State

New Lensic Arts Education Program: Magic In SFPS Special Education Classrooms Nov. 5-9

October 22, 2018 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

LENSIC News:

SANTA FE — Educator and illusionist Kevin Spencer, an authority on using magic to teach students with special needs, will present his Hocus Focus learning workshops Nov. 5-9 in Santa Fe public schools.

Spencer comes to Santa Fe through a Lensic Artist Residency and The Lensic’s Performing Arts Education program.

Spencer will teach 50-minute sessions in more than 21 special education and inclusive classrooms at 14 Santa Fe schools. He will teach the students one or two simple tricks, each designed to improve cognitive, motor, communication, and social skills

NM Common Cause Gives Best In Gov’t Awards Nov. 10

October 21, 2018 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

CCNM News:

Common Cause New Mexico will honor three separate groups of citizens and elected officials with its Best in Government Awards at its annual luncheon in Albuquerque Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018.

Common Cause New Mexico sponsors the lunch each fall to recognize individuals who have made the year a bright one for good government, fair elections and transparency. This year’s luncheon will be at the UNM Continuing Education Building, 1634 University Blvd. NW, at noon. Katy Duhigg, a former Common Cause New Mexico board member, who was recently appointed Albuquerque City Clerk,

Secretary Of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver Presents Legislative Priorities To New Mexico Legislators

October 21, 2018 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver went in front of the New Mexico Legislature’s Courts, Corrections, and Justice Interim Committee Thursday to outline her Office’s legislative priorities ahead of the 2019 New Mexico Legislative Session.

Sec. Toulouse Oliver used the opportunity before the bi-partisan committee to discuss the funding her office needs for operations and election-related expenses and to advocate on behalf of issues that improve voter access and are essential for election security.

CIR 2018 Gala With Ambassador Michael Mcfaul, Former U.S. Ambassador To Russia Nov. 1

October 21, 2018 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Ambassador Michael McFaul

CIR News:

The keynote speaker for the Santa Fe Council on International Relations 2018 Annual Gala will be Ambassador Michael McFaul, former United States Ambassador to Russia and currently Stanford professor of political science.

CIR’s 2018 Annual Gala is Thursday, Nov. 1 at La Fonda on the Plaza, 100 E. San Francisco St. in the ballroom. The evening begins with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., followed by keynote speaker Ambassador McFaul. This is CIR’s preeminent fundraising and social event.

Amb. Michael McFaul served

FBI: Roswell Felon Sentenced To Seven Years For Unlawful Possession Of Firearm And Ammunition

October 20, 2018 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― Shane Mann, 31, of Roswell, was sentenced Oct. 18 in Federal Court in Las Cruces, to 84 months in prison for violating the federal firearms laws by being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Mann will be on supervised release for three years after completing his prison sentence.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive arrested Mann in Feb. 2018, on a criminal complaint charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition Aug. 9, 2017, in Chaves County.

According to the complaint,

U.S. Rep. Lujan Grisham Announces Official OIG Investigation Into Claims Of Fraud, Mismanagement And Facility Issues At Albuquerque USPS

October 20, 2018 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham

STATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― TU.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) announced Friday that the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) at the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will open an independent investigation into claims of fraud, mismanagement, and dilapidated USPS facilities in Albuquerque.

The Congresswoman was informed about the investigation in a letter from USPS following a recent meeting between the USPS Post Master, local USPS managers, Rep. Lujan Grisham, and American Postal Workers Union (APWU) representatives.

The investigation

FBI: Man Arrested In Texas On Charge Of Robbing Albuquerque Bank

October 20, 2018 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

FBI News:

The FBI in Amarillo, Texas, arrested a man wanted for a bank robbery in Albuquerque.

Matthew Vincent Blackstock, 36, of Amarillo, is accused of robbing Wells Fargo at 3801 4th St. NW, Sept. 17, 2018. Blackstock was arrested Wednesday, Oct. 17, on a federal indictment charging him with bank robbery.

Blackstock is expected to be returned to Albuquerque.

No further information will be released until after Blackstock appears in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque on a date yet to be scheduled.

The public is reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent

Secretary Of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver Reminds All New Mexico Voters Early Voting Begins Today

October 20, 2018 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Sec. of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver reminds all eligible New Mexico voters that early voting for the 2018 general election begins today, Saturday, Oct. 20.

“New Mexicans lead busy lives and sometimes it’s hard to take time off of work or to find childcare in order to go vote. That’s why I encourage all eligible New Mexican voters to consider casting their ballots early this year,” Sec. Toulouse Oliver said. “Early voting is a secure, convenient way to participate in the upcoming election. Voters should visit

Udall Joins Protect Our Care Bus Tour Fighting To Protect Health Care For New Mexico Families

October 20, 2018 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, along with local health care advocates, community members, and elected officials, joined Protect Our Care on its nationwide Care Force One Bus Tour at its stop Wednesday in Albuquerque.

During the event, he called on Republicans to end their relentless attacks on New Mexicans’ health care, and pledged to work to defend and improve access to comprehensive coverage for hardworking New Mexico families.

Udall began by committing to defend comprehensive health care coverage against Republican

‘YE GODS! Icons Of Aztec Deities’ Oct. 22 – Nov. 16

October 20, 2018 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Image by artist Richard Balthazar. Courtesy photo

NNMC News:

ESPANOLA — The Nick Salazar Center for the Arts presents the exhibition YE GODS! Icons of Aztec Dieties by local artist Richard Balthazar Oct. 22 through Nov. 16.

Salazar was formerly the Used Plant Man (or Iris Man) at the Santa Fe Farmers Market and once upon a time even sold plants at the Española Farmers Market.

Presented in large-scale format on vinyl banners, his 15 black and white drawings are designed for a coloring book, and prints for coloring and/or framing are available for free download from his