Birthday party for Apache Arrow gondola
POSTAL PATRON U.S. POSTAGE PAID MAILED FROM RUIDOSO, NM 88345 PERMIT NO. 9 PRESORT STANDARD
Jan. 18 • 10 a.m. Ski Apache
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 15, 2014 • W W W . R U I D O S O F R E E P R E S S . C O M • VOL. 6, NO. 3
What’s
happening
Winter break a boon to ski resorts
January 16
Business After Hours
“Flower Power at the Spencer,” 108 Spencer Road, Alto, 5 - 7 p.m. A ‘HAIR’-themed event. Prizes for best afro, longest hair, most psychedelic, hoola-hoop-off and more. Plus a Scavenger Hunt for Peace. Grand prize is two tickets to the remaining shows in the Spencer winter-spring season, a $1,200+ value. Munchies galore, complimentary wine and cash bar. Everyone is invited. A great opportunity to network with fellow Chamber members. 257-7395. Free admission.
Full Moon Gathering & Labyrinth Walk
High Mesa Healing Center, 133 Mader Lane, Alto, 5:30 6:30 p.m. 575-336-7777; www. highmesahealing.com. Free.
January 18
Health & Wellness Fair
Ruidoso Convention Center, 111 Sierra Blanca Dr., 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Mammograms by Assured Imaging (call 1-888-233-6121 for an appointment); healthy eating tips; demonstration of therapeutic techniques; oral cancer screenings; long term care information and more. Also information on local fitness and walking trails, forest health and financial health. www.ruidosonm.gov. Free admission.
1st Birthday Party for Apache Arrow Gondola
Ski Apache, Highway 532/ Ski Run Rd., 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Come help celebrate the 1st birthday of New Mexico’s only eight-passenger gondola. Free cake on the plaza, food specials at the Yurt and a party atmosphere all day. 575-464-3600. Free.
Ski Apache’s Vertical Challenge GPS
10 a.m. - 3 p.m. A competition using Flaik GPS technology. Trails suitable for all levels. Five member teams. 575-4643600. Free for spectators. www.skiapache.com.
January 19
Chris Young at IMG
Carrizo Canyon Rd., 8 - 10 p.m. At just 28 years old, Young already has five No. 1 songs under his 10-gallon hat, like the current chart-topper party song “Aw Naw” and the frisky love song, “Getting You Home (The Little Black Dress Song).” 575-464-7089; www. innofthemountaingods.com.
January 21
‘Man of La Mancha’
Spencer Theater, 108 Spencer Road, Alto, 8 - 10 p.m. Winner of five Tony awards including Best Musical, this touring production stars 30 singers, dancers and musicians. A comedic tragedy based on Miguel de Cervantes classic novel, set in Spain. Featuring a score that includes “Dulcinea,” “I’m Only Thinking of Him” and “The Quest (The Impossible Dream).” $66 or $69. 575-336-4800; www. spencertheater.com.
50 cents
Erik LeDuc/Ruidoso Free Press
Ski Apache ski instructor Istvan Fuzak teaches a pair of young skiers the basics on the resort’s easiest hill, Bunny, which is served by Chair 5. Though New Mexico is wanting for snow, the resort’s numbers remain up, particularly for instruction. Instructors have taught more than 8,000 classes for skiers and snowboarders over the winter break, about 17 percent of the visitors.
By Erik LeDuc Reporter erik@ruidosofreepress.com Between an ideally timed flurry of post-Thanksgiving snow and a fortuitous holiday calendar, ski resorts across New Mexico were reporting good, if not record-making numbers – much needed in the face of continuing dry weather and warmer temperatures that have snow enthusiasts praying for moisture. Both Christmas, Dec. 25, and New Year’s Day fell on a Wednesday, extending, in many cases, the holiday season for two solid weeks. In most cases, it spread out the visiting period to New Mexico’s winter recreation centers – resorts did not see the huge weekend and holiday swarms that typified previous years, but instead saw larger, steadier numbers that quickly added up.
