Archive for March, 2010
Public Service Announcement: Edgewood Mobile Pantry and Civitan Clothing Exchange
The Edgewood Mobile Pantry and Civitan Clothing Exchange will be conducting distribution tomorrow, March 25. For more information, see the article at Gadabout-Blogalot.com.
A Clarification
by John Weckerle
Photo that was attached to the e-mail message
New Mexico Central doesn’t typically get too wrapped up in national affairs; however, once in a while we find a need to address a situation. In this case, we find that an e-mail response sent by your editor was tampered with, and now is out there on the Internet with his name still on it. Accordingly, this article clarifies the situation.
This morning, I received an e-mail message from a Valley resident with the picture shown here and the following text:
Let’s take the bugger down through the Internet… Seems the majority of
the press are worshiping at his feet….Someone could put this on facebook..
If each person sends this to a minimum of twenty people on their address list, in three days, all people inThe United States of America would have the message. I believe this is one proposal that really should be passed around.THIS WILL CURDLE YOUR BLOOD AND CURL YOUR HAIR
The name of the book Obama is reading is called:
“The Post-American World,” and it was written by a fellow Muslim.
“Post” America means the world After America! Please forward this picture to everyone you know, conservative or liberal. We must expose Obama’s radical ideas and his intent to bring down our beloved America!
Your editor is known to have a bit of a pet peeve where inaccuracy and misleading information in widely circulated e-mails is concerned. I replied: »» A Clarification
Edgewood And The Chamber Of Not Exactly Secrets
by John Weckerle
We take it as a compliment that our readers are willing to send us information on which to report.
We received a forwarded e-mail today that apparently originated with the Edgewood Chamber of Commerce. The message reads as follows:
There is going to be a workshop titled “Making of America in the History of our Constitution”
The workshop will be on May 1, 2010 from 9:00 Am – 4:30 PM and will be held at Valley View Christian Church in Edgewood, NM
The cost is $15/adults and $12/students – includes workbook, lunch and refreshmentsI have registration forms at the Edgewood Chamber office if you are interested.
We thought it was worth looking into. »» Edgewood And The Chamber Of Not Exactly Secrets
The Final – Well, You Know…
by John Weckerle
The last couple of nights have brought us some wonderful starscapes in the New Mexico Central area. Such skies are for watching, and if you’re watching, you may want to do so at 8:30 this evening. That’s right: the International Space Station will be gracing our skies over the next few nights. For viewing times, see the schedule, which gives both the time and the direction in which to look. Enjoy it while you can, folks; there’s another storm on the way.
What’s A Chamber For?
by John Weckerle
One of our readers sent us an e-mail message from Debbie Ortiz, executive director of the Moriarty Chamber of Commerce, sent out this past Monday, March 15. The message, with the title “FWD: transformation in the marketplace,” reads as follows:
Dear Chamber Members,
Please open the attachment. Leanne the Chairman of the Chamber requested
this be sent out. Please join her at Shorty’s on March 17, at 5:30 for her
presentation on “Transformation in the Marketplace”.Thanks – Stay warm and have a wonderful rest of the day!
The attachment, which we will absolutely not post here, promotes an event called “Transformation in the Marketplace” – which, as it turns out, was a dinnertime prayer meeting held yesterday at a restaurant reputedly owned by Santos and Leanne Tapia (the Leanne referenced in the e-mail).
Where do we start? »» What’s A Chamber For?
New Orleans Woman Wins NM HGTV Dream Home
by John Weckerle
A former science teacher and Peace Corps volunteer from New Orleans, whose home was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, has won the HGTV Dream Home located at San Pedro Overlook near Cedar Crest. The winner, Myra Lewis, won a $2 million package which included the fully furnished home, a 2010 GMC Terrain, and $500,000.
Information from the press release includes: »» New Orleans Woman Wins NM HGTV Dream Home
El Nino Rides Again
by John Weckerle
Winter Sunrise - Southern Santa Fe County
Sunday’s snowstorm brought about a foot of snow to New Mexico Central headquarters. Fortunately for us, the snow melted sufficiently to allow us to make our appointments in Albuquerque yesterday afternoon. First thing in the morning, though, the snow was fresh and deep, allowing your editor and Senior Snowpack Analyst Wilson to set out just before sunrise and survey the situation. We were not disappointed, and we’re looking forward to the April (and thereafter) flowers that will likely benefit from the recent weather.
Cap, Trade, and Chambers
by John Weckerle
Last year, as a gesture of friendship and by way of some attempted fence-mending, then-Edgewood Chamber of Commerce president Kelly Krauth put your editor on the Chamber’s e-mail list for announcements and other communications. On February 22, we received an e-mail from Chamber executive Robin Foshee discussing a proposal by New Energy Economy (NEE) to include what appears to amount to a carbon dioxide (CO2) cap-and-trade program in New Mexico’s environmental regulatory structure. The e-mail strongly opposed this move, and listed the Edgewood Chamber of Commerce as being publicly opposed to the regulation. Language in the e-mail seemed fairly clear with respect to an intent to have it forwarded to the greatest extent possible. I responded to the e-mail, asking whether the decision to oppose this proposal was made by the entire membership or just the board of directors, and on what basis the Chamber was opposing the regulatory change.
