Friday, November 20, 2009

Zimmerly Elementary Holds Science Fair


by John Larson

Sarah Claussen and Theresa Saavedra presented awards to Zimmerly students who participated in that school’s Science Fair last week.
“We realize that it is not always easy to take time from work and busy schedules, and those participants receive the respect and admiration from the entire school,” Saavedra said. “We also thank the employers who allowed them to take the time to judges. Also thanks to Sue Meza of Sonic for her donations, and Anton Salome of the school district for his support as well.”
Over all fourth grade winners were Audryhanna Baca (1st), Logan Miranda (2nd), and Olivia Beames (3rd).
Overall third grade winners were Paige Strickland (1st), Eric Silva (2nd), and Autumn Goranson (3rd).
Saavedra said some the prizes were donated by local businesses, and community members were involved in the judging.

Picture: Justin Angle receives a runner-up prize from Theresa Saavedra
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The band Star Rider performs outside Western Mercantile on California St. during the store’s grand opening celebration Saturday.

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Alamo Mercantile Opens Doors Again


By John Larson
SOCORRO –The Alamo Mercantile building on California St. is open again, this time under new management, with a full complement of local artists and artisans.
After an agreement between the building’s owner, Alamo Navajo School, Inc., and the City of Socorro, the Socorro County Arts Group took over the operation. A grand opening was held Saturday to introduce the store to the public.
Manager Joy Miler told the Mountain Mail all of the artists are either from the Socorro and Magdalena areas, and that Alamo artists are to be showcased.
“Alamo people will not get charged a booth fee or commission, and they will have a permanent spot in the store,” she said. “This is a good time for stopping by, with Christmas not far off.”
Joy said monthly workshops in a wide variety of arts and crafts are planned.
Workshops in Halloween pumpkin carving and origami box making have already been held.
“We will be having a wire jewelry workshop next,” she said. “We want to have one a month in the evening. Most of our workshops will be adult-oriented, depending on what kind it is.”
The location – near to hotels and Socorro Springs – makes it easy for tourists and visitors to see what Socorro artists have to offer, she said.
Joy’s husband, artist Leon Miler, said all booths are filled with a wide variety of art.
“It’s laid out like a Mercado,” Miler said. “Customers will be able to browse from booth to booth. Each one is like a small specialty store.”
“All of the arts and crafts must be made by the artist. There will be no re-sellers,” he said. “The only exception will be rare, vintage collectibles.”
The one booth dedicated exclusively to collectibles is that of Deborah Dean, Socorro’s Tourism Director. Her passion is hats, she said.
“Anything a little older, actually. Things that have character, like old luggage, jewelry, interesting looking things from another era,” Dean said.
One other deviation is the booth in the northeastern corner of the store, in which customers can buy gift baskets.
Of the 26 artists in the Mercantile, many are familiar with Socorroans.
Some of the artists include jewelry maker Willie Bond, painter Karen Debont, watercolorist Janice Eaton, painter Bob Enders, glass artist Denise Elvrum, photographer Colleen Gino, painter Beverly Hansen, woodworker Olaf Heintz, Arlene Krigstad, Shawn LaBrier, potter Loretta Lohman, stained glass artist Dona Nowicki, Santos maker Maryrose Pino, fiber artist Bobbie Stendahl, Susanne Von Schroder, potter Emma Wann, and digital artist Maureen Wilks.
Alamo Mercantile is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m.

Pictured above: Local band Roon performed during Alamo Mercantile’s grand opening Saturday as jewelry artist and photographer Shawn LaBrier (behind counter) talks with patrons. Band members are (from left): Johnny Dean, Ronna Kalish, and Jim Ruff.
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Pie Town Area Geologist Speaks Out On Water Grab At Library

By Anne Sullivan


DATIL -- Thirty-two people, some bringing their own chairs, squeezed into Datil’s Baldwin Cabin Public Library, a very small library, last Friday, November 13th to hear Dennis Inman’s talk on ‘Geology Potpourri.’ Inman worked for the U.S. Forest Service for over 30 years as an Engineering Geologist and did a lot of work in ground water issues. He’s now retired and living in the Pie Town area.
The San Agustin Plains Water Grab was responsible for attracting the majority of the audience so Dennis Inman began his talk with the Plains water issue, saying that what was needed was to find the boundary of the watershed and look at what’s falling annually and how much goes into the ground. “We need a water budget to show if we’re already overdrawing the aquifer,” he said and also stated, “Well records are incomplete and probably 80 to 85 percent accurate.” Most of the probably 900 plus wells on the Plains are fairly shallow, about 300 feet.
In response to the question ‘What can be done?’ he stated that we need to get somebody involved as “it’s not over till the fat lady sings” and water law is not straight forward.
Inman then showed his collection of rocks from Arizona, California and New Mexico, rocks of great interest, age and/or beauty. As a self-declared Ultimate Geologist, he even displayed one of his kidney stones. Many of the audience members brought rock specimens for inspection and identification.
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Sylvia Uncovers Some Mysterious Long-Buried Revelations

