MAGDALENA -- Magdalena High School is ranked among the best high schools in the United States, according to a study released by U.S. News and World Report.
The magazine’s website states that “in collaboration with School Evaluation Services, a K-12 education and data research and analysis business that provides parents with education data - analyzed academic and enrollment data from more than 21,000 public high schools to find the very best across the country. These top schools were placed into gold, silver, bronze, or honorable mention categories.”
Magdalena High School was listed in the bronze category.
In the study, it was first determined that each school's students were performing better than statistically expected for the average student in the state. Then, it was determined whether the school's least-advantaged students (Native American, Hispanic, and low income) were performing better than average for similar students in the state.
Superintendent Mike Chambers said a number of factors were responsible for the recognition.
“It’s always nice to have this kind of acknowledgment. It validates what the general view of the school has been,” he said. “We have a staff that works hard. The ACT test scores were good. This year and last year they were above the state average.”
The high school has been on the best schools list three out of the last four years.
Chambers said it takes a continual effort and commitment to provide the best education possible for students.
“The kids are always our first priority, and what’s needed is to give them opportunities to excel. It doesn’t happen by accident, but by design. We focus on the kids,” he said. “We have a meeting once a week with key players on the staff and talk about things that can be done. That’s our bottom line. We ask ‘how is this going to impact kids.’ That’s our major focus.”
Chambers said the Magdalena School District is facing the same problems other schools in the state deal with – funding. “We are the third highest poverty district in the state,” he said.
“But we have a lot of help (from the state and federal government) to offset that.
“When I came here, there was a very minimal cash balance. Now we maintain a good balance.
“We watch our (fiscal) P’s and Q’s,” Chambers said. “We’ve been fortunate.”
Another plus for the high school is that the teaching staff has been consistent.
“We rarely lose teachers. In fact we typically have more wanting to come and teach, than leave,” he said.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Magdalena High School Gets High Marks
Village Moves To Curtail Flooding
MAGDALENA – A long awaited infrastructure project designed to reduce flooding of several Magdalena streets is finally getting underway, according to a report by Mayor Jim Wolfe at Monday night’s Village Board Meeting.
He said funding from a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) has been approved by Housing and Urban Development, which means an engineer can start studying the problem areas.
Wolfe, who, as an engineer for the federal government before his retirement, was one of the designers of the north-south diversion channel for Albuquerque.
“The first thing will be to figure out where are the breaking points for drainage, and sort out how many acres are in that area,” Wolfe told the Mountain Mail. “Then the engineer will have to develop a rainfall intensity over a certain amount of time, and then come up with a flood flow analysis, based on a 100 year flood.
“We had some mapping done, and they can produce some high quality topography from those maps because of high resolution giving four to five foot contours.”
He said the village would not be able to finance the installation of storm drains.
“We don’t have the money for that,” he said. “What they may do is come up with a design to channelize the runoff at Limit Street into the big ditch, and conceptualize a design for modifying the (west side) arroyo to use for drainage.”
He said Pat Stovall of Smith Engineering will be heading the project.
“They are the ones that helped with the lagoons, and the dam issue,” Wolfe said. “It will be a big project.”
Joint Utilities Director Steve Bailey said most every unpaved street in the village is susceptible to flood damage during a heavy rainfall, especially the cul-de-sacs north of First Street.
“Those accumulate all the debris. Once the water gets down there it just chews it up,” Bailey said. “But we have to deal with rain water all over town. On some streets customers will ask if I can help out with filling in dirt in washed out places, but it usually washes out again with the next rainfall.”
He said some property owners have been given permission to put in their own culverts.
In other business:
• The board approved the expenditure of $6,000 to pay for Basic EMT training for six new volunteers. Marshal Larry Cearley said the approval “will relieve some of the pressure on the current EMTs.” The training course, taught by John Cole, will be held on 10 consecutive weekends.
• The board approved the purchase of eight sets of up-to-date bunker gear for the volunteer fire department for $12,736.50 from First-In, Inc. Fire Chief Art Rauschenberg said the suits incorporate “drag rescue loops” for added safety. “The company will come in and make sure each set of coat and pants will be fitted to the volunteer’s size,” he said.
County Looks Into Judicial Complex Options
SOCORRO -- The Socorro County Commissioners all agree there is a need for a judicial complex and a detention facility.
But there are many questions still out there.
Will it be a regional complex along with Sierra and Catron Counties? Will it be just a county complex? How are they going to get the money? There are many other questions as well.
But on Wednesday Jan. 13, four members of the commission, county manager Delilah Walsh and detention superintendent Evangel Maldonado heard a presentation from Gerald Martin, a construction management firm based in Albuquerque.
“We will walk you through the process in how to get your program off the ground,” said Robert Martinez, the director of construction management.
Martinez outlined a chart, indicating the steps it would take to build a judicial complex.
“We will help you every step of the way,” he said.
Walsh asked the commissioners if this something they wanted to pursue. Commissioner Rosie Tripp said, “We can not make any decisions today but I would like to put it on the agend.”
Martinez said: “All we are looking for is a minimum investment to offset our costs. We are ready to start and we have started investigating things.”
Walsh said she will prepare a proposal “to get the ball rolling. It gives us time for our attorney (Adren Nance) to look into this.”
Bustamante To Lead Electric Co-op For Another Term
SOCORRO – The three new trustees took their seats as the Socorro Electric Cooperative board met for the first time in this year on Tuesday, Jan. 12.
The first order of business for the new trustees -- Luis Aguilar, Prescilla Mauldin and Donald Wolberg – and the rest of the board, was to elect officers.
Aguilar nominated Wolberg and Leo Cordova nominated Paul Bustamante for the presidential spot. By a 7-4 vote, Bustamante remained as president.
Leroy Anaya nominated Dave Wade as vice president, and Wolberg nominated Mauldin for the vice president spot. By a 7-4 vote, Wade was elected vice president.
Aguilar was appointed to the secretary post. Nine trustees voted for Aguilar and there were two empty ballots.
Trustee Charlie Wagner made a motion to combine the secretary and treasurer posts, but Bustamante said “maybe we will look into that next year.”
Wagner then nominated Aguilar for treasurer, Manny Marquez nominated Milton Ulibarri, and Mauldin nominated Wolberg.
Ulibarri got the treasurer post with seven votes, Wolberg had three, and Aguilar one.
The trustees moved on to the business portion of the meeting and the approval of the minutes.
Wagner pointed out the word “sexual” was left out of the minutes of the last regular meeting. He was referring to being accused of discriminatory comments aimed at co-op accountant Kathy Torres.
“That word was left out and it should be reflected in the minutes,” Wagner said.
“They are important and that should be included in the minutes,” attorney Dennis Francis said. “There are other changes. You also accused the accountant of falsifying records.”
Wagner said, “This was a teleconference meeting about the Form 990. My complaint was that the Form 990 was not correct and some information was false. The auditor agreed with me and he changed the answers to two or three questions.”
“We need that in the minutes as well,” Francis said.
After some more discussion, Wagner said, “We have a policy 217 that directs the manager to take action when sexual discrimination takes place. The manager did not obey the policy.”
Francis said, “We agreed ‘sexual’ should be in there and the minutes will be corrected.”
