Vision Magazine for June 5, 2014

JUNE 5, 2014

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PECOS LIFESTYLES & ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE

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Michael Beitz

Also Inside:

FREE

SOY Mariachi | Main Street Arts | Fiddle and Griddle

CONTENTS

JERROD NIEMANN

Thursday, June 5, 2014 Volume 20, Issue 11

JUNE 20 8PM TICKETS FROM $25

Publisher: Charles Fischer Editor: Rey Berrones Ad Design: Sandra Martinez, Steve Stone Columnists: Donald Burleson, Stu Pritchard Roswell Daily Record Staff Writers: Mary Morgan Roswell Daily Record Staff Photographers: Randal Seyler Contributing Writers: Shannon Seyler Contributing Photographers: Bobby Goode, Ralph Green, Juliana Halvorson Get in touch with us online Facebook: facebook.com/PecosVisionMagazine Twitter: twitter.com/PecosVision Pinterest: pinterest.com/VisionMagazine Email: vision@rdrnews.com www: rdrnews.com/?page_id=215 For advertising information, call 622-7710

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Roswell Daily Record’s

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In The Spotlight

Michael Beitz

Culture

S.O.Y. Mariachi

Old Timers Day

Arts

Main Street Arts

Correspondence: Vision Magazine welcomes correspondence, constructive criticism and suggestions for future topics. Mail correspondence to Vision Magazine, P.O. Drawer 1897, Roswell, N.M. 88202-1897 or vision@roswell-record.com.

Submissions: Call 622-7710, ext. 309, for writers’ guidelines.

Vision Magazine is not responsible for loss or damage to unsolicited materials.

Vision Magazine is published twice a month at 2301 N. Main St., Roswell, N.M. The contents of the publication are Copyright 2012 by the Roswell Daily Record and may not be reprinted in whole or part without written permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.

One copy of each edition is provided to 13,000 weekday subscribers to the Roswell Daily Record in the first and third Friday newspaper of each month. An additional 3,000 to 5,000 copies are made available free of charge to county residents and visitors and select site newsstands, and direct mailed to non-subscribers in the retail trade zone. Subscriptions are available by mail for $2 a month or free through subscription to the Roswell Daily Record.

The Roswell Daily Record and Vision Magazine are represented nationally by Paper Companies Inc.

On The Cover

RMAC Summer Program

Music

Fiddle and Griddle

History

The Casey Ranch on the Rio Hondo

UFOlogy

Len Stringfield: UFO Investigator Extraordinaire

Michael Beitz opens his exhibition at the Roswell Museum and Art Center on June 6.

Photographer: Rey Berrones

Gifts for Dad At Plains Park Shopping Center Convenient - Free Parking - Quality Products At the following Merchants

CULTURE

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S.O.Y. Mariachi

By Shannon Seyler Special to Vision t a modest building on 1120 South Grand Ave., strains of beautiful music fill the air.

With a combination of hard work, determination, and concern for area youth, this formerly dilapidated structure has been transformed into a successful mariachi music school. The S.O.Y. Mariachi organization in Roswell has a motto: “Play a song, teach a child.” That statement has been taken to heart by the program's staff and supporters. The group imparts not only musical skills, but self-confidence, performance etiquette, proper conduct and moral lessons.

S.O.Y. stands for “Save Our Youth,” and for nearly 19 years now, S.O.Y. Mariachi has been training, encouraging and showcasing young mariachi performers. The instruction, music and uniforms are free of charge. If a student lacks an instrument, one will be provided. This all-volunteer, nonprofit school of music is open to students ranging from 5 to 18. Lessons are offered in both English and Spanish. Children of all backgrounds are invited to participate. As program director R.G. “Bobby” Villegas observes, “You don't have to be German to play Bach, and you don't have

Randal Seyler Photo Students rehearse at the S.O.Y. Mariachi facility

S.O.Y. Mariachi brings life skills, musical talent together to be Mexican to play mariachi.”

One of the many benefits of participation in S.O.Y. Mariachi is its scholarship program. Revenue gained from group performances helps bankroll these scholarships. Student mariachi bands are hired to play for a wide variety of regional events, including holiday celebrations, festivals, birthday parties, quinceañeras and even the occasional funeral, all at the rate of $350 per hour. The money is subsequently pooled into the scholarship fund. Hiring one of these mariachi bands isn't merely about securing musical performers for an event, but about investing in the future of local youth. One requirement for receiving the scholarship money is that a student must graduate from high school and maintain a certain grade point average, conditions that provide young people with an increased incentive to stay in school. To date, thousands of dollars in scholarships have been awarded to local students.

At the school, young people learn to play instruments traditionally associated with mariachi music, such as violin, trumpet and guitar, in addition to specialty instruments like the guitarrón and Mexican vihuela. As for the SEE SOY ON PAGE 15

THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2014 | VISION MAGAZINE / 3

DFN Computers & Internet Postal Annex (Located in Just Cuts) Farmers Country Market Lopez Insurance Agency Plains Park Beauty Shop H N R Nutrition Just Cuts Beauty Shop Roswell Community La Familia Care Center Little Theater Bank of the Southwest ICON Cinema

Watch the “ Park” for new business coming soon Located on West Hobbs at Union & Washington.

Serving Roswell for over 40 years.

Your friendly neighborhood center

ARTS

Main Street Arts

By Rey Berrones Vision Editor Recently there has been quite a few positive changes in the heart of Roswell. Taken alone, there each effort doesn't seem like much, but together they have caused a noticable difference in the mood of downtown.

Bob Phillips, from the Roswell Fine Art League explains, "There is a renaissance in this area.

"Personally, I grew up on East Fifth Street, on 'that' side of the tracks. The working class part of town which has been in some decline for a number of years. Gradually you begin to see these little sparks of interest and investment. I think that we may be at something like a tipping point."

Artist Peggy Krantz adds, "You have to start the flow to create the stream. It is not slow, because it has been happening for years. Thankfully, Roswell is ready to support local artists and what is going on. That is re-energizing us, who have been doing it for a while when we hear of other people wanting to step into it."

Krantz and Phillips aren't just talking about what is happening, they are actually doing. They are in the middle of renovations of a downtown

Bobby Goode photos

The Roswell Fine Art League has a new home

building to create Main Street Arts.

Phillips continues, "We have always said when we [The RFAL] were The Gallery on Fifth Street that we would be much better off if there were four or five other galleries because it creates a sense of community and a cultural economy. There has always been this interesting substrate of art and art culture here centered around the Roswell Museum, the Anderson Museum, and the Artistin-Residence program, so we have the basis for something that is remarkable and the Fine Art League itself has been no small part of that for nearly 40 years. I think that more recently there is a curious little renaissance that is happening here.

"I don't know what to attribute that to.

