Archive for July, 2009

San Miguel Fire Expanding Slowly

by John Weckerle

San Miguel Fire as seen from Sandia PeakThe San Miguel Fire expanded to 477 acres today, according to the New Mexico Fire Information blog.  The fire, which was visible today from the top of the Sandia Peak Tramway, was sparked by lightning.  It is located approximately 13 miles south of Los Alamos, and about 4.5 miles southwest of the Bandelier National Monument Overlook.  The Monument remains open during normal operating hours, and access to main visitor areas is unaffected, although there are some back-country closures.  The fire is visible from the Monument’s overlook, and staff will be available at the overlook from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to answer questions and provide updated information.  For more information on the fire, see the New Mexico Fire Information blog.

Grow Your Own – The Good, The Bad, And The Squirrels

by John Weckerle

Having returned from our extended sojourn(s) in the eastern U.S., we are now in a position to update our readers on the progress of our gardening efforts and experiments.  We wish to thank our good friends Russ and Phyllis Hayes, who diligently cared for the vegetables and all our other plants while we were on the road.  Thanks to their efforts, we should be dining on fresh veggies (well, we’ve already had some kale and a few cherry tomatoes…) within the next week or so.

Photo - Bed 1

Bed 1

»» Grow Your Own – The Good, The Bad, And The Squirrels

Edgewood Energy Planning Needs More Diverse Approach

by John Weckerle

This week’s local newspapers are abuzz with discussion of controversies surrounding proposals to encourage alternative energy capabilities in Edgewood, New Mexico.  As in the past, the discussion seems focused primarily on wind energy, with proponents seeking to find a way to allow residents to place wind turbines on their properties.  Solar technologies appear to remain an afterthought, as do energy-efficiency upgrades.  With the exception of some comments from Town Councilor Brad Hill quoted in The Independent, there appears to be little thought given to a balanced approach to energy and developing a comprehensive energy management strategy that could produce the desired benefits with a minimum of dispute.  The public discussion has focused almost entirely on wind issues, and review of the minutes of the Town Council, Planning and Zoning Committee, and Energy Committee meetings available online provides no indication that other alternative energy sources have ever been seriously discussed – this in spite of the fact that Town Council and P&Z Committee members have expressed concerns about the apparently nearly-exclusive focus on wind.  We have been critical of this approach in the past (see our February 6, 2009 article), and remain so. »» Edgewood Energy Planning Needs More Diverse Approach

Much To Our Surprise…

by John Weckerle

…we join you yet again from the Northeast U.S.  – specifically, Gillette, NJ.  Our return flight scheduled for yesterday was canceled, and our rescheduled flight leaves this afternoon.

For now, we provide a few images from the  Turtle Back Zoo, Essex County, NJ.  This is a small zoo – perhaps the size of Wildlife West Nature Park overall, but with some rides, picnic areas, and a reptile house.  They had a very nice prairie dog exhibit, but we were very unimpressed with the penguin exhibit – two penguins huddled in about a square foot of shade with no other shelter apparent.  Overall, it’s a good zoo, but a little difficult from the photographic standpoint.

Within a couple of days, we will provide commentary on the aquarium in Virginia Beach, VA.

Photo - Timber Wolf »» Much To Our Surprise…

Happy Independence Day

by John Weckerle

From Virginia Beach, VA we wish all our readers a happy and safe Fourth of July holiday and weekend.  Things have been a bit busy, but we hope to bring you some photographs and travel commentary within the next day or two.  We should be back on a more regular “schedule” by Wednesday or Thursday.