After approval of the minutes, trustees asked questions of General Manager Polo Pineda about the co-op expenditure report.
“I was troubled by the number of payroll advances,” Wolberg said. “If we have employees that have problems, we should work with them.”
Pineda said the money is taken out of the employee’s following paycheck.
Wolberg asked Pineda about the Christmas party expense, which totaled around $10,000.
Wagner added that he would like to see itemized expenditures for the banquet in 2008 and 2009.
“We live in difficult economic times and we really have to re-evaluate what we do and why,” Wolberg said.
Wolberg’s emphasis, though, was all about communication between the trustees and its members.
“We really have to work on this,” he told the board. “In the mail today, I received a package from the National Rural Cooperative. They had some information about being a trustee and a calendar and I got a bumper sticker that said, ‘I love my Electric Co-op.’ I would love to see that on every car in this town.”
Bustamante said, “We need to go forward and we always seem to be going backward. There are a lot of issues we need to take care of.”
In its last meeting of 2008, the board voted to utilize the services of Michael Olguin for its insurance.
Pineda said that since then he has been approached again by Aon and Brown and Brown.
“I am going to tell them to contact us next year.” Pineda said.
Wolberg then brought up the subject of an informational meeting. He said he wants the members to know what resolutions are coming up before the general meeting in April.
Francis pointed out that there nothing in the co-op bylaws about an informational meeting.
Wolberg said, “[I] don’t care what you call this, but we have to do this. We need to change our image with our members. If we don’t, we will go down this path forever.”
Bustamante said it was something the co-op has to check into, and Pineda added it probably would cost $10,000 to $15,000 to hold such a meeting. Wolberg said money could be saved by putting the meeting documents in upcoming bills.
Wolberg then asked Bustamante to clarify the co-op attorney situation.
Bustamante assured Wolberg that the co-op has one attorney, Dennis Francis.
Wolberg pointed out that in a meeting in November, the co-op had hired the services of Joanna Aguilar and Paul Kennedy as well, and there had been nothing in the minutes about the termination of their services.
“There was no contract. There never were three attorneys. There was a transition,” Bustamante said.
Wolberg then said he had concerns about Francis.
“He represents another co-op and I am concerned about a conflict of interest,” Wolberg said.
Francis responded by saying, “I was the attorney for this co-op between 2002 and 2005, and was the attorney for another co-op and there was never a problem.”
Wolberg said, “I just want to protect the co-op.”
After about an hour and half, Pineda asked that the trustees go into executive session to discuss a personnel matter.
The meeting was called back to order after about 20 minutes and it was immediately adjourned.
This is the bumper sticker that new trustee Donald Wolberg would like to see on every vehicle in Socorro.
Udall Visits Tech
U.S. Senator Tom Udall met with New Mexico Tech students and university administrators Wednesday for a roundtable discussion on job opportunities after college. Students from several disciplines, including mining, petroleum, mechanical, mathematics, and others, related their experiences and voiced comments. At the end of the meeting, Udall said the job prospects for graduates of New Mexico Tech were excellent, given the challenges of energy needs in the coming years. University President Dan Lopez led the meeting in Brown Hall on the campus.
OBITUARY: John Duletsky / Ruby Lee Hawk Duletsky
Ruby Lee Hawk Duletsky (June 14, 1931-Dec. 28, 2009)
John Duletsky passed away on Dec. 28, 2009 in Grand Junction, CO.
John’s wife of 58 years, Ruby Lee Hawk Duletsky, followed him in death less than five hours later at 11:47 p.m., also in Grand Junction. John was 83 years old, Ruby was 78 years old.
John was born on Aug. 13, 1926 in Detroit, MI. Ruby was born on June 14, 1931 (“June the flag day”) in Martin County, Texas (near Ackerly). They were married on Sept. 28, 1951 in the Socorro Church of Christ.
John & Ruby are survived by their three children: Sam Duletsky of Grand Junction, CO; W. Luanne Sterner and her husband Tom Sterner of Leavenworth, KS; and J. Mark Duletsky of Casper, WY. They are also survived by five grandchildren: Anna and Alex Duletsky; Dana and Sam Sterner; and by Bailee Jo Hansen.
John was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.
Ruby was preceded in death by her parents (Miller and Olive Hawk, of Lemitar, NM), by two brothers: Albert Miller Hawk, Jr. (Jack), PFC USAAC, kia on 7 SEP 1944 off the West coast of Mindinao, PI ; by William Robert Hawk who died of typhoid fever in 1938 and is buried in the Tres Lagunas cemetery north of Pie Town, NM.; and by one sister, Neva Nelle Hawk Cook Sullivan, who is buried in Belen, NM. Two sisters survive; Shirley Hawk Bailey and her husband Richard K. of Socorro, NM, and M. Luwilda (Lukie) Hawk Fletcher and her husband William S. of Olathe, CO.
John and his siblings (2 brothers, 2 sisters, plus one child who died in infancy) were 1st generation Americans. Their father had been an officer in a Cossack regiment in the Czar’s army prior to emigrating to America before World War I. [ The father could reportedly pick up a handkerchief from the ground with his teeth while riding at a full gallop! ]
John enlisted in the U.S. Navy with parental consent when he was 17 years old and spent the last ~2 years of WWII on active duty as an Aviation Machinist Mate/Aerial Gunner. [John’s older brother, Paul, (also an alumnus of NMSM) was a B-17 pilot in the USAAC in WWII.]
John transferred to the New Mexico School of Mines (now New Mexico Tech) from the Lawrence Institute of Technology in Highland Park, MI, and graduated in 1952 with a BS degree in Petroleum Engineering. He worked in the “oil patch” for several years in Texas and in Venezuela (Lake Maracaibo). After returning from Venezuela he was employed by the United States Geological Survey in several western states. He transferred to the USGS headquarters in Reston, Va. in 1971, and internally moved to DOI national headquarters in Washington, D.C. Prior to his retirement from the USGS/BLM, John was active in helping to generate many of the on-shore procedures and regulations concerning oil and gas development still in use by the USBLM. After his retirement, John was active in the training of BLM Fluid Minerals Group personnel across the country in the interpretation and enforcement of on-shore orders pertaining to continental oil and gas exploration, development, and production. He often acted in a liaison capacity between the USBLM and Congress. He was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus by NMIMT in 1985. John was an avid golfer during his retirement years and always enjoyed working on various projects around the house. Ruby was a mother and homemaker while the children were growing up. Later she enjoyed several trips to Europe and to Hawaii when her daughter’s career-Army husband was stationed in Germany and Hawaii. Later she became a licensed realtor in Virginia for a number of years.
John and Ruby are deeply missed by their family and many friends.
Memorial services for both have not yet been finalized.
Tech Student Dies in Car Accident
New Mexico Tech
New Mexico Tech lost one of its students last weekend. Thomas Matthew Brooks, a sophomore electrical engineering student, died after he was involved in a one-car crash Saturday in Rio Rancho.
Brooks was in a car with four other teenagers when the crash occurred, according to Officer John Francis of the Rio Rancho police department.
Francis said five people were in a vehicle traveling on Unser Boulevard north of King Boulevard when the crash occurred at 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9. Two people died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.
