WINTER/SPRING 2012
Contents Contributors
Features 12 Hospitalists. Board-certified physicians provide 24-7 coverage at GMAC, bridging the gap between emergency admittance and patient’s primary care doctors. 18 WNMU President. Dr. Joseph Shepard brings progressive ideas for the university and the community. 25 Rural Volunteer Fire Departments. Welltrained and equipped volunteers help protect the lives and property of their neighbors in Grant County. 28 Gary Benavidez. The 41-year veteran of wildfire fighting, management and instruction now serves as Grant County Fire Management Officer. 30 Are you Properly Insured? Agent Chuck Johnson discusses wildfire issues related to your policy coverage. 34 Silver City Hotshots. Highly skilled forest service group responds to area wildfires as well as other national emergencies. 36 Teaching Children about Fire. Glenwood Elementary hosts an exciting day of hands on fire-related education. 38 After School Care. Local programs provide safe alternatives for children of working parents. 40 Salsa Tasting. Silver City’s Mexican Restaurants serve up family recipes.
Our Cover Lucy Whitmarsh, Chief of the Pinos Altos Volunteer Fire Department, wets down the area around a practice burn. Volunteer firefighters provide extremely important services throughout Grant County, both as responders and as fire prevention proactivists.
4 – SILVER CITYLIFE
38
Departments 7
Advertisers Index.
8
Financial. James Edd Hughs shares strategies for creating an estate plan that meets your needs.
10 Legal Issues. Attorney David Lopez shares concepts on domestic relations. 20 Out & About. Snapshots of recent local events. 23 Summer Birding. Four jays found in the Silver City area are distinctive and entertaining. 24 Recycle. Making scarves from T-shirts. 44 Happy Endings. Local residents’ dogs find happy adopted homes. 46 Business Directory.
The Source S1 S2 S4 S6 S8 S10 S12 S14 S15 S16 S18 S19 S21 S22 S23 S28 S29 S30 S32
Area Attractions Historic Downtown Silver City Museum Area Events Historic Pinos Altos Gila Cliff Dwellings Nat’l. Monument Bayard, Hurley & Arenas Valley City of Rocks State Park Deming Area Maps Rockhound State Park At Your Service Salons & Spas Index of Advertisers Art Galleries Cliff & Gila The Catwalk Recreation Trail Health & Wellness Lordsburg
Brett Ferneau and his wife LeAnne Knudsen relocated to the Silver City area nine years ago from Santa Fe. They live near Santa Rita, where Brett is a member of the volunteer fire department. The couple has two mammoth saddle donkeys, Frosty and Aspen. Sarah Gibson A Boston native, and avid Red Sox fan, Sarah is new to Silver City. She is a graduate of The George Washington University with a BA in English and Journalism. She is currently teaching English at Cobre High School in Bayard, NM. Eugene Lewis began serious birding in eastern Kansas in the 1950s, eventually roaming the entire state in his pursuit of the avian species. Upon retirement in 1991 he moved to Silver City, where he has continued his lifelong quest. Dutch Salmon is a former correspondent for the Albuquerque Journal and the author of seven books, including Gila Rising and the recently published Country Sports. He lives near the Gila Wilderness with his wife Cherie and son Bud. Judy Wuthrich is a writer, photographer and multimedia artist; which includes polymer clay and soft sculpture art dolls on display at the Common Thread in Silver City. She is also a cosmetologist. Judy lives in Silver City with her dogs Spot and Gizelle.
Pat Young lives with her husband Jeff in the mountains above the Mimbres Valley where they handbuilt their log home. The retired journalist has written for numerous publications.
Dr. Dale A. Zimmerman is an ornithologist, bot-anist, naturalist and Professor Emeritus of Biology at WNMU, where he taught for 31 years. He is also a recognized bird illustrator, nature photographer & author with field experience on every continent.