Los Alamos Daily Post – Page 2950 – Los Alamos Online News

Hilltopper Softball Sweeps Bernalillo 8-5, 6-0

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 31, 2012 - 10:27 pm

Micaela Christensen Blocks the plate for an out during Wednesday’s game. Photo by Alan Kirk

Photo by Alan Kirk

Tags:
Sports

A Taste of Russia is Coming to Los Alamos

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 31, 2012 - 9:05 pm

SAROV News:

St. Basil Cathedral, Moscow

A Taste of Russia benefit dinner sponsored by the Los Alamos – Sarov Sister City Initiative is set for later this week:

What: Enjoy dinner, a silent auction, youth performances and more
When: 6:30-9 p.m., Friday, April 27
Where: La Vista Room at the Hilltop House Hotel
How Much: $50/Person; $400/Table – $25/Person (Tax Deductible)
Why: proceeds go toward the Youth Summer 2012 Trip to Sarov, Russia

Purchase tickets online at www.lasarov.org.

Tags:
Community Education

$7 Million Available for Earthquake Research

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 31, 2012 - 8:25 pm

USGS News:

Scientists interested in earthquake research will be pleased to hear that the U.S. Geological Survey is awarding up to $7 million in grants and cooperative agreements for earthquake research in 2013.

Applications are due May 17 and researchers can apply online at GRANTS.GOV under the funding opportunity number G12AS20013.

There are four National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) agencies that work in close coordination to improve the nation’s understanding of earthquake hazards and to mitigate their effects. The missions of the four agencies are complementary,

Tags:
Nation Public Safety

U.S. Senate Confirms New Deputy Chief at DEA

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 31, 2012 - 8:01 pm

Thomas Harrigan

DEA News:

DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart hailed Senate confirmation of Special Agent Thomas Harrigan as DEA’s Deputy Administrator.

“I cannot think of a better, more qualified, or more honorable person to have at my side than Special Agent Tom Harrigan as we lead the Drug Enforcement Administration through the many challenges we will face and the many successes we will have in the coming years,” Leonhart said. “Tom demonstrated strong leadership and dedication in the field, and his strategic vision as Chief of Operations has been second to none. Special Agent Harrigan’s

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Nation Public Safety

Spotlight on Los Alamos Medicine: Introducing Dr. Monica Snowden

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 31, 2012 - 1:30 pm

Dr. Monica Snowden

By Carol A. Clark

Rheumatologist Monica Snowden officially opens her practice at 8 a.m. Monday at Los Alamos Medical Center.

Snowden specializes in a branch of internal medicine that focuses on joint, muscle and bone disorders.

“I went into rheumatology because it’s a field where you can foster great relationships with your patients on many levels,” Snowden said. “Thirty years ago there weren’t treatments but now the treatments are extraordinary and you can have these wonderful relationships with your patients for 30 and 40 years.”

Some of the most common conditions treated

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Community

Appeals Court Upholds Constitutionality of Tax Lightning Law

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 31, 2012 - 1:26 pm

County Assessor JoAnn Johnson with Chief Deputy Assessor Joaquin Valdez. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailpost.com

By Carol A. Clark

The New Mexico Court of Appeals has upheld the constitutionality of a state law that can result in sharply increased tax assessments for homes that change ownership – a practice known as “tax lightning.”

“This doesn’t affect us at all in Los Alamos because we have followed State Statute 73621.2 for the past 10 years,” said Los Alamos County Chief Deputy Assessor Joaquin Valdez. “This surfaced in Bernalillo County on two properties because they applied tax differently.”

Tags:
County

Rachel Carson Visits Los Alamos for a Chautauqua on April 18

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 31, 2012 - 1:42 am

By Terry Foxx

Rachel Carson

Rachel Carson will make a special visit to Los Alamos at 7 p.m. Wednesday April 18 at the Betty Ehart Senior Center.

This surprise appearance is in fact by Ann Beyke, who will be taking on Carson’s persona in a performance known as a Chautauqua.

What’s so special about Carson’s view of the world?

Anyone who enjoyed a recent magical snowstorm that quickly dissolved into spring weather knows the charm of hearing the birds sing as new life emerges from fallow flowerbeds.

Can you image a spring without singing birds? Rachel Carson could. Carson’s cautionary

Tags:
Arts Community Education

Central Avenue Grill Owners to Host Farewell Event Saturday Night

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 31, 2012 - 1:22 am

Central Avenue Grill owners Min and Monica Park are hosting a community appreciation party from 5-7:30 p.m. Saturday to thank Los Alamos for its support as they prepare to shut down the restaurant at 1789 Central Ave.

One free drink and appetizers will be provided – a $5 donation is encouraged – all proceeds are to go to the Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation.

Tags:
Business

Cruiser’s Custom Embroidery Opens in White Rock

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 31, 2012 - 12:43 am

Business News:

Owner Mike Luna of Cruiser’s Custom Embroidery. Courtesy Photo

Los Alamos may be in the midst of a business upsurge … it seems that a new venture is popping up nearly every week, and now Los Alamos has a brand new custom embroidery business to add to the mix.

Mike Luna, longtime resident and former owner of Home Run Pizza of Los Alamos, has opened doors to Cruiser’s Custom Embroidery.

Cruiser’s specializes in commercial embroidery, including caps, shirt, and jackets on a grand scale and is fully capable of handling very large orders.

“I have worked

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Business

County Signs Ground Lease and Developer Agreement for Trinity Site

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 31, 2012 - 12:04 am

County News:

It’s a deal!

Los Alamos County Administrator Harry Burgess announced this morning that the County has executed the ground lease and developer agreement with Los Alamos Trinity LP for the property known as the “Trinity Site.”

