J ourney
Saturday, April 25, 2026
Thoughts From The West End
Food for Thought
Do you enjoy turkey? Personally, I don’t think I do. I will eat it, but some people are fantastic at preparing turkey so that it is moist, while others struggle. Cooking such a large bird can be challenging, and it’s all too easy for it to become dry. I don’t really care for ham either; in fact, I’m not fond of most pork products. I admit I can be quite picky—annoyingly so, for both myself and those around me. Additionally, I have an autoimmune disease that prevents me from eating gluten, wheat, barley, or rye, which further limits my options. Eating has always been a chore for me. I either consume extremely healthy foods and end up underweight, or I settle for a few “good” unhealthy options, which results in overweight. Maintaining a balanced diet is challenging for everyone, but it becomes even harder for those with dietary restrictions. I often joke, “Just give me a liquid IV of nutrition, please.” Eating can be quite a struggle (for me and for many others).
Okay, enough complaining. Let’s be honest—options for people with dietary restrictions have improved immensely over the past ten years. Thank goodness for that!
I also feel blessed to even have the option of being one of the “picky eaters,” or who choose to be vegetarian, vegan, paleo, or carnivore. This Thanksgiving, I’ve decided to reflect on and celebrate my thankfulness for one particular aspect of our current food landscape (though I have many things to be thankful for). Not
many people consider this topic, but it is a fantastic luxury that most of us have today. I recognize that not everyone has this luxury, but more of us do now than ever before, which is to be a “picky eater”.
Historically, before the travel industry boomed, people were often limited to the foods available in their geographical areas, which didn’t always provide a well-rounded diet. While their diets may have been more “natural” and less affected by genetic modification, options were limited. Fast forward through time, and as trade and wealth increased, so did the variety and nutritional quality of food available to people—but this was true only for certain locations. Even my grandmother’s generation faced significant limitations in their diets here in the US.
The 1980s and 1990s saw an explosion of cheap, processed food that became more accessible to the masses, arguably leading to a rise in health issues. Note, this is just a broad and simplified overview of the complex history of food. But all leading to my general point:
It’s important to emphasize that, overall, most people are quite fortunate today. We have several advantages:
1. We live with autoimmune diseases, disorders, allergies, and other dietary restrictions.
2. We can choose to be vegan, vegetarian, paleo, carnivore, etc.
3. We can be picky eaters. I am thankful for this luxury. I’m also grateful for nutritionists and for organizations like the Community Pantry that work tirelessly to reduce hunger for families.
NOVEMBER SCHEDULE
Saturday, November 8- 9am-4pm. $45
JOY WALL HANGING
This is a fast and fun class. All you do is glue fabric squares to the grid panel, iron and sew. Instructor Laura Anderson-Level Beginner
Tuesday, November 11- 9am-1pm $25
ROPE CHRISTMAS TREE
Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree... We will cover the rope with fabric strips and then glue to the tree. Instructor Laura Anderson-Level Beginner
Saturday, November 28 - 10am-4pm. $5
OPEN SEW & EMBROIDERY
Come use the classroom and work on those unfinished projects or get a jump start for Christmas $25. Gather, mingle, make some new friends.
When you finish these puzzles, bring them to our office at 210 E. Aztec Ave, оr take a pic with your phone and email it to gallupjourney@gmail.com. Don’t forget to include your name.
sudoku
October Master Finishers
E Pieras
Jamie Atcitty-Begay
Aroan
Doma
Maureen Bia
Thomas Gomez
Kim Becenti
Q in Houck Az
Whisper
MITCH
L. James
E. Skeet
Rhonda Touchine
DK & Footies
Jaye Smith
Beverly Abeita
R Morris
Elmer Williams
Pandora E. Watchman
Shayne
Lucy Hoskie
Audra Arviso
Strawberry CanyonMcGaffey
By Scott Williams
I embarked on a trip I was definitely not prepared for because I’m an amateur when it comes to hiking, traveling, or even marking out a trail I’m not familiar with. I’m a homebody, but I’m up for trying something new. So, in the spirit of trying new things, I decided to start my trip up at McGaffey and figure my way towards the Strawberry Canyon Trail. Easy enough since I’ve lived just a couple of miles from the area my entire life in the small town of Ft. Wingate, NM. It’s a popular traveling and hiking destination for locals and outof-state travelers, and a well-known spot for community members of McKinley County.
After getting things together, I started my drive south from Ft Wingate and made my 8.2-mile trip up the mountain path. Icons from my childhood blurring past me, the old abandoned boarding school on my left, and two churches following each other in succession on my right up the snake paved road. Past the horseshoe monument, then further into the mountainside wilderness, only to be met with slight road construction, slowing down my progress for just a couple of minutes. But eventually, after passing dense forests and wide-open spaces and a few houses, a sign signaling “CIBOLA National Forest” came into view. However, I kept missing my turnoff and drove around pretty lost. I eventually found my stop by turning around on the way out from McGaffey Lake, just 3 miles until I saw a sign saying, “National Forest: Recreation Area,” pulled into the open parking area and read the sign, “Strawberry Canyon Trailhead.” Took a deep breath before venturing in. The sound of the wind blowing through
the trees, birds chirping from up above, while a still silence envelops the area, turned out to be an incredibly calming experience. Only to be brought back to reality with the distant sounds of traveling trucks carrying loads of materials barreling down the road, kicking up dust, and a lone airplane shooting this jet engine sound overhead, traveling somewhere unknown. An ever-subtle reminder that no matter how far into the woods you go, civilization is just a couple of miles away. But it didn’t take long before everything was nature’s soundtrack that kept me moving forward. The further I went, the more the trees dotting the road started changing color with the fall season. The cold breeze added to the experience.
The sun overhead, lighter, warm-toned colored leaves falling from their trees, sparse and in between, added a pleasant warmth over time. A trail of pinecones littered the forest trail and added a nice crunch sound break with each step. The trail eventually broke into two forks in the road, with a marker showing the title, 22, Mike Rippin, to the left of my route. But I kept moving forward on the road ahead of me. Further in the trail became winding, twisting, dipping low, then up again, but never difficult to follow, at least until there was a break in the road, signs giving you a choice of left or right. One that came into view when I crossed a secure wired bridge, then, like a choose your own adventure game, gave me a choice between left or right. 01, Strawberry Canyon left, or 12, Torren to my right. The right, unfortunately, cut my trip short because I had to go in a few minutes. I enjoyed myself immensely, but I’d definitely like to give this trip another try since there’s still more to see.
Strawberry Canyon—McGaffey
UPDATE- from the McKinley Regional Health Advocacy Committee (MRHAC):
WHY IS IT SO HARD TO FIND A DOCTOR?
By Constance Liu, MD/PhD and Jean Proper, MS.,FNP on behalf MRHAC
We nine community members formed the McKinley Regional Health Advocacy Committee two years ago with support from the Chamber of Commerce. Some of us are senior citizens, some of us are raising young children. Many of us work or have worked in health care, and all of us rely on health care here in McKinley County.
Our experience with health care over the last two years is probably like yours – we are having a harder time with finding health care. The majority of New Mexicans are also experiencing this, especially in rural areas like ours.
We are waiting longer and traveling further for care, even basic screening. Some of us have lost our primary care providers and aren’t sure when we will find a new one. All of us agree: Health care in New Mexico needs major reform, especially if rural health care is to survive.
The New Mexico Hospital Association has released stats that show that New Mexico is the only state in the United States that has lost health care providers in the last year. We would like to talk about the specific policies that New Mexico can adopt that can stem or reverse the tide.
The first issue is malpractice, which should be one way that people who experience harm because of medical mistakes can find justice. In theory the malpractice also may be a motivator
We believe our community has the strength to support our health care system. When Gallup Community Health sought to expand their services to include prenatal care, the community rallied in ten days to fundraise over $20,000 to pay for the first year of malpractice insurance for prenatal care.
If you would like to advocate on this issue, the non-profit thinktank “Think New Mexico” has a thorough report about the NM health care worker shortage that talks about both of these issues.
We would also encourage you to call or email our local state legislators to tell them about your experiences and concerns with local health care – we have spoken to them, and they are sympathetic and are also interested in solutions. We will need to work with our legislators to let them know they have our support in advocating for measures that will support rural health care in New Mexico. Your stories will help them to make that case.
to improve patient safety. New Mexico’s system, unfortunately, is unbalanced to the point it is hurting health care for everyone.
Our local hospital and clinics all are paying a lot more money for insurance premiums and there are fewer insurers who are willing to provide coverage. Dr. Lawrence Andrade closed his 22-year old practice this past year, leaving 5,000 community members in need of a new primary care doctor. Dr. Andrade was very explicit that a “very punitive malpractice system” was one of the reasons he was forced to leave. Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital found only one insurer willing to provide coverage this past year – and if that insurer doesn’t offer the same this year, the hospital will not be able to continue providing services.
New Mexico does not have any standards or limits on punitive damages which are given when the harm is because of recklessness or intentional harm. These are generally not common in malpractice cases, but without limits in New Mexico these have been a driver of expensive malpractice insurance and a culture where punishment, not improving safety, is the outcome of malpractice. New Mexico legislators need to implement standards to limit punitive damages.
There are other things that the State can do to make sure that our malpractice system works for the community, and not against health care, and to bring us in line with best practices in other
Folks who are interested in reaching out to MRHAC are welcome to call or text 216-6502745 or 505-495-9308 for more information.
Contact info and/or visit www.nmlegis.gov to find out more:
Senator George K. Muñoz - (D) District: 4
County: Cibola, McKinley & San Juan
Email: george.munoz@nmlegis.gov
Address: Box 2679 Gallup NM 87305
District Legislative Aide: Cade Holzer
District Legislative Aide Email: cade.holzer@ nmlegis.gov
District Legislative Aide Phone: 505-946-5554
Representative Patricia A. Lundstrom - (D) District: 9 County: McKinley
Service: Representative since 2001
Occupation: GGEDC- Executive Director
Email: patricia.lundstrom@nmlegis.gov
states. There should be a limit on the percentage of awarded money that goes to trial lawyer compensation (there isn’t one in New Mexico), and State funds that are set aside to pay for long-term medical care for individuals who have experienced medical harm should be protected from legal fees to do exactly that.
The second issue that can help with our health care shortage is interstate health care worker compacts. These are agreements among states to recognize and accept professional licenses issued by the other participating states. For example, a doctor licensed in Colorado could provide their Colorado license information to the New Mexico Medical Board and quickly become licensed to practice here as well. New Mexico is one of only five states that is in only one or none of the ten major interstate compacts for health care workers.
Without joining these agreements, health professionals from other states cannot legally provide services in New Mexico – not even via telehealth – unless they go through New Mexico’s lengthy licensing process, which generally takes many months.
No state that has joined any interstate compact has opted to leave them. New Mexico belongs to a nursing interstate compact, and that has helped us especially in rural areas where as many as 80% of nurses are serving there because of interstate compacts. Joining additional interstate compacts can only benefit our communities.
Senator Martin Heinrich ALBUQUERQUE
400 Gold Avenue SW, Ste. 1080, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone: (505) 346-6601
Fax: (505) 346-6780
Senator Ben Ray Lujan
Albuquerque
500 Marquette Ave NW Suite 1460
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone: 505-337-7023
Fax: 833-907-0886
Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez GALLUP OFFICE
207 West Hill Ave., Office 301A, Gallup, NM 87301
Phone: (505) 551-4696
Representative Martha Garcia - (D) County: Cibola & McKinley
Email: martha.garcia@nmlegis.gov
Address: P.O. Box 15 Pine Hill NM 87357
By Richard Reyes
GALLUP, N.M. — The University of New Mexico-Gallup hosted its third annual Campus Safety Fair in September, bringing together local public safety agencies to connect students with resources while highlighting the importance of community collaboration.
