fuller Lodge. Various musical performances throughout the day.
Randy Smith shares his giving philosophy By Carol A. Clark Los Alamos Home Improvement/ACE Hardware has been a fixture in the community for some 25 years. At its helm is a man who believes strongly in community philanthropy. “I think it’s important for local businesses to contribute to those quality of life activities that help make Los Alamos such a great place to live,” said Randy Smith who owns the large store at 232 D.P. Road. Despite the economic downturn challenging businesses everywhere – Smith and the store continue to give back to the community. Among its areas of involvement, the store donates lumber for floats to the annual Holiday Light Parade on Central Avenue each December and also lumber for the yearly pumpkin toss for area children. “We receive calls everyday from people asking for donations and we’ve given to the Special Olympics and other nonprofit organizations over the years,” he said. “While we don’t have the cash flow we did in years past, we still give what we can and are concentrating our donations to nonprofit organizations here in our community,” Smith said. Smith, 55, was born in Albuquerque, lived in Santa Fe for several years and moved to Los Alamos in 2004. He went to work for Los Alamos Home Improvement/ ACE Hardware in 1992, ending up its sole owner after buying out its shareholders in 2003. Los Alamos Home Improvement/ACE Hardware employs 10 people. Sara Fauber has worked for the store for 24 years. She is Smith’s main sales and merchandising assistant. Fauber attributes her longevity at the store to “a good working environment, very nice coworkers and friendly customers.” “Randy is the kind of boss who is just great to work for – he would help out any of his employees in a pinch,” she said. Smith is married to Gina Smith and the couple has two children, Ashley, 20, and
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Joey, 15. In their free time, the Smiths like to travel, hike in the mountains and they enjoy boating and water sports at Elephant Butte. Gina also keeps the books and helps run the business, which her husband said he greatly appreciates. “The first 10 or 12 years we saw very heavy growth in our business until the fire,” Smith said. “The business really grew after that, but in the last six or seven years it has been declining and with the recent poor economy, the business has declined substantially.” As a strategy to combat his declining numbers, Smith is taking his store in a new direction. “In the past we’ve leaned more toward commercial contractors but I’ve just rearranged the business to be more retail oriented,” he said. “We recently brought in a line of Benjamin Moore paint … we’d love the community to come in to the store and see our new products. I’d like the community to know that we’re a company where people can come and work with people – not just another business.” Community members can shop locally at the store for paint and paint supplies, lumber, hardware, roofing, insulation, plumbing, electrical, patio pavers, retaining wall blocks and a wide selection of green building supplies. “We provide free material estimates to people who bring in their blueprints and we provide fast and efficient delivery service to our local customers,” Smith said. Smith explained that “in this changing world,” people also can shop his products online where ACE features about 200,000 items that are shipped to Los Alamos at no charge. For those folks who like the more traditional way of shopping in person, the store is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday and closed Sunday. For additional information, call 6625371 or visit www.acehardware.com.
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❅ 3 Children’s Christmas Bazaar 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church
❅ 3 Holiday Crafts for Kids 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Mesa Public Library (downstairs)
❅ 3 Affordable Art Sale 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Art Center at Fuller Lodge
❅ 3 Spin and Win 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. CB FOX
❅ 3 Kid’s Talk with Santa 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. CB FOX
❅ 3 Horse Drawn Wagon Rides 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Chamber of Commerce (FREE)
❅ 3 MainStreet’s Holiday Light Parade – “Enchanted Holiday” 6pm Central Avenue
❅ 3 Lighting of the Trees 7 p.m. Ashley Pond
❅ 3 Best Brass of Christmas Concert 7:30 p.m. Crossroads Bible Church
❅ 3 – 4 Earth Treasure Show Los Alamos Geological Society 10 a.m. to 4 pm Masonic Temple Canyon Rd and 15th St.
4 Santa Paws Pet Pictures with Santa 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Pet Pangaea
10 High Altitude Half-Marathon and 5K Fun Run. 8 to 11:30 am. Half marathon and 5k runs to benefit the Los Alamos Family Strong Kids Campaign and the Los Alamos High School cross country and track teams. Starts at the Los Alamos Family YMCA.
17 Jazz Night with the John Trentacosta Quartet Blue Window Bistro. $15 per person. Dinner reservation required.7 to 9 pm
24 Christmas Eve Luminaria Skate at the Ice Rink. Start a holiday tradition at the Ice Rink. 6 to 8 pm. Enjoy a quiet evening of holiday music, holiday lights, hot cocoa, and skating under the winter sky.
