May/June 2011
Mind Your Business
A Publication of the Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation
WHAT’S INSIDE: LACDC
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SBDC
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CHAMBER
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MAINSTREET 8, 9 LAMVB
Saturday, June 11th - 10 am to 2 pm
June 11th - is the date to save for the Of course, there are the usual kid activities.
It wouldn’t be a ChamberFest without the giant sand pile, bubble pit and bouncy houses. Many delicious food vendors will We are looking forward to a great event. be there to satisfy any craving you might There will be a multiple of Chamber have. businesses out to meet and greet the public. Most will have some sort of giveaway or Finally, The Nomads will be playing, so be sure to come out and show your support. prize. It will be held downtown on Central, The car show will include classic cars, between 15th and 20th Street. The road is Corvettes, hot rods and, new this year, closed so feel free to roam the street! motorcycles. There will be a special raffle for a $500 gift certificate for new tires. Be For more information, or to register for sure to visit the information booth in the the event, go to fyiLA.com and click under calendar. See you there! parking lot of the Chamber. Chamber’s annual ChamberFest and Car Show! And it’s FREE to the public!
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FAN Club
Food And Networking Clubs are held the 3rd Wednesdays of the month 5:30 pm to 7:00 p.m. Contact Katy Korkos 505.661.4816 or email katyk@losalamos.org to promote your business
LACDC News 2011 has already been a very busy year with respect to advocacy work on behalf of Chamber members and businesses in the community. In April, Member Services Coordinator Katy Korkos, MainStreet Manager Suzette Fox, UNM-LA SBDC Director Don Wright, and Executive Director Kevin Holsapple visited New Mexico Secretary of Economic Development Jon Barela at his Santa Fe office to promote our community and discuss how the State of New Mexico can improve the environment for business development here and throughout the State. Barela was briefed on the status of the local economy and the contents of the Economic Vitality Strategic Plan (EVSP) that was adopted in 2010. The Los Alamos contingent made a special point of reinforcing input gathered from Chamber members earlier in the year in response to new Governor Susanna Martinez’s call for input on regulatory reform. Issues discussed included: * Our retail businesses would like to see a level playing field in New Mexico in regards to the collection of gross receipts taxes on internet and mail order purchases * Our construction-related businesses would like the state’s building codes to be streamlined and not
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A visit with Jon Barella...
Advocacy on Multiple Fronts
put us at a competitive disadvantage with other states * Our non-profit businesses would like continued state support for social services * There was consensus among all of the sectors represented that education and state support of education is key to their success *Competitiveness with surrounding states with respect to taxation and regulatory issues is very important to the future success of our state Secretary Barela said that improving New Mexico’s competitiveness with neighboring states is recognized as an important need and that the administration will be expending effort to make improvements in tax and
regulatory matters. He expressed some amount of surprise at the numbers of jobs generated by Los Alamos enterprise and in the large commuter workforce that is spread throughout the region. Our goal in visiting Sec. Barela was to increase his awareness of our community and its importance to the economic health of the region and state. Also to reinforce the input we have given to the Governor’s office about the issues that are on our member’s minds.
Also during March and April, the Chamber and LACDC were active in providing input into the County Council’s strategic planning process. A key concept we have been advocating is the need for improved “business friendliness” in County processes and actions.
The Chamber made a concerted effort to raise this issue during last Fall’s Council candidate forum and it became an important issue in several of the campaigns. A key point that we have been making is that “business friendliness” is about more than just streamlining permitting processes. It is about an attitude and culture of service on behalf of business progress versus one of “who might criticize me if I help this business?” It needs to involve all County functions including community development, legal, utilities, public works, and procurement. Our input made specific suggestions about making progress on “business friendliness” and important part of the performance evaluation criteria for County department heads.
Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation
Chamber Summer Internship Assistance
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ummer is around the corner and the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce has some great resources for both businesses and students in need of summer employ. The effort is being done in conjunction with the New Options New Mexico Project of Innovate+Educate.
The work matches youth between the ages of 16 and 24 to positions with member businesses and organizations while potentially sponsoring a portion of the wages. Chamber members are invited to provide job descriptions which are used to form a candidate pool for the member. The member interviews candidates, selects employees and hires them all according to their regular process. Almost forty young people have already applied as of press time and five member businesses and organizations have signed up to hire an intern.
choice, while building relationships that could garner future employment.