The fair was held in the Gurley Hall Commons on Sept. 18, 2025, and brought together 15 public safety agencies and nonprofit organizations dedicated to making the branch campus and the community at large a safer place.
“We’re stronger together,” City of Gallup Behavioral Health Manager Debra Martinez said. “One program can’t do everything by itself. We really have a strong community, and if we just work together and support each other and share each other’s information, we can save a life or help somebody who needs it.”
Martinez and Michelle Skersick, a certified peer support worker with the City of Gallup, conducted a stress reduction clinic using ear acupuncture during fair. Ear acupuncture is a form of Chinese traditional medicine that involves inserting thin needles into a person’s outer ear to help relieve stress, anxiety and depression.
Campus Safety Fair Proves
‘We’re Stronger Together’
UNM-Gallup hosts annual event to highlight community partnerships and connect students to resources
The city’s Behavioral Health team regularly conducts a stress reduction clinic at the public library in Gallup. Martinez said many of the people who tried the ear acupuncture clinic during the fair seemed to be more relaxed afterward.
Martinez said many students don’t realize how much stress they take on, so she encourages them to check in with each other regularly and have conversations about self-care.
“We have so much going on, whether that’s school or work, and we never take time for ourselves,” she said. “That could be taking a little walk around the building, getting some fresh air, going to lunch with your friends, watching a movie, or even writing in a journal. Many people don’t know how daily practices like that can really reduce our stress.”
Connecting
with first responders
Gallup Fire Department Deputy Chief Andrew Laweka and a few of his recruits participated in the fair to talk about the services they offer, including fire extinguisher training and a free smoke alarm replacement program for the community.
Laweka stressed that firefighters are among the first responders who come to the campus during an emergency, so events like the safety fair give students, faculty and staff a chance to meet them and get to know them in a different light.
“The other thing is it gives our new recruits the opportunity to be out there and see what the community is doing and what the university is doing within our
community,” he said.
The department brought along their fire extinguisher simulator, letting students and visitors practice putting out a fake fire and learning the PASS technique, which stands for pull, aim, squeeze and sweep.
“It’s a lot of fun, “Gallup Fire Department recruit Angelo Lovato said. “It’s getting people more involved. It’s showing more people how to use a fire extinguisher, getting them familiar. In the process, they’re having fun, but they don’t even realize that they’re actually learning how to slowly put out a small fire.”
As for campus safety advice, Laweka encouraged UNM-Gallup students and employees to maintain their situational awareness.
“If you see something wrong, say something,” he said. “Tell somebody. Alert the authorities. If something doesn’t look right, it’s probably not right.”
Trusting your gut
Autumn Arviso, a victim advocate and prevention educator for Sexual Assault Services of North-
west New Mexico (SASNWNM), participated in the fair to hand out information to students and let them know her organization is available to help them in times of need.
SASNWNM is a nonprofit organization with offices in Gallup and Farmington that provides crisis services, empowers victims, and creates a community focused on prevention.
Similar to Laweka’s advice on situational awareness, Arviso encouraged students to trust their gut feeling.
“If you’re out with friends or even just walking around the campus, maybe it got dark and something doesn’t feel right, then you should listen to that,” she said.
“There are people here who I’m sure could help you or escort you to your vehicle. If you’re alone at campus, let your friends know where you might be.”
UNM-Gallup Campus Police does offer an escort service. Individuals seeking an escort on campus can call one of the following phone numbers:
The University of New Mexico-Gallup hosts its third annual Campus Safety Fair in the Gurley Hall Commons on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025.
• 505-863-7620
• 505-979-3835
• 505-862-1828
In the case of an emergency, call 911.
Learning about healthy relationships
For Marlisha Trevizo, a children’s program case worker for Battered Families Services, Inc., the fair was an opportunity to talk to young people about healthy relationships and potential red flags.
As teens begin to date, Trevizo said, it’s important for them to recognize warning signs of domestic violence. Red flags can include a person who prevents you from enjoying your life or stops you from pursuing the things you’re interested in.
“You shouldn’t have to compromise yourself for somebody else,” she said. “You should still be able to enjoy the things in life. … So, if somebody’s holding you back from that, then that is not a healthy relationship.”
Battered Families Services is a nonprofit organization that provides legal advocacy, parenting classes, school presentations, a housing program, emergency shelter, and other resources.
Trevizo said her goal at the fair was also to educate people about domestic violence and how her organization can help if they’re experiencing domestic violence.
“I think this event is very important because we want to reach as many people as we can, because if we’re out there and we’re talking about DV, it’s more likely that we can prevent it from happening,” Trevizo said. “Then people can look for that healthy relationship and know that it’s possible to
be in a good relationship with a loving person.”
The following local organizations also participated in UNM-Gallup’s Campus Safety Fair:
• Catholic Charities of Gallup, Inc.
505.863.7542 | Public Relations | 705 Gurley Ave. | Gurley Hall 1210 | Gallup, NM 87301
gallup.unm.edu/news
• Four Corners Detox Recovery Center
• Gallup Public Health Office, New Mexico Department of Health
• McKinley Academy’s Project EDSA (Everyone Deserves Support and Awareness).
• McKinley County Fire & Rescue
• McKinley County Office of Emergency Management
• McKinley County Sheriff’s Office
• Navajo Nation Veterans Administration
• New Mexico State Police
• New Mexico WIC Program, New Mexico Department of Health
• Office of Community Health Workers, New Mexico Department of Health
UNM-Gallup’s Campus Safety Week is organized by the branch’s Campus Safety Committee. Campus Safety Week is celebrated every year in September, which is National Campus Safety Awareness Month.
For more information about UNM-Gallup’s Campus Police, visit https://gallup.unm.edu/campuspolice/ index.html.
Photos by Richard Reyes. For more information about UNM-Gallup, please visit gallup.unm.edu.
Michelle Skersick, a certified peer support worker with the City of Gallup, applies acupuncture needles to the ears of Administrative Assistant II Michelle Palacios.
Students interact with the McKinley Academy Project EDSA booth during The University of New Mexico-Gallup's Campus Safety Fair.
A student tries on McKinley County firefighting gear.
A student learns how to put out a fire using a fire extinguisher simulator.
A student learns how to put out a fire using a fire extinguisher simulator.
OF THE MONTH
Lindy Vision
By Gabrielle Myers
If you’ve never heard of Lindy Vision, now is the chance to be introduced to one of the greatest 80s new wave, synthpop, and indie rock to come out of New Mexico. Lindy Vision is a two-piece powerhouse comprised of Natasha Cuylear (Na) and Dorothy Cuylear (Dee Dee). Before becoming a duo, Lindy Vision was formerly a trio with their third member being their sister, Carla Cuylear. Carla played with Lindy Vision from the start of the band in 2010 to the end of 2021. “We played our last show with Carla at the New Mexico State Fair. We respected her choice and made the best of our last show together”, Natasha expressed fondly. Since then, Natasha and Dorothy have carried the torch, each stepping into their own roles within the band. Natasha is the guitarist of Lindy Vision, and she will occasionally play the bass guitar. While Natasha is rocking the guitar, her sister Dorothy plays the synthesizer, keys, and electronic drums. “Guitar is my main instrument. I remember I picked up a guitar in my early teens. My dad got me an acoustic guitar from a pawn shop, and I would sit in my room and listen to Radiohead. I’ve also done electronic beats in the past,” Natasha said. “I do a lot of electronic work, I’m an electronic guru”, Dorothy added, “I do a bunch of synthesizer work. I also play most of our keys parts and electronic drums. Our former drummer Carla Cuylear, our younger sister, was always into drumming in high school and she had the background in music. Natasha and I have done everything by ear. We’ve always liked music, but we weren't classically trained. As we got older, I started playing synthesizers and I dabbled in that to help me with melodies”. “I think an instrument I would love to learn to play is piano”, Natasha admitted. “Learning the piano would be really helpful when you are working with other professionals and you can communicate through the language of music”, Dorothy shared. Just as mastering an instrument opens new conversations in music, the story behind their name opens a deeper chapter in who they are and what they stand for. Lindy Vision is such an interesting and unique name and I bet you are wondering how they came up with their name. “Lindy comes from the autobiography of Malcom X. “In Chapter 4, Laura, he talks about Lindy hopping and going dancing at night. That chapter he describes Lindy hopping and how freeing it is for African Americans and for Black people. It resonated with me in a sense that through movement you feel so liberated through dance. I’ve always loved dance. And vision came sort of a play on Joy Division. We love Joy Division, and we took the idea of vision and looking forward. Those two words coming together made sense for us. At the time it sounded futuristic”, Dorothy laughed, “our name is a combination of the freedom of dancing, black power, and a vision looking forward for our people”, Dorothy stated proudly. As for Lindy Vision’s sound, Natasha shared, “It’s been over 20 years, and it’s changed so much since the beginning. We've been playing music since we were teenagers. Over the years, we’ve had a lot of different influences. When you span decades of your career, your sound keeps evolving, you pick up new influences along the way, and you discover what works and what doesn’t work. We started listening to The Strokes in the early 2000’s. I still go back to them, Joy Division, and Interpol. Looking at bands that sound like us are big influences. We’ve always had that 80’s era, new wave influence”.