"I do think there is a really interesting flow of things that begin to connect these things. We are creating creativity and expression and community that are all part of the underlying value system, and it is very cool."

Krantz gave some background on the new project, "It is really interesting how it all came about. About the same time that they, The Gallery,

4 | VISION MAGAZINE / THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2014

were looking for a building, my husband and I were talking about adding on to our home because I had been painting in the living room.

He was looking to build a studio on to the back of the house. So I came to him one day and told him, 'what if we bought a building and I had a studio in town?,' not really thinking to much about a gallery, but just having a space to paint. He said, 'find the building.'"

Phillips continued, "Peggy had been a member of that gallery when it was on fifth street and when she had the oportunity to buy this building we decided to partner to create this f acility called Main Street Arts."

Krantz said, "So having a chance to have a gallery space to hang my paintings is an added blessing, as is getting to work with people I've been with now seven or eight years. They grew me up. I didn't know how to draw when I became a gallery member.

"Going to their meetings, learning from their speakers and the other artists and just the encouragement from the other members to keep trying eventually got me to a place where I could paint on

my own and sell my art.

"That's what I want to do, and that's what I enjoy about being part of the space is that I would want to network with them and other artists, and growing artists up and bringing artists out of the woodwork, so that they all have a place to come and share their work and maybe we can connect them with other people that are doing the same things that they are doing. Or find them a mentor-type artist that will help them grow up in their own work.

"That's the fun part of it for me, the connection. Plus I think it is really going to benefit Roswell and Main Street.

It helps to have another business on Main Street, but it also gives a Main Street pressence to these artists

who have not had it, and they deserve to have a Main Street pressence."

The current and future plans f or the new place are an expanded vision of what the RFAL was already accomplishing.

Phillips explains, "This facility is, and will be, called "Main Street Arts." The concept is that it will be a space to house a variety of creative activities that may change in shape and form through out a number of years. The two pr inciple things that are located here now and that will shape the vision for this f or a long time to come is Peggy Krantz, who is coowner of the building with her husband Greg. She has SEE

ARTS ON PAGE 14

Alamogordo

The Nerd

Every Week, Tues - Sun

Shroud Exhibit and Museum The Turin Shroud interactive exhibit at White Sands Mall in Alamogordo offers a backlit, full-sized picture, the only interactive VP8 Image Analyzer 3D experience. The exhibitʼs goal is make Turin Shroud available to all including the vision impaired. Hours are Sunday from 2 p.m. -4 p.m., Tuesday - Friday from 1 p.m. 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Free admission.

For more information, call 4462113, or visit ShroudNM.com.

Alto

June 6

The Nerd The Nerd by Larry Shue is presented by Wayland University at the Spencer Theater at 8 p.m. The Nerd is one of the funniest plays ever written – and one of the most inventive.

The action centers on the hilarious dilemma of a young architect who is visited by a man heʼs never met but who saved his life in Vietnam. The visitor turns out to be an incredibly inept, hopelessly stupid “nerd” who transforms a normal dinner party thrown for an important business client into absolute insanity, and being the house-guest from hell, he proceeds to outstay his welcome with a vengeance. “The Nerd is a spring tonic of sidebruising laughter...” declared

Friday June 6

Spencer Theater

The Nerd by Larry Shue is presented by Wayland University at the Spencer Theater at 8 p.m. The performance starts at 8 p.m., with a BBQ beef short rib buffet before the show at 6 p.m. Tickets for the performance are $30. Pre-show buffet tickets are $20. For more information, call 1-888-818-7872 or visit spencertheater.com.

The Milwaukee Tribune following the comedyʼs debut in 1981, and said critic Thomas M. Disch: “Noises Off is an academic exercise by comparison...” This is the 9th summer residency at the Spencer for Wayland University Theatre Department students, which have presented stellar productions of works like “Shadowlands,” “Elephant Man,” “The Mousetrap,” “Steel Magnolias” and “The Glass Menagerie” at the Spencer – all under the direction of Marti Runnels, the

Dean of the School of Fine Arts and Director of Theatre at Wayland University. The performance starts at 8 p.m., with a BBQ beef short rib buffet before the show at 6 p.m. Tickets for the performance are $30.

Pre-show buffet tickets are $20. For more information, call 1-888-818-7872 or visit spencertheater.com.

June 10

Oh What a Night Oh What a Night - A Musical Tribute to Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons is at the Spencer Theater. A captivating tribute to the vivacious songbook of one of the most loved Rock & Roll Hall of Fame super groups ever, “Oh What A Night!” A Musical Tribute To Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons is non-stop singing and dancing. The production features note-perfect renditions of the iconic ʻJersey boysʼ greatest hits, including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Donʼt Cry,” “Walk Like A Man,” “Canʼt Take My Eyes Off You,” “My Eyes Adored You,” “Grease,” “Working My Way Back to You” and “Letʼs Hang On.” Packed with impeccable hard-edged harmonies and trademark falsettos, boundless energy and personality, “OH What A Night!” A Musical Tribute To Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons is a heartfelt homage par excellence. The hit revue features performance veterans George Solomon (a Motown producer and creative consultant), Paul Holmquist (the contemporary and classic retro-pop choreographer), Rob Hyatt and Nick Petris. “OH What A Night!” A Musical Tribute To Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons is an exhilarating trib-

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ute with timeless tunes. The performance starts at 8 p.m., with a herb roasted cod fish buffet before the show at 6 p.m. Tickets for the performance are $56 and $59. Preshow buffet tickets are $20.

For more information, call 1888-818-7872 or visit spencertheater.com.

Artesia June 13

Robin Scott Robin Scott is playing Cottonwood Wine and Brewing located at 1 E. Cottonwood Road beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Carlsbad June 7

Robin Scott Robin Scott is playing the Yellow Brix Restaurant located at 201 N. Canal St. beginning at 7 p.m.

June 12

Scrabble Battle The Carlsbad Literacy Programʼs 1st Ever, Scrabble Battle from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the Leo Sweet Center located at 1302 Mission Ave. Have a great time and help support literacy in our community. $150 6 >>

Don’t forget to stop in while enjoying all the great festivities downtown this weekend!

207 N Main Mon-Sat 10-6 627-7776

THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2014 | VISION MAGAZINE / 5

>>5 Entry Contribution Per Team (Teams of 2) The winning team will receive a trophy, bragging rights as the Scrabble Champions, and a Grand Prize! Sponsored by the Carlsbad Literacy Program. For more information, visit carlsbadliteracyprogram.com.