The three other teens were taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Brooks matriculated at New Mexico Tech in the fall of 2008.
Francis said Monday that no other details about the crash are being released, pending the outcome of the police investigation.
University President Daniel H. Lopez extended his condolences to the Brooks’ family.
“New Mexico Tech is a small community and any time we lose a member of our community, the loss is especially hard on everyone,” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Thomas’s family and friends.”
Refuge To Conduct Mountain Lion Study
The portion of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge east of the Rio Grande was closed to the public Monday in order to initiate a mountain lion study.
The closure, which may last up to 90 days, will have some impact on public use on the refuge. Due to the remote nature of this portion of the Refuge and that access is by foot only, the impact to the public is expected to be minimal. The only members of the public that may be affected are occasional hikers, and oryx hunters, who possess off-range permits for the months of January and February.
The refuge is working with its conservation partners to implement a mountain lion study in the east boundary of the refuge, which will include setting various remote sensing equipment in order to observe mountain lion activity in the area. Capturing and collaring is another technique being used in this study. “Protecting wildlife on the refuge is our mission,” said Tom Melanson, Manager of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. “In order to understand the natural habitats of these large cats, we first need to study them, and that is what this particular effort intends to accomplish.”
EDITORIAL: Time For Co-op Board To Mend Some Fences
The three new Socorro Electric Cooperative trustees – Luis Aguilar, Prescilla Mauldin and Don Wolberg -- vowed they want to make a difference.
Here is hoping they can.
But it is not going to be easy.
Needless to say, the wounds run deep between the members and the co-op board.
There was a full house at the first meeting of 2010.
And things escalated even before the meeting started.
At 6:30 p.m., trustee Charlie Wagner demanded the meeting start on time. But Trustee president Paul Bustamante insisted the board wait for Dave Wade, who was running late.
“Will you extend me the same courtesy if I am ever running late,” Wagner asked.
Bustamante said: “I sure will.”
Ten minutes later, Wagner said: “This is not professional. We have to go by our bylaws and we have to start on time.”
Trustee Milton Ulibarri told Wagner to keep his voice down.
“We have a duty to start on time and we have a quorum. We don’t have the right to not start on time,” Wagner yelled.
Bustamante scolded Wagner, telling him his tone causes a lot of hostility.
Wagner told Bustamante that he was not a very good leader.
After some more bickering, a woman in the audience yelled out, “here is your old fool,” as Wade walked into the meeting room.
Ulibarri swung around his chair and confronted the woman, telling her she had no right to say that.
The woman responded by saying, “we don’t need you either.”
Wade humbly took his chair and apologized for being late. “I almost forgot my shoes,” he said. “I appreciate you waiting for me.”
This little episode, though, indicates how much work the trustees have in front of them.
They have to earn the trust back of their members.
Bustamante should be commended because on more than one occasion he said the board has to go forward and not look backward.
Time and time again, Wolberg reiterated that the board has to reach out to its members. He said the members have to know who the co-op employees are who go out each day and risk their lives, making sure everybody has power in their homes and their businesses. He said the members have to know how the co-op board is spending their hard-earned money. He said the members have to know what resolutions are coming up in April’s general meeting.
But of course, how much influence the new trustees have remains to be seen.
They likely will be on the short end of most votes.
What’s good, though, is that there are some new voices to be heard on the board.
And hopefully, everybody on the board will be listening a little more carefully and making better informed decisions.
LETTER: Tired Of Antics
I am so tired of the antics of the current board members. It has become a soap opera.
Perhaps we would do better to cut to the chase and just appoint a board composed of N.M. Tech juniors. They could perhaps conduct business in a more adult manner.
OPINION: Magdalena - 2,100 Miles From Wall Street
By Don Wiltshire
While trying to fall asleep the other night, an image kept reoccurring to me: the Wall Street traders in their shirt sleeves, talking on their headphones, yelling at the big board, throwing crumpled papers to the floor. Who were they talking to? Why were they yelling at the board? Were they happy in their work? How much do they get paid? What does all of this mean to us?
Increasingly, this “floor show” is just that: a theatrical stunt to keep the public mesmerized and excited about the prospect of making money with money. It’s designed to put a human face on making money at the expense of the real workers out here in the “boonies.” The real work of stock trading is being done backstage on banks of computers. Take it from an old theater techy: the show must go on!
For those of you who still have your heart set on being an NYSE Trader, the cost for a yearly license is now $40,000. There are only 1,366 positions open, so you better hurry. How much you make for you and your clients is strictly up to you, your greed and your cunning. You’ll also be pleased to learn that the NYSE is now offering the services of Supplemental Liquidity Providers (SLPs) for those of you with not quite enough capital to snag that real buy on GE at $16.63.
Around the block from the current NYSE trading floor on Wall Street is the original NYSE building on Broad Street. It’s a magnificent neoclassical building designed by George B. Post in 1901. The facade sports six enormous Corinthian columns which support a pediment sculpture designed in 1903 by John Quincy Adams Ward. It’s title: Integrity Protecting the Works of Man. (Hummmm.) The 22-foot high figure of Integrity with classic gown and winged hat, is shown waving her protective arms over rather gaunt, nude male figures representing Agriculture and Mining to her left and Science, Industry and Invention to her right.
There is a pregnant pioneer woman (fully clothed) thrown in for good measure. The combined weight of all of this marble statuary, 90 tons, not including all of that irony, proved to be more than even the Corinthian columns could bear.
In 1936, the statuary was replaced by lead-coated replicas which weighed in at only 10 tons. Should the title of this work now be changed to Lead-Coated Replica of Integrity Protecting the Works of Man?
The only thing in Magdalena that we’ve got to compare to that is the 1908 BANK pediment over the now defunct Evett’s Café. But we do have something that New York City doesn’t have: the magnificent Magdalena Mountains. I can guarantee that we won’t be replacing them with lead-coated replicas any time soon. In all fairness, New York City does have one thing that Magdalena does not: good cheese Danish; a small price to pay.
So where did all of that integrity go? Buying stock in a company used to a way to lend money to a company that you trusted and believed in. You would be rewarded with dividends and a share in the company as it prospered and grew. The present day stock trader is only concerned with buying low and selling high in nanosecond time blocks. The goal is to amass as much money as you can. At the same time, corporations are now concerned primarily with driving up the value of their stock prices at the expense of the employees and their working conditions. This is a vicious cycle indeed, driven by greed, not by integrity.
Thank goodness, we have a great deal of integrity left in Magdalena. People here believe that they can still do and create good things without trampling on the lives and works of others. That’s a priceless commodity, not to be taken lightly. I’m very proud to be part of a community that can grow and sustain itself while other parts of the country are consuming themselves with corruption and greed.
If you have any Comments? Problems? Solutions? Up coming Events? Good Stock Tips? Contact me at mtn_don@yahoo.com or (575) 854-3370.
OPINION: A Step Toward Socialist Health Care
By Doug May
On Christmas Day as many were celebrating God’s gift of a Savior, Senator Tom Udall sent out an e-mail celebrating the Senate’s passage of a health care bill.