31 Fire & Ice New Year’s Eve Celebration on the Valles Caldera. 6 pm to 1 am. There will be fireworks, hot cider, refreshments, and more. Fees include moonlit permit to cross-country ski and snowshoe. Reservations are not required. January 2011
January 2012 10 Historical Lectures: It’s Fun; It’s History; It’s New Mexico! 7:30 to 9 pm at Fuller Lodge. In celebration of the centennial of the state of New Mexico, NM Humanities Council speaker Mary Mortensen Diecker will share fun and interesting history about the state.
22 Haochen Zhang, 2009 Van Cliburn Gold Medalist Duane Smith Auditorium. 4 to 6 pm. The Los Alamos concert Association presents 2009 Van Cliburn Gold Medalist Haochen Zhang.
For More Info visit FYILA.com
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Your Financial Advisor in Los Alamos Financial Planning, Retirement, Investments
Sunday, December 11, A Wine-Tasting featuring wines of Italy
5 - 7 p.m., Reservations required., $30 per person Diane Chan, CMFC Financial Advisor 505.663.1401
Saturday, December 17
#SJTB EFM #PTRVF -PT "MBNPT /. t .FNCFS 4*1$
John Trentacosta Jazz Quartet 7 - 9 p.m., $15 per person
Dinner reservations required
AND . . . New Year’s Eve Dinner! Sunday, Dec. 31, from 5 to 9 p.m.
5-course meal with a glass of champagne A local favorite since 1983. Located at 813 Central Avenue
For reservations call (505) 662-6305
Community Calendar, searchable business directory, full event details, more events, and contact information at fyiLA.com
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INSIGHT
Putting Assets Into Action By Bernadette Lauritzen One Asset of the Los Alamos community is their spirit of giving and the most valuable gift is the gift of time. Our community may be known for its income, but it is the heart of the giver that makes a difference in this little community on the hill. Los Alamos National Bank’s Bill Enloe is proud of his organization and the many gifts his employees bring to enrich Los Alamos. “I believe the most rewarding part of my job is being part of an organization that gives so much back to the community,” said Enloe. “The bank’s employees continually amaze me with their generosity. Whether it is giving time to United Way, Little League, or the hundreds of other organizations they support, they are always there.” As a business leader in the community Enloe believes that generosity is best cultivated by hiring people that care. “If you want to provide good customer service you have to have employees that receive personal reward by helping others,” said Enloe. Last year LANB and Title Guarantee employees volunteered 10,345 hours of time on small events like bake sales and large programs like Habitat for Humanity and the United Way. While LANB is in the business of giving, Los Alamos Public Schools is in the business of giving the best education. The wonderful education given to students in Los Alamos is done in part by a combined effort of administrators, teachers, staff and volunteers. “The spirit of volunteerism and giving is alive and well in Los Alamos. It is hard to imagine a more generous community. The many ways for giving, both in time and resources, makes an incredible difference. I am proud to be a part of something so wonderful,” Eugene Schmidt said. Schmidt is the Superintendent of Schools. Schmidt can see quite clearly how this community values education by the sheer number of hours donated to a variety of programs and projects, among them the science fair, supercomputing, speech and debate and the marching band. “For your willingness to serve, I thank you all,” Schmidt said. One of his prized resources is the commitment to serve on the Los Alamos Board of Education. “Under the leadership of Melanie McKinley, the Board has been visible in countless number of events. Through their tireless commitment to education, they continue to provide the outstanding leadership that makes our school system great.” Businesses small and large contribute to the Community every day. The Festival of Chocolate, held each year in late November, supports youth and senior programs. Local businesses such as the Hill Diner, the Bandelier Grill, the Best Western Hilltop House, Aspen Ridge Lodge, Papa Murphy’s Pizza and the Los Alamos Medical Center all donated their finest chocolate creations to the event. How can we thank these individuals and businesses? Nominate them for a Community Asset Award. Community volunteers are acknowledged annually with this event, sponsored by the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board and Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce.
Volunteers of all ages showed up to make seed balls. The project was conceived by Jin Park, a local Boy Scout, who wanted to give back. The balls of seeds and clay were distributed in the areas damaged by the Los Conchas Fire. Rains dissolve the clay leaving the opportunity for the seeds to take root and create new vegetation in the burned areas. The program accepts nominations throughout the year. Nomination forms are available at www.AssetsInAction.info. Those eligible live and work in Los Alamos and are nominated by regular, everyday people. All nominations are awarded. One annual winner is selected from all of the entries and acknowledged with the ‘Spirit of the West Award’ in memory of former County Councilor Jim West. West believed that we should recognize those unsung heroes in the community and the Community Asset Awards began with the first ceremony in 2010. The 2011 event included a presentation of awards by the LAHS homecoming king Ryan Erickson and the homecoming queen Natalie Swinhoe and a jazz ensemble sponsored by a band from Los Alamos High School. The Best Western Hilltop House Hotel will host the Third Annual event on January 7, 2012. The evening includes the awards presentation, a dessert buffet prepared by Chef Diego Torres and live music. Tickets for the event are just ten dollars and can be reserved by calling 661-4846. Los Alamos High School Navy JROTC program volunteering at a local event.
