Dannemann: It’s Our Meat And Our Safety
By MERILEE DANNEMANN
Triple Spaced Again
© 2023 New Mexico News Services
Is it better to have meat inspections conducted by a state agency or a federal agency? What do you think?
Some New Mexicans who understand the economics of cattle growing and meat processing want to reinstate the state program. Legislation has been introduced a few times, most recently in this year’s legislative session. The previous program was terminated in 2007 after negative reports by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Federal law requires that meat sold to the public must be inspected by a government inspector to Read More
Speakers Emphasize Need For Empathy In Addressing Fentanyl Issues
The public filled Fuller Lodge to take part in the Fentanyl Awareness Harm Reduction event Thursday. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
In addressing something as complex as drug use and drug addiction, it would appear the one most effective response is also the most simple: exercising empathy.
During the Fentanyl Awareness Harm Reduction event held Thursday at Fuller Lodge, participants heard from Los Alamos Police Department Det. Jemuel Montoya and Cpl. Jaime Gonzales and from The Mountain Center’s Harm Reduction Read More
LANL & SNL Face Off On World Blood Day To Save Lives
LANL employee Martin Ward smiles as he gives blood during the World Blood Day competition with SNL last month. LANL won the competion by one unit and the two labs agreed to a rematch in 2024. Courtesy/LANL
SNL employee Zuzana Patterson, center, chats with Jacquelyn Chavez, left, and donor care tech Santa Vallejos while giving blood as part of the World Blood Day competition last month at SNL. Photo by Craig Fritz
SNL News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) faced off last month in a friendly battle to see who could bring in the most blood donations Read More
JJAB: Local Youth Mental Health First Aid Training July 22
Sen. Heinrich And Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation: Service Dogs Assisting Veterans (SAVES) Act
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) is joining Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) to introduce the Service Dogs Assisting Veterans (SAVES) Act, bipartisan legislation that would establish a program to award grants to nonprofit organizations to assist them in carrying out programs to provide service dogs to eligible veterans.
The legislation builds on the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) for Veterans Therapy Act that Sen. Heinrich helped pass into law.
It is estimated that upwards Read More
State Auditor: Shedding Light On Opioid Settlement Funds … A Path To Transparency And Accountability
By JOSEPH MAESTAS
New Mexico State Auditor
More than a billion dollars from opioid lawsuit settlements are heading to New Mexico coffers, with some monies already hitting state and local government bank accounts. These funds represent a golden opportunity to mitigate the devastating impacts of the opioid epidemic—but making sure the money is spent the way it is intended is critical to ensuring that this opportunity and money aren’t wasted.
Opioids have taken a heavy toll on our State, claiming the lives of hundreds, shattering families and exacting long-term economic and social damage on Read More
LACF Presents Grant To Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service
Gathered for a recent grant check presentation from left, LAVNS Executive Director Jack Allison, RN, JoAnn Temple, RN; Danielle Williams, CNA; Julie Banaszek, RN; Poem Swentzell, MSW; Melissa Williams, RN; Stephanie Lucero, MD; Nancy Coombs; Elizabeth Ortega, RN; Steve Laurent and Rebecca Leacock, MFT. Courtesy/LACF
LACF News:
The Los Alamos Community Foundation (LACF) has awarded a $5,000 grant to the Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service (LAVNS) to support their marketing efforts in competing with for-profit corporate home health agencies.
The grant will enable the non-profit Los Read More
Los Alamos County Council Honors Dr. Michael Nichols
Dr. Michael Nichols, left, holds up his certificate of recognition along with Los Alamos County Councilor Keith Lepsch during Tuesday night’s meeting. Nichols retired this year after 40 years working as a pediatrician. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Councilor Keith Lepsch recognized Dr. Michael Nichols for his 40 years of service as a pediatrician during Tuesday night’s meeting.
Lepsch stated:
WHEREAS, Dr. Michael W. Nichols, having practiced pediatric medicine at the Children’s Clinic in Los Alamos County for 40 years, has retired; and
WHEREAS, during Read More
Española Humane Hosting Vaccine Clinic Through July 14
Leonard: Unveiling The Wonders Of Short-Chain Fatty Acids – The Unsung Heroes Of Gut Health
By LAURA LEONARD
Doctor of Chiropractic
Los Alamos
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are a group of fatty acids that contain fewer than six carbon atoms and are produced by our resident intestinal bacteria (aka: our microbiome) as a byproduct of dietary fiber digestion. The most prominent SCFAs found in the gut are acetate, propionate and butyrate.