He wrote, “I am proud to say that this Christmas Eve vote was a monumental step towards making sure all New Mexicans have the opportunity to live healthier lives for generations to come.” That promise requires a lot of gullibility to believe. But there is no doubt that in so doing the Senate took a giant step toward governmental control of health care. That is more socialism.
The socialist mind favors government control as the only way to be “fair.” In so doing they always demonize the private sector.
Udall explains, “Those who have been refused coverage because of unfair insurance policies like discrimination based on pre-existing conditions will get the protection they need.” What he is saying, for example, is that a woman who is pregnant should be allowed to buy health insurance and have her delivery covered. By paying $500 for a few monthly payments she should have $10,000 to $20,000 in hospital and doctors bills covered by her insurance. And Udall has the gall to call that insurance company “unfair” for not doing that. It is unfair to the insurance company to require it.
Auto insurance companies have a variety of rates based on the type of vehicle and the person’s driving record. If a person has 2 DWI and several speeding tickets his is going to be charged more for insurance. Such a system encourages good conduct. The same should apply to health insurance. Unhealthy life styles on average are going to require more health care. Fairness requires that the one who will receive more help should pay more.
However, the government should continue to support those clinics that charge on the basis of what a person is able to pay.
The bothersome thing is the socialistic mind set that demonizes capitalism. Capitalism is an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, doing business based on private decision rather than by state control and competing in a free market. Capitalism is in a large part responsible for the good health care system we have. Capitalistic health care encourages innovation and provides better care for more people.
Udall, on the other hand, is promoting “a system where health care is a right for all Americans, not just a privilege for the wealthy.” This is the first time that I have ever fallen into the category of being one of “the wealthy.” I do have good health care. Over 90 percent of our population is “wealthy” because they have good health care. Even those who do not have health insurance are receiving health care.
Our Bill of Rights does not mention health care. But it does say we have the right to pursue happiness. Pursue means we must work for what makes us happy.
There are several factors that have inflated health care costs.
• States that do not allow all insurance companies to compete in their states.
• Insurance companies that only cover treatments at certain hospitals or for certain doctors.
• Costs for those who have insurance is higher to make up for those who do not pay.
•High malpractice insurance for doctors and hospitals that causes them to recommend tests and treatments that are not always necessary.
• Governmental regulations.
If a person would pay cash, most visits and treatment would cost less than one half of what is now charged. We don’t need the socialist’s approach. We need fewer governmental regulations.
Doug May is a retired Lutheran pastor and his views do not necessarily represent the Mountain Mail.
Galaxy Researcher To Speak At Tech On Friday
A leading researcher on galaxies will present the annual Karl G. Jansky Lecture on Friday, Jan. 15, at 8 p.m. The lecture, sponsored by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, will be in New Mexico Tech's Workman Center, room 101. It is free and the public is invited.
The Jansky Lecturer is Professor Anthony Readhead of the California Institute of Technology. This year's public lecture is entitled "The Central Engines that Power Active Galaxies."
Readhead studied physics and mathematics at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. He continued his education in England at the Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, where he conducted his Ph.D. research under Anthony Hewish, winner of the 1974 Nobel Prize in Physics.
From 1981-86, Readhead was the Director of the Owens Valley Radio Observatory. He is a leading researcher on active galaxies -- the types of galaxies with supermassive black holes at their cores. Since the late 1970s, he also has made significant contributions to our understanding of the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation, the remnant of the Big Bang. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts.
Magdalena Marshal's Blotter
Dec. 13
An officer attempted to stop a vehicle racing on Second Street and on First Street at 2 a.m. The driver, with his passenger, left the vehicle at the arroyo on Fifth Street and ran from the scene. The vehicle was impounded and the driver was later caught and charged with eluding police.
Dec. 16
An officer stopped a vehicle at 9:25 p.m. on Spruce Street that left skid marks on Highway 60 at the intersection of Spruce and First streets. The driver was arrested for DWI, his third offense. The driver blew a .18 blood alcohol content level. He was also charged with racing on highways.
Dec. 18
An officer approached a vehicle parked in the Wells Fargo Bank parking lot at 9:30 p.m. The driver of that vehicle was arrested on an outstanding warrant from Magdalena Municipal Court.
Dec. 19
An officer was called at 1 p.m. to assist the U.S. Forest Service with an arrest off Forest Road 505. The officer was told by the Forest Service official that he stopped to check some wood cutters, and found that a female and male had outstanding warrants from Otero County and Lincoln County; and an arrest order from Probation and Parole for stealing a vehicle. The female also had an arrest warrant out of Socorro Magistrate Court. Both were taken to the Socorro County Detention Center.
Dec. 27
An officer assisted the U.S. Forest Service at 3:15 p.m. with an arrest off Forest Road 128. A male subject was wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant from Socorro Magistrate Court. The subject was taken to the Socorro County Detention Center.
Dec. 31
An officer took a report at 11:40 a.m. of a two vehicle accident at the post office. No citations were issued.
An officer stopped a vehicle at 10:35 p.m. at Second and Main for a headlight out. The driver was arrested for DWI, and a passenger was arrested for disorderly conduct and allowing a minor to be served alcohol. The driver was taken for a blood test after admitting to taking narcotics.
Jan. 1
An officer was approached at 2:25 a.m. by a female driving a red passenger vehicle. The driver stated, “Happy new year!” The officer asked the female to park her vehicle. At that point she sped off and a pursuit ensued. She was stopped at Spruce and Seventh where the female was arrested for DWI, and refused being tested. She was taken to the Socorro County Detention Center and charged with no driver’s license and a second DWI offense. The driver had just been released 12 hours prior to the arrest from jail for not complying with the first DWI. A passenger was arrested for fighting with officers. He was charged with disorderly conduct.
An officer was called at 4:15 p.m. to a rollover accident at mile marker 113 on Highway 60. The male driver was taken to Socorro General Hospital for a blood draw. The driver will be charged for DWI and Damage to NM State Highway property.
Jan. 9
An officer was called to the 900 block of First Street on the report of an accident. Upon arrival it was found the driver has a mental problem, and was unconscious. An ambulance was called and he was taken to Socorro General Hospital for treatment. No citations were issued.
Jan. 11
An officer was contacted at 11 a.m. by a female who said she had beaten with a pistol by her spouse at about 6:30 a.m. She refused medical treatment but did give statements as to the fight that occurred at the residence. The male subject fled the scene with two wanted subjects in a stolen vehicle. The vehicle was not located by the Marshal’s Office, Socorro Police, or New Mexico State Police. An arrest warrant was obtained from Adult Probation and Parole.
An officer took a report at 5:20 p.m. of a barking dog at Second and Main streets. The owner stated, “just charge me.” Charges are pending.
Lady Steers Romp To Stay Unbeaten
By Nicky Romero
For the Mountain Mail
MAGDALENA – The undefeated and third-ranked Magdalena Lady Steers continued their winning ways on Jan. 12, defeating the Alamo Lady Cougars 79-23. The Lady Steers improved to 11-0 overall and 2-0 in district play. The Lady Cougars fell to 2-7.
The Lady Steers’ full-court press proved too much for the Lady Cougars to handle, causing numerous turnovers and easy baskets for Magdalena. The Lady Steers began the first quarter by scoring the first 15 points with balanced scoring from seven different players. The Lady Steers led 15-2 after the first quarter.
