Environment

Labor Day Citizen Science Project: Yard Day Bird Count

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Spotted Towhee. Courtesy/PEEC

PEEC News:

On Labor Day, Dave Yeamans, a long-time enthusiast of the natural world, is opening his home for a citizen science project, Big Yard Day Bird Count.

To participate, register at www.peecnature.org for the Big Yard Day and stop by Dave Yeaman’s house anytime between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. “Everybody learns something and has fun or my job is not complete,” says Yeamans, who also is a caring host.

Participants are encouraged to wear natural-colored clothing, move gently, and whisper to improve the chances of seeing a wide variety of birds. Light snacks and Read More

DOE Taps Todd Shrader To Lead Carlsbad Field Office

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New Carlsbad Field Office Manager Todd Shrader, third from left, during a tour last November at Hanford with EM Office of River Protection Manager Kevin Smith, right, Waste Treatment and Immobilization Project Assistant Manager Bill Hamel, left and EM Acting Assistant Secretary Mark Whitney. Courtesy/DOE

WIPP News:

The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the selection of Todd Shrader as the manager for the Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO).

“Todd Shrader is a proven leader and experienced engineer who has successfully tackled some of DOE’s toughest issues,” said Monica Regalbuto,Read More

Pajarito Environmental Education Center Leads Efforts To Certify Los Alamos As A Community Wildlife Habitat

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PEEC Board members celebrating the certification of the nature center as a Wildlife Habitat, from left, Jeremy Campbell, Bob Walker, Jennifer Macke, Selvi Viswanathan, Esta Lee Albright, Michele Altherr, Nancy Arendt, Felicia Orth, Ann Shafer, Sue Watts, Mary Carol Williams, Becky Shankland, Talia Dreicer, Karla Sartor and Rebecca Oertel. Courtesy/PEEC

PEEC News:

A team of Pajarito Environmental Education Center volunteers is working to make Los Alamos the first certified Community Wildlife Habitat in New Mexico.

To date, our community consists of 126 backyards, four common areas, Read More

PEEC: September Night Sky Planetarium Shows

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Night Sky Milky Way Astrophotography from Wikimedia Commons by ForestWander. Courtesy/PEEC

PEEC News:

Do you want to know how to identify more of the planets and stars in the night sky?

Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) is holding star shows in the Los Alamos Nature Center planetarium at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5 and 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12.

Each show will introduce celestial objects easily viewed through binoculars this month including planets, the lunar eclipse, star patterns, star clusters, nebulae, double stars, and other celestial objects. Read More

Los Alamos Arms Control Group Considers Support Of Iran Policy

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LACACIS News:
 
The Los Alamos Committee on Arms Control and International (LACACIS) is considering the adoption of a statement of support for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between Iran and the US, UK, France, Russia, China, Germany, and the European Union.  
 
The LACACIS draft policy statement can be read by visiting www.lacacis.org and clicking on Policy Statements.  
 
The position will be discussed and voted on at a meeting at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 4, at the United Church Christian
Read More

Holy Ghost Canyon Open For Labor Day Weekend; Expected To Close For Repairs Sept. 8

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SFNF News:
 
SANTA FE ― The popular Holy Ghost Canyon on the east side of the Santa Fe National Forest will be open to recreationists over the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend. 
 
On Tuesday, Sept. 8, the Forest expects to implement a closure order to protect public health and safety during the reconstruction of Forest Road (FR) 122, also known as Holy Ghost Road. 
 
FR 122 was severely damaged by flooding after the 2013 Tres Lagunas Fire.
 
The restricted area includes land within 500 yards on either side of FR 122 as well as recreation
Read More

Private Well Water Precautions For San Juan County & Other Affected New Mexico Residents

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NMED News:
 
SANTA FE ― Private domestic water well owners in San Juan County and other parts of New Mexico inundated by floodwater caused by recent heavy rain are being advised to take precautions.
 
Flood water can be tainted by sewage leaked by flooded septic systems, or other contaminants, and the floodwater can contaminate water wells.
 
For private domestic water well users whose wells have been inundated by the floodwater, the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) recommends the following actions:
 
1. The well water should be vigorously boiled
Read More

Meet Classic Air Medical At Los Alamos Nature Center

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Classic Air Medical helicopter in flight. Courtesy/PEEC

PEEC News:

To live in Northern New Mexico is to be surrounded by rugged beauty. But what happens if you have a medical emergency when you’re out exploring the wilderness?

Luckily Classic Air Medical, a helicopter medical transport service, is ready to help. At 7 p.m. Tuesday, at the Los Alamos Nature Center, 2600 Canyon Road, meet pilot Geoff Rodgers and the medical team to discuss the exciting work of this helicopter rescue company and how they work with the local community.

Rodgers is a former Los Alamos County councilor who served Read More

LANL: Capture Sunlight With Your Window

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The luminescent solar concentrator could turn any window into a daytime power source.Courtesy/LANL

 

LANL News:

  • With integrated photovoltaics, quantum dot solar windows go non-toxic, colorless, with record efficiency

A luminescent solar concentrator is an emerging sunlight harvesting technology that has the potential to disrupt the way we think about energy; It could turn any window into a daytime power source.

“In these devices, a fraction of light transmitted through the window is absorbed by nanosized particles (semiconductor quantum dots) dispersed in a glass window, re-emitted Read More

Cinema Cindy Reviews ‘Love And Mercy’

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By CYNTHIA BIDDLECOMB
Los Alamos

“Love and Mercy” is an intense bio-pic about Brian Wilson, the genius behind the 1960s band the Beach Boys, and his downward spiral into mental illness.

Rated PG-13 “for thematic elements, drug content and language,” “Love and Mercy” is not light fare. Its focus on mental health, abusive therapists and parents requires of the audience a strong and merciful heart. However, the story is historically informative and courageous.

 

Movie poster for ‘Love and Mercy.’ Courtesy/Reel Deal Theater

John Cusack plays a mentally and emotionally oppressed Read More