Carrizozo June 6

A Touch of Jazz On Friday, June 6, Lori Lovato and Friends, A Touch of Jazz, will present a concert at the Trinity United Methodist Church on 10th at D Avenue in Carrizozo. Performing the works of George Gershwin, Paquito DʼRivera, Sonny Rollins, and Charlie Parker will be Lori Lovato, clarinet, Lisa Kerr, piano and Jeff Cornelius, percussion. This Carrizozo Summer Pops Concert will be followed by a reception and opportunity to meet the performers. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information about any of the concerts, please check www.carrizozomusic.org or call Elaine Brannen at 575-6482757. Carrizozo Music spon-

sors a series of classical, summer pops and school outreach concerts with a commitment to provide free quality music to the residents of Lincoln County. Whenever possible these concerts are made available to students of the Carrizozo School System and residents of New Horizon Development Center.

Tony Furtado

June 13 - 15

Thursday June 5

Hobbs

May 29 - 31, June 5 - 7

The Secret Garden “The Secret Garden” is set in the early years of the 20th century. Mary Lennox, a young

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Tony Furtado is playing at 7 p.m., at Pecos Flavors Winery, located at 305 N. Main. Furtado is a banjo virtuoso that is known for his envelope-pushing, progressive bluegrass styling that he brings to his mix of Americana, folk, indierock and blues. His slide guitar is complimented by his engaging voice. Admission is $15. For more information call 627-6265 or visit pecosflavorswinery.com.

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seats are $15. Tickets are available at communityplayersofhobbs.com or at the door.

June 7

Cloudcroft

Bad Ass Mountain Music Festival The Bad Ass Mountain Music Festival returns to Cloudcroft.

Featured bands are Jackie Myers Band, Memphis Strange, Happy Gland Band, Bourbon Legend, Jim Keaveny, Riboflavin, Nosh, Decade of the Dead Arcade, Le Chat Lunatique, Los Santinicos, Trailer Band, Shane Causey and Dusty Low. Admission is $25 per person with kids 12 and under free. Camping is free, first come, first serve. For more information, visit bammfestival.com.

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Phillip Phillips The Lea County Event Center welcomes ʻAmerican Idolʼ Season 11 winner Phillip Phillips to the stage at 7:30 pm. Tickets prices are $29.75, $50.75, $71.75 on sale NOW at selectaseatlubbock.com or over the phone at 1-800-735-1288. For more information, visit hobbsroadtrip.com.

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June 13 - 14

Smokinʼ on the Plaza Lovington Mainstreet presents the fifth annual Smokinʼ on the Plaza New Mexico State Championship BBQ Cook-Off and Music Festival in Downtown Lovington. With a $10,000 payout, the competition features some of the best food in the region. There is fun for everyone, with a KidQ competition, Kids Zone Entertainment, a two-day music festival, craft vendors and a Beer Garden. Featured music on June 13 will be the Funk Puppeets, Troy Murph, In The End, Ratt Trap and Liquid Gypsy. Featured music on June 14 will be MuleTones, Pure Motavation, Grupo Extraviado and Homegrown Boyz. For more information, visit lovingtonmainstreet.org.

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Roswell

Every Week, Mon - Sat

Lest We Forget: Roswell Army Airfield - The Early Years This Walker Aviation Museum display will remain through the end of the year. This exhibit features a short history of the base and many items from the WWII era, as well as information about the planes that flew at Roswell Army Airfield from 1941-1945. The museum is open from 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

For more information, call 3472464 or visit wafbmuseum.org.

Every Week, Mon - Sat

Peace Through Strength This Walker Aviation Museum exhibit is a tribute to the 579th Strategic Missile Squadron assigned to Walker Air Force Base during the early 1960s.

The squadron was responsible for operating and maintaining 12 Atlas missile silos around the greater Roswell area. The exhibit was funded through a grant from the Association of Air Force Missileers. The museum is open from 10 a.m. 3:30 p.m. For more information, call 347-2464 or visit www.wafbmuseum.org.

Every Wed

Sing Out Loud at Club Revue Sing Out Loud, Wednesdays, from 9pm to 11:30pm, at Club Revue, located at 3905 SE Main. Enjoy karaoke night with no cover charge and drink specials. Sing Out Loud is a 21

622-9280.

Every Week, Fri, Sat

David and Tina at El Toro Bravo David and Tina plays El Toro Bravo at 102 S. Main St. from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. For more information, call El Toro Bravo at 622-9280.

Every Saturday

Thursday June 12

Way Out West

Curtis Grimes is playing Way Out West located at 4709 West Second. To hear Curtis Grimes sing is to take a trip through the heart of country music. A Texas native, Curtis was raised on a steady diet of George Strait and Alan Jackson, and he possesses the everyman charm of both his heroes, along with a refreshingly mature voice that—in an era of country raps and pop beats—truly stands out. Doors open at 8 p.m. This is a 21 and over event. For tickets and more information, visit wayoutwestroswell.com or call 575627-2072.

and over event. For more information call 623-8557

Every Wed

Party on the Patio DJ Louis Najar leads a fun evening under the stars with a theme party every Wednesday at 5 p.m. on the Peppers patio, located at 500 N. Main. There are drink specials and prizes.

The parties start on May 7 and continue till end of Sept. For more information, call 6231700.

Every Week, Wed, Sat

Karaoke at Billy Rayʼs Restaurant and Lounge Karaoke at Billy Rayʼs Restaurant and Lounge at 118 East Third St. from 9 p.m - until people stop singing.

Every Thu

Ritmo Latino at El Toro Bravo Ritmo Latino plays El Toro Bravo at 102 S. Main St. from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. For more information, call El Toro Bravo at

Cuic Gonzales at El Tapatio Cuic Gonzales plays Latin Pop and Country music at El Tapatio at 3012 N. Main from 6 p.m - 9 p.m. For more information, call El Tapatio at 578-1915.

Every Saturday

Open Mic at Ginsberg Music Ginsberg Music opens up the stage every Saturday from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. P.A. system and drums are provided, all other instruments must be brought by the musician.

Every Saturday

The Gig The Salvation Armyʼs 4th Season of The Gig is every Saturday evening starting May 10 September, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Chaves County Courthouse Lawn. The Gig will feature free food, music, drinks open mic and more. The Gig will not take place when other events taking place at the Court House occur. For more information, contact Captain

CALENDAR

Beau Perez 575-622-8700 or e-mail ramon.perez@usw.salvationarmy.org.

April 4 - Oct 5

The Wiggins-Howe Legacy The Wiggins-Howe Legacy celebrates five generations of artists within the same family that have lived and created creative bodies of work in Roswell. The opening reception is on Friday, April 4 from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. There will be an after-opening buffet dinner honoring the Wiggins and Howe family artists at $15 per person. Seating begins at 7.

Space is limited, please reserve your seat by calling 6270918. The exhibition runs until October 5. For more information, visit roswellmuseum.org.