The Lady Steers continued their fast-break style, outscoring the Lady Cougars 32-4 for a 47-6 halftime lead.
In the second half, it was more of the same as Lady Steers coach Wally Sanchez substituted freely, giving playing time to some underclassmen. They outscored the Lady Cougars 32-17 in the second half.
The Lady Steers were led by Keanda Chavez with 13 points and Kameron Armstrong added 12 points and Camille Mansell scored 10 points.
Shannon Secatero had eight points followed by Merrissa Tafoya and Karly Chavez adding six each. Elizabeth Thomas had nine points and Chanlyn Monte added eight points for the Alamo.
“I am happy we got to play 15 girls and pick up some experience for the younger kids,” Sanchez said. “Our girls are working hard and it’s starting to pay off.”
Sanchez said he was looking forward to Saturday’s road game with district challenger Gallup Catholic High School.
“It should be a good competitive game,” Sanchez said. “It’s gone back and forth with us and them the last few years.”
(Photo by Nathalie Nance) Magdalena’s Keanda Chavez defends Alamo’s Elizabeth Thomas.
Steers Roll Past The Alamo
By Nicky Romero
For the Mountain Mail
MAGDALENA – The No. 8 Magdalena Steers defeated the Alamo Cougars 71-41, winning its second district game of the season. The Steers are 8-2 overall and 2-0 in district play, while the Cougars fell to 3-9.
The Steers and the Cougars battled in the first two quarters of play. The Steeers started with a 6-2 lead but with 3:30 remaining, the Cougars rallied for an 8-6 advantage.
The Steers, though, led after the first quarter 14-12.
With their man-to-man full-court press, the Steers slowed down and started to wear out the Cougars’ offensive threats. Magdalena’s Reg Peralto connected on three three-pointers in the second quarter to take a 33-24 halftime lead.
Magdalena coach Jory Mirabal made some offensive and defensive adjustments to take charge of the game.
Bryce Milligan put the defensive stops on the Cougars’ big man John Padilla, allowing Padilla to score just two points in the third quarter. Milligan scored 10 points in the third quarter and the Steers extended their advantage to 50-33.
In the fourth quarter, Magdalena guard Ryan Alguirre scored 10 points, including two three-pointers.
Alguirre led the Steers with 18 points, Milligan had 14 and Peralto added 13. Daniel Hand also contributed 10 points.
Fillian Herrera led the Alamo with 12 points and Elijahwon Apachito contributed 10 points.
Magdalena will travel to Gallup Catholic on Saturday, Jan. 16 and host Carrizozo on Tuesday, Jan. 19.
(Photo by Nathalie Nance) Magdalena’s Abie Pino looks to pass despite the presence of an Alamo defender. In the background is Magdalena’s Ryan Alguire.
Congressman Teague In Socorro
Trey Phunborg, a senior at Socorro High School who just earned a nomination to the Air Force Academy, stands with Rep. Harry Teague at the Socorro Senior Center on Jan. 7. Teague kicked off his “Solutions for Southern New Mexico” tour Jan. 2. During the weeklong tour, Teague planned to visit all 18 counties in the 2nd Congressional District. Throughout the week, he met with constituents, community leaders and attended various events across the district.
John Severance/Mountain Mail
Lady Warriors Keep Racking Up The Wins
For the Mountain Mail
The No. 4 Socorro Lady Warriors (10-3) racked up three wins in four days last week, beating Bernalillo, Ruidoso and Tohatchi. In the Ruidoso game, Socorro coach Joseph Garcia picked up his 350th career victory.
On Jan. 6, Socorro won at Bernalillo 79-37 as Roxanne Silva came within two points of setting the school record for points in a game. Silva had 31 points at halftime and finished with 45.
“Roxanne had another one of her stellar games,” Garcia said. “The school record si 47 points, but she ended with 45. I told her she missed five free throws and 13 shots so if you make one free throw and one of those shots, there’s your school record.”
Garcia was quick to add the other girls contributed in other ways.
“Brittany McDaniel had seven assists. Tristen peralta had six assists. Jaden Jones had 11 points and seven rebounds. Kianna Gonzales had five assists and four rebounds. Samantha Sedillo had four steals, three assists and six rebounds. So the core of all the girls are contributing and bringing something to the table. Overall, we played really well.”
At halftime, Socorro led 45-27, giving up only 11 points in the first quarter. Socorro’s defense got even stingier in the second halftime, allowing just 10 points.
On Jan. 8, Socorro was back home and defeated Ruidoso 64-54. Ruidoso’s size and height posted a challenge for Socorro. Four of Ruidoso’s starters were taller than Silva, who stands at 5-foot-9.
Silva and Gonzales, though, proved no match for Ruidoso. Gonzales made four three-point shots in the first half to open up things inside for Silva. With its press and hot shooting, Socorro led 34-21 at halftime.
Silva carried the team offensively in the second half, scoring 17 of her game-high 28 points. Gonzales finished with six three-pointers for 18 points and point guard Tristen Peralta had 12 assists, one off the school record.
“Ruidoso was real tough anda big team to match up with,” Garcia said. “We didn’t turn the ball over too much. It was a good test and victory for us.”
Gabby Smith led Ruidoso with 11 points and Abrianna Herrera added 10.
On Jan 9, Socorro defeated Tohatchi 77-52 at home. Silva and Gonzalez provided the majority of the scoring for the Lady Warriors. Silva scored 37 points, 21 rebounds and eight steals and was 17 of 24 from the field. Gonzales added 21 points and Brittany McDaniel contributed nine points and nine assists.
Jasmine Begay led Tohatchi with 19 points and Trinity Largie added 10 points.
“We shot 53 percent,” Garcia said. “Kianna is playing real well right now and Brittany had another game too.”
Silva broke the school career rebounding record, breaking Audra Major’s mark of 1,175 rebounds. Silva now has 1,194 rebounds. She also holds the school mark for points and steals.
“Roxanne still has a half a season left to make these records almost unreachable,” Garcia said.
And what of his 350th victory?
“It proves over time we are a good road team,” Garcia said. “We’re consistent. We have good players and good assistant coaches who are dedicated to the program. I’ve been fortunate to have this for 20 years of coaching.”
Socorro, which played Ruidoso Wednesday night, will travel to Albuquerque to play in the Hope Tournament Jan. 14-16. Socorro plays at 3 p.m. against Mora High School. If they will play, they will play at 3 p.m. on Jan. 15 against the winner of the third-ranked Santa Fe Indian School and Tohatchi.
Socorro Boys Come Home To Beat Robertson
For the Mountain Mail
SOCORRO -- After nine straight games on the road, the Socorro boys basketball team garnered its first victory at home in 2010. The Warriors defeated the fourth-ranked Robertson Cardinals 69-63 Tuesday night in the Warrior Dome. The win came on the heels of a 61-58 victory against the 10th ranked Portales Rams and a 66-50 loss to the Artesia Bulldogs last weekend in the Ram Shootout in Portales.
The Warriors will travel to Chapparal on Friday, Jan. 15 to take on the Lobos. Socorro will be back at home Saturday Jan. 16 and will host the Wingate Bears.
