Environment - Los Alamos Daily Post

Public Astronomy Dark Night July 14

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 6, 2018

Pajarito Astronomers News:

The Pajarito Astronomers will be holding a County-Sponsored Dark Night at 8:30 p.m. (sunset) Saturday, July 14 at Spirio Soccer Field, Overlook Park,.

Weather permitting, the public is invited to come out, wander among the telescopes, and star gaze. A thin crescent Moon, Mercury, Venus, a brilliant Mars, Jupiter and its moons, and Saturn and its rings will potentially be visible during the evening. There will be a tour of the summer constellations and there will be telescope views of double stars, star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies.

The public

21 Children Have Died In Hot Cars In U.S. This Year

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 6, 2018

KAC News:

PHILADELPHIA, PA ― Already this year there have been 21 confirmed child vehicular heatstroke deaths in the United States. Every year on average, 37 children die in hot cars in the U.S. Last year 43 young children died.

These tragedies are predictable and preventable. KidsAndCars.org is urging parents and caregivers to be extra vigilant.

KidsAndCars.org president and founder Janette Fennell said, “We always see an increase in child injuries and deaths around holidays. It is devastating to know that there are families all across America right now holding their

Daily Postcard: North Mesa Sunset

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 6, 2018

Daily Postcard: A golden sunset viewed from North Mesa. Photo by Corrina Hughes

Photo by Corrina Hughes

Photo by Corrina Hughes Read More

Officials Weigh In On EPA Chief Scott Pruitt Resignation

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 6, 2018

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt

EPA News:

A variety of officials released statements today following President Donald Trump’s announcement via Twitter that he has accepted the resignation of embattled Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt:

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall: “Scott Pruitt’s tenure at EPA was an utter disgrace. He should have been fired long ago. Pruitt embodies everything about the ‘swamp’ that President Trump claimed he wanted to end – and the fact that Pruitt was kept around this long shows that the president never cared about rooting out corruption or self-dealing Read More

Mud Slide Closes US 64 From Eagle Nest To Cimarron

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 6, 2018

NMSP News Alert:

Eagle Nest – State Police and the New Mexico Department of Transportation are working a large mud slide on US Highway 64 near Eagle Nest.

US 64 is closed from mile post 287 before Eagle Nest to mile post 309 in Cimarron. DOT is working to clear the roadway. There is currently no estimate of how long the closure will last.

Motorists are urged to avoid the area or seek an alternate route. Read More

NNSA Awards $10 Million To Texas A&M University

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 5, 2018

NNSA News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) has designated a new Center of Excellence to be led by Texas A&M University in the area of Low Energy Nuclear Science as part of the Stewardship Science Academic Alliances (SSAA) Program.

“These grants are instrumental in developing the next generation of scientists in areas of relevance to the stockpile stewardship mission,” said Dr. Kathleen Alexander, Assistant Deputy Administrator for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation in NNSA’s Office of Defense

Albuquerque Bonsai Club Santa Fe Show Sept. 15-16

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 5, 2018

Albuquerque Bonsai Club President Bill Wawrychuk with his 60-year-old Common Box Wood tree. Courtesy photo

BONSAI CLUB News:

SANTA FE ― Albuquerque Bonsai Club announces the clubs first Bonsai Show in Santa Fe. The event is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15 and 16 in The Pavilion at Santa Fe Botanical Garden.

The show is free with admission to the gardens at 715 Camino Lejo, 505.471.9103.

Albuquerque Bonsai Club is dedicated to the learning and continuation of bonsai as a living art form. The club was formed in 1975. The show features trees on display from

Heinrich Conservation Measures Clear Senate

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 5, 2018

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced the passage of several conservation measures that he has championed to improve the health and resiliency of New Mexico’s forests and watersheds.

The measures were included in the 2018 Farm Bill, which passed the Senate with an 86 to 11 vote.

Included in the Farm Bill are provisions from Heinrich’s bipartisan Restoring America’s Watersheds Act to improve the health of watersheds on national forest

Daily Postcard: Moon Over Los Alamos

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 5, 2018

Daily Postcard: The moon shines in the night sky over Los Alamos. Photo by Patricia Dentler

Photo by Patricia Dentler Read More

What’s Up At Farmers Market This Week

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 4, 2018

Courtesy photo

LAFM News:

What’s up at the Farmer’s Market open 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday?