Sylvia
by Anne Sullivan

“Why so glum, Sylvia?” I asked her as she was sitting bolt upright in her indoor bed, not watching TV, just staring at the log wall of the living room.
“I’m not glum,” she replied. “I’ve just been thinking and it’s difficult. You don’t understand how much I want to make a difference to the world – a big difference.”
“It all starts small, Sylvia, and then it grows,” I said from my comfortable chair.
“I know, but that interview with Brian Williams made me realize I had to do something bigger and better.”
“Do you have anything in mind?”
“As a matter of fact, I do. I still want to concentrate on making people and animals feel better about life and its hard knocks. Licking and kibble help but we all need to laugh. Laughing is healthy; that’s a proven fact. So what I want to do is tell them funny jokes to make them
laugh.”
“There are several factors about that you need to consider,” I said. “One, you don’t know any funny jokes. And, two, nobody but me can understand you when you talk. It sounds like barking to other people.”
“Oh, I forgot. That’s right,” said Sylvia. She sulked briefly and became lost in thought for a few more minutes before announcing, “I know what to do. I could send jokes to everybody we know by e-mail.”
“Not with dial-up you can’t,” I said from behind my newspaper. “Besides, I hate jokes and I’m not overly fond of people who e-mail them to me.”
“You’re just a spoil sport,” Sylvia accused. “Don’t you want to rise up from your depression and do something?”
“I do a fair amount as it is and I am not depressed.”
“I suppose that’s right. You are disgustingly positive.” She rose from her bed and strode over to me. “You’re always right about everything.”
“Exactly.”
“Wasn’t there a time when you were wrong about anything? Or did something wrong or bad?”
“Let me see.” I lowered my newspaper before continuing, “ Once I overslept and was late to work. I think it was in 1962.”
Sylvia glowered at me as she asked, “Anything else?”
“Well, when I was a child, I used to steal things from stores.”
A look of satisfaction crossed Sylvia’s face as she let out a low whistle. “That was pretty bad,” she said.
“I guess some might look at it that way, but I gave what I stole to poor children in Bellevue Hospital. I suppose that was good.”
“It’s a wonder you didn’t go to jail,” said Sylvia with what sounded like a tinge of admiration and adding, “What you did must have made a difference to the children in the hospital.”
“Maybe so but don’t you go getting any ideas,” I admonished.
“Nobody I know has anything worth stealing. But, really, aren’t you ever depressed about anything?”
“Oh, sure, but it passes pretty quickly, especially as I have difficulty remembering anything for very long. Right now, I’m depressed that we haven’t seen RingWorm for almost three weeks but I prefer to think that she’s found another place to live, a place where she’ll be able to live in the house because no one is allergic to cats.”
“She’s been here a long time, hasn’t she? She was here when I got here.”
”She’s been here 14 or 15 years, I think.”
“I miss her, too, and I can tell from your voice that you’re sad thinking about her,” Sylvia said, patting my knee with her paw.
“I guess I am.”
“Let me cheer you up,” she said with a throaty giggle. “I do know one joke. Did you hear the one about the traveling salesman’s daughter and the farmer?”
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True Meaning Of The Holidays

Luna News
by Kaye Mindar

Though the holidays bring joy and a good spirit into most of our lives, they can also bring a lot of anxiety about maintaining a culturally sensitive celebratory environment in a diverse world.
We should follow our traditions and be able to share with each other in respect and love our differences. You may want to decorate your home or business for the holidays in a way that says you are festive without subscribing to one tradition or system of beliefs so that all may feel your inner peace and hope during the winter season.
There is always something to celebrate outside
of religion. It can be the winter solstice, or just the spirit of giving peace and goodwill.
We can all develop traditions and still encourage other people to share in the many celebrations of the season.
History In The Making
The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest Alpine, Arizona Ranger District was chosen this year to supply the Nation’s Capital Christmas tree. All is going according to plan and to follow this historic event you can go to http://capitolchristmastree2009.org/
Christmas tree permits are available to cut your own trees on the Gila National Forest. The Luna Work center will offer permits beginning the day after Thanksgiving.
The Luna work center is open on Thursdays and Fridays only; Pinon tree permits are free and other species are $10 each, one per household.
Fire Dept. Open House
From 2 to 5 p.m, Saturday, Nov. 21, the Luna Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Association will hold an open house with eight stations of interest and safety education. They will be giving away one smoke detector per Luna household and there will be three separate drawings for kitchen type fire extinguishers.
There will also be a free hot dog and hamburger cookout. The Ambulance Association will be set up for vitals check, blood pressure and glucose sticks for adults.
LDS Christmas Dinner
At 6 p.m. Friday Dec. 18, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints will be holding their annual pot luck Christmas dinner and they will be bringing in a special guest for the children. All are welcome and invited to attend for an evening of socializing and relaxing with friends.
Preparedness Corner
In preparation for our 2010 weekly articles and canning schedules you can be checking a great web blog at http://safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/.
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