B6
Education
Ruidoso Free Press
By Corey Bard
Will Smith portrayed Chris Gardner in the movie “The Pursuit of Happiness” about Gardner’s rise from homelessness to becoming a successful stockbroker. Chris Gardner was first written about in Dan Rather’s book ‘The American Dream’ which defines the American Dream in so many ways experienced so differently by so many people. To some, it is like the founders of the United States, looking for religious freedom fleeing persecution in their homeland. For others, it is pursuing financial freedom – finally having enough money to do what they had always hoped to do. Still others abandon the rat race of chasing material wealth for more simplified living and a stress-free existence. Dan Rather came from Texas and became one of the most recognizable people hosting the evening nightly news. He can identify with some of the people in his book who were able to use their sudden fame and recognition to help and be of service to others. He has put together a fascinating collection of people that offers hope to all of us. It is still possible to come from any corner of
the world and make a life for yourself. It is still possible to set goals and work hard and achieve them. There are still people who aspire to serving their country or helping others and put other people before themselves. There are still people who achieved what they did because they had the support and encouragement of family. Families can still be the building block from which the rest of life rises from. Families and interacting in your community. “The American Dream” is already dated. It was published in 2001, yet the stories still ring true and deliver some pride in the good old USA. I know I would rather have been born here. We are all lucky not to live in country destroyed by war. We are lucky to live in the strongest military power in the world which has kept our home relatively safe. I feel fortunate there are people who want to be soldiers and are better suited for that role than myself. I wish everyone had the ability to realize their potential, discover their talents and live out a life free to pursue their interests that do no harm to others. ‘You, you may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one I hope some day you’ll join us And the world will live as one.’ — “Imagine,” John Lennon
Nominate a family for the 2013 NM Healthy Families Award Do you know a family with good communication skills, strong family values and stability within their home? Significant research shows the importance of healthy families on a healthy society, and the New Mexico Coalition for Healthy Families (NMCHF) will honor these families at its annual award banquet. To nominate a family for the 2013 New Mexico Healthy Families Award, fill out the nomination form at www.nmchf.org and mail it to NMCHF P.O. Box 26755, Albuquerque, NM 87125. Entries must be received by Oct. 1. Nominations are now being accepted. NMCHF will recognize and honor all of the nominated families at the banquet. These healthy families show commitment and dedication to the well being of their children and their community. Which family in your community would you like to nominate? The second annual award celebration will take place on Nov. 4, bringing families together for fun, good food and an opportunity to recognize these special families from across the state of New Mexico.
September 25, 2013
Forest health speaker series begins in October A monthly speaker series featuring experts in forest health is scheduled for the first Tuesday of the month, beginning Oct. 1. The talks run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at ENMU-Ruidoso in Room 103. A collaborative effort among Smokey Bear Ranger District (USFS), NM State Forestry, Village of Ruidoso Forestry, Lincoln County, SCMRC & DC, Mescalero/ BIA, LBFRC, ENMU-Ruidoso Community Education and private citizens, the series will also include a Forest Health Expo to be held in the spring of 2014. The goal of the speaker series and Expo is to inform area residents in important aspects of living in a WUI, or Wildland Urban Interface. As more people move into undeveloped areas, homes are being built on land ripe for wildland fires. Many factors determine a WUI, including the type and amount of vegetation, building materials used in homes, weather patterns, hydrology, topography and access. The Little Bear Fire is a tragic reminder of how quickly a fire can spread in our forest and the long-lasting effects such an event has on a community. Unfortunately, this type of fire is not likely to be the last such catastrophic event. The organizers hope that by addressing a variety of topics about the WUI that full- and part-time residents may be better informed and prepared for future disasters. The title for the Oct. 1 talk is “What’s Buggin’ Your Trees?” presented by Sharon Paul, forestry program manager and certified Silviculturist, with the Lincoln National Forest.
