Archive for September 3, 2015
We’re Back…
by John Weckerle
…Literally and figuratively.
Beginning in late July, but concentrated in the last week or so of August, the New Mexico Central site was subjected to a denial-of-service attack which ended up taking the site down for a few days. As we dealt with the incident, which affected several other web sites hosted by our sponsor, we received another ugly little surprise that will go without detailed mention but, when combined with the attack, has given us reason to think that we have perhaps been focused away from local and regional events for longer than we ever intended – and longer perhaps than is best.
Our readers – and we do have data that suggests there are still some – will note that there’s been a format change. There will be more of them; we’re experimenting with various new looks for the site. As time goes on, we’d like to hear from you on what seems to work best – or worse, as the case may be.
We’ve made some adjustments to our categories, blog links, and web links as well:
- Sadly, the blog link for Mountainair Arts has been removed. Vanessa has relocated and is no longer maintaining the blog. We wish her the best in her new location in Yuma, Colorado.
- We’ve updated the title of Katie Guttierrez’s “Rocking Rabat” blog – she returned from Morocco but has continued her adventures since.
- Along with the 2010 and 2012 Elections categories, which were just too dated to survive, we have elected to suspend, at least for now, the “Chambergate” category (the articles are still there, but the categories are not). Local Chambers, at least the ones that still exist, have managed to avoid major public controversy for a few years now, and the current Edgewood Chamber executive director is known to us to be both trustworthy and very competent. We hear little of the East Mountain Chamber, and as nearly as we can tell (and find on the Internet) the Moriarty Chamber remains a memory. We’ll be watching, though…
- Similarly, we have removed the link to the Estancia Valley Economic Development Association (EVEDA), reflecting your editor’s decision to sever ties with EVEDA and terminate his company’s membership in the organization. We remain interested in economic issues within the region and look forward to bringing economic information and analysis forward.
- We’ve added links to the sites of several natural resources-oriented organizations with whom we’ve had the privilege to work over the years and continue to support today through other venues. These include the Estancia Basin Resource Association, the Estancia Basin Water Planning Committee, the Claunch-Pinto Soil and Water Conservation District, and the East Torrance Soil and Water Conservation District. Collectively, the people running these organizations, including Board members, volunteers, and staff, are the principal – and tireless – defenders of central New Mexico’s water resources. We encourage EVERYBODY, regardless of location, to contact their local District offices and learn about the programs – tree thinning, land management, rain harvesting, and more – that are available. Many districts offer cost-share programs that can help keep your ecosystem healthy, protected against wildfire, and productive.
- Our support for Wildlife West Nature Park remains undimmed, and we’ve added a suggestion to the Park’s link; supporters can have a percentage of their Amazon.com purchase prices donated to the New Mexico Wildlife Association, the nonprofit entity that manages the Park.