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

Zimmerly Elementary Holds Science Fair

The band Star Rider performs outside Western Mercantile on California St. during the store’s grand opening celebration Saturday.

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.

Alamo Mercantile Opens Doors Again

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.

Pie Town Area Geologist Speaks Out On Water Grab At Library

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?”

Sylvia Uncovers Some Mysterious Long-Buried Revelations

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/.

True Meaning Of The Holidays

Veterans Day 2009

Civil Air Patrol 1st Lieutenant Dawn Weathers salutes Socorro’s fallen servicemen during the playing of Taps at the Veterans Day ceremony at Isidro Baca Memorial Park Wednesday. About 100 attended the service which featured remarks by Rep. Don Tripp, Mayor Dr. Ravi Bhasker, City Councilor Chuck Zimmerly, County Commissioner Rosie Tripp, DAV Commander Peter Romero, and Gulf War veteran Daryl Cases, among others. Following the ceremony a free hamburger and brat lunch was served at the DAV.

Veterans Day 2009

Socorro County Sheriff's Blotter

Information for the following items was provided by the Socorro County Sheriff.

Sept. 14
A couple in Polvadera reported that they had been victims of fraud. The woman said that she received charges from Fed Ex and UPS for packages sent to a different person throughout the country. They did not have Fed Ex account and had not sent any packages through UPS. A package that was returned to them contained a cashier’s check which was bogus. Another check was made out to the man, which was also bogus. The officer contacted the organizations from which the checks were written, and found they also have an ongoing investigation. The victims were reimbursed by the shipping companies.

Sept. 18
A man from Grants was driving north on Interstate 25 when he fell asleep at 12:35 a.m. and lost control. His vehicle, which was pulling a camper trailer, exited the roadway at mile marker 138 and rolled over three times. A passenger was trapped and had to be extracted by EMTs and taken to Socorro General. The driver was cited.

Sept. 23
A man in Lemitar reported at 10:30 a.m. that someone forced entry into his home, damaging the front door, and stole items from the residence. The officer was contacted by the Belen Police Department who recovered an item that had been taken from the home. The victim offered the name of a possible suspect.

Oct. 4
A complainant reported at 3 p.m. that a man came to her place in Veguita and started removing parts from a meter breaker box. He took breakers and damaged the meter receptacle. A deputy met with the suspect and some items were returned, but the damage was never repaired. The suspect has called the woman and has harassed her. The suspect may have moved out of the area by now.

Oct. 7
A Socorro woman reported at 4 p.m. that someone stole her laptop and some jewelry from her workplace at the courthouse. She stated that the office is always secure or occupied. No suspects at time of report.

Oct. 10
In response to a DWI hotline tip, an officer was dispatched at 11:15 p.m. to the parking area of the Roadrunner truck stop in Lemitar. The suspect driver, from Bluewater, New Mexico, was sitting in his vehicle with the keys in the ignition and the engine running. A firearm was noticed in the passenger rear seat. An odor of alcohol was detected on the driver, and he was given and failed field sobriety tests. He was arrested and taken transported to the Socorro County Detention Center.

Oct. 13
A driver from Albuquerque was pulled over at 12:21 a.m. for speeding on Interstate 25 at mile marker 167. He could not produce a valid driver’s license, and a check showed it had been suspended/revoked with an arrest clause. He was arrested and taken to the county jail. He also had no car insurance.

Oct. 14
An officer met with the parents of a friend of a juvenile victim at noon over a text message sent to their daughter by the victim. The text indicated that the girl was being battered and that a man was trying to have sex with her. The incident was reported to CYFD.

Oct. 16
An officer was dispatched at 11 p.m. to Kuntz Road in Veguita on a report of shots fired. It was learned that the suspect was discharging his weapon into the air, and that this is not the first time for this type of incident. A search for the suspect proved unsuccessful, but his license plate number was given by one of the neighbors. A check on the plate came back with the name of the suspect, who is to be charged with negligent use of a weapon.

Oct. 18
Three vehicles were traveling north on Interstate 25 at 8 p.m. when, at mile marker 145 what was described as a “black object” in the roadway caused all three vehicles to suffer damage. All had to be towed from the scene.

Oct. 20
An officer was dispatched at 2 p.m. to meet with man #1 who wanted to report that he had run over a dog o Chaparral Drive. The officer was also told that man #2 on Chaparral wanted to report his dog being run over. Man #2 stated that the two men were having an ongoing feud and felt that man #1 ran over his dog on purpose. It was learned that the dog was running loose and in the roadway and not in its yard. The dog had a minor cut and was fine. The man #1 stated that the dog ran out into the road and he tried to avoid hitting the dog but could not. Man #2 was advised that there was a leash law.