Dorothy continued, “I think my influences have grown over the years. As your music plethora expands, so does your influences. In the early 2000’s and 1990’s we had CDs and now you have access to every type of music available. When I was growing up I felt like I didn’t belong and when I listened to music in my teenage years, I connected with people, even though they didn’t look like us. That was the nice thing about music... it transcended the physicality or whatever you’re going through. You can connect with people even though you are not necessarily from the same background. We’re referencing The Strokes, who are some white guys. It’s funny they inspired us. We saw them in El Paso and that set the stage for us and I thought, ’oh I want to make music’. That was sort of our reference point of where we started”. Before becoming Lindy Vision, the Cuylear sisters grew up in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Dorothy shared, “We identify as adult children of alcoholics. Both of our parents were alcohol users and that influenced the chaos and instability we experienced”. Natasha added, “Our parents divorced very young and they didn’t get along. I think that influenced a lot of what I remember while growing up as a kid. I just remember our parents fighting and chaos. After our parents’ divorce, our mom relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico and we grew up in Las Cruces with our father who raised us”. Dorothy reflected, “it wasn’t until we got older that we reflect back and think, ‘that [alcoholism] was the cause of the chaos’. It is something a lot of people deal with in their families, and we’re not ashamed of it. It doesn’t make our family less than. We still love our mom, who passed away in 2017, and we still love our dad. It affected us in a way that maybe if it didn’t happen, it would have been different for us”. Life before Lindy Vision had deeply shaped the Cuylear sisters’ grief journey while honoring special moments on stage. When asked to describe their most memorable show, Dorothy expressed, “our mother passed away in April 2017. Two weeks later, we had a show at the Hispanic Cultural Center for a resilience focused event. Her death came unexpectedly and we were shocked. We asked ourselves, ‘do we cancel this show?’. We ended up playing it and it was one of those things where we pulled our strength together as sisters and said, ‘we’re doing this for our mom’. Now every show that we do since then we say, ‘this is for Mas’, and it has put what we are doing into perspective for me. I do this for my mom. I do this with her strength and for her strength. It was such a powerful
moment for us to come together. In hindsight, maybe we should’ve taken time to grieve. But when you’re an upcoming musician, you don’t want to miss opportunities, and we haven’t had a big show like that. It was a beautiful show. I felt so strong with my sisters up there on stage. It was so magical for us at that moment and at that time”. Natasha agreed, “I think Dee Dee said it beautifully. For me, it’s any show after becoming a mom, especially post-2020. Both Dee Dee and I gave birth and took time off before returning to perform. It was tough. Your body is different, you feel different. In my 20s, I used to need a drink before shows. Performing can feel like an emotional rollercoaster. You’re vulnerable, and you don’t know how people will perceive your music. Now, I get on stage and feel proud. I’m a mom, a musician, and I’m proud of the fact that I’m up there. I’m proud of our band and our music”. Along with their most memorable show, Natasha explained her favorite song to write was, Left Them All, “my sister pushed me, and I wanted to show her I could do it. It’s my favorite song because I wrote the guitar part, the verse, and the chorus. It’s one of my favorites to this day!”. Dorothy’s favorite song writing experience was Manic. “Everyone loves Manic, I love Manic too, it was such an easy song for Na and I to write… it came together. It was empowering for Na and I to write the song. 90% of our latest album I arranged, composed, I played my instruments, and Na added her guitar. I thought, 'dang I can
write a whole album by myself’. That was a cool moment. It felt nice to be supportive of each other and having a common goal without feeling the competition. We respect each other as artists and we are more mindful of each other’s contribution to completing a project”. On the topic of advice for aspiring artists, Dorothy offered this: “Don’t give up and keep writing!”. She reflected on how writing is often the hardest part of making music, and how she has been encouraged time and again to stick with it. “When you start writing your own material it can be hard but just keep at it! If you keep practicing and put in the time, you’ll get better. The core of it all is to keep creating”. Natasha followed with her own insight: “Don’t forget why you do it”. She acknowledged the challenges of staying motivated, especially when the work isn't always glamorous. “We’ve done a lot of the work ourselves. It’s taken a long time to get here, and we’ve had to constantly remind ourselves of why we do it”. She also emphasized the importance of self-care in an industry that can be overwhelming. “You need a solid foundation for yourself. Don’t succumb to everything out there like drinking and drugs. You have to ground yourself and take care of your mental health”. When we talked about dream collaborations, both sisters had clear and heartfelt answers. They’ve been fortunate to work with many Native artists in New Mexico, which has been deeply meaningful. Dorothy named André 3000 and Outkast as her top picks, while Natasha shared that Kevin Drew from Broken Social Scene would be her ultimate collaborator because she admires his atmospheric sound and creative mindset. Their local dream collaboration would be with Def-i (@def_i) because he is a positive influence in the community, and they admire his craft and presence. “The access to music now has been so important to the music scene. You can listen to people who look like you, or who are different than you, which is huge when you’re making art and to connect with that part of yourself”, Dorothy expressed excitedly. As an avid listener of Lindy Vision, I was very excited to interview the powerful duo, Dorothy and Natasha Cuylear. Listening to Lindy Vision is an all consuming experience. Going into their discography, you can hear a variety of different sounds, beats, and energy. Each song holds a different space in my heart, and I think that’s what I like most about Lindy Vision. They are unique, adventurous, and confident in their music. I’m sure you’re curious about what Lindy Vision has in store for us. As we approach the end of the year, Lindy Vision’s shows are limited, but rest assured Lindy Vision is currently working in the studio on new music set to release in 2026. Looking for a way to support your new favorite band? You can support them by streaming their music from their website (lindyvision.bandzoogle.com), Bandcamp, and any other major streaming services. If you want to take a dive into Lindy Vision’s journey, you can follow them on Instagram @lindyvisionmusic or visit their website, lindyvision.bandzoogle.com. BOX QUOTE: “Lindy Vision has always been the anchor for us as sisters.”
By Kenneth Riege
USAF Veteran
1985 - 1993
Another Trip of a Lifetime
My family and I have been truly blessed to have made these as we call them “Trips of a Lifetime.”
In 2023 we traveled to our nation’s capital for Eric-Paul’s show at the National Gallery of Art and in 2024 to Montclair, NJ for Eric’s show at the Montclair Art Museum while also spending a few days in “The Big Apple.” The 2025 version had a different twist as we traveled to three different destinations. The first stop on this multi-city “tour” if you will, was to our favorite place to visit (besides Santa Fe) “The Big Apple.” We have visited here multiple times this past year. We love the food, the shopping, the sights and sounds and just being “in the mix” of our nation’s biggest and most exciting playground.
Our favorite hotel is The Cambria Suites in the flower district of the Chelsea Neighborhood in Manhattan. We are just minutes away from Time Square and our friend Gerard takes great care of us at their roof top lounge.
Two of our favorite places to eat at while in NYC are Pura Vida Miami for breakfast and for some afternoon
refreshments, we always visit Kenn’s Broome Street Bar. It’s a little Irish Pub with amazing food and a great variety of drinks to quench your thirst.
One of the evenings in NYC we decided to try Lulla’s and we are so glad we did. Retha took this beautiful picture of Daniel and I outside Lulla’s as we looked over the menu.
Our last night in NYC we took a selfie in the street outside our hotel and the next day we departed for Providence, RI for the second leg of our journey.
Hanging out in NYC is a blast, but it was time for the real reason for the trip which was Eric-Paul’s solo show at The Bell Gallery which is part of Brown University. Eric-Paul had been there before, but for Retha, Daniel and I, this part of the trip was all new, especially since we decided to take the Amtrak. This was such a fun trip and before we knew it, we were on the train and on our way. We traveled through part of New York, Connecticut then into Rhode Island. While Providence is still a pretty good size city, it had that small town feel compared to NYC. After arriving at our hotel and getting settled in we took a walk to this cute little ice cream shop. Eric-Paul had been there before and knew we would enjoy a little treat after our train ride.
The next day was all about the opening and as one of Eric’s gallerists put it, his work is “breath taking.” While Eric left early to the gallery to meet with Art Students from Brown, Retha, Daniel and I did some sight-seeing
Daniel, Retha and I outside the Bell Gallery at Brown University
when we came across this cute little diner close to the university.
It’s your typical “Hole in the Wall” cafe but was cute on the inside and the food (and especially the coffee) was good.
Afterwards we decided to walk off our breakfast and do a little souvenir shopping where we came across the gallery where Eric-Paul’s show is at. We stopped in for a quick visit and to see his art, which takes on a whole new look when displayed in a gallery compared to our home.
Eric-Paul’s show will be up from September 3rd – December 7th, 2025, afterwards his work will travel to The Henry Museum at the University of Washington in Seattle. Sounds like version #4 of “Trip of a Lifetime” in the works here.
The opening was a huge success and we were so proud to visit with many different students from the Gallup and Navajo Nation who are attending Brown University. Just goes to show you how bright the youth are from this area.
We always make sure to travel with our Navajo Nation Flag.
Maybe one day I will write a story about these trips from the flag’s point of view.
After the opening, we had a late-night dinner at the Parkside Rotisserie and Bar. It was so cool for our entire family being there with all those who helped make this show happened discussing his works and just having a wonderful time breaking bread.
The next day, which was also our last full day of our trip, we took an uber to Boston. This drive was about an hour as traffic wasn’t too bad and while we were only staying for 1 night, we had a wonderful time visiting Boston
In closing I would like to quote Eric-Paul’s words regarding his works in this show:
Harbor and the Institute of Contemporary Art. We also had an amazing dinner at Serafina Seaport.
Sadly, the final day of our trip was upon us, and it was time to travel in our different directions.
Retha, Eric Paul and I headed back to Gallup
while Daniel was on his way to San Diego. We were all filled with love of family (and pasta) along with more amazing memories to share with each other.
Here are a few more pictures from this trip and Eric-Paul’s art:
“The material: those whose Skin+Hair is woven in the many Hands who touch this (past present future) (^^^^)
Here are a few pictures from that evening.
Retha and I at ICA Boston. Taking a quick break from all the walking while also enjoying the view of the harbor.
Camille’s Teacher of the Month
Students, family, friends, and coworkers are invited to nominate their most influential teacher at Camille’s Cafe. Which may be anyone you consider a “teacher” in your life, such as a preacher, music or dance instructor, or anyone who has taught you something valuable!
We proudly announce that Mrs. Maureen Bia, a 7th & 8th grade math and 7th grade Bible teacher from Rehoboth Christian Middle School, has been awarded Teacher of the Month!
From the Nominator(s): “Mrs. Bia is a friendly, out-going; fun-filled math teacher. She makes our class enjoyable and makes learning fun. She embraces the culture and lifestyle of the student body.”
Mrs. Bia currently teaches math to 7th and 8th-graders and Bible to 7th grade students at Rehoboth Christian Middle School, where she is dearly loved and appreciated. Math isn’t always the easiest subject to teach, but her students have found her methods to be effective and even enjoyable. Personally, the words “math” and “fun” don’t typically belong in the same sentence, but Mrs. Bia seems to have cracked the code on making these two concepts coexist peacefully.
When asked why she chose to teach math, Mrs. Bia admitted that she didn’t initially plan to become a math teacher. In her sophomore year of college, she took a math course and discovered her passion for the subject, which led her to enroll in more math classes. Someone encouraged her to teach math in the Peace Corps, and it was in Africa that her love for teaching math blossomed. There, she learned to dissect and understand
the “why” behind formulas, leading to realizations like, “Oh, so that’s where the quadratic equation comes from!” When she returned to the U.S., she gained the other essential skills needed to teach. Her first teaching job in the U.S. was in Zuni, where she met her husband. After the birth of her first child, she took a nearly 19-year break to raise their children, occasionally homeschooling them. However, as a
mom, Mrs. Bia never truly stopped teaching. When her youngest child entered preschool, she gradually returned to the school environment.
Mrs. Bia truly loves math. She said, “I believe math is the language God used to create. When you look at all the patterns in creation, like the Fibonacci sequence and other phenomena—such as the fact that if we were just 10% farther from the sun, we’d freeze, and if we were 5% closer, we’d burn up—it’s all so perfect.” Mrs. Bia hopes her students will realize that God loves them unconditionally and walks beside them throughout their lives. She reads and listens to inspiring books and podcasts that help her articulate how she believes math can be a form of worship. Life can be puzzling, but math provides a way to piece everything together, making sense of the patterns and offering some explanation. Just like during her classes, those “Aha moments” occur, that she loves so much, easing confusion, and helping students see connections.
“I have been thinking about why I like numbers, and I think about how numbers can put hard to understand situations and ideas into perspective. Also, numbers help us prove points or explain situations.”
Post-pandemic schooling has required many teachers to get creative and adapt to the diverse needs of their classes. Mrs. Bia notes that it sometimes takes extra care to engage and motivate students. Teachers have to find ways to fill in those gaps that
happened to no fault of the children. “You can’t deliver content to someone whose mind isn’t ready to hear it,” she says. Yet, she finds that when teachers take time to meet kids where they are and make learning enjoyable, the concepts may finally click, despite any past struggles. Mrs. Bia also recognizes that math anxiety can trigger a brain response similar to pain—so instead of saying, “Weren’t you paying attention?!?”, she believes empathy can lead to greater progress with students. “If I can pause and ask, ‘What’s going on?’ that does more for their learning than any content I could teach.”
One of the ways that Mrs. Bia engages her students is through a program called MATHCOUNTS, which offers middle school students an extracurricular opportunity to compete at local, state, and national levels. This competitive environment has fostered success and engagement for both students and their parents. Three years ago, her team took first place in the Four Corners District, a notable improvement from their usual second-place finish. Mrs. Bia enjoys hearing the math terminology after these events, which fosters a sense of camaraderie. She has
also expanded the MATHCOUNTS program by introducing Math Madness—online team competitions similar to March Madness—and Noetic Math for 5th graders, preparing them for MATHCOUNTS.
Mrs. Bia advises other teachers, “Think the best of
your students as you go through the day. One of the biggest challenges is when you feel like you’re getting attitude. Just don’t give up and don’t take it personally; you don’t know what might have happened in their morning that’s affecting their mood. Take a step back and meet kids where they are.” She acknowledges that many challenges confront children, and sometimes a little extra effort to reach them can improve their day, enhance their learning, and transform their overall attitude for the rest of the day.