The Chamber is offering to reimburse 50% of wages up to $5 per hour for seven to twelve week summer internships. The reimbursement program is available to member businesses and organizations on a first come first served basis until available funds are committed. The pilot project is anticipated to fill 8 to 10 positions, offering summer interns an opportunity to gain valued work experience, preferably in a field of their
Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce members can find out more by calling Katy Korkos at 661-4816 or emailing her at chamber@losalamos.com
LACDC/Chamber Purchasing Policy
and services needed at the LACDC/Chamber. We have not historically had a formalized policy on purchasing, but based on a suggestion from a member we have developed and instituted the following SOP to add rigor and process guidance to our approach.
For quite some time, the LACDC/ Chamber of Commerce has embraced a “Think Members F i r s t ” philosophy in its approach to purchasing of goods and services. We recently reviewed our purchases over the past 12 months and 74.8% of of LACDC/Chamber purchases were made with Los Alamos Chamber members and local businesses. We will continue to seek to offer our members the first opportunity to provide quotes for products
May/June 2011
The Job Board is located at www.fyila.org. Remember, Chamber members that are non-profits or who have less than 25 employees always post for free on the job board.
Policy Statement: When purchasing services, materials and/or merchandise, the LACDC/Chamber will abide by a “Think Members First” philosophy. Process: For any purchase of products or services expected to exceed $1000, the Member Services Coordinator will be consulted to seek to determine whether any members may be a potential source for fulfilling the requirement. Priority will be given to Chamber member suppliers if they are the low bidder or are within 10% of the low bid for comparable products/services. In the event that a member provides a bid but is not the selected source, the LACDC/ Chamber will seek to consult with the member to verify that the member has had the opportunity to provide a bid for comparable products or services. If available, a tangible sample will provide a clear example of the required standard for the purchase.
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UNMLA Small Business Development Center Youth Business Grant Call for Young Entrepreneurs
The Los Alamos Small Business Development Center is providing a unique opportunity to youth in the community to experience the rewards of starting a new business. The Youth Business Grant Program will provide up to $400 to enterprising young business people, ages 13-19, who want to start a business this summer. To apply, the students must prepare a mini-business plan, which includes an operating budget, for evaluation by the SBDC. Applications are available on www.ybgp.org. The completed plan is due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 13, 2011. Students will attend an interview and discuss their plan with a selection panel, as well as submit a final report at the end of the summer. Applications must be returned by mail to Emiley Bainbridge at the SBDC, 190 Central Park Square, Los Alamos, NM 87544 or submitted in person to the receptionist at the Small Business Center. This program would not be possible without the generous donations and support of the local business community. Any donations a business would like to make will be used solely to fund grants to the youth. The Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation and the Los Alamos Small Business Development Center will cover all other costs of the program. If you have any questions, please call the Los Alamos Small Business Development Center at 505-661-4803.
Spring Workshops @ SBDC 190 Central Park Square May 12
Hiring Without Regrets 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Fee: $25.00 Speaker: Karen Stewart, Stone Associates
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Building a Team for Business Success 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Fee $25.00 Speaker: Roanne M Roberts, R.M. Roberts & Associates
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CRS Taxpayers Information Session 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. FREE Speaker: Representatives from New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Dept.
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$25 Workshops are FREE to Chamber members if you register at www.losalamoschamber.com For more details about the workshops, contact Emiley Bainbridge at 661-4805
Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation
Chamber Business Spotlight
Los Alamos Chiropractic
W
ith 310 days of sunshine every year, we New Mexicans have no excuse for staying indoors- unless we’re suffering from poor health. The cadre of practitioners we have here that will help us get back on the road after an illness, an injury or the cumulative effects of poor nutrition is amazing- Los Alamos is blessed with a huge range of people whose sole mission in life is to make you feel good.
Agent Owner: Tracy Maddox Located At 1789 Central Ave. Suite 4 Los Alamos, NM 87544 (505)661-2554 sos@sos-nm.com
Nancy Savoia of Los Alamos Chiropractics Nancy Savoia with patient has one of the oldest established chiropractic practices in Los Alamos, and over the years she has made a home for many other complementary and integrative health practitioners, from acupuncture to Reiki. In addition to the spinal adjustments you might expect from a chiropractor, within the offices and treatment rooms of Los Alamos Chiropractics you can learn about the Egoscue Method of posture alignment from Jessica Kisiel or work with Dr. Wendy van Dilla, a naturopathic physician, to map out a program that will lead to healing. You can get help from an acupuncturist, an herbalist or a massage therapist. In addition to working full-time in her practice, Nancy Savoia has devoted countless hours to seeing the Los Alamos Cooperative Market get up and running- all in an effort to help people feel good from top to toe.