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Arts & Culture It’s Local, It’s Handmade It’s Beautiful
Community Winds announces their first a annual “Music Filled Life” scholarship By Mandy Marksteiner B
By Mandy Marksteiner If wandering through department stores trying to find gifts while being bombarded by sales messages for cheap (yet overpriced) junk, makes you feel like a Grinch, you’re in good company. Luckily there is an alternative right here in Los Alamos. At the Fuller Lodge Art Center’s Affordable Arts show you will find a huge variety of handcrafted gifts made by local artists. There’s something for everyone on your list. Prices range from $5 to $250. Twenty-five local and regional artists have entered affordable artwork and 100 gallery shop artists will supplement their usual supply of art with more quality artwork that can be given as holiday gifts. Portal Gallery artist Rebecca Titus Taylor will display three series of work, each exploring the vast possibilities of digital painting, symmetry and the intriguing nature of faces and reflections. “Sometimes what draws me to photograph a particular piece of bark or rock, or the ripples in a stream, is the suggestion of a face,” Taylor said of her Photo Synthesis Series. “I then experiment with “cutting” the image in various places, and reflecting (mirroring) it against itself to see if a face emerges. Each Photo Synthesis image is made from numerous individual photographs that are merged, blended, and reflected to reveal the final picture.” The digital paintings in her Mystical Light Mandala series are created entirely on the computer using custom brushes and lighting effects. Rebecca’s digitally painted mandalas and clocks reflect a natural tendency to create colorful detailed patterns in circular symmetry. Rebecca’s Warped Album Art allows her to incorporate recycled materials into her work. 33⅓ LPs are the perfect medium for following her natural inclination to create circular symmetrical patterns, especially using vibrant colors on dark backgrounds. She gathers unwanted albums, hand-paints them, and warps them to create bowls, clocks, chimes, “bugs”, and “33⅓ L-People”. Arlene Mansfield’s Christmas keepsakes have a distinct southwestern flair. Her original paintings on her Buffalo Gourds were inspired by native New Mexican images, and her Stained Glass Chile Angels are perfect for tree trimming. Talty Robinson, the manager at the Jemez Springs Bath House, has a series of Our Lady of Guadalupe cards, embellished with ribbons, beads and buttons. If you’re looking for fashionable outer wear, Karen Warthen’s original Knit Necki’s are made from local yarn and vintage and recycled buttons. Jeanne Robinson and her daughter, EliseAnne, work together to create multicolored textured hand knit wearable art. Their original designs are influenced by complex Scandinavian design combined with a Southwest influence. When Franc Miller retired from his graphic design and advertising career he rediscovered the satisfaction that he received from painting. His wildlife subjects (eagles, hawks, falcons, herons and wolves) are painted on a natural “canvas” of cherry or oak. The wood is carefully selected for it’s texture, and then cut, trimmed and stained to accentuate the plumage or fur. Browse through Christina Sullo’s raku pottery that was inspired by primitive and ethnic art forms, Michelle Tapia’s original hand designed jewelry, and recycled art by Gilbert Candelaria and the carved wooden lamps by Alexandr Davydenko. Fuller Lodge is open Monday through Saturday and every Sunday between Thanksgiving and Christmas from 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. During the Holiday Open House on Saturday, Dec. 3, enjoy hot cider and home made cookies from 10 a.m. until the Parade of Lights begins at 6 p.m. For more information stop by the Fuller Lodge Art Center at 2132 Central Avenue, call 662-1635 or visit the website at fullerlodgeartcenter.com.