Thank you, Mrs. Bia, for being such an outstanding math teacher! Don’t forget to nominate your most influential teacher for a chance to be recognized, rewarded with goodies, and celebrated for their hard work.
Lou Sandoval Lou Sandoval
By Cherille Williams & Gabrielle Myers
Lou Sandoval has lived many livesactor, screenwriter, sculptor, and now world record holder. But it’s his latest achievement that has brought him full circle to his hometown of Gallup, New Mexico, with a message of hope for struggling artists and anyone battling addiction and depression.
Sandoval recently set a world record by hitting a heavy bag for 60 hours, a feat born not from athletic ambition but from the depths of personal darkness. “I was in the middle of a severe depression,” he explains. “Everything had fallen apart - my car died, art commissions worth $80,000 vanished overnight. I was sequestered in this little room in Desert Hot Springs, California, and it felt like Mordor from Lord of the Rings.”
It was during this lowest point that Sandoval discovered the work of neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman and learned about the anterior midcingulate cortex - what scientists call “the seed of the will.” This walnut-sized part of the brain grows when we do things we don’t want to do and shrinks when we avoid challenges.
“The discipline of overcoming yourself hour by hour, moment by moment - that’s what changes your brain,” Sandoval says. “You start proving to yourself who you really are, and suddenly you discover you can hit a heavy bag for five hours straight, then keep going.”
The record was never truly about boxing. “I knew that if I achieved this at my age, I could use it as an opportunity to connect with young creators,” he explains. This accomplishment became a platform for addressing the struggles he observes in his hometown, especially among artists.
He has witnessed too many talented artists fall into addiction, with
their creativity overshadowed by substances. “Many artists have succumbed to this,” he reflects. “Their imagination is a treasure meant to be shared, but sometimes the unseen becomes more real than reality, leading them to lose themselves in their storytelling.”
Growing up on Gallup’s north side in the 1970s, Sandoval witnessed firsthand what he calls the “black cloud of addiction and depression” that hangs over the area’s children. “Kids here are gifted the minute they come out of the womb,” he observes. “But by age 12, most are under the thumb of addiction or depression because of the culture.”
This reality drives his passion for nurturing young artists. As a member of New York’s prestigious Actors Studio alongside Al Pacino and other luminaries, Sandoval understands the importance of accountability in artistic development. “With arts, there’s so much feeling involved, but you have to develop discipline. Only two things are required of an artist: create your work, and put it into the world where it can be dismissed, ridiculed, or embraced.”
Sandoval’s own artistic journey began unexpectedly at 33 when, hungover in his apartment, he picked up a broken charcoal stick and drew Al Pacino’s face from a postcard. Thirty years later, that drawing became Pacino’s phone wallpaper - a moment Sandoval calls “perfect” despite costing him everything to get there.
His sculptures, including “Invictus,” commissioned by the Diocese of Brooklyn and inspired by “The Passion of the Christ," reflect his belief that true art uses symbolism and metaphor to let viewers interpret meaning through their souls rather than being told what to see.
For struggling artists, Sandoval’s advice is stark but hopeful: “Don’t expect your family to understand. Accept that you’re a weirdo and own it. But conduct yourself with discipline, dignity, and respect. People want you to do good, but they don’t want you to do too good - that’s human nature.”
He emphasizes the importance of vulnerability in creative work: “Write about things you don’t want anybody to know about yourself, but give them a name and circumstance you can hide behind. Your pain and fear will radiate out to connect with others’ pain and fear - that’s when it becomes art.”
Looking toward the future, Sandoval sees
artificial intelligence as a threat that can only be countered by “bringing together the army that fights for the human soul.” He envisions a second art renaissance, with Gallup as a potential epicenter.
“I told my friend Marc, who’s running for mayor, we should have a world-renowned art academy between Gallup and local reservations. Get instructors from around the world, create a culture of accountability that ripples out to kids who say, ‘I’d rather make it with my hands. This is who I am.’”
He envisions a world-renowned art academy situated between Gallup and Window Rock, drawing instructors from around the globe. “People would come from all over the world to participate in a culture of accountability, championing the human soul,” he says.
Sandoval’s message to artists battling their demons is rooted in hard-won wisdom: “When you’re sober and you sit in the crap that is your life and become accountable for it, you find there’s great nutrition in it. There’s healing in the truth. As dark as the night, as bright as the light.”
His 60-hour feat stands as proof that transformation is possible at any age, that discipline can overcome despair, and that sometimes the most significant victories come from the deepest defeats, for the artists of Gallup and beyond, Sandoval’s journey offers a roadmap from darkness to light—one disciplined choice at a time.
Lou Sandoval is a talented, multifaceted artist dedicated to making a difference while uplifting other creators. His deep love for Gallup fuels his vision of its potential in the art scene. Lou’s vision is to create a place, an institution, to help and support local creatives grow and thrive within our communities. In addition to his creative vision, Lou inspires other creators and advocates for artistic imagination. As he says, “The goal of an artist is the imagination. Taking something only he/she can see and then sharing it so everyone can see. The ripples of that have an impact.”
Lou’s dedication to the arts and a strong sense of discipline pushes him to create work that challenges him mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Lou firmly believes creators must approach and share their work with courage, sharing it boldly with the world without hesitation no matter the risk. “I’ve been doing this for 40 years. As an artist you have to develop the inner strength to put it into the world otherwise, you’re cheating the world of your experience... of your gift!”, Lou exclaimed passionately. At the end of the day, he believes that genuine art goes beyond teaching or clear explanations. It connects with something more profound within us. “That’s when it becomes true art... When the artist
is using symbolism and metaphor so the viewer can look at the work and interpret it on their own. They’re not being told what to see or what to think. The viewer can look at it, and the soul sees it, the spirit sees it and recognizes it. That’s the direction towards the truth and it’s not telling you what the truth is. That’s genuine art”, Lou expressed.
Lou Sandoval’s vision and his unwavering belief in art’s impact remind us that creativity not only reflects the world around us but also invites others to see it through fresh perspectives. If you would like to know more about Lou and his endeavors, you can visit/contact him at his email: sandoval8112@gmail.com.
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November
Saturday, November 1
Show Opening: “Learn. Teach. Do.”
ART123 Gallery 4 - 6pm
In honor of the 2025/2026 New Mexico Year of Arts in Education, gallupARTS presents a group show of 12 local art teachers highlighting their professional practices. Open to the public. On view through November 22.
Thursday, November 6
Local Experiences of Education: A Digital Storytelling Presentation & Talking Circle
6 - 8pm. Hear personal stories
YES I DO!
I want a copy of God's message of strenth, hope and love. (Psalms and Proverbs). I understand there is no charge. IT IS FREE!
NAME:
ADDRESS:
CITY:
STATE: ZIP: PLEASE WRITE CLEARLY
Allow A Few Weeks For Delivery
Mail to: PO BOX 2025 Gallup, NM 87305
of school and learning told through video as part of an ATD 4th World project to uplift community voices and join in a Talking Circle led by Indigenous LifeWays to reflect on and discuss issues of education. Open to the public.
Saturday, November 8
Watercolor Workshop:
Winter Wishes Greeting Cards
ART123 Gallery 1 - 3pm
Make “winter wishes” greeting cards while learning basic watercolor techniques. $30/person. All materials included. Advanced registration required: www.galluparts.org/ watercolor
Friday, November 14
Artist Talk: Art Teachers
ART123 Gallery 6pm
Hear from art teachers featured in the “Learn. Teach. Do.” group show about their experiences with and philosophies of art education. Open to the public.
OTHER EVENTS AROUND GALLUP
Saturday, November 1
America Recycles Day
Celebration & Crafts Fair 9am - 3pm.McKinley County Community Center / Bingo Hall 410 Bataan Veterans Street
Saturday, November 8
Mckinley County
Cooperative Extension 2025/26 Gardening Series
1 - 3pm. Winterizing your Garden/Master Gardener Information The Community Pantry, 1130 Hasler Valley Road, Gallup
Saturday, November 22
Grand Opening of the 5th Annual Pop-up Holiday Art Market
ART123 Gallery 12 - 6pm
Shop unique, handmade gifts including jewelry, painting, cards, ornaments, decorations and accessories by over 20 local artists. CASH/CHECK ONLY. The Pop-up Holiday Art Market will be open through December 20 during ART123 Gallery’s normal business hours (Tues. - Fri. 2 - 6pm and Sat. 12 - 6pm.)
Friday, November 28 & Saturday, November 29
Opening Weekend: Member Artist Group Show & Art Market
Friday from 2 - 6pm, Saturday from 12 - 6pm ART123 Gallery Skip the Black Friday rush and celebrate Small Business Saturday by buying local and buying art! The Member Artist Group Show & Art Market is open through January 3.
Wednesday, November 12, 19 & December 3
NMSU Cooperative Extension FREE Financial Lit Book Club – (possible wrap-up Dec 10), 3–4pm. November’s book: Millionaire Success Habits by Dean Graziosi. First 5 McKinley County residents to register get a free book! Info: Patricia Large, plargo@nmsu. edu, 505-863-3432. Register: https:// nmsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/ SLA5BDHhSPSWaqX2DU85pg
Saturday, November 15
Come to the MCRC Depot, near the recycling bins at Larry Brian Mitchell Rec Center, to pick up clean recycled materials for your art, craft, or other projects, or to donate such items.11am - 1pm. Contact: betsywindisch@yahoo.com, 505-721-9738.
SAVE THE DATE
Saturday, December 6th
St. Michaels & St. Kateri Circle’s 24th Annual Arts & Crafts Sale
9am to 4pm @ St. Michaels Mission Gym, St. Michaels, AZ. For table & space, contact Ela Yazzie-King at (480)353-8835 or Elvira Begay at (928)206-6836
November Special Events OFPL @ America Recycles Day Recycling & Craft Fair November 1st, 11am – 3pm Community Service Center, 410 Bataan Veterans St. Join us for the McKinley Recycling Council's Fall Craft & Recycling Fair! This family-friendly event celebrates creativity and sustainability with hands-on activities, recycled crafts, and fun for all ages. Stop by the library's booth to create your own adorable tin can pumpkins—a festive fall craft that gives new life to everyday materials! Call (505) 863-1291 for more information.
Forkful of Knowledge: Sugar Skull Cookie Decorating Workshop
November 1, 1pm – 3pm Main Library, 115 West Hill Ave. Get creative this Day of the Dead at our Sugar Skull Cookie Decoration workshop! Learn decorating techniques from Chef Sheila Begay and the NTU Culinary Department as you transform cookies into colorful
works of art. All ages welcome— supplies provided! Advance registration at ofpl.online is required.
Call (505) 863-1291 for more information.
We READ, We TALK Book Club – The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina
Explore Identity, History, and Resilience Through Literature The We READ, We TALK Book Club, invites you to read and discuss The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina by Zoraida Cordova–The Montoyas are used to a life without explanations. They know better than to ask why the pantry never seems to run low or empty, or why their matriarch won’t ever leave their home in Four Rivers— even for graduations, weddings, or baptisms. But when Orquídea Divina invites them to her funeral and to collect their inheritance, they hope to learn the secrets that she has held onto so tightly their whole lives. Instead, Orquídea is transformed, leaving them with more questions than answers.
Discussion Dates & Details: Second Discussion: Nov 3. 6 –8pm. Location: Main Library & via Zoom. How to Participate: Register now at https://ofpl. online/. Attend one of the discussions in person or via Zoom to keep the book at no cost!