When it comes to maintaining optimal gut health, we often hear about the importance of a balanced diet, fiber intake and probiotics. However, we now know that SCFA’s might be the most important key to gut health and overall wellbeing. Foods like whole Read More
LARSO Announces First Graduating Class Of Matter Of Balance Program
Fall Prevention Master Trainer Bernadette Lauritzen, left, with members of LARSO’s first graduating class of the Matter of Balance Program. Photo by Karen Breault
By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Matter of Balance – Master Trainer
LARSO
The Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization (LARSO) recently trained four Master Trainers in Fall Prevention, during the month of May and implemented the new program the following week.
A Matter of Balance (MOB) is an evidence-based program designed to reduce the fear of falling and improve activity levels among community-dwelling older adults.
The Read More
Community Conversations: Fentanyl Awareness – Harm Reduction
Community News:
The community is invited to attend a free event to discuss harm reduction 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 29 at Fuller Lodge.
Los Alamos Police Drug Recognition Experts will explain signs of an overdose and substance abuse. Kelly Mytinger, Harm Reduction Program Manager from the Mountain Center will provide training on how to administer NARCAN and provide answers to questions listed in the registration form.
Register at www.losalamosjjab.com/events.
Community Conversations is an ongoing community collaboration program designed to build community, create connections Read More
Robinson: Christine Trujillo, A Woman Warrior, Steps Down
State Rep. Christine Trujillo. Photo by Sherry Robinson/© 2023 New Mexico News Services
By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2023 New Mexico News Services
“Mom, you’re president of the AFL-CIO!”
Not many women ever heard that sentence. In 2001 Christine Trujillo had been teaching for 21 years, served on the state school board, and was president of the 6,500-member American Federation of Teachers-New Mexico. That December she became the first woman and the first teacher to lead the New Mexico Federation of Labor AFL-CIO.
Trujillo routinely juggled so many responsibilities that it took her daughter’s Read More
White Rock Senior Center To Host COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
Dear Los Alamos community,
Are you over 65? Have you had a second COVID-19 bivalent vaccine booster?
Are you between the ages of 18 and 64? Have you had a COVID-19 bivalent booster?
Are you over 18 and immunocompromised? Have you had a second COVID-19 bivalent booster?
Nambe Drugs, Los Alamos in conjunction with the Los Alamos Senior Centers invites you to stop by the White Rock Senior Center, 133 Longview Drive, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 20 to receive a COVID-19 Bivalent vaccine.
Register at https: vaccinenm.org.
Appointments preferred but walk-ins welcome. Read More
Gov. Lujan Grisham Priority Legislation Goes Into Effect
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE — Multiple laws championed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and passed by the Legislature went into effect today, the default date set 90 days following the end of the session.
“Each and every one of these laws – many of which saw broad, bipartisan support – will make our state safer, healthier, more inclusive and more prosperous than ever,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “This year, we addressed many of the state’s most pressing issues, enacting laws that increase access to affordable health care, protect communities, and safeguard the right of every New Mexican Read More
LAHS Students Graduate From MASH Program At LAMC
Mara Heaton, RN, speaks with MASH students Megan Brown, Isabel Griffith, Moorea Montano and Rebecca Beaux. Courtesy/LAMC
LAMC CEO Tracie Stratton congratulates MASH program graduates from left, Rebecca Beaux, Lizeth Garcia, Isabel Griffith, Megan Brown and Moorea Montano. Courtesy/LAMC
LAMC News:
Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) and Los Alamos High School again offered the Multiple Avenues for Successful Healthcare (MASH) program to interested and eligible sophomores, juniors and seniors.
The goal of this program is to expose local students to the multiple career opportunities Read More
Sip And Paint Fundraiser For Breast Cancer June 17
Nambé Drugs In Los Alamos Celebrates 8th Anniversary!
Pharmacist-In-Charge Melissa Roybal and Nambé Drugs staff celebrate their 8th Anniversary June 8 at 111 Central Park Square in Los Alamos. Courtesy/Nambe Drugs
CHAMBER News:
Happy 8th anniversary to Nambe Drugs in Los Alamos!
Eight years ago, June 8, 2015, Nambé Drugs opened their doors in Los Alamos at 111 Central Park Square and has been a part of the community ever since!
Pharmacist-In-Charge Melissa Roybal and staff celebrated their anniversary with a Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting. Not pictured in the photo is pharmacy owner Scott Robinson.
Be sure to stop by Nambé Drugs and wish them Read More
Pick Up Free Drug Tests At Los Alamos Municipal Court
A drug test example in which the individual shows positive for Fentynal, Benzodiezepines and Methadone. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos Municipal Court invites the public to stop by at 2500 Trinity Suite (next to Ashely Pond) and receive a free drug test. These urine tests will test for 15 different drugs, including fentynal and alcohol for up to the last 2-5 days of consumption. Court staff will provide instructions on how to adminster and interpret results of the tests.
The court has provided free drug tests to the public upon request for the past decade. This service allows parents who Read More