This presentation will cover insects that are active in the forest, and a discussion of factors leading to why us, why now starting with landscape scale and narrowing to backyard scale. Paul will also explain how to identify different types of insects, their life cycles, the damage they cause and any preventative measures that can be taken. Healthy trees have the ability to repel these insects with sap, but stressed trees lose their ability to protect themselves naturally. This talk addresses this very real and local problem. The second session will take place Tuesday, Nov. 5, again at 6 p.m. at ENMU-Ruidoso. Frank Silva, timber manager Capitan District of NM State Forestry, will moderate a discussion titled “What a Healthy Forest Looks Like.” Future sessions will include timber harvesting on the Lincoln Forest, prescribed burning (how and why), updates on Smokey Bear District Restoration projects, wildlife interaction, watershed preservation and post-fire flooding. This speaker series will continue into 2014 and are free and open to the public. Food and door prizes will be offered. Seating is limited, so online registration is encouraged. A webpage for the Forest Health Speaker Series is part of the ENMU-Ruidoso website and may be found by clicking on “Community” and then clicking on the link under “Community Education.” For more information on the talks, the series or the Forest Health Expo, please call ENMU-Ruidoso Community Education at 257-3012.
September ENMU-Ruidoso community education classes Saturday, Sept. 28, there will be an Arrow Head Copper and Silver Pendant with Cabochon Stone- beginning class. Texturing metal, setting a cabochon stone with bezel wire and finishing metal and making a bail out of textured metal will be covered. Students will walk away with an arrow head pendant that is sure to be the talk of your friends. The class is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Students are encouraged to bring a lunch. There is a $95 fee. On Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to noon, Cindy Carl will
from 2 to 5 p.m. There is a $95 fee. For more information on these or any Community Education class, please call us at 257-3012. Registration is available over the phone or by coming in to Room 213 at the campus.
be holding Creative Writing classes. This is for people who feel like exploring their creative talent but feel that they do not have the skills to stand by famous authors. There are no test or textbooks, all a student needs is an imagination and a willingness to express how they feel. There is a $55 fee. tightly to keep it from blowing open. A In the beginning of the monsoon seaJanet Alexander’s small audience watched from the winson, we had rains and the clouds broke last class this month dow. All at once, in a very quiet voice, and we had sunshine. To young children will be Sept. 29 and is Casey whispered, “What is it?” Then this is acceptable. But when it rains and called Beginning Metal Bryce asked, “Who is it?” Casey whisit rains and it rains they tend to get a little Clay Earrings Embedpered again, “What is it?” Alice who had rowdy. ding Wire. Students will been following closely the progress of With the rain a myriad of unusual tenure and color, using our questionable personage said, “It’s a creatures have appeared. One of which an alcohol ink, for the rain witch.” was a 1,000-legged worm. Camden found center of their very own Bryce was quick to respond, “I don’t him and brought him to me to identify earrings. The class lasts like witches.” Casey being more practiand assure him it wasn’t poisonous. It cal pushed Alice, “How do you know it’s was about an inch and a half long and he a witch?” let it crawl up his arm. He was fascinated to these Not to be deterred Alice explained, along with all his friends. He was very “Didn’t you see her fingernails? They businesses for supporting protective of “his” bug. When it was time Nisha Hoffman were each a different color. She can run to go inside they walked to the grass to Newspapers in Education: nishahoffman@yahoo.com her fingers across the sky and make a leave Camden’s bug. Then things got rainbow.” Then this comment came from the rescue very quiet. Everyone was looking at the ground. After I heroes area, “My dad says there are a lot of witches in asked what was going on it got very still. Then a small California.” voice said, “Ms. Nisha, Camden pulled his bug apart During one of the breaks in the storms I took my in the middle!” And a smaller voice stated, “It was my kids out to the playground and noticed something bug.” smelled really bad. Careful investigation by my team The rain was coming down hard and fast. It was of experts identified the outside trash can which had difficult to see. Something was coming down the street a good deal of yucky water in it. We threw out the with a shuffling gait. Slightly stooped at the shoulders, Their contribution trash and emptied the water but the smell remained. the only thing really visible were the shoes, dark black, allows students at A day later we were making our way to the building clunkie and boots. It was covered all in black. It had a elementary, middle black trash bag with the bottom cut out tied at its’ waist portico for some protected outside time. I commented that something still smelled. Tyler spoke right up, “Of making a skirt. Another trash bag had been cut up the and high schools course, Ms. Nisha, I just farted.” side forming a hood and cape effect. This was clutched
Rainy day creatures and features
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