#WeREADWeTALK #BookClub #HispanicHeritageMonth #OFPL #GallupReads
HelloTech! - We Help You Use Your Technology Tools for members of the Northside Senior Center
November 6, 11am – 1pm Northside Senior Center, 607 N 4th St. Members can join OFPL at the Northside Senior Center for help with their technology. OFPL staff will provide individual technology assistance and answers to your technology questions. Learn about your electronic devices and feel more confident using them! Contact the Northside Senior Citizens Center for information on becoming a member at (505) 722-4740.
#TechForSeniors
#OFPL#GallupSeniors
Call (505) 863-1291 for more information.
Friday Night Vibes - AfterHours for Teens (ages 12-18)
November 7, 6 – 9pm. Children & Youth Library, 200 West Aztec Ave. Teens ages 12-18, get ready for an epic after-hours hangout at the Children & Youth Library! Unwind with video games, movies, and snacks, or compete in this month's special challenge: the Delicious in Dungeon Monster Bake Off! Grab your squad and register as a team to compete in our one-hour baking battle. You'll receive identical ingredient kits— your mission? Create the most impressive edible monster! Judges will crown the winners and award prizes to the top creations. Come for the competition, stay for the vibes! Call (505) 863-1291 for more information.
OFPL at Rio West Mall - Hands on STEM with ¡Explora!
November 8 12: – 4pm at Rio West Mall, 1300 West I-40 Frontage Road Join us at the mall for hands-on STEM fun with Explora Children's Museum! Explore exciting science activities designed for all ages—from engineering challenges to creative experiments—with six interactive stations that will spark curiosity and imagination. Call (505) 8631291 for more information.
Lit Happens Teen Book Club –The Creeping Hand Murders The Lit Happens Teen Book Club invites teens to read and discuss The Creeping Hand Murder by Maureen Johnson and Jay Cooper – November 1933. London. Seven people receive mysterious letters. Someone knows their terrible secrets. They are summoned to a posh townhouse where one is stabbed right in front of the others, but somehow no one sees a thing. Can you help Scotland Yard solve the mystery?
Discussion Dates & Details: Second Discussion: Nov 8, 4pm Location: Children & Youth Library. How to Participate: Register now at https://ofpl. online/
#LitHappens #TeenBookClub
#OFPL #GallupReads
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The Journey is partnering with Gallup Community Health to answer health-related questions from our community. To propose a question, please email info@ gallupcommunityhealth.org. While this column provides general answers, everyone is different, so the best way to seek medical advice is to ask your healthcare provider.
PAP SMEARS / CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING
By Dr. Richmond
What’s a pap smear?
A pap smear is a screening test for cancer in the cervix. The cervix is the opening to the uterus – it’s the part that dilates from closed to 10 centimeters to allow babies to be born. In countries where patients do not have access to cervical cancer screening, it is the most common cancer and kills many young people every year. In the United States, because we can pick up cervical cancer in its early stages through screening, most patients can be treated before it becomes life threatening.
What happens during a pap smear?
The patient lies on their back on the edge of an exam table with their feet out to the sides in footrests. The medical provider places a tool called a speculum into the vagina to hold it open so they can see the cervix. They then use a brush to collect some cells. The lab looks at the cells under a microscope to see if they could be precancerous, and some patients’ samples are also tested for HPV (see below).
Does it hurt?
Most people find it uncomfortable, but it shouldn’t be painful, and it’s usually very quick (only takes seconds!). It’s important to find a provider who helps you feel comfortable and makes adjustments if
you are having pain or feeling anxious during a pelvic exam.
What causes cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer is caused by HPV which stands for human papilloma virus. Some strains of HPV cause warts, others cause cancer. HPV is sexually transmitted and very common. Nearly everyone who has sex acquires HPV in their lifetime. Many people’s immune systems are able to fight the HPV and keep it from causing cancer.
Who needs cervical cancer screening?
Everyone with a cervix between ages 21 to 65! Some younger people with suppressed immune systems may need to start earlier, and some people who have had abnormal pap smears might need to continue screening after age 65. People who had a hysterectomy sometimes have their cervix removed, but sometimes the cervix is left behind.
How often do I need cervical cancer screening?
In the past people got pap smears every year. But our tests have become better at picking up abnormal cells and HPV, so as long as the screening is normal, most people under 30 years old need to be tested every 3 years, and people over age 30 can be tested every 5 years.
How can I prevent cervical cancer?
Although there is no treatment to cure HPV, there is a safe, effective vaccine to prevent it! It’s recommended children get vaccinated between ages 9-11. The research shows that even though HPV is sexually transmitted disease, getting vaccinated does NOT encourage young people to start having sex. It’s important to get vaccinated early so that the immune system has time to learn from the vaccine before it ever encounters HPV. In countries with high rates of HPV vaccination, cervical cancer has essentially disappeared! Using condoms can reduce the risk of acquiring HPV. Quitting smoking decreases your risk of ALL types of cancer.
Why do boys need HPV vaccines if they don’t have a cervix?
HPV can cause cancer in other areas of the body, like the throat, so vaccinating all children protects them against this. The vaccine also protects boys’ future partners from getting HPV.
Where can I get a pap smear?
Many people get pap smears from a gynecologist or midwife, but most primary care providers also offer cervical cancer screening!
Gallup Community Health is here to help — call us at 505-397-5172 to schedule a visit or explore online scheduling at gallupcommunityhealth. org.
From Red Rocks to the Runway Special to Gallup Journey
By Wm. R.
On a warm August afternoon, the red cliffs of Gallup glowed like embers as the wind carried the rhythmic pulse of drums across Red Rock State Park. The Gallup Intertribal Indian Ceremonial Fashion Show was underway — a celebration of Native art, culture, and design — when a young Navajo woman from Shiprock stepped onto the runway, marking the beginning of a story that would soon travel far beyond the mesas of the Southwest.
Her name is Ericka Battles (@cupofpoison97), and the gown she wore shimmered under the desert light — a creation by Navajo designer Winston Paul (Designer of the Miss Navajo Competition Dresses 2025) whose work blends traditional forms with modern
Battles
edge. Months earlier, Ericka had simply purchased the dress as a supporter of local artistry. But Winston Paul saw something more: a quiet presence, a natural poise, a model’s stride. She called Ericka personally and asked if she would wear it for her show at Red Rock.
That single invitation — given in friendship and community spirit — set in motion a whirlwind that would carry Ericka to some of the world’s most prestigious fashion capitals.
The next morning, Ericka’s phone rang twice. The first call came from Samsville Gallery in Santa Fe Plaza, inviting her to model in their runway show during the Santa Fe Indian Market. The second came from D’BPhor, a designer for Dior, extending an invitation to walk the runway at New York Fashion Week inside the Metropolitan Pavilion in Times Square.
“I thought someone was joking,” Ericka later recalled with a laugh. “It all happened within 24 hours of the Red Rock show. One day I was home in Gallup, the next I was booking flights to New York.”
Following her appearance at the Santa Fe Indian Market runway for Samsville Gallery, another opportunity came this time from Free Lyfe, a designer with Prada, who invited her to walk during Paris Fashion Week at Studio Duvivier. It was an extraordinary leap, but Ericka met the challenge with the same calm discipline that defines her personality.
What makes her story even more remarkable is how quickly it has unfolded. In just two months, Ericka’s modeling career evolved from a local showcase in Gallup to invitations that highlight an ascent few achieve in years, let alone mere weeks.
Between runway fittings and rehearsals, she has kept up with her coursework at San Juan College, where she studies sociology and criminal justice.
Wm. R. Battles with my wife Ericka Battles holding a copy of the Gallup Journey in front of the Moulin Rouge in Paris along with our Limo driver, Sam.
“Modeling is about more than clothes,” she said. “It’s about representation, showing that Native women can walk into any room, anywhere in the world, and carry themselves with strength and grace.”
After her New York debut, Ericka’s ascent continues. She was selected to compete for the Versace Prize of Milan Fashion Week, an elite event sponsored by the Elton John AIDS Foundation in collaboration with Flaunt Magazine. Readers can also take part in Ericka’s journey. She is currently a finalist in the first round of voting for the Top 20 to win the Versace Prize at Milan Fashion Week Voting began on October 6 and continues through October 16, 2025. Competing under her professional name Elle Battles (@ cupofpoison97), she is currently in first place as of press time. Supporters can cast one free vote each day, and those wishing to contribute further may purchase additional votes with all proceeds benefiting the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s ongoing research for a cure. The Second Round of Voting for the Top 15 of those who advance then begins October 16 and concludes October 23. Thereafter will be the Top 10,
Top 5, and so forth until the Final Winner is declared December 11, 2025.
To cast your vote, visit the official Style Icon Contest page: https://styleicon.org/2025/ ericka-battles?fbclid=IwY2xja wNb0lxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQA BHsxLQmKnQ0hXVGxMXro qi4Z46QSjK3duzMqFx2Xx8Ij XoDwsd-LBPEmTpQRZ_aem_ geLhknpO5XQNiEdMag4T4Q By December 2025, she will be back on the runway this time in Las Vegas, again modeling for Samsville Gallery in a show that will fuse Indigenous fashion with cosmopolitan flair. Her schedule for 2026 is already set to include a return to New York Fashion Week in February, followed by a major runway event in Boston for March, hosted by Sephora and PUMA
From the red earth of Shiprock to the marble floors of Milan, Ericka’s journey has been one of resilience and grace, proof that artistry born in the Heart of Indian Country can command attention on any stage.
When asked what keeps her grounded amid the rapid rise, she doesn’t hesitate: “Home,” she says simply. “No matter where I go — Paris, New York, or Boston — Gallup will always be the heart of it all.”
People Reading
As you journey to new places, let your reading travel with you! Bring us along for the ride and share your adventures with our community. Send photos and stories to gallupjourney@gmail.com
Carlos Shirley enjoyed his annual summer camp trip to Camp Timberline for an exciting, fun-filled week high up in the Colorado Rockies near Estes Park, Colorado. He is pictured with his Uncle Anthony Shirley.
The Cellicion Zuni dancers, Raydean Johnson, Twyla Hughte, Belyle Johnson, Calela Lamy, sitting, Fernando Cellicion taking a break from their performing and reading the Gallup Journey at the Norte Dame cathedral-Strasbourg in Strasbourg, France in October.
We visited the colosseum, city of pizaz, as well as other ancient ruins. We enjoyed our time there and here are some photos of us. From the Smith Family in Lupton AZ
Al & EJ Charles with son Lee & wife Sarah & youngest grandchild Anita enjoying a tour on the Rail Express in Boone, Iowa.
Finding a 'Shaggy Mane' Mushroom
The October rains brought some uncommon guests. These 'Shaggy Mane' mushrooms were sighted in Continental Divide, NM. The photographer captured the brief but beautiful lifespan of the Coprinus comatus lasting only 24-48hrs. These fungi are in fact edible (preferably within 24hrs of 'sprouting) before they "ink-out". Alan Bergo out-lined in his 2014 foragerchef.com article key tips and identifiers:
Quick ID tips and distinguishing features
After a very informative read, it is determined that we do in-fact have a Shaggy-Shroom! Watching the cycle of life begin, flourish and beautifully conclude was a humbling observation. A mushroom typically is the flowering body of two compatible mycelial networks. In this case of the 'Shaggy' the real magic is in the connections below the soil. When two compatible networks meet, and under the right conditions, the surface is breeched with a shaggy white cap. As quick as these friends appear they are gone again!
• Before foraging for any fungi, be informed and stay safe, stay curious.
• Shaggy manes have a black spore print
• True shaggy manes will usually be much taller and more robust than other inky caps.
• Shaggy manes grow singularly, but occasionally in tightly packed groups too. Other inky caps often typically grow in dense clusters, like the stinky ones that appear on your boulevard.
• True shaggy manes have visible shaggy scales on the cap.
• Shaggy manes have a cylindrical cap, not pointed or triangular.
