Op/Ed: Response To Mr. Hanson On Draft Climate Action Plan
By BARBARA SMITH
Los Alamos
I was reading Mr. David Hanson’s Op-Ed published July 14 in the Los Alamos Daily Post (link) and would like to comment and dissect his points. As Mr. Hanson pointed out, we should all read and put forth our comments to the County Council on the CAP document before August 6 when it is presented to the Council. Otherwise it will be forced upon us whether we like it or not.
(1) “The focus of the plan on CO2 tracking and reduction will provide no benefit to Los Alamos residents unless the rest of the world participates with us. It distracts our attention and consumes funding that could Read More
Next Valles Caldera Volunteer Day Saturday Aug. 10
Los Amigos de Valles Caldera will hold its next volunteer day Saturday, Aug. 10 at Valles Caldera National Preserve. Courtesy/Los Amigos de Valles Caldera
Los Amigos de Valles Caldera News:
Los Amigos de Valles Caldera will hold two more volunteer days: Aug. 10 and Sept. 14, and thanks those who assisted at the previous two volunteer days.
Valles Caldera National Preserve needs timber barrier logs constructed to place along roads to protect vegetation and remind visitors to only travel along authorized routes. Los Amigos de Valles Caldera built these during Public Lands Day in 2023.
For the Read More
Amateur Naturalist: The Decline In Bird Species
Red Winged Blackbird. Photo by Connor Charchuk
Dark Eyed Junco. Photo by Scott Martin
Canyon Towee. Courtesy/Mike’s Birds
By ROBERT DRYJA
Los Alamos
Bird populations are reported as decreasing when considered on a continental or world wide scale. However this is something like the statistical joke about what average means.
You feel fine on the average if your foot is in a bucket of ice water and your hand is on a stove. There actually is considerable variation when group counts for specific bird species and their geographic location are considered. The challenge is in how to define the characteristics Read More
Daily Post: Dahlias Are Blooming Including Oregon Reign
Daily Post: The dahlias are blooming around the area including this Oregon Reign spotted Friday on a small farm in the beautiful Espanola Valley. Photo by Liddie Martinez Read More
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Announces Committee Passage Of Over $79 Million For New Mexico
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:
-
-
-
-
- Investments Heinrich Championed Support Service Members, Defense Installations and National Labs, Clean Energy, Water Infrastructure, Economic Development, Education, Health Care and Workforce Development
-
-
-
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced the bipartisan Senate Appropriations Committee passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Defense, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, and Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Read More
Community Invited To ‘Stroll The Stables’ 9-Noon Sunday
Scene of a previous ‘Stroll the Stables’ event at the North Mesa Stables. Courtesy/LASOA
Scene of a previous ‘Stroll the Stables’ event at the North Mesa Stables. Courtesy/LASOA
LASOA News:
The Los Alamos Stable Owners Association (LASOA) invites the community to its 2024 “Stroll the Stables” event, 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, Aug. 4 at the North Mesa Stables.
Atendees are required to park in the lot across from the Sheriff’s Posse Lodge at 650 North Mesa Road.
Lot Activities:
- Lot 10 – Principles of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine Facilitated Learning. (This lot is on the short road alternate
Daily Postcard: Glorious View After The Rain
Daily Postcard: The view of a glorious scene after the rain Thursday over Los Alamos. Photo by Laurel Roberts Read More
Los Alamos County Council Approves Gas Rate Increase
Staff Report
Los Alamos County Council approved, 5-1, with Councilors David Reagor opposed and Melanee Hand absent, to adopt the proposed new gas rates during its regular meeting Tuesday night.
Department of Public Utilities Deputy Manager for Finance Karen Kendall presented the new rates. She explained that a bill totaling $70.88 would increase to $72.15 using the proposed rate changes, plus the .59 cent for the variable cost of gas passthrough. These rates will go into effect in October.
Kendall said the reason behind the rate change is the decrease in revenue resulting from significantly Read More
Daily Postcard: As Sun Rises Clouds Begin To Glow
Daily Postcard: As the sun rises in the east, the clouds in the west begin to glow Tuesday over Velarde. Photo by Johnnie Martinez Read More
Los Alamos County Environmental Services Closed July 31 For Quarterly Employee Training And Certification
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Environmental Services will be closed today, July 31, for employee development, safety training and certification compliance. This includes operations at the Eco Station and Overlook Convenience Center.
Residential service will not be impacted; however, commercial trash and recycling collection service will also be suspended today. Commercial collection and all other services will resume Aug. 1.