Go to fyiLA. com for
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Services We Offer
Digital Scanning Archiving Various Document Production
Products We Offer Copiers Printers Multifunction Fax Machines Wide Format Engineering Machines
From your local
information as to what’s happening May/June 2011
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Chamber News
Friday, July 22, 2011 Black Mesa Golf Course 8:15 a.m. Registration 9:00 a.m. Shotgun Start 4-person scramble For more information contact: Suzette Fox, (505)-661-4844 suzette@losalamos.org
Donation includes golf fee, cart, and catered lunch at the picturesque Black Mesa Golf Course in Espanola, NM. Recruit your buddies, enjoy a round of golf, and have the chance to win prizes from local businesses! 100% of the proceeds benefit the United Way of Northern New Mexico. This tournament is open to all; you need not be a Chamber member to participate. Sign up your team today at: LosAlamosChamber.com
Katy's Corner - Get Involved with the Chamber
Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament emember the old poster2011 showing Uncle Sam? The one R that says “Uncle Sam Wants You?” Well, think of me as Registration Form Uncle Sam. I am asking you, not to join the Army, but to get
more involved in the Chamber. That’s going to mean a lot of different things to lotsofofCommerce” different people- it may mean helpFill out the form below and enclose a check made out to “Los Alamos Chamber ingtoplan or serving on the Youth BusiWant to pay by credit card? Go to LosAlamosChamber.com signthe up golf yourtournament, team! ness Grant committee, or calling me to ask for some help Tax-deductible entry fee: $90 per player with a press release, or volunteering to host a FAN Club.
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Company Name (if applicable): _____________________________________________________________________ Would you like to know more about the summer intern program or the curb appeal grants? Have you got ChamberFest Contact Name: ______________________________________________ PhoneHave #: ___________________________ on your calendar? you put your inventory into our searchable database yet? Have you had a look at your traffic Player #1 Name: ______________________________________________ catcher site on our webpages? Do you have a special offer we can promote for you? Please drop off or mail this form to: Player #2 Name: ______________________________________________ I’d like to know if your businessChamber is changing or growing. I’d Los Alamos of Commerce Player #3 Name: ______________________________________________ like to know if you’ve got109 a meeting I can help Central Park Squarefacilitate. I’d like to know if you’ve got Los an interesting story to tell about a Alamos, NM 87544 Player #4 Name: ______________________________________________ customer or an experience you’ve had in business. No later than July 8th, 2011 You can just call mePayment to tell me the Chamber can do due what with registration form Amount Due: # players ____ x $90 = $ ____________ for you. I’d love to hear from you. katyk@losalamos.org, 6614816
Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation
Business Name Blue Cross Blue Shield of NM Los Alamos Community Winds Minesh Bacrania Photography Omega Consultants, Inc. Rose Chocolatier Steven Shaw The Flower Shop USArmy
May
Welcome New Members!
Contact Name Phone Bette Bolton 505-816-4293 Ted Vives Minesh Bacrania 505-500-4280 Robyn Dye 505-216-0825 Marguerite McClay 505-695-1156 Steven G. Shaw Architect 505-661-9936 Jessica Hoffer 505-662-6093 Chad Dragan 505-471-7821
Chamber Member Anniversaries
Business Name
Date Joined
AAA New Mexico 2002 Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine, PC 2004 BAC Enterprises, Inc. 2000 Beverly A Ramsey 2009 CoffeeHouse Cafe, Coffee Booth 2004 CASA , First Judicial District 2006 Cottonwood Technology Group 2006 Energy Related Devices, Inc. 1998 Film Festival at Home 2004 Foot and Ankle Associates, Inc. 2007 Hope Fellowship 2006 Hope Pregnancy Center 2009 Lorraine Hartway, CPA, LLC 1989 Los Alamos Retired & Seniors Org. 2000 MOSAIC Architectural Solutions, P.A. 1998 Mountain Canine Corps Search and Rescue 2010 New Mexico Dance Theater 2005 Party to Go! 2008 Pueblo Electric, Inc. 2000 Quemazon Communities Master Assoc. 2004 Ruby K’s Bagel Cafe 2005 Spa at Hilltop House, The 2007 Sparkplug Studio 2008 TOTH Episcopal Church 2002 Trinity Natural Health Center 2010 Yours Truly Diana’s 2002 Zia Credit Union 1997
May/June 2011
Type of Business Insurance Performers Photographer Engineering Services Chocolatier Architect Flowers & Gifts Recruiting
June
Business Name
Adelante Consulting, Inc. Casa De Luz Apartments Centennial Contractors Enterprises, Inc. Enrique Posada D.D.S., P.C. Enterprise Computing Systems, LLC Environx, LLC Farm Bureau Financial Services First Baptist Church of Los Alamos Hampton Inn & Suites High Flyers Gymnastics Hollywood Roofing Home Run Pizza Hot Rocks Java Cafe KRSN AM 1490 Los Alamos Council on Cancer Los Alamos Properties - Ina Acomb Los Alamos Safety & Environment Los Alamos Sister Cities Initiative Los Alamos Sportsmans Club Navarro Research and Engineering P. Reid Griffith, P.A. Rotary Club of Los Alamos Sage Cottage Montessori School SAV Associated Services, LLC SMSI, LLC Son-Shine Art Southwest Office Solutions Terranear PMC Vista Control Systems, Inc.
