PEEC Amateur Naturalist: Have You Seen a Bat Lately?
PEEC Amateur Naturalist: Have You Seen a Bat Lately?Bandelier National Monument once had a colony of bats at a cave roost along the cliff face in the Long House area.
Chris Judson, a park ranger, has been told that the colony has been present on and off from at least the 1930s.
The colony was not present in 1976, but was present from 1985 to 2002. Surprisingly, it did not return from its spring migration in 2003. It has not returned to the Long House cave since then.
Now-vacant bat cave entrance high on the cliff face of the Long House. Photo by Mary Read More
Letter to the Editor: Zip Lines Continue to Garner Big Followings Worldwide
Zip Lines Continue to Garner Big Followings WorldwideGeological Society Holds Annual Potluck July 16
LAGS News:
The next meeting of the Los Alamos Geological Society is 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 16 at the Christian Church, 92 East Road in Los Alamos.
The meeting will feature the annual potluck and silent auction with the main entree provided by El Parasol. Come and enjoy talking with fellow rock hounds. To sign up, contact Richard Stead at 665-1033 or stead@lanl.gov.
The monthly field trip is July 20 to the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science in Albuquerque. The group will meet at the Sullivan Field parking lot at 8 a.m. Carpooling to Albuquerque is recommended. Exhibits include: Read More
Udall Announces $1 Million to Expand NM Children’s Health Insurance
Sen. Tom Udall
ALBUQUERQUE – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., has announced that the New Mexico Human Services Department is receiving $1 million in federal grant money to expand health insurance for children in New Mexico through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP.)
The funding comes from the Affordable Care Act and will be used to to increase the number of children eligible, but not yet enrolled in, Medicaid and CHIP, and to keep them covered for as long as they qualify. These resources will be used to simplify the enrollment process for New Read More
July Transportation Board Meeting Cancelled
COUNTY News:
The July 11 meeting of the Los Alamos County Transportation Board has been cancelled due to the lack of a quorum.
The next board meeting is 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, at the County Municipal Building, Room 110 at 1000 Central Ave. Read More
Public Invited to View Venus, Saturn and Neptune July 13
PA News:
The Pajarito Astronomers will hold a County-sponsored Dark Night at 8:30 p.m. (sunset) Saturday, July 13 at Spirio Soccer Field in Overlook Park.
Weather permitting, the public is invited to come out, wander among the telescopes and star gaze. A crescent moon and the planets Venus, Saturn and Neptune will be visible. There will be a tour of the summer constellations, and there will be telescope views of double stars, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies.
The public is invited and encouraged to attend. Viewing will end before midnight. Call Steve Becker at Read More
Pet of the Week: Tabby the Cat
Tabby the Cat. Courtesy photo
SHELTER News:
Tabby is a big and friendly, 17 lb. lovely orange and white Maine coon cross neutered male.
He has taken it upon himself to help many of the shyer felines at the shelter become more outgoing and has settled right into a “cat room greeter” role.
Tabby especially likes his head stroked and does not mind belly rubs. His confidence makes him well suited for homes with cat-savvy dogs.
Because he communicates frustration more subtly than other cats, Tabby may not be the best choice for a home with small children.
All adoptable
Photographer Remembers the 19 Fallen Firefighters
Several members of the Granite Mountain Hot Shots discuss the fire behavior of a night burnout operation on the Thompson Ridge Fire. Photo by Kristen Honig/Valles Caldera
Like many of you, I was in complete shock after hearing initial reports of 19 fatalities on a fire in Arizona last Sunday.
After a little investigating, I realized the fire was near Prescott, home base of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, and that they were assigned to the fire. My heart sank. A few hours later, news reports would confirm Read More
Bandelier Hosts 4th of July Naturalization Ceremony for 15 New Citizens
Candidates taking citizenship oath July 4 at Bandelier. Courtesy/NPS 
The Naranjo Family Dancers perform the Butterfly Dance. Courtesy/NPS BANDELIER News:
Under the auspices of Chief United States District Judge M. Christina Armijo, and in the spectacular scenery of Frijoles Canyon, 15 new citizens took their oath on the Fourth of July.
Included were candidates from Australia, Canada, Eduador, Israel, Mexico, Russia, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Kingdom.
In his keynote speech, Bandelier Superintendent Jason Lott told them: “America Read More
Scenes From Y’s 4th of July Kid’s Parade
The Family YMCA helds its annual 4th of July Kids Parade in downtown Los Alamos Thursday. Participants assembled near the elephant sculpture at Ashley Pond ended the parade at the Y building on Iris Street. After the parade there was a flag-raising ceremony, bouncey houses, face painting, games, prizes, hot dogs and other traditional activities to mark the America’s birthday. Photo by Dianne Marquez
Photo by Christopher Clark
Photo by Dianne Marquez
Photo by Christopher Clark
Photo by Christopher Clark
YMCA Firecracker Fun Run 2013 Race Results
Result of the Firecracker Fun Run
|
5 Km Men, 9 & under |
|||||
|
1 |
28:07.67 |
110 |
Dustin Luna |
Chugiak, AK |
05:38/Km |
|
2 |
28:46.22 |
214 |
Laars Olso |
Los Alamos, NM |
05:45/Km |
|
3 |
28:47.02 |
155 |
Jacob Sorenson |
Los Alamos, NM |
05:45/Km |
|
4 |
32:40.80 |
45 |
Stephen Boone |
Los Alamos, NM |
06:32/Km |
|
5 |
32:50.05 |
63 |
Conner Cook |
Los Alamos, NM |
06:34/Km |
|
6 |
32:51.60 |
162 |
Wesley Stanfield |
Los Alamos, NM |
06:34/Km |
|
7 |
35:34.44 |
133 |
Matthew Patchett |
Los Alamos, NM |
07:07/Km |
|
8 |
39:50.83 |
171 |
Wilbur Trost |
Los Alamos, NM |
07:58/Km |
|
9 |
39:54.26 |
125 |
Nikolai Nelson |
Los Alamos, NM |
07:59/Km |
|
10 |
41:06.14 |
44 |
Jackson Boone |
Los Alamos, NM |
08:13/Km |
Hilltopper Girls JV Basketball Team Wins Hope Christian Summer Sizzle Tournament
The Los Alamos Hilltopper Girls JV Basketball Team won the Hope Christian Summer Sizzle Tournament by 1 point in overtime against the La Cueva Bears last weekend. The future continues to look bright for Los Alamos Basketball! Courtesy/Tarah LoganToshiba Commercial Shooting in Los Alamos
COUNTY News:
A Toshiba commercial is being filmed in Los Alamos and Ghost Ranch next week.