Environmental Services will hold one training and certification day per quarter to ensure all employees remain compliant. The quarterly closure is to minimize Read More
Daily Postcard: First Confirmed Nesting Of Hooded Warbler In New Mexico Spotted Recently Along Reservoir Road
Daily Postcard: A fledgling Hooded Warbler perched on a branch last week along the reservoir road in Los Alamos. This is an amazing bird record, the first ever confirmed nesting of this species in New Mexico (the closest place where they normally nest is far eastern Texas). This exciting story has been unfolding since June 22 when the first male was detected. He continued to be found in the same area for over two weeks until July 10 when a female was spotted, gathering food and returning to the same bushes repeatedly. It was clear that she had been there all along, quiet and sneaky, building a nest and Read More
Tussock Moth Outbreak Closes Two Group Shelters At Hyde Memorial State Park Through At Least Aug. 15, 2024
Closeup of a pair of hairy Douglas-fir Tussock moth caterpillars inside a group shelter at Hyde Memorial State Park in the Santa Fe National Forest. Courtesy/NMSP
Douglas-fir Tussock moth caterpillars congregating near the ceiling at a Hyde Memorial State Park group shelter in Santa Fe. Courtesy/NMSP
NMSP News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico State Parks Division has announced that two group shelters must close immediately at Hyde Memorial State Park in the Santa Fe National Forest due to unusually heavy caterpillar activity from the Douglas-fir Tussock moth (DFTM).
“While we expect this Read More
Artist-in-residence Talk At Noon Today In Jemez Springs
Artist-in-residence Dr. Heather Heckel shown here with some of her latest works inspired by the historic cabins at Valles Caldera National Preserve. She has been awarded 22 artist residencies at national parks and public lands across the country. Dr. Heckel will present a talk at noon today at Jemez Fine Art about her experience as a traveling artist and the inspiration she draws from America’s public lands. She will also unveil some of her works in progress from Valles Caldera National Preserve. Learn more here. Photo by Irene Owsley/NPS Read More
Daily Postcard: Silhouettes Of Elk In Valle Grande
Daily Postcard: View of tiny, distant silhouettes of elk in the morning light Friday in Valle Grande National Preserve. As with any wild animal, the elk herds at Valles Caldera National Preserve move around quite a bit from day to day, so a sighting is never guaranteed. However, elk are among the most commonly spotted wildlife in Valle Grande. Learn more here. Courtesy/NPS Read More
Final PEEC Summer Family Evening Of Season Wednesday
Courtesy/PEEC
PEEC News:
The community is invited to stop by the Los Alamos Nature Center 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31 for a rescheduled Summer Family Evening, the final one of the season.
The community is invited to join the Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) for its final Summer Family Evening program of the season, 6 p.m. Wednesday at Los Alamos Nature Center. In collaboration with the Los Alamos Arts Council, this special event offers creativity and fun for the entire family. Engage in exciting nature crafts that will inspire and entertain both kids and adults, providing a unique Read More
DeVolder: Proposal For Reducing Plastics In Environment
By MARK DEVOLDER
Los Alamos
For years I have been picking up discarded nylon zip ties. Zip ties don’t cost much and are considered a “throw-away” item. Typically, zip ties are cut in two and are then discarded. I find many opportunities to reuse both short and long pieces of zip ties.
Some time ago, I began experimenting with zip ties. Zip ties have a little plastic or metal prong (tooth) that holds the zip tie together. I found that I can use a small jeweler’s screwdriver or a 1/16-inch wide piece of tin can stock inserted into the square portion of the zip tie to hold the prong away from the mating ridges Read More
Lantern Lit Legacies & International Dark Sky Park Aug. 9-11
Courtesy/FUNM
Fort Union News:
WATROUS — Fort Union National Monument announces its upcoming free evening Lantern Lit Legacies and “An International Dark Sky Park” programs to be held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Aug. 9-11.
8 p.m. – Lantern Lit Legacies: Why preserve these ruins? Discover this site’s legacy as the sun has set and lanterns now shine during this 45-minute tour. This tour immediately precedes the dark sky program. (Park gates re-open at 7 p.m., but historic fort area will not open until the 8 p.m. tour for participants.)
8:45 p.m. – An International Dark Sky Park: Experience the Read More
Los Luceros Historic Site: Plein Air Workshop Aug. 17-18
En plein air painting class at Los Luceros Historic Site, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday Aug. 17 and Sunday Aug.18. Courtesy/LLHS
Los Luceros Historic Site News:
The community is invited to join Santa Fe impressionistic artist Michele Byrne for a plein air painting workshop where the summer beauty of Los Luceros will inspire participants to express their creativity.
Byrne will guide participants in capturing the very essence of light on canvas. Each day will begin with demonstrations and discussions on how to craft a strong composition. She will guide students every step of the way in their painting Read More
Daily Postcard: Young Buck Plays Peekaboo In Tall Brush
Daily Postcard: A spunky young buck plays peekabook in tall brush Sunday on North Mesa. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com Read More
Posts From The Road: Bonners Ferry, Idaho
Bonners Ferry: Visiting downtown Bonners Ferry, Id. was an enjoyable and relaxing way to spend the day on July 4th. While several businesses were closed for the holiday most restaurants and some shops were open for the day. Bonners Ferry sits about 25 miles from the Canadian border in the panhandle of Idaho. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Kootenai River: The Kootenai River runs through Bonners Ferry dividing the town into two halves with one half on each side of the river. Shown are boaters on the river on July 4th, a beautiful day in Northern Idaho for the holiday. Seen on the hillside are Read More