June 5

Tony Furtado Tony Furtado is playing at 7 p.m., at Pecos Flavors Winery, located at 305 N. Main. Admission is $15. For more information call 627-6265 or visit pecosflavorswinery.com.

June 6

Dead Air Dead Air will be presented at Emeritus, located at 2801 N. Kentucky. The Roswell Literacy Council is partnering with 10 >>

FREE SUMMER KIDS SHOWS Every Tuesday 9:00 11:00 1:40

4501 N. Main Roswell, NM 88202

Movie Hotline (575)623-1010

THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2014 | VISION MAGAZINE / 7

T

he town of Hagerman has a tradition that has continued for about 30 years. Although it involves people pushing outhouses down the road to win $200, that is just one of many highlights during the day.

Old Timers’ Day is more about a community homecoming and reunion for current and former residents of Hagerman. It is a spring day set aside every other year when people return to their hometown and enjoy food, music, a bake-off, a multi-year class reunion, and the world famous outhouse races.

The day starts bright and early on June 14, with the pancake breakfast sponsored by the Hagerman Sophomore Class that starts serving at 7 a.m. for $5 a plate.

According to Dan Jennings, “We invite everybody to come down. Of course, the day is a celebration of our town, but we want everybody to come down. It is open to anybody that is looking to have fun and anyone that is looking to enter any of these activities. We try to keep the price way down, not just to watch, because it is free to watch and be entertained, but we also want people to know that they can watch and participate just as easily.

"Every two years, Hagerman puts together this Old Timers Day because its our town celebration where we honor the founding of Hagerman, we honor the people that make Hagerman their home. We honor the people of Hagerman that have been there

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CULTURE

Old Timers Day

By Rey Berrones Vision Editor their whole lives. Of course, the people that have grown up in Hagerman and that have left, we invite them to come back again and participate in reunion activities that are getting together and having some fun.

"We do the Old Timer's Day on Saturday, and on Sunday we have a day of reunion activities."

After the pancake breakfast, the Bobcat 5K fun run begins at the Town Square Center Stage. This is a fundraiser for

Ralph Green Photos

Every other year the streets of Hagerman become host to an all day party the Hagerman Track Team. It finishes at Town Hall, and a plaque will be awarded for first place.

The parade begins at 9:30 a.m., led by grand marshal Nieves Trillo. Once the parade is over, people can compete in the baking contest, the horseshoe tournament, coed volleyball and basketball tournaments, team roping, or the outhouse races.

There is an all day Arts and Crafts fair that includes many vendors, a dunk tank and

pony rides.

Those wanting to stay for the full day of events can also get the enchilada lunch and the dinner and bingo.

During the day there will be live music by the Tesoro Band followed by a talent show. The evening will come to a close with a street dance with music

by The Pacers.

For a full schedule of live music, and events, visit oldtimersday.org.

MUSIC

O

By Rey Berrones Vision Editor

Fiddle and Griddle

Juliana Halvorson Photos

Championship fiddlers and griddlers return to Roswell n Friday, June 6, the sounds of fantastic fiddling will fill the streets of downtown Roswell.

The next morning, the aroma of great BBQ will be added to the air for a weekend event that will close down Main Street so that multiple stages and rows of vendors and grillers can come in-to town for the Fiddle and Griddle Festival presented by MainStreet Roswell, Roswell Parks and Recreation, and Roswell Lodgers Tax. According to one of the festival organizers, Peggy Sesky,

this year is shaping up to be a great time as the festival has steadily grown over the past few years. She stated that registrations for fiddle competitors and griddle competitors has grown from what it was in the past two years, adding, "We are still getting registrations. We have some from Idaho and Colorado that we didn't have next year. We have a lot of Texas fiddlers. Registrations are up on both the fiddle and griddle sides."

Now in in its third year, the Fiddle and Griddle is a split up into two parts. As you

might guess from the title, they are the fiddle competition and the griddle competition.

The fiddle competition invites the best fiddle players in the country to entertain the audience with their musical skills while they compete for $20,000 in available prize money. Multiple stages are set up for the competition that opens on Friday, June 6 with the informal Fiddle, Fun and Frolic. Any fiddler can participate in the Fiddle, Fun and Frolic for prizes even if they are not registered for the main

JOIN YOUR FRIENDS IN THE PATIO OR LOUNGE

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competition. The Fiddle, Fun and Frolic is preceded by the Juke Box Band. Bakersfield Twang will play into the night to create a street dance in downtown Roswell. According to Sesky, "This is a return performance for them. They were wonderful last year, and we can't wait to have them back."

On Saturday morning, the main fiddle competition begins, with the championship rounds scheduled to occur at 6:30 p.m. on the main stage. There will be other musical acts throughout the day, with a street dance concluding the night led by the Longhorn Dance Band featuring champion fiddler Russell

Burris.

The griddle competition also begins on Saturday morning, with the BBQ teams cooking their best meals for a chance to win $8,000 in prize money.

The grillers spend all day making their best chicken, pork ribs, beef brisket and side dishes. Many of the teams are passionate about their craft and share tips, tricks and techniques with those wanting to learn how to level up their summer backyard BBQ skills.

For more information, or to register for the competition, visit fiddlegriddle.com.

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• Cahoon Park, 400 N. Union Ave., 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

• Yucca Recreation Center, 500 S.

• Carpenter Park, 300 E. Buena Vista, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

• Poe Corn Park 200 S Garden, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

11:20 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Richardson Ave., breakfast at 8 a.m. and lunch from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Boys & Girls Club 201 S. Garden Ave., breakfast only at 8 a.m.

Pizza - Tony's

Ranch Dressing Adults may get a meal for $3, correct change Salad, would be appreciated.

For more information call 637-3339

THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2014 | VISION MAGAZINE / 9

Fiddle and Griddle

CALENDAR

parts of the southwest. He leads one of the finest dance bands in Texas, they fill the floor on every song. Doors open at 8 p.m. This is a 21 and over event. For tickets and more information, visit wayoutwestroswell.com or call 575-627-2072.

June 6 - 7

June 6 - 7

Chaves County Courthouse

The third Annual MainStreet Roswell Fiddle & Griddle Festival is Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7, in Downtown Roswell. The country始s best fiddle players will entertain attendees with some fantastic music while competing for $20,000 in available prize money during the 2-day event. Multiple stages will be set up in the Festival Area for great toe-tapping music. Also featured is the BBQ Contest with $8,000 available in prize money. The BBQ Contest will begin early on Saturday, June 7. Street Dance Friday night with Bakersfield Twang, or Saturday night the Longhorn Dance Band featuring Russell Burris. For more information visit fiddlegriddle.com.

>>7 the Roswell Community Little Theatre to create a dinner theatre murder mystery. Dead Air is by Lee Mueller and directed

by Louise Montague. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for seating, dinner is served at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. The cost is $50 per adult. Seating is limited. For reservations or for more information visit roswell-literacy.org.