In response, I got a “corrected” version of the e-mail (this was also sent to me by a concerned Chamber member), which simply changed “Edgewood Chamber of Commerce” to “Edgewood Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors.” I sent another e-mail to Ms. Foshee stating the belief that this was essentially a difference that made no difference, given that the Board was invoking the Chamber’s name and using Chamber resources to oppose NEE’s petition. I again posed the question regarding the basis for the Chamber’s opposition. The response was rather unexpected. »» Cap, Trade, and Chambers
Well, Here We Go Again
by John Weckerle
After yesterday’s beautiful weather, your editor awoke with a song in his heart and not too many clouds in his sky. Unfortunately, it looks as if the bright, sunshiny day may be a short-lived phenomenon. According to our friends at the National Weather Service, another system is moving into the area, complete with the potential for more of the good old white stuff. We’ll be under a winter storm watch today and will likely be seeing showers and thunderstorms this afternoon, with snow tonight. Depending on who is to be believed, we have 70-80% chance of rain/snow today and tonight, and 50-70% chance tomorrow. Fortunately, it looks as if temperatures will be remaining at or slightly below freezing tonight and tomorrow, and popping back up into the fifties on Tuesday, so we should not be socked in for long. Nonetheless, driving conditions later today – and especially tomorrow and Tuesday mornings – may be difficult, so let’s be careful out there!
Here’s the winter storm watch advisory: »» Well, Here We Go Again
Enough, Already…
by John Weckerle
We find ourselves shaking our heads yet again at the Mountain View Telegraph’s relentless publication of climate contrarian rants by Scott Brooks. Last week, Mr. Brooks provided yet another reference-free critique of little bits and pieces of an BBC interview with University of East Anglia Climate Research Unit director Phil Jones and a related BBC story. We’ll let our readers read the articles and come to their own conclusions, but from here it looks as if Mr. Brooks’s points on the Jones statements are 180 degrees off top dead center. Mr. Brooks’s interminable insistence that the lack of statistically significant warming during a statistically insignificant period of 15 years proves something about climate change is beginning to bore us, and his recounting of the comparison of warming periods is characteristically wide of the mark. Of course, we see similarly characteristic unqualified statements that those who believe that anthropogenic global climate change is occurring point to the winter storms as proof of global warming. That is typical hogwash; in fact, the only references to those storms proving anything that we’ve seen have been from the other side, claiming that they show that global warming is a farce. Mr. Brooks does as much in the current diatribe.
Mr. Brooks will continue to write his letters, and the Telegraph will continue to print them – and will likely continue not to provide any meaningful independent examination of the issues in question – in what appears to be a perpetual “he-said/he-said” treatment of the subject. Perhaps one sells more papers by inflaming than informing, but in this case we again wish to state that we believe the Telegraph owes its readers a little more of the latter.
Public Service Announcement: Mountainair Ranger District Travel Management Environmental Assessment Ready for Public Review
from Mark M. Chavez, Public Affairs Officer/Web Manager, Cibola National Forest & Grasslands
Mountainair, NM – March 4th, 2010 – The Mountainair Ranger District, Cibola National Forest, is hosting three Open Houses March 9th, 10th and 11th to provide an opportunity for public review and comment regarding the proposals described in the Environmental Assessment for Travel Management on the Mountainair Ranger District. The meeting will begin with a short presentation on the alternatives at 5 p.m., followed by the Open House where individuals will have an opportunity to meet with the Interdisciplinary Team and ask questions about the environmental analysis and the alternatives. »» Public Service Announcement: Mountainair Ranger District Travel Management Environmental Assessment Ready for Public Review
Leapin’ To The Lizard
by John Weckerle
Yesterday evening, we decided enough cabin fever was enough and headed out to the Lazy Lizard Grill in Cedar Crest, on NM 14 just south of Frost Road. The Lazy Lizard serves beer, wine, and a variety of meals and appetizers. Your editor ordered the Ringneck Pizza (fresh tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, olives, and mozzarella) with extra cheese, and others ordered the Mud Puppy (a French dip-style sandwich) and the Chicken Caesar Wrap. The very tasty pizza sported appropriately fresh ingredients and went very well with the glass of oatmeal stout I ordered. Leftover slices made an excellent breakfast this morning. High compliments were afforded to the Mud Puppy as well, and the Chicken Caesar – half of which came home because it was huge – also received kudos from the consumer. In the past, your editor has also enjoyed the Sandia Park calzone, the Horned Lizard sandwich, the Lizard Bread appetizer, and several of the salads. Prices are reasonable, especially in light of the generous portions provided. »» Leapin’ To The Lizard
Moriarty Election Results
by John Weckerle
It’s official – Ted Hart has been elected as Mayor of Moriarty and Larry Irvin and Dennis Shanfeldt were elected to serve on the Moriarty City Council, which also includes Bobby Ortiz and Steve Anaya. We wish them all the best of luck!
We just discovered that all the election results for the region can be found on this Mountain View Telegraph page.
Public Service Announcement: Job Fair
by John Weckerle
U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich will be hosting a job fair Monday, March 8 at St. Anne’s Catholic Church (1400 Arenal Road SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105). For more information, see the announcement at Mr. Heinrich’s Congressional web site.
More Unofficial Election Results – Mayoral Elections
by John Weckerle
We have unofficial results on three Mayoral elections in the New Mexico Central region. Sources inform us that Ted Hart will be the new Mayor of Moriarty; that Ted Barela has been re-elected as Mayor of Estancia; and that Chester Riley will be the new Mayor of Mountainair.