• You will never see shaggy mane mushrooms growing directly from wood.
• Compared to other inky caps, shaggy manes are shaggy looking: very, very shaggy looking, with their cap looking much more like a wig, (hence the name) with small, up-swept hairs.
For your Broadcast and Digital Advertising Contact Account Manager Sylvester (Sly) Paquin @ sylvesterpaquin@ iheartmedia.com or call 505-870-1234
1632 South Second Street in Cedar Hills Plaza Gallup, New Mexico
Foraging and Cooking Shaggy Mane Mushrooms, Published: Sep 20, 2014 Modified: Jan 20, 2023 Author: Alan Bergohttps://foragerchef.com/the-shaggymane-mushroomlawyers-wig/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycelium, submited 3:20pm 10.15.25 Photographer: Bryanny Rich
Indigenous People’s Month: Local Podcast Creator, Nicole Garcia Burns through Barriers & Elevates Native Voices
By Brenden Rich
Nicole Garcia is a local who we find redefining the meaning of success. She is an iHeartMedia podcast host; her show: Burn Sage Burn Bridges. She is a good ol’ Gallup girl who took her ideas and dreams and followed through, giving rise to a successful local podcast. She begins by only scratching the surface of the area, but she finds the truest stories in her own self-described “love letter” to Gallup.
Highlighting individuals within our community her passions extend not only to her neighbors but to the industry connections she made throughout her career. Her conversations complement our community with such care and detail. She lives as an example or path finder for local independent creators to find a legitimate footing within the “podcast” industry. An inspiration to creators of Gallup and the Greater Navajo Nation.
Her love of podcasting was born early, Nicole describes podcasts as “..her friend in her ear..”, so it felt natural for her to pursue her creative passions with the support of iHeart Media. The nation-wide entity took a keen interest in Nicole (rightfully so) and gave her a platform and one-of-a-kind opportunity. Even though her journey was long and hardfought, determination and a good idea brought her back to us (Gallup) as a well-polished gem. Thanks to Nicole, Gallup and the Navajo Nation are put on an elevated note across the world and she is an increasingly valuable asset to any/all creative artists and people of our town.
Hosting the first season of Burn Sage Burn Bridges she cuts straight to what we locals care about; art, culture, business and more! Not only does she keep her own interests peaked, but she also in-turn captivates her audience with unique individuals with interesting stories. If you have not yet experienced “Burn Sage Burn Bridges” catch up on a wealth of published episodes on your favorite music/podcast app. each compelling episode supports local creators, and we sit on the edge of our headphones waiting for the next episode. If you give Nicole’s show Burn Sage Burn Bridges a follow and support it, she can hopefully get another season from iHeart!
Thoughtful care, Love to detail and endless curiosity she gives her guests the perfect space to express themselves
Check out the full-length interview 100% FREE on Spotify thanks to The Local Archive: (Episode 004 Nicole Garcia)
Support local creators the best way by giving the time to listen to "Gallup's story" on Spotify or any place you get your podcast, thanks to Nicole Garcia and her show Burn Sage Burn Bridges.
The
Local
Archives (TLA) Debut
TLA is a new, locally hosted podcast featuring ‘YOU’! (Gallup NM). Archiving the stories that make ‘US’ Gallup. Big or small, subtle or substantial, we talk to unique and influential individuals of Gallup and the great southwest. Conversations by locals, for locals.
Check out all our episodes on Spotify 100% free. We talk with guests such as, Chuck VanDrunen who started the Gallup Journey over 20yrs ago, Ernie Tsosie III from the dynamic comedy duo James and Ernie. And many more! Keep your ears & your speakers open as we will be releasing regular episodes featuring YOU, Gallup NM
Nicole Garcia's interests are limited by little but her imagination.
#004 - Nicole Garcia The Local Archives
GMCS INVITES COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO HELP STUDENTS BUILD AUTHENTIC INDUSTRY EXPERIENCES IN BUSINESS AND MEDIA
Gallup McKinley County Schools is expanding hands on learning through two School Of initiatives that connect classrooms with authentic industry experiences and mentors. The goal is simple. Give students meaningful projects and expert guidance so they can practice the skills that matter for college, careers, and civic life. This month, two signature experiences will highlight how partnership turns learning into doing.
SCHOOL OF MEDIA: FILM PRIZE JR. KICKOFF WORKSHOPS
Now in its third year, the Film Prize Jr. New Mexico kickoff is designed for 11th grade students in the School of Media. Film Prize Jr. NM is a statewide student film contest that helps students create short films from concept to screen, with categories that highlight both technical skill and storytelling. Along the way, students learn collaboration, leadership, and industry level practices while competing to
showcase their work at a statewide festival.
The kickoff event includes multiple workshops where students rotate through practical stations. Planned stops include the El Morro Theatre for screenings and talks, Native Star Studio for production walk throughs, and a costume and makeup session with Goldie Tom of GoldieLux Studio, a licensed cosmetologist specializing in hair and makeup for production. Students will also participate in a marketing and promotion session at the City Council Chambers led in partnership with Matt Robinson of the City of Gallup Tourism Department.
Confirmed Media partners for this project include Julius Roanhorse with the Native Professional Advancement Center/National Indian Youth Council, Inc. (NPAC/NIYC), Rosey Hayatt, Director of Film Prize Jr. NM, and Alan Trevor with CNM Film. Their combined expertise ensures students leave the kickoff ready to create, having met working professionals and explored the full process from story to sound to on set equipment.
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS: FOOD TRUCK EXPERIENCE WITH SFE & LOCAL VENDORS
The Food Truck Experience returns for its second year, offering 11th grade students in the School of Business a chance to combine entrepreneurship with culinary creativity. Last year, students developed their own menus, prepared their dishes, and competed in a final food truck menu competition in May. This year’s program expands that success with more community partnerships, deeper industry engagement, and ongoing opportunities throughout the school year.
The day begins with a food industry panel, followed by student rotations through activity stations to focus on their concept and planning of the Food Truck Design Project. The SFE trailer will serve as an outdoor station for students to measure and explore the trailer layout. Students will take part in logo and brand design, menu planning, and connect the work to GMCS Graduate Profile skills.
Confirmed Business partners for this project include Southwest Food Excellence (SFE), Dine Coffee, and Dillon Garcia with Rosco’s Tacos. Their involvement gives students a firsthand look at entrepreneurship and the food industry in action.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS AT THE CENTER
These two examples show how GMCS is reimagining the student experience by pairing
academics with industry connected projects. Partnerships provide the expertise, mentorship, and professional context that make these experiences meaningful. Whether in media, business, health, technology, or engineering, local collaboration remains at the heart of preparing students for future success.
CALL TO ACTION
Both the Film Prize Jr. kickoff and the Food Truck Experience are upcoming events this month. GMCS welcomes additional businesses and organizations to join these efforts and to help expand similar opportunities across all pathways.
If you are a community business member who would like to partner on events, guest speakerships, business/workplace tours, student internships, please contact:
Together, we can open more doors for students and strengthen the economic and creative future of Greater Gallup. These projects are just the beginning, and with continued support, GMCS plans to expand similar authentic experiences in the Schools of Health, Engineering, and Technology.
Whispers Between Stars
I catch your smile in the quiet spaces like sunlight slipping through the curtains, soft and electric, drawing me closer without a word
You’re the spark in my stillness, the secret dance beneath my skin, a gentle knowing, whispered by the universe itself
With every glance, every sigh, you pull me through the veil where time folds, and our souls laugh, flirting with forever
You feel like home, yes but also like the wild unknown, a sacred mystery I’m eager to explore with trembling hands and an open heart
So come closer let’s write our story in the spaces between the stars, where love is light, and light is love
—E.M.B.
The Infamous Encinal Incident
By Filipe Marquez
My mom had looked up from her clothes hanging on the line next our white stuccoed adobe house. She saw me dash by as fast as my four year old legs could carry me toward El Escusao, barely missing the wash board and water filled tin tub.
“¡Desabrochale las pacheras!” My uncle Horacio was at the wood pile busily splitting Sabina wood. He heard my mother and intercepted me at the outdoor John and tried to unbutton my corduroy bib overalls while I stomped my feet trying to hold in the inevitable. But alas I tearfully informed him that “it was too late!” I kicked at the dry ground in front of the tar encrusted tin restroom and began my long walk back to the house, feeling humiliated at the uproarious laughter of my mom and uncle. That was my first recollection of my colorful childhood in San Mateo on a small ranch called El Tablon.
Summertime was not the worst season to use El Escusao except for the hoards of flies, because you were literally sitting over a pit full of feces. It attracted insects from as far away as outer Mongolia, it seemed. No amount of softening by rubbing the pages of the Sears and Roebuck’s catalog between your hands was sufficient to ever make using the improvised toilet paper anything approaching comfortable. However it had the old standby, corncobs, beat by a country mile.
With the morning wood chopped and my soiled trousers changed my uncle and I rode Prince, a black horse that pranced like a Tennessee walker and seemed to have inexhaustible energy, to a field of knee high corn. It was a beautiful windless July day in the green field we called the Encinal, named for the grove of oaks in the middle of it along the Camino Del Medio.
My uncles black mule Jack had been harnessed and led to the corn patch to be hitched to a cultivating plow. Uncle led the roguish critter to the front of the plow and backed him up into position. Jack was a smallish shiny, black mule with the devil in his eyes. I had seen him in action before and did not trust him as far as I could spit. I was handed the tie rope which was tethered under Jack’s chin. My uncle busily hitched the plow to the mule which seemed to be half asleep. My brother Jackie had followed us and was to ride astride the cantankerous animal to help guide him between the ripening rows of corn. In year’s past this process had been successfully performed with my older sister Josie Ann aboard. So there were no major mishaps anticipated. Except possibly by the mule. I instinctively stepped to my right as my uncle picked my unwilling brother up onto the mule. Jackie’s left heel accidentally dug
into the slumberous beast’s flanks. The mule came instantly to life and tore out of the starting gate like a bolt of greased lightning. It raced past me tearing the rope out of my hands narrowly missing me by centimeters, the plow flying behind almost crushing my head like a ripe pumpkin. “Oh Lord’s uncle groaned, tossing Jackie to the ground like a rag doll. My uncle is hot pursuit of the crazed mule, yelling at me as he ran by “why did you let him go?” Open mouthed and quaking I was just glad to still be in the land of the living. The mule crashed through the corn from one end of the field to the other. Uncle Horacio screaming at the top of his lungs Whoa! Whoa! Carbon! Making the teched mule go even faster, trampling most of the plant as it madly stampeded around the verdant mushy rows.
Uncle must have chased that rotten macho a hundred miles. All the while weaving a jerga of maldiciones, directed at Jackie, me and the mule
RIO WEST MALL’S ANNUAL FALL FOR WELLNESS HEALTH FAIR: Making
Health Education Fun, Engaging, & Accessible
By Scott Williams
On September 27th, the annual Fall for Wellness Health Fair took center stage at the Rio West Mall. An event that has come together through the collective efforts of Anita Artalejo, the general manager of the mall, planning committee members, staff members, and sponsors to bring health information to the community of Gallup, NM. Through collaborative efforts with various health organizations and a dedicated team, this event offered key resources and information to local visitors and attendees, allowing them to ask questions in person while enjoying the festivities. Idajean Mangum, Leasing/Marketing Director, shared her dedication to helping bring this endeavor to the mall again this year.