Local Republicans step up, set the field for November election By Sue Hutchison Reporter suehutch1958@gmail.com With a table scattered with petitions for voters to grant candidates the privilege of running, more than a dozen candidates for various offices from the municipal to state level were at the monthly Republican meeting Monday evening. Nora Espinoza, incumbent for New Mexico State Representative District 59 opened the meet-
ing with a plea for voters to find common ground. “It’s time we worked together,” she explained, “Get off your personal wagon and do what’s best for New Mexico,” she continued and spoke about voters focusing on what brings them together rather than apart. Each Republican candidate who responded to an earlier invitation to speak was granted five minutes to briefly explain their positions and deSee REPUBLICANS, pg. A5
Ski Apache www.skiapache.com
Ruidoso’s own ski resort, Ski Apache, drew the second largest skiing and snowboarding crowd in the state, with 44,070 visitors to the slopes between Dec. 21 and Jan. 5. “We did outstanding,” said Rick Zarndt, director of the Ski & Ride School. “We were averaging more See SKI RESORTS, pg. A3
Jump start health and wellness for 2014 and beyond By Eugene Heathman Editor eugene@ruidosofreepress.com Ruidoso and the areas throughout Lincoln County are fast becoming known as a diverse high altitude training and recreation destination. The 2013 Ruidoso Health & Wellness Fair, Jan. 18, will provide an epic opportunity for locals and visitors to the community to engage in variety of health, wellness and fitness activities. The place to be Wednesday is the Ruidoso Convention center. See HEALTH, pg. A7
Mescalero Tribe celebrates new leadership By Eugene Heathman Editor eugene@ruidosofreepress.com
Complete with a feast and ceremonial singing and drumming to honor the inauguration of the new tribal president, vice president and council members, Fridays Mescalero Apache Tribal inauguration combined traditional cultural heritage with modern tradition. The auditorium at the Inn of the Mountain Gods was filled with hundreds of members of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, friends, families and dignitaries to witness the swearing in of a new era of leadership. Each new member installed offered remarks regarding their solemn oath to the Mescalero Apache culture, a functional tribal government and prosperity for the tribe. During his post inauguration remarks Breuninger, Sr. said, “We must continue the work for the preservation of our culture, language and identity as Apache people. We must remember our elders and provide a good quality of life for them. We owe our elders the respect they have earned and deserve.” November’s Mescalero Tribal election resulted with Danny Breuninger, Sr. being elected President of the Mescalero Apache Tribe. Gabe Aguilar for Vice President and fill-
“
We are strong. We are a proud People.
”
– Danny Breuninger, Sr. Mescalero Apache President
ing the four tribal council seats are: Pascal Enjady; Kenny Blazer; Pamela Morgan, and Pamela Cordova. The Mescalero Apache Tribe holds elections for the office of president every two years. The eight Tribal Council members also are elected for two years. Election for the Council is held every year, when onehalf of the members are up for re-election. The Mescalero Apache Tribe owns and operates both Ski Apache Ski Resort and the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino as well as other reservation-based enterprises.
Eugene Heathman/Ruidoso Free Press
Above, Mescalero Apache President Danny Breuninger takes the oath of office from Chief Judge Harrison Toclann; below, left to right, Council Member Pamela Morgan takes the oath of office; Tribal Council Member Pamela Cordova spoke of educational opportunity and diversified employment opportunities in her remaking after being sworn in during Fridays inauguration ceremony.
Carrizo property search yields drugs, gun, arrest From reports
Agents of the White Mountain Narcotics Enforcement Unit, while following up on a tip in reference to a possible location of two fugitives, came in contact with a male subject identified as Roberto Reyes, 27, at 821 Carrizo in Ruidoso on Jan.8. Agents obtained consent to search the residence from Reyes and discovered a weapon and narcotics. Agents obtained a search warrant for the residence and discovered Reyes
was currently wanted on a warrant issued by Village of Capitan Municipal Court. As a result of the search warrant agents seized approximately 152 grams of marijuana, 28 grams of methamphetamine, 410 grams of cocaine and two Alprazolam, prescription only, tablets. In addition numerous items of drug paraphernalia and a stolen sawed-off shotgun were seized, along with $2,385 and additional evidence, which indicated that Reyes was trafficking the controlled substances. L LEVE ONE
REAL ESTATE TEAM SDC, REALTORS®
(575) 258-5008
(575) 257-5111 ext. 117 307 Mechem Dr, Ruidoso, NM
Reyes was transported and booked into the Lincoln County Detention Center on the charges of one trafficking controlled substance; cocaine, one count of trafficking controlled substance; methamphetamine, one count of possession of dangerous drug, one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, one count possession of drug paraphernalia. Reyes is currently being held pending these charges at the Lincoln County Detention Center on a $116,000 cash-only bond.
FEATURED PROPERTY
NICE 3 BEDROOM, 2 BATH HOME SITUATED ON APPROX. 1.08 ACRES. This home has a split bedroom floor plan for privacy and 2 living/family areas. Vaulted ceilings, 2 fireplaces, 2 car detached garage and a paved drive are just a few features of this home. Enjoy Ruidoso’s beautiful scenery from the spacious decks. $280,000. #112587
Find Ruidoso’s #1 REAL ESTATE TEAM at: www.ruidosorealestate.com