Date Joined 2009 2003 2009 2000 2010 2009 2009 2008 2004 2009 2010 1997 1999 2006 2009 1998 2000 2005 1999 2010 1999 2005 2010 2008 2008 2008 2007 2010 1989
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MainStreet News & Events
For more information on the MainStreet Program please contact: Suzette Fox Phone: 505.661.4844 E-mail: suzette@losalamos.org www.LAmainstreet.com
Curb Appeal Grants The Flower Shop at 1743 Central Avenue has launched the 2011 Curb Appeal Grant program to an early start and has set a very nice example of how the program can certainly add to the beauty of the downtown area. Owner Jessica Hoffer, along with her husband, Phil of Oasis Landscaping, has developed a water feature highlighting flowers and rock formations in front of their store in an area that had been developed for flower display only.
Jessica Hoffer, along with her son Lincoln, owner of The Flower Shop.
“The original area really begged for a water feature,” Phil stated, “as it was too shady to really grow flowers.” Phil is the owner of Oasis Landscaping and one of his specialties is ponds and water features.
The store owners have additional plans to add outside displays of flowers, potted plants and garden decorations over the next few weeks. The Hoffers’ project is a great example of the kind of imprement that can take advantage of MainStreet matching grant monies up to $500 for qualified projects. Store owners, renters and property owners in the downtown area are eligible to apply for the funds. The limited funds will be approved on a first-come-first-served basis and projects must be completed by May 31. Applications and additional information are available by calling Bryan Farmer at the LACDC, 661-4862. The funds are provided by Los Alamos County and applications are reviewed by a committee to assure eligibility requirements.
Los Alamos Creative Culture District
The Creative District cultural planners came back to Los Alamos in March to discuss draft plan for the District. They met with many different groups from the community, in order to adapt the plan even further to fit Los Alamos. They will return May 24th (tentative date) to present the plan with the Creative District committee to the County Council for adoption as an element of the downtown plan. If you’re interested in getting involved with the Creative District, please email Emiley Bainbridge at emiley@losalamos.org or call 661-4805
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Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation
Students making art and having fun with fractals
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rt for Science Sake, an art competition that is part of Los Alamos MainStreet’s Next Big Idea festival, has taken off with over 100 Los Alamos Public School 5th and 6th grade students participating in the challenge. The response has been terrific, according to LACDC Executive Director, Kevin Holsapple. The art contest, which encourages budding artists to create oneof-kind artwork featuring science and math elements, includes a student competition called the LAPS Fractal Challenge wraps up in May with selection of winners on May 9th. The LAPS Fractal Challenge has been organized by LAPS teachers Ronda Harmon, Lorraine Whalen, and art, math, and computer teachers throughout the district in conjunction with the Albuquerque-based Fractal Foundation. In addition to the winners, all participating students will have their artwork displayed at Mesa Public Library during the the entire month of May downstairs at the children’s section. One talented student will have a billboard sized public display of their artwork on the eastern wall of the Metzger’s store in downtown Los Alamos. “We are excited to get involved in this,” says Metzger’s GM David Jolly. Lee and Greg Metzger have taken a personal interest in this project and are pleased to play a part by livening up the downtown with a local student’s artwork. The outdoor display is anticipated to be installed during May. May/June 2011
Fractal Art by Niamh S., Pinon School
Planning is underway for a recognition reception and award winner’s announcement on May 25th from 5:307:00 p.m at the library. Artwork will be for sale to help support the contest, including art installation in schools. The pubic is also encouraged to make a donation to Los Alamos MainStreet to help finance the framing of student artwork and printing and framing the winners art pieces for display in each of the participating schools. The outdoor display at Metzgers is a demonstration of what MainStreet hopes will become a Science and Mathbased Artwalk in downtown Los Alamos. The artwalk will be promoted to locals and visitors as stroll through the downtown area. MainStreet’s goal is to facilitate six art installations in the downtown area between now and the Next Big Idea festival in September. For the goal to be reached, we need property owners to step forward who have a blank wall on the outside of their building that they would allow art to be installed. A modest amount of funding is needed to cover the costs of printing and mounting the outdoor installations. For more information go to www.nextbigideaLA.com or contact MainStreet volunteer project coordinator Shari Jobe at 662-0740. Thank you to Ronda Harmon, Lorraine Whalen, Ed Vigil, Shari Jobe and Peggy Pendergast for their help with this project.
