Columns

Keller: What Weeds Really Are

November 16, 2017 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

By CHICK KELLER, Curator

Jemez Mountains Herbarium

In response to a resent letter to the editor (link) with questions about weeds and what to do about them, here are some answers:

First – a weed to me is any group of plants growing where you don’t want them, or crowding out other more desirable plants.

Second – not all weeds are invaders from other places. Most are natives.

Third – these are very important plants for restoring disturbed areas. I call them nature’s “first responders”. They are almost all annuals (must grow from seeds each year as last year’s die and don’t come back).

Their job

O’Leary: Council Approves MOU With NCRTD

November 16, 2017 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

By Vice Chair Susan O’Leary

Los Alamos County Council

In our consent agenda during Tuesday’s Council meeting, we approved a request to provide North Central Regional Transit District with $350,000. This transit district serves a number of counties in Northern New Mexico and this funding is in addition to county funding for the county’s Atomic City Bus service.

The Council agreed to this specific action in April as part of our budget process and tonight’s action was merely fulfilling that agreement. Reading tonight’s agenda documents, I was reminded that Los Alamos County has Read More

Weekly Fishing Report: Nov. 15

November 15, 2017 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

By GEORGE MORSE

Sports and Outdoors

Los Alamos Daily Post

As I suspected, the kokanee salmon snagging at Heron Lake, which opened Nov. 11 has been slow. I believe the low water levels we’ve been experiencing at Heron Lake the last several years has had a detrimental effect on the kokanee salmon fishery there.

Snagging kokanee in previous years had literally become a social event, with lots of anglers participating and lots of salmon being caught. It would be interesting to see if they can start storing more water at Heron if the salmon fishery improves with higher water levels.

Cinema Cindy Reviews Murder On The Orient Express

November 15, 2017 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

By CYNTHIA BIDDLECOMB

Los Alamos

“Murder on the Orient Express” is a star-studded remake of the 1934 Agatha Christie murder mystery which first came to the big screen in 1974. Kenneth Branagh directs the film and stars as Hercule Poirot, by his own admission, “the greatest detective in the world.” (Poirot’s mustache alone is worth the price of admission.)

After solving a very public case in Jerusalem, Poirot boards a steamboat for Istanbul where he will catch the famous cross-continental train, the Orient Express, and head to England for his next case. The owner of the train’s son,

Bouman: President Reagan’s Secret 702(j) Retirement Plan

November 14, 2017 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

By BEN BOUMAN

Alpine Financial Partners

Several times over the past few weeks I have been asked if I knew anything about “President Reagan’s Retirement Plan” and a 702(j)-retirement plan. I had never heard of such a thing, so I decided to investigate it. Here’s the deal folks. There is no such thing. This concept goes by many names. The 770 account, the 702(j), the 7702, The Presidents Secret Account, Invisible account, etc. It resurfaces every few years with a new name and new marketing approach from salesmen in the insurance business.

A 702(j) is not actually a retirement savings plan at all. It Read More

Renfro: It Starts With Me!

November 13, 2017 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

By STEVEN RENFRO

2017 Campaign Chair

Member, United Way of Northern New Mexico Board

Community Member,

It Starts With Me and, because of that I am honored to serve our community through the United Way of Northern New Mexico, as one of the 2017 Campaign Chairs. I serve in this capacity because I sincerely believe in our United Way of Northern New Mexico and the critical services they help make possible in our community. In addition, I also volunteer my time as a member of the United Way of Northern New Mexico Board.

Growing up in the Four Corners I always admired Los Alamos and Rio Arriba Counties. The Read More

Message From New UNM President Garnett Stokes

November 13, 2017 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

By GARNETT S. STOKES

UNM President

A week ago my life changed when I was selected by The University of New Mexico to be its 22nd president and newest Lobo.

Let me say that since that time, I have been overwhelmed by the support and enthusiasm I have received from so many of you, as well as members of the New Mexico community. I am truly honored and excited to join you officially in March, when my husband, Jeff, and I make the Land of Enchantment our new home.

Throughout my career in public higher education as a student, educator, researcher and administrator – I have learned the importance

Fr. Glenn: The Mystery Of Evil

November 12, 2017 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

By Rev. Glenn Jones

Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church

Los Alamos

We often wonder why God allows certain things. The Sutherland Springs church shooting last Sunday is certainly one of those, and we could as easily recall Las Vegas, Orlando, or any other such event or tragedy, natural or manmade. Why did God allow those who love and worship Him—young and old—to die in the very midst of that worship?

And yet … needless violence has always been with us. Man’s violence against Man—Cain’s murder of his brother Abel—is one of the Bible’s first stories, and such violence has continued throughout

Luján: Thank Them For All They Do

November 11, 2017 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

By U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján:

Today, we honor the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces, who stood guard for our nation at home and abroad, and who fought to protect our freedom and uphold our democracy.

On Veterans Day, we thank them. We show gratitude to those who put the good of others ahead of their own. They risked life and limb to protect our country, and for that, we are eternally grateful.

Our freedoms should never be taken for granted and they all rest upon one fundamental truth: the ultimate price was paid innumerable times for our benefit.

We, Read More

Hall: The Power of Government

November 9, 2017 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

By MICHAEL L. HALL

Los Alamos

Government has a monopoly on force, transferred to it by the citizens. I don’t seek revenge on a murderer, I rely on government to do it in my stead. I don’t incarcerate those who break laws to harm me, I rely on government to do it in my stead. I don’t retrieve my stolen goods, I rely on government to do it in my stead. Government uses force to carry out the will of the people, and can potentially remove life, liberty, or property from its citizens.

This transferred force is a sacred power, and should not be used lightly.

Governmental force should only be used in situations where Read More