June 6

Robin Scott Robin Scott is playing the patio at Peppers Grill and Bar located at 500 North Main. Friday Night Live features live music every Friday night on the Patio, and starts at 6 p.m. and goes until 10 p.m. For more information, call 6231700.

10 | VISION MAGAZINE / THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2014

June 6

Jason Eady and Courtney Patton A Jason Eady & Courtney Patton Concert is at 7 p.m., at Pecos Flavors Winery, located at 305 N. Main. Admission is $15. For more information call 627-6265 or visit pecosflavorswinery.com.

June 6

Jody Nix Jody Nix is playing Way Out West located at 4709 West Second. Jody Nix, a well established artist in the great State of Texas gives Glory and Thanks to God for the talent, and the ability to use it to play music that he dearly loves. A true Traditional Country Music and Western Swing artist, he has been in the business 50 years. He has played dances and shows all over Texas and

Fiddle and Griddle The third Annual MainStreet Roswell Fiddle & Griddle Festival is Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7, in Downtown Roswell. The country始s best fiddle players will entertain attendees with some fantastic music while competing for $20,000 in available prize money during the 2-day event.

Multiple stages will be set up in the Festival Area for great toetapping music. Also featured is the BBQ Contest with $8,000 available in prize money. The BBQ Contest will begin early on Saturday, June 7. For more information visit fiddlegriddle.com.

June 7

2014 New Mexico Veterans Wellness Conference The 2014 New Mexico Veterans Wellness Conference is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Roswell Convention Center, located at 912 N. Main. The Veterans Wellness Conference is a free unique conference for Veterans and Family members to learn about post-traumatic stress disorder and other combat-related behavioral issues. Learn about the latest in clinical treatment options utilized by the VA Health Care System for treating combat-related behavioral issues.

Learn how massage, yoga, and other non-traditional therapies can help. A free lunch is included. Pre-registration is strongly recommended by calling 575-762-6185 or by email matthew.barela@state.nm.us.

11 >>

>>10

Jeff Dunham

June 7

Project Heart Start Project Heart Start will have sessions at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. at the New Mexico Heart Institute, located at 311 W. Country Club Rd. Suite 1.

Project Heart Start is the opportunity where people can learn “hands only” CPR. Kids and adults can learn this CPR in only an hour and could save a life. This is a free community event. For more information call 623-2836.

June 7

Free Summer Movie MainStreet Roswell presents the free summer movie “Despicable Me 2” at dusk, at Cielo Grande, located at 1612 W. College. For more information visit mainstreetroswell.org.

June 9 - 13

Zoo Camp 2014 Zoo Camp 2014, Monday, June 9th through Friday, June 13th, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Spring River Park & Zoo, located at 1306 E. College. The camp is open to 11 and 12 year olds only. Feed the animals, help with babies, learn about veterinary care and learn about animals. Cost is $50 per camper. Due to a benefactor there are half scholarships available. For more information call 624-6760.

June 10

Flame Nail Art for Teens Teens, join The Roswell Public Library to learn about Flame Nail Art at 6:30 p.m. Register by June 6. Nancy will show a YouTube tutorial that explains how to do it and have the supplies (polish, etc) needed. For more information, call 575-6227101.

June 11

Dark Sermon Dark Sermon, Kingmaker, Villans, Widow, Janet Ann and Twenty Thousand Leagues play

CALENDAR

more information visit mainstreetroswell.org.

June 17

Free Summer Movie Free Summer Kid Shows “Nut Job”, Tuesday, June 17, at 9 a.m., 11:20 a.m. and 1:40 p.m., at Galaxy 8, located at 4501 N. Main. For more information call 575-524-7933.

June 19

Sunday June 15

Inn of the Mountain Gods

A ventriloquist since the age of 8, Jeff Dunham has been voted “Best Comic,” “Comedian of the Year,” and “Ventriloquist of the Year” many times over. He holds the record for the most-watched stand-up performance on Comedy Central, and with characters like Achmed the Dead Terrorist, has become a viral YouTube sensation. Fans have two special shows to choose from at 5 p.m. or 9 p.m. Tickets will go on sale Friday, March 21 and start at $45. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, call 464-7777 or visit innofthemountaingods.com.

a Unity Center show at the Roswell Boys and Girls Club located at 201 S. Garden. Tickets are $12. The doors open at 6 p.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/theunitycenter.

June 12

Curtis Grimes Curtis Grimes is playing Way Out West located at 4709 West Second. To hear Curtis Grimes sing is to take a trip through the heart of country music. A Texas native, Curtis was raised on a steady diet of George Strait and Alan Jackson, and he possesses the everyman charm of both his heroes, along with a refreshingly mature voice that—in an era of country raps and pop beats—truly stands out. Doors open at 8 p.m. This is a 21 and over event. For tickets and more information, visit wayoutwestroswell.com or call 575-6272072.

June 14

Second Saturday The Second Saturday program presents Mixed Media with Jessica Parham and Amy Ward from 10 a.m. - noon as part of the continuing nine-month program of gallery experiences and hands-on art activities for students in grades three-12 on the second Saturday of the month.

These are activities are free. To register for an upcoming session, please call the Roswell Museum and Art Center at 6246744 ext. 22. Registration opens two weeks before each session. Space is limited. This program is sponsored by the Roswell Museum and Art Center Foundation.

June 14

Free Summer Movie MainStreet Roswell presents the free summer movie “Wall-e” at dusk, at Cielo Grande, located at 1612 W. College. For

Art by the Glass Pecos Flavors Winery presents an art and wine class with artist instructor Peggy Krantz on Thursday, June 19. There will be a 6:30 p.m. start time. Learn to paint step by step with the guidance of instructor Peggy Krantz. No painting experience required. All canvas and tools will be provided. Reservations are required. Cost is $20 per person. To make your reservation, call 627-6265.

June 19

Business After Hours Business After Hours, Thursday, June 19th, from 5pm to7pm, at Fulkerson, located at 1600 W. Second St. Join in for the fun, and bring your business card and enjoy this great networking opportunity. For more information call 623-5695

characters, Jeff Dunham. Meet all of Jeffʼs friends Sunday, June 15 when he performs TWO special Fatherʼs Day shows at Inn of the Mountain Gods. Perhaps the most famous of Jeffʼs furry friends is Peanut, a hyperactive, purple puppet known for being the “bad kid” of the bunch for his pranks on Jose Jalapeno and even Jeff himself. A ventriloquist since the age of 8, Jeff Dunham has been voted “Best Comic,” “Comedian of the Year,” and “Ventriloquist of the Year” many times over. He holds the record for the most-watched stand-up performance on Comedy Central, and with characters like Achmed the Dead Terrorist, has become a viral YouTube sensation. Fans have two special shows to choose from at 5 p.m. or 9 p.m. Tickets will go on sale Friday, March 21 and start at $45. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, call 464-7777 or visit innofthemountaingods.com.