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LAMVB News Calendar of Events
May 2011
June 2011
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Atomic Man Duathlon presented by Los Alamos Triatomics
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SummerFest at Pajarito Mountain sponsored by Pajarito Ski Area
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Steve Stoddard: Local Hero Art Exhibit sponsored by Mesa Public Library
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Poetry Gathering at the Mesa Public Library
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LA Arts Council Brown Bag Performance Series presents Marjorie Seldon
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Mesa Public Library FREE Film Series High Fidelity
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Los Alamos Arts Council Spring Arts and Crafts Fair
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Los Alamos Concert Association presents Metales M5
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Lecture Memories and Memorabilia of WW II sponsored by the Los Alamos Historical Society and Los Alamos National Bank
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Mesa Public Library - Poetry Gathering
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LA Arts Council Brown Bag Performance Series presents Don Machen - Albuquerque & Four Corners Pipes and Drums
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LA Community Winds presents The Pines of Rome by Ottorino Respighi
The Atomic Bomb Skateboarding Race: Third and Final Race of the Timeship Southwest Series
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Fuller Lodge Art Center Art Opening Reception: Back to the Basics
20-22 14th Annual Kite Festival presented by Los Alamos Arts Council 21
Jemez Mountain Trail Runs sponsored by Los Alamos High Altitude Athletics Club
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Mesa Public Library - Authors Speak Series presents Demetria Martinez
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10-11 ChamberFest 2011 – Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce 11
Run the Caldera Full and Half Marathon presented by the Valles Caldera National Preserve
Pajarito Ski Area presents Pajarito Punishment Bike Race
13-17 PEEC Nature Odyssey: Wet ‘N Wild Along the Rio Grande Adventure Program 19
39th Annual Tour de Los Alamos
20-24 PEEC Nature Odyssey: Where in the Valles Caldera Are We? Adventure Program 23
Mesa Public Library’s Authors Speak Series presents Christina Nealson
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Hike and Mountain Bike Pajarito Mountain at Pajarito Ski Area
Go to fyiLA.com for a complete and detailed list of events.
Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation
The LAMVB, a program of the Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation, operates the Visitor Center in Los Alamos and the White Rock Tourist & Information Center (WRTIC). The LAMVB also produces and distributes advertising and marketing materials such as the Los Alamos Visitor Guide. We also maintain the online visitor guide at visit.losalamos.com.
Puye Cliffs
Puye Cliffs FAM Tour
What’s New?
The Los Alamos Visitor Center staff enjoyed a tour of Santa Clara’s Puye Cliffs, thanks to the hospitality of the cliff ’s assistant manager and sales director, Tina Whitegeese.
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Ashley Inn has new owners. Dave Patel is seeing to it that the hotel and suites are reflecting the new phase in the establishment.
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Daylight Donuts has closed its doors downtown. Morning Glory Bakery on Diamond Drive and under the same ownership will remain open.
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This summer, campers at Bandelier will enjoy less crowded sites and longer pull throughs for RV and trailers. A grand opening for the campgrounds is to be announced.
We were so excited to be able to view the ancient pueblo. The last time our staff was invited to a free tour was in May 2009. At that time, the historical landmark reopened to the public after a nine year closing due to Cerro Grande Fire damage. Staff of both the Los Alamos and White Rock visitor centers jumped at the chance to take Tina’s guided tour. Now more of us will speak of Puye with first hand experience and enthusiasm! May/June 2011
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Puye Cliffs
Newsletter Managing Editor: Suzette Fox - 505.661.4844 email:suzette@losalamos.org Contributions by: Emiley Bainbridge, Suzette Fox, Kevin Holsapple, Katy Korkos, Claire Roybal, Cindy Whiting
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