Coming off two big wins against two top 10 teams in the last week, the Warriors look as if they are starting to gel as a unit three weeks before opening up district play.
“I think we are starting to gel and we are starting to believe in one another,” Head Coach Lawrence Baca said. “We are starting to show that we are the team I know we can be.”
Against the Bulldogs (7-6), the Warriors trailed 30-26 at halftime.
“Even though we were down four at halftime we were still not playing very well,” said Baca. “We came out very lethargic. We just could not buy a shot and we got frustrated then they (Artesia) just pulled away.”
Artesia remained consistent throughout the second half, outscoring the Warriors by six points in both the third and fourth quarter to give the Bulldogs a 66-50 win.
Three-point machine Jared Marquez was held to just 2 of 7 from the three point line and was held to 8 points, well behind his 18.3 points per game.
Senior Erik Garcia led the Warriors with 10 points.
On Saturday against the Rams, the Warriors scored the game’s first 12 points and maintained the lead the entire game. The Warriors led 31-23 at halftime before Portales tried to make a run. Portales cut the lead to just three points with a minute left in the game. After some key Warrior free throws and a couple baskets by the Rams, Portales found themselves down three with the final possession and a chance to tie the game. The Rams failed to tie the game giving the Warriors a 61-58 win.
“Going into the game I knew it was going to be a tough game looking at their (Portales) schedule. We came out ready to play with a lot of energy. Jared, Zach, and Michael made some key free throws at the end that helped us get the win”
Marquez was 5 of 8 from three point land, scoring a game high 20 points. Garcia shot 60 percent from the floor and made 5 of 8 free throws for 17 points as well as seven assists. Michael Contreras only missed two attempts from the floor scoring 11 points.
On Tuesday night the Cardinals came to Socorro riding a 10 game winning streak and had only 1 loss all season. The Warriors refused to let Robertson leave town with their 11th straight victory.
The game was a back and fourth battle from the opening tip. There were 6 lead changes and five ties in the first half alone. Socorro held a 19-15 lead after the first quarter.
Socorro held the lead in the second quarter until the Cardinals made a 6-1 run the final two minutes of the half, taking the lead going into halftime 32-31.
“This is a game that can change our season. This could be the game that puts us on the right path. The most important part of this game is the first three minutes of the third quarter that would determine the game.
Junior Zach Esquivel scored 10 of the Warrior first 12 points in the second half helping them to their largest lead of the game at 43-36. Robertson came roaring back, regaining the lead at 51-50 before a technical foul was called on the Robertson coach. Two free throws by Marquez and a basket on the following possession by Andrew Contreras gave the Warriors a 54-51 lead after three quarters.
Socorro never relinquished the lead the remainder of the game. Robertson was able to cut the Warrior lead to 65-63 just under a minute to play, however, Socorro made four out of five free throws to secure a 69-63 win.
“Any time you give up points to a technical foul it hurts,” said Baca. “One of the biggest keys to the game was three guys stepping up and playing big. Once we are full strength we will be alright.”
New Courses To Be Offered At Tech Community College
SOCORRO - New courses have opened up for New Mexico Tech’s Community College for the spring semester, beginning Tuesday, Jan. 19.
School Coordinator Lillian Armijo said registration has already begun.
“Classes are already filling up,” Armijo said. “Besides our regularly offered courses, we have four new classes that are all about keeping fit.”
New classes include Physical Conditioning, Salsa Aerobics, Water Aerobics, and Indoor Cycling.
The cost for these courses is $165 plus lab fees. Classes meet for 16 weeks.
“This comes out to a little more than $10 a week for excellent courses and dynamic instructors,” she said. “If you’ve ever wanted to get into shape, now is the time.”
The four fitness courses are:
Physical Conditioning, a one credit course is taught by Damien Ocampo, Socorro High’s Football coach, who led the Warriors to the State Championship game this past fall. The class will provide the necessary knowledge of physical fitness, stress management, weight management, nutrition and muscular strength and endurance. This class meets Tuesdays from 6 - 7 p.m.
Salsa Aerobics is being taught by Peggy Lopez. She works for the Socorro Consolidated schools by day and teaches Salsa Aerobics by night. “If you want to workout and dance at the same time, then this class is for you, ” Lopez said. “This fun class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:05 p.m. to 5:55 p.m., right after work.” Lopez has substituted for Melissa Zimmerman’s Step/Kick Aerobics and is no stranger to aerobic exercising.
Camille Scielzi is teaching the popular Indoor Cycling class on two different days and times. The “early bird” class meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. and the evening class is Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:25 p.m.
The Water Aerobics class is easy on the joints, and challenging because of water resistance. Certified instructor Annine Gabaldon will teach the excellent class. Class meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:05 p.m. to 1:55 p.m. The tuition for this class has been reduced to $100.
The Community College is also introducing a different kind of course this semester.
“If you want to learn something new, try the American Sign Language class offered by Jessica Griffin,” she said. “Jessica received her BS in Sign Language at UNM and is a certified Sign Language Interpreter. Her class meets Mondays and Wednesday from 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.”
Two of the most popular art classes – stained glass, and acrylic painting - are back, and at reduced prices. The normal tuition fees of these two classes is $351.68. This semester they are being offered for $200.
Acrylic Painting is Tuesdays, from 6 to 7:55 p.m. with Ramona Aragon, and Stained Glass is Tuesdays, from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. with Dona Nowicki. Lab fees may apply for supplies. For more information and to register for these and other courses, call 835-6581 or email, Lillian Armijo, larmijo@admin.nmt.edu or log onto www.distance.nmt.edu/cc.
San Antonio School Puts On Show
SAN ANTONIO -- The Socorro Consolidated School board meeting was held at the San Antonio School Gymnasium last night, and the turnout was impressive.
There were approximately 60 people in attendance. Although the agenda read short, there were plenty of extracurricular activities for those in attendance.
President Tommy Gonzales opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance which was led by students performing sign language as well.
After covering items on the agenda such as ascertaining a quorum and tabling the proposed signage to acknowledge The City of Socorro’s contribution to SHS Fields, Principal John Dennis gave his assessment on the San Antonio’s schools Improvement and Achievement Data and also gave a review on the great charity work the school and it’s students were doing year round on a monthly basis.
He made it clear that it was important for the students to understand what it is like to give to others and not expect anything in return. It has been hugely successful and the children really enjoy helping others.
Each month they all work to help others with different charity drives such as Books for Babies, $438.00 was raised, Coat Drive, 28 coats were donated, Food Drive 289lbs. was collected for hungry families in the area, Giving Tree, where over 50 gifts and 8 hams were donated and distributed. Future charity drives planned are St. Jude’s Hospital – Habitat for Humanity – Seeing Eye-Dog – Recycle for Chemo (cans and tabs) and RIF Book Drive.
The report was followed by Mike Gurules’ Pre-Kindergarten class singing and performing songs. The songs were incorporated by Gurule with learning tools such as month and day recognition and spelling. The children sung in English and in Spanish as well.
Following the Pre-K kids, everyone was treated to two declamation stories. Autumn Bjorklund who attends Parkview Elementary and Brandon Dennis who attends San Antonio Elementary performed their declamation winning performances. Immediately after, Cynthia Romero’s classes talked about their River Partners experiences with their mentor Alex Rykken, who is a volunteer with Friends of the Bosque and is doing mapping of the area. The program has been in existence for 5 years.