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The Los Alamos Community Winds will award a scholarship of no less than $ $1,000 to a single graduating senior high school music student who has been accepted into college. The scholarship winner must be currently enrolled as a a wind, brass, or percussion student in the music program at Los Alamos High w School or if home-schooled, must show significant evidence of private music S instruction. Although in plans to major in music in college are not required of applicants, specific plans to further their music education/involvement and a strong desire to both p remain active in music, and to continue to make music a part of the applicant’s re lilife are essential. Students who would like to be considered for the scholarship need to: Send application packets to P.O. Box 33, Los Alamos, NM 87544, postmarked no later than May 1. The application should include (1) a cover letter m introducing themselves, telling where they plan to go to college, what instruin ment they play, and why they should receive the scholarship, (2) a one-page m music resume that lists their activities, accomplishments and service activities (3) m a 500 word essay that answers the question “How has music enhanced your eexperience as a high school student and how do you think it will help you in yyour future plans?” Applicants are required to perform an accompanied solo to be eligible for the “Music Filled Life” scholarship. Students can either send in a recording of th their solo with their application or perform their solo “behind the screen” beth fore a panel of judges on Tuesday, May 8th, between 7-9 in the LAHS band fo room. “Behind the screen” means that the judges will set up a screen so that ro they cannot see who is playing, making it easier to judge solely on the music. th The Community Winds would like to make this application process as objectitive and anonymous as possible. They ask the applicants to include their name, address and phone number on the cover letter only. Each application will be a assigned a number so that the judges can evaluate them fairly. a LACW will announce the official rules during their Holiday Prism Concert on December 11 at 2 p.m. at White Rock Baptist Church and post them online at D www.lacw.org. If there are any discrepancies between the official application w a and this article, please refer to the application. The award will be paid directly to the scholarship winner’s college.
LLACW is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Contributions are gratefully accepted a and tax-deductible to the extent of the law. Contributions can be sent to:
LLos Alamos Community Winds P PO Box 33 LLos Alamos, NM 87544
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Business
Local businesses demonstrate tremendous generosity Giving time and expertise, local contractor Stan Primak, stands in from the nearly completed Habitat for Humanity home on Urban Street. Primak has managed three of the houses built by volunteers. Photo by Carol A. Clark
By Carol A. Clark Volunteer groups and non-profit organizations do so much for the community but they can’t do it alone. Those who give to others invariably say that they are the ones who gain the most from it, adding that they feel a sense of connection to the community and they feel that it is the right thing to do. Every little bit truly helps when it comes to good works and many Los Alamos businesses are making a practice of contributing what they can despite today’s economic downturn. Local builder Stan Primak gives back to the community primarily through his volunteerism with Habitat for Humanity. “I’ve managed the construction of three houses built for people in need,” Primak said during a recent interview. “Each home is a ‘green build’ and the latest one, on Urban Street, is almost ready for the new homeowners to occupy.” Primak serves on the HFH board and is a member of the Building Kindness Selection Committee, which coordinates home repairs for people in need. He also serves on the Los Alamos National Bank Board. LANB is widely recognized for its generosity and ranks at the top of businesses that support community events and programs. Perhaps during the holiday season, more than at any other time, hearts go out to others. Los Alamos National Laboratory and its employees pull out all the stops this time of year with their turkey distribution event for Thanksgiving and Christmas gift drive for children. There are a million ways to give back to one’s community and Del Norte Credit Union recently held a grand reopening for the $1 million renovation of its local branch office on Trinity Drive. “A quartet of high school students performed during the event but they didn’t want to be paid so we donated $500 on behalf of the young musicians to the Brianna Fund for a young girl who had brain surgery,” said DNCU’s Business Development Manager Valerie Fernandez-Martinez. “In partnership with LANL’s Community Programs Office DNCU this year has contributed to the LANL Laces Program, School Supply Drive /Backpack Challenge, Take a Turkey to Work Day/Feed the 500 and we are one of United Way of Northern New Mexico’s Corner Stone sponsors. Curves For Women at 967 Central Ave., exercises community spirit in a variety of ways. “We sponsor the Christmas Baby Shower for HOPE Pregnancy Center, Adopt a Family for Thanksgiving/Christmas, we are the collection point for the Sole for Souls and for blankets and electric cooking items when the valley was without gas last winter,” Curves owner Crystal Dufresne said. “We also contribute to the Relay for Life Team-American Cancer Society and provide door prizes for the House of Hope-Juarez Mission trip.”