With help from notable sponsors for the event, including Navajo Education Program, Gallup Nursing & Rehabilitation, Indian Community Health Representative, Navajo Nation Division of Behavioral Mental Health Services, RMCHS, Gallup Indian Medical Center (GIMC), who also assisted with registration, and COMPASSUS, the event was a success. Attendees were able to get information and ask questions from proactive representatives and other health organizations they might not have known about. A sentiment shared by Ms. Mangum, who enjoys working on such events that bring everything together in one place for the community. Key resources for the health fair included free flu shots provided by the GIMC Public Health Dept and NMDOH in partnership with Presbyterian Community Health for non-GIMC beneficiaries. Vision screenings from Blue Cross Blue Shield in partnership with the Gallup Lions Club in a mobile on-site clinic.
While the event was health-focused, it was also engaging for the community and families. Ms. Mangum shared her love of fostering a sense of community
and praised highlights of this year’s fair, such as the Free Kids Zone, a space where children can enjoy fun activities while their parents have some time to explore the event. The children’s museum expanded the fun with a small admission fee, featuring the Therapy Academy and Children’s Library, along with Deb’s Face & Body Doodles, who offered face painting for the kids. Various booths offered freebies and activities to complement the health focus, such as a chin-up competition and a cyclepowered smoothie maker, among other in-person activities. DJ Kirk, who provided musical entertainment, also got into the spirit of interactive engagement by asking trivia questions to audience members, who won prizes for answering correctly throughout the event. Shortly after, a free Zumba session at 12:00 p.m. was held in the center court of the mall, led by Andres Tucson. Allowing participants to join in and enjoy a good time with physical activity thrown in the mix.
The event was an incredible success, featuring 65 vendors, approximately 1,264 attendees, 90 vision screenings, and 200 flu shots administered by GIMC, along with 30 from the NMDOH partnership with Presbyterian, over the course of 3 hours. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Anita, the planning committee, mall staff members, and sponsors, the community was able to learn about the health services available to them throughout the Gallup, NM area.
Gardening in November
What is to be done in November?
November is usually dry and cold –below freezing at night with daytime temperatures pleasant for working outside. There is so much a gardener can do outside to get ready for winter and spring. If you are lucky enough to have trees, rake up the leaves and use them for mulch
to cover delicate plants or use them in a compost pile to enrich your garden in the spring. Another thing you can do is dig them directly into your garden to add organic matter for spring planting. While you are at it, if you haven’t planted spring blooming flowers, there is still time to plant bulbs – tulips, daffodils, and many other flowers to brighten up your spring days.
A chore that should be done in Fall that is often neglected is care of tools for the winter I am as much to blame as the anyone for putting this off. This year,
I am making a promise to clean and oil my tools and store them ready to use next spring.
• Wooden handles will benefit from a light sanding and several good rubbings with linseed oil.
• A bucket of sand mixed with a quart of used motor oil will do wonders for shovels. Just stick the bucket in a corner with the tool blades poking into the sand and they will be ready to go next spring.
• Clipper, loppers, and other tools with a blade need sharpening after every use and before putting away for winter. A little oil will help keep they sharp and rust-free.
• Clean the lawn mower and remove any remaining gas before storing, otherwise it won’t start in the spring.
If you are looking for presents for the Holidays, buy some Amaryllis or Paperwhite Narcissus bulbs. They will bloom in December and
be a ready gift for a party. Follow the instructions on the bags to enjoy their cheer. Be sure to buy extra for yourself!
One last thing: If you didn’t get the results from your garden you wanted, a soil test in the
Spring can be very helpful. The soil in New Mexico is different than the east or middle of the United States. The dryness keeps soil from building up thick layers of black, humus enriched soil that will grow anything. What we have is sandy or clay-based soil and both are depleted of nutrients easily. Soil is also alive with worms and many microscopic creatures that breakdown organic materials that plants can use. Anything you can add to the soil is appreciated by the creatures below ground. The one thing to avoid is wood ashes which make our soil more alkaline. Simple soil tests are available to test for Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium but university-based soil tests give you a more detailed look at your soil. Nitrogen (N) is required by all plant cells to live and reproduce. It is the nutrient in shortest supply in our soil. Phosphorus (P) is essential for flowering and vegetable plants to produce food and flowers. Potassium (K) is present in most soils here and provides over-all growth. These three letters are on all fertilizers (N-P-K) and are essential to plant growth. Other important minerals are: Sulfur (S), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Iron
(Fe) can be deficient in New Mexico soils or unavailable because of our high pH and alkaline soil.
A simple test kit for Nitrogen, Phosphorus, & Potassium is available at most garden supply stores. A complete soil test will give you information on N-P-K and the trace minerals plus the pH, salinity (amount of salt present), and organic matter present. It costs about $45 per test and suggests you mix your soils from various locations of your yard together and send one sample. New Mexico State University no longer does the testing but results can be sent to Colorado, Texas, or any number of states. Type in “soil testing” on your website, read through the information, and select a location.
Enjoy the fruits of your garden and plan for next year – Garden Catalogs start arriving before Thanksgiving!
Edith Iwan is a Cibola-McKinley County Master Gardener who lives and works in Thoreau. As a Master Gardener she assists the County Cooperative Extension Service in providing accurate, research-based gardening information to county residents. If you have any gardening questions, please call the NMSU Cibola County Extension at 505-2879266 or NMSU McKinley County Extension at 505-863-3432
REFLECTIONS FROM THE PUDDLES FESTIVAL FUNDRAISER SEP 28 2025
By Katie Schultz
It was a dark and stormy night…
From a tent in Courthouse Square in downtown Gallup, my ears echoed for hours as the thunder cracked and bellowed and torrents of rain gushed and rushed down on all sides. A loud hush silenced the bustle of a very different city which comes to life downtown at night. A few people covered in trash bags run across the parking lots now and then. I sit up in the belly of the beast. My eyes light up with each flash, watching lightning dance through the heavy black clouds. Fear and awe, wonder strike me. From 2-4 AM, a curtain of heavy monsoon rain pummels the asphalt in downtown Gallup.
Before dark, we laid plastic down to cover half a dozen 8 footsquare temporary murals and several smaller 3 foot square ones which teams of artists had spent most of their Saturday pouring their heart and souls into, most planning to return and finish their masterpiece this morning. I always found it to be true, what they say, “it’s always darkest before the dawn.”
watched completely powerless. The most awesome thing in the darkness I saw: no wind. Total calm. Mercy.
It was September 28th, 2025. Some who heard of the First Annual Street Art Festival in Gallup believed it was rained out. But die-hard volunteers, participants and a few brave supporters and observers came out and helped create temporary murals for a mission. By dawn the sky did clear, and the sun finally dried up the festival for the last day. Almost double the participants entered and drew with us in the sunshine. The covered murals stayed protected in the storm and besides beautiful artwork, it was heart-warming to marvel at the perseverance of human spirit.
I felt like a kid waiting for Christmas morning—these treasures looked much more mysterious and desirable wrapped up to hide the colorful work inside. We tried hard to protect them, but the volume of that rush of rain turned up so loud; the storm was swallowing up all our human plans. I stayed to guard these murals. I sat and
My lookout-camp to guard and protect murals overnight from the weather.
The festival was a fundraiser for the Gallup Burrito Project, which is a local street outreach that relies entirely on volunteers and donations to help our most vulnerable relatives get showers, haircuts, fresh clothes, and of course, burritos, at Redwood Lodge (by the “east-Y”) twice per month, for over a year now. The founder of Gallup Burrito Project, Linda Farnes, had a vision after visiting the Lake Worth Beach Annual Street Painting Festival in Florida, dreaming we could do it here in Gallup. She also believes the
Puddles formed on all the artwork, but perfectly calm, no wind kept them wrapped like gifts to open as it slowly dried up as the sun came up that morning!
healing and restorative powers of art go hand in hand with the restorative mission of the Burrito Project.
“The people who come to receive from Burrito Project the kindness, caring, respect and dignity we as volunteers are trying to give them,” Linda says, “may not realize how much in turn they give me those same values. In participating, there is so much I have received, and my spirit is being nurtured and healed in the process. We all deserve that chance.”
Although damp, and soggy, and less of a festival atmosphere due to these conditions, this fundraiser was meant not only to raise funds, but also awareness and show support to each other, these values, and gather more support for the Burrito Project. The comradery, the laughter, good spirit and conversation was amazing. Participants took the mission to heart and shared messages of strength, equity and justice.
“Housing is a Human Right” shown across one mural, and a memorial dedication to Missing Murdered Indigenous Women was another theme. A group of 14 muralists from Four Corners Recovery Center came Saturday, and a team of 5 from Diné College in Tsalie came on Sunday. Intergenerational families came together for the cause. Politicians came to show solidarity. Crafters, vendors, tie-dying station and finally a DJ from Broken Arrow Bible Ranch helped brighten the gloomy forecast. However small in quantity, organizers consider the festival a massive success in the quality of participants who suited up and showed up. I think it is a testament to solidarity with the people the Burrito Project serves as well.
The current director of the Gallup Burrito Project, Alexis Lucero, wanted very much to make room for more community conversations. “How can we restore dignity to all in our community?” she wrote on a poster at a table collecting open comments for a vision board. Organizers do plan to continue this fundraiser annually. Hopefully more opportunities will come up to spark these discussions before then. Over $2,000 was made from this event, including in-kind
donations. However, winter is fast approaching, and people on the street will quickly be in need of more supplies.
The last Burrito Project to date of writing (on October 11th), volunteers braved three hours of pouring rain early Saturday morning to deliver rain-covers for boots, jackets, trash bags, hot coffee and a lot of love to over 50 people in need stuck out in the storm. Those without shelter or resources are going to be in much more desperate need of supplies and safety in the coming weeks. Warm hearts can go a long way, but exposure deaths are a harsh reality every year here.
Socks, jackets, gloves, hats, hygiene products, blankets are needed badly now. Volunteers and donations for rolling burritos to pass out at the outreach on Saturday mornings at Redwood Lodge on Route 66 are always welcome also. There is another chapter started more recently in Window Rock two Saturdays per month as well, in need of supplies and volunteers. Burrito Project hopes to coordinate more fundraising efforts, but for now, more information is available by contacting Alexis at (505)3977647 or gallupburritoproject@gmail.com. To get involved in the Window Rock Burrito Project, contact Terry at (480) 634-0124. Anyone interested in helping to plan or coordinate for the Street Art Festival specifically next year in Gallup are welcome to email streetartfestivalgallup@gmail.com.
Alexis Lucero, director of Burrito Project, with the 1st Place Winning Chalk Muralist in 6-11 category, Saige Emerson, and her father.
Team Work!
"Hogan Hozho, Housing is a Human Right"- 2nd Place Adult Category by John and Diane Nakai, from Window Rock.
OF THE MONTH
Dana Aldis
By Gabrielle Myers
When you meet Dana Aldis, there’s an immediate sense of calm and curiosity about her. She has the kind of energy you’d expect from someone who spends her days surrounded by canvases, color palettes, and curious young artists. Since 2018, Dana has called Gallup, New Mexico home, where she teaches studio art at UNM Gallup and serves as a faculty member, gallery director, board member and member artist at Gallup Arts, and mentor to a growing community of artists. “I’ve always believed that art should be accessible to students, to families, to anyone curious about it,” Dana shared. “That’s what I love about Gallup... People here embrace creativity in all its forms. They have so many different ways of expressing themselves. For example, jewelry making, beading, painting and installation. The coolest part is not only seeing this in the culture but seeing this in the younger generation.”