If you would like your event listed on the entertainment calendar, please email vision@rdrnews.com or call 622-7710 ext. 309.

Ruidoso

Every Week, Thu

Karaoke at Cree Meadows Lounge Karaoke with DJ Pete, every Thursday evening from 6 p.m. 11 p.m. at Cree Meadows Lounge. There is also an all you can eat taco bar for $5.95 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

June 15

Jeff Dunham What do a talking jalapeno on a stick, a beer guzzling, NASCAR loving redneck, and a grumpy, retired Wal-Mart employee have in common? Theyʼre all puppets belonging to the hilarious ventriloquist of many voices and

30

%

OFF

Chalet Woods®

MITH PAINT

1608 S. Main 622-2020 Mon-Fri 7:30 - 5:30 Sat. 8-12

THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2014 | VISION MAGAZINE / 11

ARTS

The RMAC gears up for summer

to express themselves., and Textural 2D a class showing how to construct a figurative painting with textural painting techniques. The RMAC also have classes like Experiments with Media.

This class teaches students about different studio arts combined with different media combinations. The RMAC will also have classes for adults, such as the Watercolor Weekend. Participants will get to see how award winning Dorothy Peterson infuses light and shadows in her paintings.

July has just as much fun with more Kid’s Clay. Where children will build large platters with sgrafitto and the wonders of their imagination. On the off chance you missed June’s Throw-

The Roswell Museum and Art Center is preparing a great summer season of activities.

By Mary Morgan Record Intern

ing on the Wheel. You can participate in the July classes. July Textural 2D. Where you will learn how to mimic the appearance of rust and aging surfaces. Teens will also have the chance to experiment with Generative Art Making. A form of art where the art is or part of it has been created with an autonomous system, such as a windup toy. Students will create 2-D and 3D objects using this unique art experience. Classes for adults include open studios for clay and printmaking.

For more information on any of the classes, to register, call 575-624-6744, extension 22 or visit roswellmuseum.org.

Dragonfly Poster Contest Winner

T

Students at one of the RMAC classes he Roswell Museum and Art Center is booming with summer art classes and programs.

Such as the weekday classes for chil-

12 | VISION MAGAZINE / THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2014

Courtesy Photo dren and teens, with programs like Kids Clay a program-teaching story telling skills through the works of Cochiti Pueblo and artist Helen Cardero, Throwing on the Wheel a class where students make thrown bowls and cups teaching about imaginative surfaces, Crafty Creatures a program that gives children the chance to work on motor skills and opportunities

Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge announced the winner of the 2014 Kid’s Dragonfly Poster Contest. Amelia Tenorio, a fourth-grader from Dexter Elementary, won Best of Show from over six hundred entries received from local elementary schools. For her effort ,the Friends of Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge awarded Amelia with a $125 cash prize during the Dexter Elementary Awards Ceremony. This was the first time since the Dragonfly Festival began in 2001 that a student from DES has won the annual contest. The artwork will be used to highlight this year’s Dragonfly Festival held on Sept. 6. The festival is free and is a great family event. Look for Amelia’s winning entry on a billboard on main street Roswell this coming August. For more information on the Dragonfly Festival phone at 575-625-4011.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

F

Rey Berrones Photo Michael Beitz in his Roswell studio finishing work for his coming show at the Roswell Museum and Art Center

Michael Beitz

By Rey Berrones Vision Editor or many artists, the New Mexican environment is a muse that grants them the solitude and freedom to explore and expand their own artistic practice. For Michael Beitz, Roswell, and the Roswell

A return Roswell Artist-in-Residence’s concept ties furniture making in knots Artist-in-Residence program left a huge mark on him and his work. Beitz is a return resident, having been in the RAiR program a little more than a decade ago.

Beitz recalled his previous experience with the program,

"For me, as a young person, it was just a fantastic experience because I could concentrate on my work for a year.

My residency was in 20032004, and it really changed the way that I worked. I thought to myself , 'I have a

whole year, so I want to make something that takes a whole year to make.' That was my thinking, and that was only because of this experience. I never would have thought that or tried to do that, and it influenced my work quite a bit because I make a lot of things that take a year or six months to make."

His current work is a mix of drawings, clay and large scale sculptures. The drawings are are more immediate in nature, with the clay and large scale sculptures being more figurative in nature. The large scale projects take a considerable amount of time to make, sometimes taking the better part of a year to fabricate.

Beitz explained, "All of the sculptures start as drawings.

The drawings are more about getting out ideas. I draw people, some are observational drawings or I have an idea for a sculpture and I'm trying to sketch it out. The drawings are all these things in one, and they kind of blend together and inform each other.

In the show I'm going to do a collage wall installation of all of my drawings, and they will be all mixed up."

The drawings are often a way for Beitz to quickly express ideas that will eventually become a large scale project. A shorthand blueprint for eventual creations.

Beitz said, "It is difficult because I can get out a lot of ideas quickly by drawing, but then it takes me forever to make one of them. It is a built up energy waiting, and over time I find out which ones I'm interested in and what I want to make.

"Sometimes the drawings of sculptures are better than the sculptures because they somehow communicate the idea in a way that the sculpture can not. Often I'm trying to figure out which one is better, the doodle or the real object. I'm never sure."

To be certain, the real objects are generally massive and sometimes mind-bending.

Beitz said, "The last big table I made was a huge table which took me about a year to make because I hand laminated each individual piece for every plank, which if you do the math adds up to an insane amount.

"I made a huge cylinder, like a giant jig. An eight-foot tall, ten foot wide cylinder, and created a spiral around it, and hand laminated each layer in a spiral. A picnic table has five pieces on the top, two on one bench and two on the other, so it ends up being nine parts. So it was nine parts for one half, and nine parts for the other half, and 20 feet long and 13 feet tall. It just ended up being lots and lots of pieces, hand gluing each layer.

"It is high stress working against the glue in this process. If it were just something small, it wouldn't be an issue. Laminating on this scale is a little bit stressful.

"I am using fairly common woodworking practices, just scaled up. That is the trick, of whether it can function on that scale or not. I never know if it is going to work, and I really won't know if it is going to work until I get it into the museum. I have support pieces, and they will all come out, and we will see what happens. It might want to fall or break, and there is really no way to know.

"I don't make CAD drawings, I don't figure this out on computer first. I figure it all out in physical space. I have an idea, I make a doodle and I go for it. There is a gamble on if it is going to work or if it is not going to work."

His comments are humble, but his fabrication skill is considerable. Just looking at some of his large scale work shows a fit and finish that many craftsmen struggle to acheive.