The students have been involved since first grade. They reminisced about their experiences with the River Partners program throughout the years as their photos were displayed by projector next to them. The class has taken over 1,000 photos on their outings.
After the students had completed there presentations the board went into executive session to discuss the evaluation of the Superintendent.
The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Jan. 26 at the Socorro Schools Main Office on Franklin Street in Socorro.
(Photo) Pre-kindergarteners from the San Antonio Elementary School learn the days of the week in English and Spanish during a Socorro School Board meeting Tuesday, Jan. 12.
Cibola Forest Schedules Vehicle Workshops
The Cibola National Forest is hosting six community workshops to discuss motorized vehicle use on the Magdalena Ranger District. The USDA Forest Service issued the Travel Management Rule in 2005 that requires each National Forest and Grassland to designate roads, trails, and areas open for motorized use.
When the designation process is completed, a Motor Vehicle Use Map will be published showing the system of roads, trails and/or areas designated for motorized use. Motorized use will then be prohibited outside the designated system.
Workshops will be held in Magdalena, Reserve, Datil, Monticello, Socorro, and Truth or Consequences.
Magdalena
January 25, 3 - 5:30 p.m.
Magdalena Municipal Schools Fine Arts Center
901 Duggins Street
Reserve
January 26, 3 - 5:30 p.m.
Reserve Ranger District Office Conference Room
5 Smokey Bear Circle
Datil
January 27, 3 - 5:30 p.m.
NRCS Field Office
West Highway 60
Monticello
January 28, 3 - 5:30 p.m.
Monticello/Placita Volunteer Fire Department
State Road 142
Socorro
January 30, 9:30 a.m. - Noon
Socorro County Fairgrounds Administration
Sylvia Says This Is No Winter for Old Horses
By Anne Sullivan
After we came into the house, brushed the snow off onto the floor, and blotted the floor with old newspapers, Sylvia asked me for paper and a pen. She settled onto the rug in front of the fireplace, completely ignoring the ten dollar dog rug I’d bought just for her. She wrote silently for some time before she handed the result to me. This is what she wrote:
We didn’t walk down to the barn today,
We’ve always walked down to the barn
Every day.
We didn’t walk down to the barn today,
I’ve never not walked down to the barn
Every day.
There’s no one at the barn today.
Brandy is gone.
Brandy fell down in the snow.
Brandy is gone.
Brandy could not get up.
Brandy was down.
Brandy will never get up.
Brandy is gone.
Does the spirit of Brandy live in the barn?
The barn she called home for 23 years?
I wonder.
“What do you think?” Sylvia asked after I’d read her paper.
“I think it’s the best poem you’ve ever written, Sylvia.”
“I hope it’s good,” she said. “I don’t know if I really liked Brandy but I was used to her grouchy ways. I know she didn’t like me. Sometime I barked at her just to irritate her. But I’m kind of sad that she’s gone.”
“I’m sad too.” I said. “And I know she never liked me. Whenever she came close to me, it wasn’t to show affection; it was to bite. But she was part of our family and she was what she was.”
“How old was Brandy?” Sylvia asked. “I know she’s been here forever but I never knew exactly how old she was.”
“Since horses have a birthday on January 1st, Brandy was 33.”
”Is that in people years or dog years or horse years?”
“In people years. Brandy was born in Lemitar while I was working in Chicago. That was in the winter of 1977. So if my math is correct, that was 33 years ago. I don’t even know what horse years are.”
“That’s old, isn’t it?”
“Yes, 33 is old for a horse.”
“And with all this snow and cold, this is no winter for old horses.”
“No, it’s not.”
“Do you think she’s in a better place?”
“Oh, I expect so. Bound to be. She’s probably in a spotless barn with central heating and an endless supply of Equine Senior.”
“She’d like that,” Sylvia said. “I imagine she’s even stopped being grouchy.”
Trampas, Yarborough entertain at Datil’s Eagle Guest Ranch
The walls of the Eagle Guest Ranch in Datil reverberated with the sound of music on Friday afternoon, Jan. 8. The occasion was a performance of singing by Jacy Yarbrough of Winston and Datil’s Trampas McWhorter’s singing and recitation of. his cowboy poetry.
A long row of pickups were parked outside in the leftover snow and ice while the applause resounded throughout the cafe.
Listening to such local talent was a pleasure I hope will soon be repeated.
If Trampas has his way, it will.
The son of Mike McWhorter of Datil and Carol Lee of Hondo, Texas, Trampas said, “There’s nothing I like more than cowboying unless it’s writing cowboy poetry. This is something I enjoy and I hope to keep the experience alive because a lot of people don’t do this anymore.” Trampas describes himself as “formerly of Datil and now of the road. You could say I’m living in the front seat of the pickup.”
He’s written a book of his poetry which can be purchased on his website - www.mcwhorterpoetry. com - plus all the poetry he’s written.
To show how serious he is about this career, he’s applied to go to the National Cowboy Poets gathering in Elko, Nevada next year.
This was the first time Jacy Yarbrough had performed with Trampas. Jacy lives on a ranch back of beyond between Winston and Beaverhead but she said, “I’ve been on trips all over the U.S. singing with the family band.”
Logically it’s called the Yarbrough Band and they play what Jacy describes as “old country music, good dancing music.” Jacy’s been singing “ever since I was little and I always wanted to do this;” ‘this’ being singing and writing her own songs. The multi-talented Jacy also plays drums, fiddle and guitar and declares, “I like ‘em all.”
And everyone really liked her singing.
This is just the beginning. Trampas and Jacy plan to do repeat performances. Meanwhile you’ll soon be able to catch them on YouTube.
(Photo) Winston’s Jacy Yarbourgh and Datil’s Trampas McWhorter perform at the Eagle Guest Ranch in Datil on Jan. 8.
Mexican Wolf Released in Gila Wilderness
A wild-born Mexican wolf - No. 1154 – was released in the Gila Wilderness at an approved site on Sunday, Jan. 10, according to a press release from New Mexico Game and Fish.
The 1.5-year-old female wolf was captured in Arizona and temporarily has been in captivity awaiting release. The wolf has no history of livestock depredation, but was trapped because it left the boundaries of the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area.
This wolf is considered to be a good release candidate because it exhibits a fear of people, demonstrated by its behavior in captivity, the announcement stated.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service participated in the release with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
Quemado has busy schedule for homecoming
For the Mountain Mail
QUEMADO -- Quemado's homecoming is celebrated this week with a different theme for each day: Monday is Hat Day; Tuesday is Fake An Injury Day; Wednesday is Imitate A Staff Member Day; and Thursday is Spirit day, when everyone wears the school colors.
This year’s candidates are: Freshman class - Amanda Sirman and Cole McKinley; Sophomore class – Arissa Klumker and Juan Flores; Junior class – Randa Armstrong and Garret Williams; and Senior class – Mia Cauzza, Janessa Larrabee, Manuel Garcia and Nikolas Legarreta.
