Archive for Estancia Valley
Rain, rain…
by John Weckerle
Yesterday, I used the last of my harvested rainwater. Even though I have a 3,600 gallon capacity, the dry winter, followed by a dry spring, left me with far less than half of that to get through the season. With the second-year trees and shrubs associated with our ecological enhancement activities and the new vegetable gardens, plus the fountains/wildlife bubblers, that much only goes so far.
Why so dry? Part of the answer lies in the state of the El Nino – Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which is a coupled ocean-atmosphere phenomenon that affects weather on a global scale. It involves temperature anomalies in the surface waters of the central tropical Pacific Ocean. El Niño represents a period when surface waters are 0.5o or more warmer than normal, and La Niña represents a time during which temperatures are 0.5o or more cooler than normal. ENSO neutral conditions exist when surface water temperatures are within 0.5o of normal. During the El Niño part of the cycle, our area tends to get more rain, while dryer conditions persist during La Niña. During ENSO neutral conditions, there is an equal chance of having normal, above average, or below average conditions. We are currently experiencing the La Niña effect, which is currently weakening. »» Rain, rain…
Hey, Central New Mexico – Want To Take A Ride On the Space Station?
by John Weckerle
Well, you can’t – but you can watch other people do it for you. According to NASA, there will be some great observation opportunities from points within our area over the next few days, and at some times, both the International Space Station and the space shuttle will be visible at nearly the same time. For more information, check out the Moriarty Space Station sighting schedule.
The Farm Bill and New Mexico
Editor’s Note: In addition to her many other community service efforts, Margarita Mercure Hibbs is a leadership specialist for the My Rural America Action Fund, which addresses issues important to rural Americans. In her transmittal of this article, which was also submitted to various newspaper organizations, Ms. Mercure Hibbs notes that, due to a clerical error, the veto override was delayed until this week, and that Representatives Udall and Pearce supported this bill, while Representative Wilson did not.
by Margarita Mercure Hibbs
The Farm Bill, officially known as the Food, Conservation and Energy Act, is not perfect. That does not however, diminish how vital it is in our efforts to feed the world, supply energy for our nation, conserve our resources, assure a cleaner environment, improve our water quality, and advance the quality of life for millions of Americans. There are realities for rural Americans that should not be forgotten as we peer into the future strengthening our state and our nation. With the ongoing anxiety of a deepening recession, exorbitant gas prices and local families who lost their homes in the Trigo fires, the larger question is, are we a nation that cares for our rural people, or is this merely lip service paid during political campaigns? »» The Farm Bill and New Mexico
Not Just An I-40 Corridor Blog
The publisher of the Mountainair Arts blog expressed a concern this weekend that NM-Central.com was not interested in stories and information from the southern part of the region – Mountainair, Tajique, Torreon, Punta, Manzano, and others. We certainly are – and we’re interested in Willard, Encino, and all the other communities in the region. If you know somebody who has a story to tell from any of those areas, or anywhere in the region, please let them know about this blog, and we’ll work to get their news, views, etc. posted.
We’ve gotten things straightened out, and welcome Mountainair Arts as the first link on our blogroll!
Fighting Poverty by Yanking Rural Services?
Guest Commentary by Flo Maze
Editor’s Note: Ms. Maze asks that anyone wishing to assist with this issue, including but not limited to signing petitions and providing other support, contact her at fmaze21@comcast.net. As stated in the article, a meeting on this issue is scheduled for June 12, 2008 at the Moriarty Civic Center. Members of MRCOG’s Workforce Connection Executive Committee are listed here. The July 2007 roster of the Workforce Connection Board can be found here. We have been advised that Pat Lincoln is no longer on the Board, reportedly having resigned in April. We note that only two of the remaining 35 members are listed with an address in the East Mountains and Estancia Valley, although Moriarty City Councilor Steve Anaya is listed with an Albuquerque business address. We do not currently have any confirmed information on the makeup of a local Board for the Workforce Connection.
On June 30, 2008, the Workforce Connection of Central New Mexico will be closing its doors to the citizens and businesses of Torrance and Southern Santa Fe County and Eastern Bernalillo County permanently. The Executive Board for the Workforce Connection under MRCOG (Mid Region Council of Governments) has made the final decision for this closure. »» Fighting Poverty by Yanking Rural Services?