WHEN: Monday, July 8-9
WHERE: LOS ALAMOS COUNTY LOCATIONS
- Los Alamos County Department of Utilities, EMS Building at Pajarito Cliffs Site;
- Los Alamos County Landfill;
- Smart House;
- Sandia Road at 47th Street; and
- Cheyenne in Tsikimu Village.
Flier notifications have been distributed to all affected neighbors in the Sandia/47th Street neighborhood and the Cheyenne/Tsikimu Village. No interim traffic controls are required.
The commercial is intended for the country of Japan, in Japanese, and will Read More
Needed: Honor Guards, Pipes & Drums, Buglers and Rifle Teams for Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorials
STATE News:
The Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial Incident Management Team is reaching out to all Honor Guards, Pipes & Drums, Buglers, and Rifle Teams to help with the Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial, individual funerals in Prescott, and to facilitate transfer of fallen brothers, escorts, and subsequent honor guards in their home towns.
Participants are needed starting now through late July. Those wishing to participate must pre-register. Send the following information to honorguardforyarnellfallen@gmail.com:
- Total number of personnel coming, and their position; Specify
Luján Statement on Death of Gov. David Cargo
David Francis Cargo (Jan. 13, 1929 – July 5, 2013) was the 22nd Governor of New Mexico, having served between 1967 and 1971. Courtesy photo
STATE News:
SANTA FE – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District released the following statement today on the death of former Gov. David Cargo.
“New Mexico has lost a true public servant who was dedicated to men and women he was honored to serve. Gov. Cargo was a great man who cared deeply about New Mexico’s children, understanding that they represented the future of our great state.
“He appreciated the importance Read More
Visit New Mexico’s Only Boy Scout Museum
Boy Scout flags hang from the ceiling in the Boy Scout Museum in Raton. Courtesy photo
LABSMS News:
The Los Alamos Boy Scout Museum Society has scheduled a trip Saturday, July 13 to Raton to visit New Mexico’s only Boy Scout Museum.
It is one of only 26 such museums in the United States and privately owned by Dennis and Susan Downing. The museum has been in existence for 20 some years, or about one half the scouting experience time of Dennis Downing─40 years in scouting.
Any person who desires to accompany Society members on this trip can meet at 7:30 a.m. at the parking area at the White Rock “Y” and from Read More
Fifteen Firefighters Monitor Thompson Ridge Fire
Photo by Kristen Honig/Valles Caldera Trust
Thompson Ridge Fire News:
Continued minimal fire behavior at the Thompson Ridge Fire has led to a reduction in the original 47 person Type IV team charged with monitoring the perimeter.
Since fire officials declared 100 percent containment Monday July 1, there has been neither new fire growth nor smoke within 500 feet of the perimeter.
Minimal fire behavior observed during the last week is expected to continue and will be monitored by a team of 15 firefighters until the fire is fully suppressed. Additional updates will be published as fire events dictate. Read More
Scribble Works Reviews: THE LAME RANGER
Naftali Burakovsky, left, and Lorenzo Venneri
Scribble Works Reviews
THE LAME RANGER
The Lone Ranger is, contrary to the ill conceived title, the story of a duo composed of odd Comanche Tonto (Johnny Depp) and East coast city lawyer John Reid (Armie Hammer), as they face off against bandits and greedy railroad owners.
Jerry Bruckheimer’s film is the second major western released in the last year, following Django Unchained. We’d rather watch Tarantino’s masterpiece than this pointlessly action packed and childishly Read More
Aquatomics Swimmers Win Big at Nogar Invitational
LAA swimmers get off to a great start. Photo by Doug Wedman
A ‘highly decorated’ LAA swimmer. Photo by Doug WedmanLAA News:
The Los Alamos Aquatomics (LAA) hosted the annual Nick Nogar Memorial Invitational, a long course swimming meet, at the Walkup Aquatic Center June 29-30.
This annual meet is dedicated to Nick Nogar, a former Los Alamos High School, University of New Mexico, and US Masters swimmer, who was a devoted and beloved supporter of swimming.
New to the Nick Nogar Meet this year was the addition of a 50 Meter Freestyle “Shoot-Out” event. Top seeded swimmers competed Read More
How the Hen House Turns: Lucy Goose
How the Hen House Turns: Lucy GooseWe inherited Lucy the goose in 2002, when my neighbor said she couldn’t keep a goose in the house. Lucy kept banging on the glass door, wanting in when she saw the people inside. My hen house and pen were available, so I said—not realizing that geese live 25 to 30 years—okay.
Young Lucy fit right in, with Little Bear the turkey, White Silkie hen Fluffy, and two Polish chicks sporting creative feather-dos (another story for another day).
The young dogs, DeeDee and Scooter, our pointer-heeler mix fugitives from the 2000 fire, Read More