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Curves and its members, comprised of women throughout the community, also rally behind a variety of other causes each year. “Our members really step up for so many worthy causes including school fundraisers, the Alzheimer’s Walk and our annual month-long food collection drive for LA Cares,” she said. “We sell raffle tickets to raise funds for foreign medical needs and we are a United Way coin collection point.” Curves and its members collected toiletries, school supplies and assorted toys for the Rio Rancho Blue Star Mothers that were shipped to needy children in Afghanistan. Village Arts and the Fuller Lodge Art Center also are involved in a host of events that enhance the quality of life for so many. “More important than the giving that Village Arts and the Art Center are involved with, is what the community and visitors give to us,” owner Ken Nebel said. “It’s harder to quantify, but it comes with nearly 6,000 hours of volunteer time over the past year, a library of donated books, art supplies and equipment, donated space for events, and home made cookies. We’re grateful to our customers who trust us and validate our work, to our artists who inspire us, to our volunteers who give so much time and talent, and to Los Alamos County and the many organizations and businesses in town who partner with and support us.” “Village Arts is at the edge of town on D.P. Road, past where the bus travels, so they have some people who can’t easily make it here,” Nebel said. “We help them by picking up and dropping off artwork and supplies. Often times we’ll have work come in that’s to large to be transported by the individual’s car, and we’ve arranged transportation for them – a big thank you to Dave Fox at CB Fox for his help in that regard.” Nebel said. Village Arts donates mats to schools all over the county and as far away as Santa Fe and invites groups to place their collection cans for worthy causes at the store. “We sell Young Life cards and Jemez Mountain Trail posters, with all proceeds going to the respective groups,” he said. “We offer student discounts to anyone who comes in with a classroom supply list and we provide portfolio reviews for students on track for art school. We train students from Los Alamos High School through work study. We also take part in many community and arts related celebrations, stay open late for customers, and try to be on hand for any art emergency.” Nebel operates Fuller Lodge Art Center under a contract with the county and makes all of its exhibitions, openings and fairs free of charge to the public. “We also take part in many community events, stay open late during the summer concert series and peak times and act as concierge for visitors to town,” he said. “We provide
Essence December 2011/January 2012
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VOLUNTEERING
from page 16
studio di space to iindividual di id l artists i and d groups lik like the h Lif Life D Drawing i G Group, PPoetry Cl Club, b and d Embroider’s Guild. At our next show, we’ll begin offering five free entries for young adults and students 21 or younger, and will provide portfolio reviews for students on track for art school. We train students from LAHS through work study. We’ve had the opportunity to offer scholarships to artistically bent students with a financial need during the Summer Art Camp, and are so thankful to the Emily Bradley Memorial Fund for that opportunity.” The Los Alamos Concert Association donates free tickets to youth to expose them the exquisite music performed by the world class that LACA brings to town each year. “We would like to thank Dr. Carolyn Linnebur for her contributions that help us with our youth program,” LACA Artistic Director Ann McLaughlin said. “Los Alamos has a long and deeply embedded tradition of volunteerism without which many organizations, including LACA, could not survive. Our board is essentially unpaid staff taking on jobs that require hours of work and creative energy and we’re grateful to every one of them.” Officials and employees at businesses and organizations throughout White Rock and Los Alamos are pitching in to give where needed. Teachers and families at Sage Cottage preschool have been helping the family of a two year old who has leukemia. “We have been donating money, food, household items and time to help the child and his mom through some extremely difficult times,” said Sage Cottage Director Cheri Host. Diana Norwood owns the pet grooming company, Your’s Truly Diana’s at 208 D.P. Road. To give back to the community, Norwood donates her time and expertise to groom dogs for the Lo Alamos Animal Shelter. New Mexico Dance Theater School and Performance Company in Central Park Square, directed by Susan Baker-Dillingham, gives back in many ways. The NMDT School has collected school supplies for a school in Fallujah, Iraq, collaborated with the Los Alamos Geological Society, and donated six percent of last “May’s annual spring recital to victims of the tsunami in Japan. NMDT students also perform free of charge at least twice annually during Halloweekend and Winterfest,” Baker-Dillingham said. The NMDT Performance Company, made up of intermediate and advanced dancers, has collaborated with the Los Alamos County Library System, encouraging reading through “Literacy in Motion,” collected “Toys for Tots,” donated food to the Los Alamos Food Bank, donated portions of ticket sales to the Los Alamos Heart Council, the Los Alamos Council on Cancer and the Alzheimer’s Association and has hosted the “Living Treasures,” she said. Most recently, NMDT-PC featured a “mitten tree” in the lobby of the Duane W. Smith auditorium during it’s production of “A Christmas Carol” and mittens and gloves were donated to the Bienvenidos Outreach Inc. in Santa Fe. “It is my strong feeling that giving back to those in need is a wonderful way to also give to my dancers and students,” Baker-Dillingham said. “Teaching them to give at a young age will help them develop into concerned, caring and aware individuals in the long run and I am very proud to share this important life lesson.”
Above - Local groomer, Diana Norwood, volunteers her time to get all the potential adoptees looking their best for the Los Alamos Animal Shelter. Photo by Carol A. Clark
Kathy Hjeresen and Lynn Godwin coordinate the 2009 Curve’s Food Drive campaign to benefit LA Cares food bank. Photo Courtesy/Curves
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