Dana’s path to Gallup was anything but linear. Born in Subic Bay, Manila, Philippines, to a Navy family, she grew up traveling the world from Taiwan to West Africa, Guam to Asia. “I grew up everywhere except the United States,” she laughs. Her father, a physician from Kansas, and her mother, a microbiologist from Indonesia, gave her a unique crosscultural upbringing that would later shape her perspective as both an artist and educator. After returning to the U.S. for college, Dana studied at the Corcoran School of Art and Design in Washington, D.C., and later earned her Master of Fine Arts in Drawing and Painting from the New York Academy of Art. “My friends joke that I’m an overeducated artist,” she says, smiling. “But that classical training gave me such a strong foundation in academic painting and drawing style.” While her style is grounded in traditional technique, Dana’s work remains deeply personal and authentic. “I don’t paint the culture around me directly,” she explains. “I respect it, I see it everywhere, but my response is more through painting the land itself, the place that holds these stories.” Dana’s
early career was shaped by her love for animals. For years, she painted pet portraits and wildlife scenes, capturing personality and presence through expressive realism. “I thought I’d be a veterinarian once,” she admits, “but I’m allergic to most
animals, especially cats, so painting them turned out to be a much better compromise.”
In recent years, Dana’s focus has shifted toward plein air painting, the practice of painting outdoors, directly in the landscape. “There’s something raw and immediate about it,” she explains. “You grab your supplies, go out into nature, and paint the elements right in front of you. It’s not a standard practice because most artists want to stay in their studios and not get bitten by insects or have the wind take your painting away”, Dana laughs, “my skill set is painting, observing, and painting nature.” Dana’s latest exhibition, “Holler to High Desert,” bridges her roots in West Virginia with her present life in New Mexico through a landscape perspective. The show features luminous oil and acrylic landscapes, along with a few spirited animal portraits, and I also have a series from Pagosa Springs, Colorado, completed entirely outdoors. “Those paintings were done in 30 minutes to an hour and a half each per day for a total of 5 sets of paintings,” she explains. Among the show’s highlights are two large-scale paintings inspired by the juniper trees near Pyramid Rock Trail. “If you’ve ever hiked there, you’ve probably seen them. The two trees with a bench between them. I call them ‘The Walking Junipers’ because you can see the exposed roots.”
Teaching, Dana shares, is just as much a part of her identity as painting. Dana has taught art for over two decades, from West Virginia to the Pacific Northwest, and now Gallup.
“Honestly, I never planned to become a teacher,” she admits. “But after graduate school, I walked into a college to ask about a figure drawing group, and the department chair asked if I wanted to teach. My dad was with me and he was thrilled. That’s how it all began.” Today, her classroom at UNM Gallup buzzes with creativity and challenge. Dana teaches drawing, painting, design, and printmaking while always emphasizing strong foundations and observation skills. “The biggest advice I
give young artists is, don’t give up,” she exclaims passionately. “Find your voice, but first, learn the tools. A good foundation is everything. And talk to your teachers, find mentors who care. That’s how you grow.”
Dana’s influence extends far beyond campus. Dana is an active board member and exhibiting artist at gallupARTS - ART123 Gallery, where she helps organize shows, teaches community classes, and mentors emerging artists. “When I first walked into ART123, I thought, ‘What is this place?’”, Dana recalls, “But I met these amazing people, Rosie, Ann, along with other artists, and I could see the potential. Over the years, I’ve watched the gallery blossom into something special.” Through gallupARTS, Dana has helped expand access to creativity. From kids’ summer art classes to the ever-popular Paint & Sip nights, the organization supports local and Indigenous artists through group shows and initiatives like the Loom Gallery, which provides dedicated space for Native artists to exhibit their work. “The mission of gallupARTS is simple but powerful,” she says. “gallupARTS' mission is to promote and support local artists and the arts in general within our community”. Dana speaks proudly of the young artists she’s seen grow, like Eric-Paul Riege, a former UNM Gallup student whose work was featured in the Sydney Biennial. “Seeing someone from here go that far is incredible,” she expresses. “It shows what’s possible when you have support and opportunity.”
For Dana, art isn’t just personal, it’s a bridge to the community. At gallupARTS - ART123, she helps create spaces where creativity sparks conversation. “Art isn’t just something you hang on a wall. It’s a way to connect, to spark conversation, to give voice
to people who might not think they have one,” she explains. Exhibitions, workshops, and collaborative projects under her guidance turn ART123 into more than a gallery, it’s a hub of shared experience. “I don’t really separate life and art anymore. They’re the same thread runningthrough everything I do,” she says. Dana’s humility, her love for nature and wildlife, paired with passion, makes her work resonate deeply. Whether leading a workshop, curating a local show, or simply sharing a story through paint, Dana embodies the power of art to connect. “Art has always been part of my life,” she says. “Even when I thought I’d do something else, it was there. My hope now is to pass that on — to help students and community members see that art isn’t something separate. It’s part of who we are.”
Dana would like to give a special thanks to everyone she works with at UNM Gallup, Kristi Wilson, Rose Eason, Virgina, Cherille Williams, Teressa Mariano, and everyone at ART123. For those interested in connecting with Dana Aldis or learning more about her work, she welcomes inquiries via email at danaaldisstudio@gmail.com.
Good Energy:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Mexico Receive a Generous Donation from Origis Energy
By Cherille Williams
On October 8, Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Mexico received a generous donation from Origis Energy. To celebrate, Sarah Piano, the Senior Director, hosted a gathering that included Kyle, one of their “littles,” and his mother, who visited an Origis Energy location to learn more about the company. This donation significantly advances the organization’s mission to connect every child with a mentor.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Gallup serves youth aged 5 to 18 through two main initiatives: a school-based program pairing high school students with elementary children, and a community-based program matching adult volunteers with local youth. They currently operate in seven schools, including Rehoboth Christian School and Zuni High School, with plans to expand to Grant’s High School.
During the event, I spoke with Sarah Piano, Senior Director of a mentoring organization that focuses on helping kids succeed
through mentorship.
“We provide volunteers, or ‘bigs,’ to guide children, known as ‘littles,’ toward success in education and careers,” she explained. The organization matches volunteers with children based on interests and personalities, with mentor-mentee pairs meeting two to four times a month for various activities.
Piano, who oversees fundraising, partnerships, and programming, recently secured a substantial donation from Origis Energy, which she sees as a perfect fit for their mission. “They provide sustainable energy and invest in our community’s future,” she noted.
The donation will support operating costs, background checks, recruitment, and programming, allowing them to expand their efforts in seven schools and the wider community. “This funding will help us match more youth with caring mentors,” she said.
Piano emphasized the program’s goal: to help kids feel valued and capable of achieving their dreams. The organization is actively seeking partnerships with businesses and individuals who want to support their mission.
Lena, the Assistant Manager at Big Brothers Big Sisters in Gallup, shared how a major donation will help expand their community programs in McKinley and Cibola Counties. She noted, “This funding will support ongoing mentorship matches and help us grow, especially our community-based program. Our mentors offer essential support and friendship to youth who may lack it at home.”
The organization plans to use the new funds to reach underserved rural areas. “We want to extend our support to various communities and serve as many youth as possible,” Lena emphasized.
At the event, Kyle, a “little” in the program, expressed his enjoyment of being involved. “It’s fun—something you don’t get to do every day,” he said, emphasizing the unique opportunities offered by the program.
Kyle enjoys the variety of activities offered by Big Brothers Big
Sarah Piano, Monica Greene, Krystalena Campos & Crystal Pablo. PJ Campos is our Board President, Troy Kennington, Kyle and Mother.
Big Brothers, Big Sisters Team and Origis Engery Company.
Monica Greene, Kystalena Campos, Crystal and Team.
Sisters, highlighting experiences like “a train ride or the ice volcano” as memorable. He appreciates witnessing the program’s impact, noting, “Nice. It’s interesting,” as he observes how it fosters meaningful connections.
His mother chose the program to provide him with a positive role model, leading to his friendship with Joe, a dedicated mentor. They share interests, enjoying activities like watching movies, fourwheeling, and attending UNM football games together, which has strengthened their bond.
The program benefits the community as well, with local companies sponsoring events that support Big Brothers Big Sisters. As a parent remarked, it’s heartening to see businesses giving back to such important organizations.
During the event, Crystal Pablo, a program specialist for Big Brothers Big Sisters, highlighted the organization’s core mission. “I work with volunteers, families, and youth, running our programs,” she said, reflecting on the rewarding experience of witnessing young people’s growth.
Crystal takes particular satisfaction in the matching process. “We look for mentors for kids on the waiting list, and when we find a good match, it helps the youth see their potential and build friendships in the community.”
Recent grant funding has significantly benefited the program. “We are grateful for the local support, enabling us to offer new activities for our matches,” she added.
Crystal also shared her personal experience as a big sister, recalling how she supported her little sister through high school graduation, fostering a lifelong connection. This underscores the program’s goal of creating lasting bonds.
Krystalena, who works directly with Indigenous youth, emphasized the importance of mentorship for Zuni and Navajo children in rural areas. “Our culture is based on taking care of our youth,” she said, highlighting the need for mentors despite geographical challenges.
The organization faces difficulties in recruiting mentors, but they provide training to support new volunteers. “We match based on personalities and interests, so anyone can mentor,” she explained, emphasizing that meaningful connections can transcend cultural boundaries.
Big Brothers Big Sisters serves as a vital resource, demonstrating that dedication and community support can create transformative opportunities for young people, even in remote areas.
John Deese, who leads development at Orgis Energy, discussed the company’s commitment to New Mexico and local communities. Orgis Energy is an independent power producer focused on solar and battery energy storage projects across the U.S. Though based in Miami, Florida, and with offices in San Diego, California, they manage projects nationwide from their Austin, Texas, operations center.
In New Mexico, Deese emphasized their strong partnership with Tri-State Generation, collaborating on a 200-megawatt solar project adjacent to an existing coal plant. As head of origination, he ensures power purchase agreements with off-takers like TriState and the state, guaranteeing buyers for their energy.
Deese highlighted Orgis Energy’s dedication to community investment, particularly their partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters, reflecting their philosophy of creating lasting positive impacts beyond just renewable energy infrastructure.
After having an insightful discussion with Sarah Paino and her remarkable team, Monica Greene, Community Outreach/ Funds Development Coordinator, Krystalena Campos, Assistant Manager for Program, Crystal Pablo, Program Specialist I was truly inspired by their unwavering dedication to their mission. They are genuinely passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of young people in Northern, Western, and Southwest New Mexico, particularly for individuals like Kyle, who greatly benefit from mentoring relationships. The generous donations from Orgis Energy will significantly contribute to expanding and enhancing mentorship initiatives throughout the New Mexico region, fostering guidance, support, and opportunities for the youth in these communities.
Orgis Energy NM Local
Sarah Piano, Kyle and Mother
Origis Energy Team
Origis Energy NM Local
KID'S CORNER
Pandas
Did you know????
• The Chinese government rents out pandas to zoos in America!
• Baby pandas are so tiny when they are born!
• They are pink, have no hair, and can’t see yet.
• They open their eyes when they are about 7 weeks old.
• They only weigh 3-5 ounces, and their black and white hair starts to grow when they are 3 weeks.
• They stay with their moms until they are a year and a half old.
• Their moms have to keep them warm, and they are not able to stand up until they are 4 months!
By Amanda Spruell
22nd Arts Edition Annual Gallup Journey
Calling all artists, writers, poets, photographers
PHOTOS
1. Please submit your photos via email to gallupjourney@gmail.com, or bring your photos to the Gallup Journey office, 210 E. Aztec Ave.
2. FIVE photos per entry. Please include your name and mailing address
SHORT STORIES
1. Each story must be no more than 750 words
2. Each story must be taped and emailed to gallupjourney@gmail.com with your name and mailing address.
3. ONE entry per person.
POETRY
1. Each poem must be typed and emailed to gallupjourney@gmail.com with your name and mailing address.
2. ONE entry per person.
ORIGINAL ARTWORK
1. Photos of your original drawings, paintings, sketches and sculptures can be emailed to gallupjourney@gmail.com with your name and mailing address.
Submission due date is December 8, 2025. Send short stories, poems and digital photos to us at gallupjurney@gmail.com or drop off at our office, 210 E. Aztec Ave.