The crowning of King and Queen along with the Prince and Princess will be during half time of the boys varsity game with Mountainair on Saturday. The game is at 2 p.m. Everyone come and cheer the teams on. The boys varsity, junior varsity and girls varsity basketball teams will play in Truth or Consequences at 3 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 22 at Hot Springs High School.
The Datil and Quemado schools’ grades 1 through 8 Spelling Bee will be Thursday, Jan. 21. Please call the schools for time. The regional spelling bee will be held in Reserve on Wednesday, Jan. 27.
The Quemado Senior Center is holding a special “clean out the closet crafts” day Friday, Jan. 22. Come find out what projects can be made with the various supplies that are in the center's craft closet. This would be a good time to donate any extra craft supplies you aren't using any longer to the center.
The Senior Center will be closed on Monday, Jan. 18.
Lunch for the rest of the week will be: Tuesday – pork posole, Wednesday – king ranch chicken, Thursday – chicken fried steak and Friday – baked cod. Please call the center at 773-4820 before 9 a.m. for lunch reservations.
A Women's Fellowship Luncheon will be held Tuesday, Jan. 19 at noon in the Cowboy Church located off Highway 32 near Quemado. The luncheon will be a potato, salad and soup bar with the topic, “You are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made,” to follow. The Men's Fellowship Breakfast will be Saturday, Jan. 23 at 8 a.m., also in the Cowboy Church.
The Western New Mexico Veterans Group will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. in the Veterans' Hall located at the corner of Baca and Church Street in Quemado. This will be a Mexican theme potluck. Commander Rick Sharp invites all veterans and their families to come. Please call Carol Baker or Sonja Sharp and let them know what dish you are bringing.
‘Arts Party For Adults’
SOCORRO - As a result of the overwhelming success of the annual Arts Party at Finley Gym, a similar event - this time as a fundraiser - has been planned by Performing Arts Series at Macey Center.
The afternoon’s events will include food and music, silent and live auctions of original art items donated by area artists, and workshops from ballroom dancing to pottery.
“We saw how many parents were getting involved in their kids’ project, we thought it would be nice to have an Arts Party for Adults,” PAS Director Ronna Kalish said. “This way us older people can have fun and learn new ways to make art, and also help out the Performing Arts Series.”
Workshops offered include water color, mixed media, ballroom and belly dancing, corn husk dolls, and even beaded flip flops.
Kalish said several of New Mexico Tech’s Community College art teachers will be conducting the arts workshops.
“People will get a chance to meet the art teachers and see what they do,” Kalish said. “And if people are interested, they can enroll in one of their college classes.”
Several instructor from the Community College will be participating, as well as artists from the general area.
Laurie Gregg of Magdalena will be demonstrating print making, and offer hands-on instruction.
“I have a small press I’m going to be bringing,” Gregg said. “It’s an interesting way to do print making at home without the expense.”
The inexpensive factor is not having to buy specialized equipment, Gregg said.
“It’s a pasta maker. But I will have a real press there, too,” she said. “I like making art like this more accessible; taking the mystique out of doing art. Letting the general public say ‘I can do that’.”
Artist Kellilynn Hann of Magdalena and Leau Phillips of Albuquerque will be making artist trading cards, small format artworks “about the same size of baseball cards.”
“They are called Artist Trading Cards or ACEOs (Art Cards, Editions and Originals),” Hann said. “The difference between them, traditionally, is that ATCs are for trade and ACEOs are for sale. A lot of people use the terms interchangeably now.”
She said the cards are a standard 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches and can be on any medium, watercolor paper, wood, metal, or anything else, as long as it is that size.
“On terms of making them, they’re helpful for experimenting. You’re doing something on a really small scale so you don’t spend a lot on art supplies.
“People use them for collecting, the same way you would baseball cards,” Hann said. “Some actually do increase in value if an artist becomes more famous. A lot of people stick to the trading thing and do swaps.
Hann said all supplies will be furnished at the Arts Party.
“We will have examples for inspiration and also demonstrate techniques,” she said. “Participants keep their artwork or can trade it with fellow participants.”
Among the workshop teachers are:
Liz Alvarez - Tiles
Theresa Apodaca - Wycinanki Polish Paper Cutting
Nicole Beaudoin/Dancing Rainbows - Tie Dye
Toshiko Bosworth - Origami
Dave Burleigh - Wire Mobiles
Karyn Debont - Gourd Decorating
Vicky Gonzales - Punched Tin
Laurie Gregg - Print-Making
Georgette Evans Grey - Watercolor Painting
Kelly Hann and Leau Phillips - Artist Trading Cards
Carol Kroyer - Fruit Sushi
Skeeter Leard - Pastel Painting
Loretta Lohman - Henri Moore Sock Sculpture
Yvonne Magener - Egg Decorating
Karla Moore - Pot Holders
Dona Nowicki - Mosaic on Glass
Elise Renault - Sunglasses Decorating
Emma Lujan Rison - Clay Name Plates
Crysan Spreng - Pottery Wheel
Deborah Treder - Pin Art
Hannah Treder - Bookmaking
Nadine Ulibarri Keller - Corn Husk Dolls
Laurie Ware - Soap Making
Susie Welch - Flower Pens
Arts Demonstrations:
Dan Klinglesmith - Weaving
Rosemary McClure - Beaded Flip Flops
Dance Workshops:
Julie Johnson - Belly Dancing
Juston Moore - Country Western
The Arts Party for Adults takes place on the Macey Center stage and will run from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23. The cost of admission is $10.
There will actually three separate events going on at Macey – the arts party, a social hour, and a silent auction.
“In addition to the arts party we will be hosting a simultaneous event, a Social Hour, beginning at five o’clock in the Macey lobby. It goes until seven,” Kalish said. “We’ll have entertainment by Saudade, who play wonderful Brazilian music, and people can enjoy gourmet, tapas-style snacks and one courtesy drink, all part of the entrance price of $15.”
She said the band will continue playing until 8 p.m.
The Silent Auction will also be set up in the upper lobby of Macey.
“People will be able to view the art and make bids right away. The bidding will close at seven o’clock, Saturday, Jan. 23,” Kalish said.
Among the artists donating works are Theresa Boracci, Karyn DeBont, Addie Draper, Robert Enders, Denise Elvrum, Sharon Fullingim, Ed Gangemi, Natasha Isenhour, Dona Nowicki, Georgia Raymond, Estelle Roberge, Mary Schultz, Crysan Spreng, Jana Svobodova, Becky Titus, Barbara Versluis, and Maureen Wilks.
“You can also contribute to the event by donating from your private collection,” Kalish said. “It’s like clearing your closets to make room for new things. We can even arrange to pick up the artwork.”
The Arts Party for Adults and Silent Art Auction Jan. 23 is sponsored in part by Club Macey and the New Mexico Tech Club. Tickets are $15 for the social hour and additional $10 for the adult arts party.
(Photo by John Larson) Artist Elise Renault holds a pelican sculpture while helping to arrange the display of art for the Arts Party for Adults silent auction. Elise is the daughter of Jacques Renault, one of the founding members of the Performing Arts Series. She returns to Socorro every year with her workshop on making “fun, artsy” sunglasses. All items for the silent auction can be viewed and bid on now through Jan. 23 in Macey Center’s upper lobby.
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