The table he is working on for the show at the RMAC is a long dinner table that has been twisted into a knot. He dismisses the math and thought that goes into making wood forms this way by saySEE

BEITZ ON PAGE 14

THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2014 | VISION MAGAZINE / 13

BEITZ

Continued from Page 13

ing, "It is my best guess.

"It is always is this way. This wood is bent to its breaking point, and it wants to break.

The inclination is for gravity to pull it down. Hopefully I have enough structure to hold it all together, but I don't really know that because I've never made this before."

Of course, his studio has a mock-up of the RMAC doors that he is using to test fitment of the piece. A lot of time and energy has been spent on ensuring that it will work, and it will fit in the space, even though it is massive and unconventional.

If his show didn't have a hard opening date set, he would spend more time perfecting his massive sculptures. He said, "I would make it better if I had a year more to work on it."

"If I had a great woodshop, I might be able to make a

whole other type of object, but for now, things are fairly simple and old fashioned in my process.

"Specifically, with this table, I'm paying a lot of attention to the craft, only so that any issues of craft go away. I just want it to look like a plain object, a normal looking table. So it does require a lot of craftsmanship to get to that point, but I want to take the emphasis off the fact that I made the object, and have the emphasis on the object itself."

The table is the centerpiece of his show, and he elaborated, "The show is all about relationships, intimacy, alienation, rejection. So this form in itself is a table cancelling itself out, so it is tying itself in a knot. It creates this obstacle between two people. As you know, all relationships have these knots in them. This tension. I'm interested in that, because it is an endless source of conversa-

14 | VISION MAGAZINE / THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2014

tion and questioning. " This constant quest and questioning journey has led Beitz back to Roswell.

Beitz said, "Returning here is always life changing because it is an ideal place to be. You forget about your old life and concentrate on making the ideal life that you want.

"When I'm done with this, I will retur n to that place where I just start something that I don't know where it will end. That is my goal for coming here, to pursue new work, and not so much to continue my current body of work."

Beitz will be giving a lecture on his work on June 6 at 5:30 p.m. at the Roswell Museum and Art Center with a reception to follow. His exhibition goes on display on June 7 at the RMAC, for more information on the exhibition visit roswellmusuem.org. For more information on Beitz, visit michaelbeitz.com.

artists and the community to show and sell their work.

Continued from Page 4 And to take people of all difher own part of this building ferent levels of experience devoted to her studio work- and expertise, so we have ing space, and space to sell some people that are very her own personal art. The accomplished and well rest of the building is occu- known artists that sell quite pied by The Gallery, which well around the country and is going to be occupied by others that are quite only the Roswell Fine Arts into personal expression League, which has been and not particularly conoperating for that last ten or cerned if they sell anything, but it is good to get it out fifteen years.

"Both of us, meaning The into the public. So there is Gallery and Peggy want to that wide variety and the be involved in teaching, Fine Arts League in general off er ing workshops and is there to promote the arts classes. That was done on a and the artists themselves.

"As far as the function of fairly limited basis. We hope to do a much bigger job of having a space to show and that here. So in addition to sell work, which is the prihaving a place to show and mary purpose of the Fine sell work for individual Arts League envisioned members, we also will bene- when they first started The fit people who might want to Gallery, which is one more lear n about art by having additional member benefit if you will. The benefits of the workshops and classes.

"We will definitely contin- Fine Arts League have ue to have the Featured always been to create supArtist, those are really good port, opportunities and relaways to showcase individual tionships among artists to members of The Gallery grow and develop their own who want to be Featured work and talent. A natural Artist. Many of the Featured outgrowth of that was a Artists that we have had in place to make and show the past have been mem- work. So that will remain a bers of The Gallery, but have very important purpose of done a special body of work what we do, show and sell that they want to show. Cer- work."

The renovations have gone tainly people who become the Featured Artist can come very well, as Phillips from the membership, but explained, "It was the first just as often as not, over the part of May when they years we have brought other acquired the building and people in from the region or we made this massive effort other places to do that. We to paint, remodel and put think that adds an additional things in and create this dimension to what we do by place, and we are extremely highlighting our local artists happy with the way things as well as other artists from turned out.

"It has generated a huge other places. It is a way to keep things interesting and amount of interest in our fresh for people. The Fea- current membership and tured Artist program has new members."

Although the facility is curbeen really popular for a long time. People come to rently open, the official our receptions to meet grand opening is slated for artists so we will definitely June 13, with a reception continue to have the f ea- planned for 1 p.m. - 9 p.m.

For more information on tured artist.

"Each component of that the RFAL, visit rfal.org or just has its own vision and mis- drop by the new facility at sion. The Gallery has always 223 North Main St. had the mission of being able to provide a place for

ARTS

HISTORY

The Casey Ranch on the Rio Hondo

N

By Stu Pritchard Roswell Historian o ranching enterprise in our state is more unique than the Robert Casey Ranch on the Rio Hondo, a business begun by an ex-army dragoon. This small cattle ranch was to become a portion of the jigsaw puzzle that would develop into the huge Diamond A ranching complex.

Casey, of Irish descent, emigrated to Canada, then to the United States. He left home at age 16 and traveled west where at age 21 he enlisted in the United States Dragoons, spending some five years on the southwest Texas frontier in a variety of forts including a stint in New Mexico territory. He mustered out in 1854.

Casey, searching for a challenge, served for a year as a driver and guard with the Overland Mail Stage Route. As did many ex-soldiers, looking for a prof ession, Casey entered into the cattle ranching business. Mildly successful, he married Evaline Schellenbarger in June 1856 at Waco, Texas. The union pro-

Robert Casey’s story is one of life and death on the frontier

SOY

Continued from Page 3

latter two instruments, they're uniquely associated with mariachi bands. “We have to purchase those instruments in Mexico,” Villegas notes.

“They don't sell them around here.” In addition to playing instruments, students are also expected to perform as vocalists. They all eventually take turns singing. Students are groomed not only as musicians, but as capable public speakers and performers. Says Villegas, “We train these young people to

duced six children, three boys and three girls. (Two or possibly three other children died during childhood.) At the advent of the Civil War Casey enlisted again, this time with the Confederacy and served until February of 1863, when his service enlistment expired.

Turning again to ranching, Casey was quite successful, but his Texas ranch was constantly raided by a succession of Indians, mostly Comanche and Kiowa. The most damaging occurred in August 1866.

Over 15,000 head of cattle were lost to the savages as well as hundreds of horses and mules. Discouraged, the growing Casey family decided to emigrated to New Mexico. Casey had become a close friend to cattle baron John Chisum who advised Casey of the economic possiblilities of cattle sales in New Mexico territory.