The property is located just south of Trinity Drive and Mari Mac Plaza on the eastern edge of Los Alamos.

A slight modification to the agreement was made Thursday after a final meeting with the developer, North American Development Group (NADG.)

The change will add up to 90 days during the feasibility period for the developer to consider their pre-leasing

Tags:
County

ELECTION 2012: County Council Candidate Pete Sheehey Seeks to Improve Community

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 30, 2012 - 6:07 pm

By Carol A. Clark

Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of six County Council candidate profiles.

Scientist Peter T. (Pete) Sheehey describes his career at Los Alamos National Laboratory as satisfying but said that he was in a financial position that enables him to accept the Laboratory’s Voluntary Separation Program – “leaving room for younger scientists.” His final day at LANL is April 5.

“This allows me to offer my time and skills to making our government work better for the people of Los Alamos,” said Sheehey who filed to place his name on the June 5 Democratic primary election ballot for

Tags:
Politics

Sunday Pancake Breakfast to Benefit Los Alamos Friends of the Shelter

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 30, 2012 - 4:28 pm

Shelter News:

Courtesy Photo

Join friends and neighbors from 7-11 a.m. Sunday at the Los Alamos Posse Shack Lodge, 650 North Mesa Road.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast and have some fun – all to benefit the animals at the Los Alamos Animal Shelter.

Meet new furry friends at the shelter’s mobile adoption and get some unconditional love at the Doggy Kissing Booth – kisses are $1.

Also, breakfast goers can take the opportunity to bid on a $250 value photography package donated by Don Taylor’s Photography.

All proceeds from Sunday’s event go to benefit animals at the shelter.

Tags:
Community County

Three Small Businesses Selected for Los Alamos National Laboratory Environmental Work

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 30, 2012 - 4:06 pm

Subcontract worth up to $250 million over five years:

Los Alamos National Laboratory has awarded a master task order agreement for up to $250 million to three small businesses with offices in Northern New Mexico.

The agreement is for services related to the transportation and disposal of hazardous and radioactive waste.

The companies include Portage, Inc., ARS Cavanagh Environmental Services, LLC and Navarro Research & Engineering, Inc.

“Safely handling and transporting waste containers is an important part of our environmental cleanup efforts at Los Alamos,” said Pete Maggiore,

Tags:
National Laboratory

Sci-Fi Musical “Petra and the Jay” on Stage April 13, 14

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 30, 2012 - 3:56 pm

High School senior Maura Taylor has the lead singing role in “Petra and the Jay.” Photo by TK Thompson/ladailypost.com

Where will Los Alamos audiences be able to spend time with a flying carrot, a dinocyborg, and a silicon-based geranium eater?

“Petra and the Jay,” a musical play with a science fiction setting, will be performed at 7 pm. Friday, April 13 and 2 p.m. Saturday, April 14 at the Crossroads Bible Church. The production is a benefit for Pajarito Environmental Education Center’s Earth Day events.

The setting is the year 3021 and the earth’s teeming human population is in

Tags:
Entertainment Music

NNSA, FBI Conclude Counterterrorism Exercise in Hawaii, Marking the Completion of Radiological Security Enhancements Program

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 30, 2012 - 3:39 pm

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have announced the completion of Island Thunder, a table-top counterterrorism exercise in Hawaii. Island Thunder was the latest in NNSA’s Silent Thunder series, which gives federal, state and local officials and first responders critical, hands-on experience in prioritized alarm assessment and response, crisis management, threat assessment, emergency response, consequence management and post-contingency procedures to prepare them in the event of a terrorist incident involving

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Public Safety

Earth Day Is a Day to Recycle, Up-cycle and Reuse

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 30, 2012 - 2:16 pm

PEEC News:

“Wise Fool” will help make puppets at this year’s Earth Day Festival. Courtesy/PEEC

By Terry Foxx

The community-wide Earth Day Festival on April 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) is not only fun for children and adults but also reminds us to recycle, up-cycle, and reuse.

This year we have two student-generated projects for recycling: collecting and contributing aluminum cans and a toy exchange.

Bring aluminum beverage cans to the Earth Day Festival to help the Mountain School Green Team participate in a

Tags:
Entertainment Community Education

School Makeup Day for Students and Staff is April 13

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 30, 2012 - 1:47 pm

Los Alamos Public School News:

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gene Schmidt has announced that students and staff will be expected to report to school on April 13.

The day was built into the school calendar as a makeup day in the event of school closures due to snow.

Two school days, Dec. 5 and Dec. 12, 2011 were missed because of bad weather.

To make up for lost instructional time, students in grades K-12 are expected to attend for one half of the day on Friday, April 13.

Morning preschool will be held, but no afternoon preschool.

Instructional staff is asked to prepare a half-day instruction for

Tags:
Education

Municipal Building Construction Gets Exciting as Tall Crane Begins to Operate

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 30, 2012 - 6:48 am

Construction on the new Municipal Building Complex on Central Avenue is beginning to take shape. Photo by Alan Kirk

Photo by Alan Kirk

Tags:
County

Basket Ball Reeling Robot Earns Local Students ‘Top-seeded Rookie Team’ Trophy

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on March 30, 2012 - 5:39 am

A robot makes a basket. Photo by Laura Fraser

By Bonnie Gordon

Team 4153 from Los Alamos High School recently traveled to the regional portion for the FIRST Robotics Competition in Salt Lake.

The Team, named Project Y after the government name for Los Alamos during the Manhattan Project, came home with high honors.

Ben Schilling, left, and Nate Phillips drive the robot. Photo by Laura Fraser

The team and their hoop shooting robot made it through the quarter finals and on to the semi finals, where they weren’t eliminated until the final round.

They finished 14^thout of 44, an amazing showing

Tags:
Education