Columns

Column: New Year Reflections

January 7, 2013 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

New Year Reflections

Column by Elena Yang

Happy New Year! 2013 will be awesome … because I intend to make it so, for myself; besides, is there any other way?!

A few years ago, I encountered a young and energetic woman in a “Photoshop” workshop who said, “Every year I take on a new hobby or activity.

So this year I decided to learn how to shoot [with camera] and make great pictures.” It resonated with me. It doesn’t have to be a grandiose undertaking, just something that isn’t in one’s usual repertoire.

Through a fabulous new friendship made early last year, I have begun to read a few poems. Read More

PEEC Amateur Naturalist: Jemez Mountains Blue Crayfish

January 6, 2013 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

PEEC Amateur Naturalist

Column by Robert Dryja

Jemez Mountains Blue Crayfish

The nice thing about being out-of-doors is that the unexpected can be seen. A group of students were exploring a stream in the Valles Caldera during a Nature Odyssey program for example.

One student spotted a blue colored rock and waded into the stream to pick it up. Surprise! The rock began to move away from the student.

On closer observation, we realized the rock was actually a crayfish. It was able to escape in spite of several students attempting to catch it.

A blue crayfish is an oddity. It also would appear to Read More

Column: A HEADS UP! … INCOMING!

January 4, 2013 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

By B. Zerker

Weapons specialist & Constitutionalist

Los Alamos

A HEADS UP! … INCOMING!

“You never want a serious crisis to go to waste, and what I mean by that is an opportunity to do things that you didn’t think you could do before,” … is what Obama advisor Rahm Emanuel said in an interview regarding the economy with The Wall Street Journal.

Now it looks as if OUR* government seems to be following that same advice as it pertains to every matter that comes along except for our failing economy! In particular, I now speak of the Sandy Hook school shooting tragedy.

Soon, OUR Senate, will

Money IQ: Home Computer Security

January 2, 2013 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Money IQ

By Michael Carson

Home Computer Security

Businesses have been taking computer security seriously for a long time; home users have not been. The reasons are generally two-fold: cost and expertise.

A typical home user may have the anti-virus program that came with the computer but then not realize that this was a subscription service that ended the first year and has had no real protection since.

The good news is that there are free alternatives out there for the home user that don’t require a technical expert to install and configure. It’s no longer sufficient to simply have an anti-virus Read More

Laskey Reviews ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’

January 2, 2013 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.” Courtesy/movies.yahoo.com

Review by Kirsten Laskey

Who doesn’t want to go on an adventure? There something thrilling and romantic about leaving the comfort and security of home in exchange for the great unknown that lies in the far corners of the map.

This is what “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” provides moviegoers – the opportunity to tag along on a great adventure.

Let me tell you, it is a wonderful ride although be prepared for long pauses on this epic journey because apparently this story is being spread out into three films.

The first film educates Read More

Food on the Hill: Coconut Bonbons

January 1, 2013 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

“Food on the Hill” by Sue York

This week’s recipe:

Coconut Bonbons

2 2/3 cups(7oz) flaked coconut
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
2/3 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup sliced almonds, finally chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temp
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
20 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix first 6 ingredients, chill 3 hours.

Roll into small balls (maybe 3/4 inch) and chill well again.

Melt chocolate and dip balls into chocolate and chill again

Coconut Bonbons

Party Idea:

Column: New Gun-Control … Just Another Fool’s Folly!

December 28, 2012 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

By B. Zerker

Weapons Specialist and Constitutionalist

Los Alamos

New Gun-Control … Just Another Fool’s Folly!

For the last few days, I’ve been hearing the endless cries of, “We need more gun-control!” “Ban those evil semi-automatic military assault-weapons! Nobody needs those for hunting!” “Ban all high-capacity magazines,!” etc., all of them now permeating the airwaves in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., tragedy.

I’ve also heard the statement in the past, and I’m paraphrasing, that our Second Amendment’s guarantee that a citizen’s “right to keep and

Column: Deadly Weapons in the Hands of Loons, Part II

December 27, 2012 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Deadly Weapons in the Hands of Loons, Part II

Or, Yes, Dorothy, We Do Have a Double Standard Here

By Khalil Spencer

Well, the Bushmaster .223 caliber civilian assault rifle (i.e, a military spec rifle designed to deliver high rates of automatic fire in battlefield conditions, slightly modified to only fire semi-automatic but still capable of several rounds per second and often equipped with high capacity magazines) used to execute 20 elementary school students and six of their teachers made the news again this week, and this time much closer to (my) childhood home.

As reported in the NY Times Read More

Money IQ: Consider a Safe Deposit Box

December 26, 2012 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Money IQ

By Fidel L. Gutierrez

Consider a Safe Deposit Box for Valuables and Digital Media Storage/Computer Back-up

As the old saying goes “you cannot put a price on peace of mind.” In today’s complex world, one of the oldest banking service that is often overlooked is the good old fashioned safe deposit box.

I still remember as a kid going into the bank lobby with my mom and being in awe of the massive bank vault door.

With the proliferation of on-line banking (virtual bank branch) and “mini” branches (including grocery store branches), I find that Read More