In the summer of 1867, Casey moved his herd of cattle to the Bosque Grande in southern New Mexico for sale

have bulletproof self-confidence. Not arrogance, but confidence. They learn how to perform and present themselves in front of audiences.”

The S.O.Y. Mariachi building is a working musical environment that includes wellequipped practice rooms and even an on-site recording studio. Elaborate mariachi uniforms hang neatly on a rack.

Signs of musical activity are everywhere. But the school isn't just about music. Signs promoting moral values are posted on the walls in Spanish and English. The program

to the authorities of the Indian reservation.

Subsequently, the young rancher sold his Texas holdings and trailed 1,700 head of cattle, eight yoke of work oxen and 15 horses to the Pecos River where he planned to move them to Horsehead Crossing leading north into New Mexico. Unfortunately, his journey, which seemed so promising, was beset with a succession of Indian raids in which Casey lost most of his herd, horses and oxen.

Reaching Missouri Plaza on foot, Casey borrowed a yoke of oxen he needed for transport of his remaining properties. The village members were eager to assist him.

It was early January 1868, when Casey encountered a Frenchman named Leopold Chene who was homesteading properties where he had built several structures including a grist mill. Chene's small spread was about 25 miles southeast of Fort Stanton and directly on the Rio stresses upright conduct.

“This is a zero tolerance school,” Bobby Villegas says.

“We don't tolerate unruly children, and all of our students, without exception, are expected to be wellbehaved.” No gum, candy or food is permitted in classrooms, and students are expected to arrive at rehearsals on time. There is no fooling around during class time. Politeness is strongly emphasized, and cursing of any sort is banned.

Even with firm rules and regulations, students have fun

Hondo, six miles east of a junction of the Rio Bonita and the Rio Ruidoso and just 16 miles from Lincoln. After some negotiation, Casey traded 60 animals of his small remaining cattle herd and contracted for 120 more later in the year in exchange for Chene's properties which included a blacksmith shop, a dwelling, corral and carpenter's tools.

Casey promptly named his new acquisition the "Ranch on the Rio Hondo." The ranch was retained by the Casey family until September 1, 1960. At the time of Casey's purchase, there were only four housing structures between the ranch and Lincoln and the county had only 2,513 persons according to a recent census. Robert Casey and the descendants continued to acquire lands to add to the ranch so that by 1952, the land totaled just over 1,080 acres; including water rights totaling 1,720 acres.

In a tragedy that greatly affected the progress of Lincoln and the Hondo Valley and attempts at law and order, a political malcontent murdered Robert Casey. After a raucous political meeting on August 2, 1875, between adversaries representing the Murphy, Riley, Dolan mer-

chants and Lincoln progressives, including Casey, the group disbursed and proceeded down the main street.

From behind an adobe wall, a member of the Murphy consortium, William Wilson, using a Winchester rifle, shot and killed Casey. In this case, justice was swift. Wilson was tried, convicted and given an early execution date. After a short delay from an earlier date, Casey's murderer was duly hung on Dec. 10, 1875, not just once, but twice, after it appeared that the first hanging left Wilson still breathing.

Robert Casey's widow displayed tenacious courage in her subsequent control of the ranch. Water problems were constant as was the stealing of the ranch's livestock, both by rustlers and Indians. On the advice of John Chisum, Mrs. Casey gathered her remaining cattle and horses and moved back to Texas. However, the properties remained in the Casey family until it was purchased by Robert O. Anderson and the Lincoln Livestock Company in 1960, adding to the extensive properties of the Diamond A Ranch.

coming to class and learning the finer points of becoming polished public performers.

A sense of pride is installed into the students from the moment they enter the program. Villegas says, “When we enter the classroom, we are mariachis. It's a proud and noble tradition.” The very name of the organization, S.O.Y. Mariachi, is a play on words. It not only stands for “Save Our Youth,” but in Spanish, means, “I am a mariachi.” This identity becomes increasingly important to young people as they

progress within the program.

As mariachi students and performers, they are automatically held to a higher code of conduct.

Some of the S.O.Y. Mariachi students were featured in a video promoting the Affordable Care Act. They are shown performing a song in Spanish urging people to sign up for the program. The video, which can be seen online on YouTube, was formally acknowledged with a letter of thanks from the White House.

THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2014 | VISION MAGAZINE / 15

UFOLOGY

UFOs and the verdict of your own mind

Looking Up

I

By Donald Burleson n Ayn Rand’s magnificent novel Atlas Shrugged, when someone asks railroad executive Dagny Taggart how she manages to survive in a business environment made almost unbearable by senseless government interference, she replies that she

holds to just one rule: “To place nothing—nothing— above the verdict of my own mind.”

Surely there is no sounder rule: Make up your own mind about everything, but decide intelligently, guided by observation, reason, and what Ayn Rand calls “the awesome power of facts.” This certainly applies to the process of deciding what to think about UFOs. Unquestionably, opinions about UFOlogy vary over the widest possible spectrum.

There are people who think a UFO investigator is a highminded soul pursuing a legitimate (if elusive) phenomenon, and there are people who think a UFO investigator is a deluded fool chasing a fever

16 | VISION MAGAZINE / THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2014

dream, with shades of gray in between these extremes.

Frankly, I care far less about what people think of the reality or non-reality of UFOs than I do about how people form their opinions. I would say that solid scientific evidence and tangible, demonstrably real experience are the only good reasons for a rational person to believe anything. Merely being told that UFOs exist is a poor reason to believe in them, and merely being told that UFOs don’t exist is a poor reason not to believe in them.

Early on, I became inclined to credit the existence of UFOs because I saw one when I was five. This of course could conceivably have been a mistaken perception, but over the years, especially working on

many classic cases, I have come to find the evidence very compelling, including my own childhood sighting, which I later discovered to have been seen by several other witnesses. The Roswell UFO crash and retrieval, the Lubbock Lights, the Levelland, Texas UFO flap, the Socorro landing, the Exeter, New Hampshire sightings—all these and many other cases are so well attested that a discerning person can find them convincing.

As an investigator I receive new witness accounts that are reasonably persuasive, and witness accounts that are not.

Recently I examined a report so full of wearisome clichés and buzzwords that I had to conclude the whole thing was

a pop-culture-inspired fantasy apparently born of an overdose of film and television. As one of the “hard science” guys in this field, I have far less empathy with that kind of report than I have with the views of someone who honestly disbelieves in UFOs for carefully considered reasons.

I do reserve the right to judge that the evidence, once understood, outweighs the skepticism, but skepticism is still an undeniably healthy mindset, provided one is willing to take real evidence seriously when it appears.

UFOs do exist, in my view, but you shouldn’t necessarily take my word for that. My advice is: read the books, both pro and con, logically examine the evidence, and, like Dagny Taggart, draw your own conclusions in keeping with the integrity of your own mind.