A vehicle was westbound on State Road 380 at 11:30 p.m. when the driver came upon a rainstorm. He lost control of the vehicle and struck the side road railing causing damage to his vehicle. It was towed form the scene.

Oct. 26
A man on Pueblitos Road reported at 6 p.m. that someone got into his 1990 Ford pickup through a window and stole prescription pills, a radar detector, CDs, and a trailer draw bar with ball. No suspects at the time.

Socorro County Sheriff's Blotter

Arizona Woman Arrested On Drug Possession Charge

By John Larson
MAGDALENA - An Arizona woman traveling with her boyfriend through Magdalena has been charged with three felonies after trying to pass a counterfeit bill at the DNN Gas and Convenience store Thursday.
Denice Idel Mullican, 46, of Tucson, Ariz. was arraigned in Magistrate Court Friday on possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. She is being held at the Socorro County Detention Center, and has been denied bail as a flight risk. Mullican has not yet been charged on possession of the counterfeit money.
On Thursday, Nov. 5 at 4:16 p.m. Marshal Larry Cearley was called to the Conoco Station on First St., on the report of a woman who had given the owner, Nick Innerbichler, a $50 bill that was possibly counterfeit.
In the arrest affidavitt, Cearley said that Mullican claimed to have received the bill from a store in Arizona where she purchased two shirts.
With Mullican was her boyfriend, Gary Michael Strouse, 36, also of Tucson, who was driving the white 1989 Ford F-150.
Cearley asked the suspects to follow him to the Marshal’s Office to write a voluntary statement as to where the counterfeit bill came from.
After obtaining consent from both suspects, Deputy Ed Sweeney conducted a search of the pickup at the Marshal’s Office, with Deputy Terry Flannigan assisting.
Mullican stated she had a small amout on marijuana inside a plastic capsule from a vending machine in a carry-on bag and a marijuana pipe was found in her purse.
Sweeney also found a needle with clear liquid, in a pillow in the back seat of the pickup. Mullican admitted she had more hidden in the back of the truck inside a zipper case.
Sweeney found the zipper case, along with a spring loaded eyeglass case, which contained three needles with clear fluid, under the spare tire in the truck bed. A fishing fly case contained four white colored rocks and a small tin with residue. Mullican stated it was meth and that she needed it.
A $100 bill was found inside Mullican’s jacket pocket which she said was given to her by a friend who asked her to get rid of. It was also counterfeit.
Inside the pickup’s cab four computers and two card readers were found.
A bag with jewels was also discovered inside one of the carry-on bags. The jewels were diamonds, saphires, rubies and emeralds.
Deputies also found a large amount of credit card numbers, note books with numbers, six cell phones, identifications including photographs of elderly people, and tools which are consistent with the use in burglaries.
According to Cearley, the evidence was turned over to an agent of the U.S. Secret Service.
Strouse was questioned and released, although the case is still open, and further charges are pending.

Arizona Woman Arrested On Drug Possession Charge

Festival Of The Cranes Gets Underway On Tuesday

By John Larson

SAN ANTONIO – Socorro County’s biggest event of the year, the Festival of the Cranes begins next week, and organizers report advance registrations are topping last year.
The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge has been home to the festival since 1991, when the newly formed Friends of the Bosque formed a partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the City of Socorro. Friends of the Bosque president Paul White said snow geese are arriving from the north daily.
“You can look out over a sea of white and the thrill of watching them all take to the air,” he said. “The count of sandhill cranes is also steadily rising, and there are plenty of viewing areas for the morning lift-offs.”
White said people travel from all over the country to experience the crane fly-outs and fly-ins. “The registrations are ahead of this time last years, and we’re delighted that so many will be participating at a time when people might be tempted to cut back a little,” White said. “That they are staying in New Mexico. Experiencing the wonders we have at home.”
The festival begins next Tuesday and runs for six days, with workshops, hikes, seminars, and other events both at the Refuge and at New Mexico Tech. “We’re delighted that there’s so much interest in a place as magical as the Refuge,” he said.
The Refuge is 57,191 acres located along the Rio Grande at the northern edge of the Chihuahuan desert. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bosque del Apache is an important link in the more than 500 refuges in North America.
The goal of refuge management is to provide habitat and protection for migratory birds and endangered species and provide the public with a high quality wildlife and educational experience.

Festival Of The Cranes Gets Underway On Tuesday