Beef, Yak, Bison, Lamb, Honey, Apple Cider, early apples, cherries, apricots, mulberries, tomatoes, potatoes, chard, kale, lettuce, eggs, cut flowers, vinegars, Goat Milk Soaps, Beans dried and fresh green beans, purple and Yellow, Squash, Onions, Garlic, dried chile, ristras, sage decorations, Kettle corn, Sharpening Service, weavings, native plants, quiche, pies, tarts, cookies, cinnamon breads, burritos, tacos by Mr. Tortas, egg dishes, brioche, salad greens,

Road Closure At Woodland Road July 4

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 4, 2018

COMMUNITY News:

Today, 2-9 p.m., there will be a road closure at the end of Woodland Road adjacent to Club Road due to a family event and block party.

Access to Woodland can be made by traveling up Arizona and cutting through Country Lane.

Please be advised that your route may take 1 minute longer, and there may be more children than usual running around the area.

White Rock Artist Market Saturday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 4, 2018

Courtesy photo

Courtesy photo

ART News:

From 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Saturday, July 7, is another fantastic opportunity to shop and support local artisans at the White Rock Artist Market outside the White Rock Visitor Center at 115 NM 4.

This summer marks the 6th annual series of Artist Markets featuring new and returning artisans from Los Alamos County and Northern New Mexico.

Items for sale include fused glass works, paintings, handmade gift cards, natural beauty products, handmade pine needle baskets, various types of beautiful jewelry, and more!

The

Weekly Fishing Report: July 4

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 4, 2018

By GEORGE MORSE

Los Alamos Daily Post

Sports and Outdoors

The closure of Santa Fe National Forest and Carson National Forest remains in effect this week due to the extreme fire danger. All recreational activities, including fishing, are prohibited on National Forest lands. Lakes, rivers and streams on National Forest lands are closed to fishing.

While New Mexico has seen its share of wildfires so far this season, the neighboring state of Colorado is getting hammered by wildfires right now.

For weeks the 416 Fire has been burning north of Durango and has burned 52,778 acres. It is 37-percent contained. Read More

Explore July Night Skies At Planetarium

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 3, 2018

Paul Arendt discusses what will be visible in the night sky during July at 7 p.m. Friday at the nature center. Courtesy/PEEC

PEEC News:

The community is invited to visit the planetarium in the Los Alamos Nature Center for an interactive tour of the heavens.

Paul Arendt is presenting a talk at 7 p.m. Friday, July 6 that focuses on Mars and the other planets that will be visible this month.

July’s tour of the sky will focus on Mars, as it will be nearer to Earth than at any time in the past 15 years. Additionally, Arendt will show the audience when and where they will be able to see Mercury, Venus, Read More

YMCA 5K Fun Run Wednesday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 3, 2018

THE FAMILY YMCA News:

The Family YMCA in Los Alamos is hosting its annual Firecracker 5K Family Fun Run Wednesday, July 4.

The 5K is open to all ages that want to walk, run, or jog in this festive event. Prizes will go to the top male and female finishers in Kid, Youth, Adult, Adult 60+, Stroller (with a kid), and Dog Jogger. The best Costumed Participant will win Bagels-for-a-Year from Ruby K’s. All participants will get the annual Fun Run t-shirt and are eligible to win one of many great door prizes.

The 5K race route starts in the YMCA parking lot, turns north on 15th

BLM Seeks Public Input On Proposed Oil And Gas Lease Sale Of Parcels In New Mexico, Texas And Oklahoma

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 3, 2018

BLM News:

SANTA FE ― The Bureau of Land Management has scheduled a two-week public scoping period for input on 133 parcels of federal minerals proposed for the December 2018 competitive oil and gas lease sale.

The public scoping period will begin July 9 and conclude July 20. The lease sale is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 5-6.

This scoping process is intended to solicit public input on relevant issues, potential impacts, and alternatives that the BLM should address in an environmental assessment to be prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy

Learn About Local Research On American Pikas Tonight

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 3, 2018

Join Erik Beever at 7 p.m. today at the Los Alamos Nature Center to learn about his research on pikas and other wildlife. Courtesy/PEEC

PEEC News:

The community is invited to hear USGS Research Ecologist Erik Beever speak about the local mountain ecosystems and wildlife, especially the American pika.

Beever’s presentation is 7 p.m. today and free at the Los Alamos Nature Center at 2600 Canyon Road.

Beever has been researching pikas since 1994 and is returning to north-central New Mexico for a third consecutive summer to survey pikas, other wildlife species, and their high-elevation habitats. Read More

LAHS Graduate Attends Millennial Nuclear Caucus

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 3, 2018

From left, Department of Public Utilities Deputy Manager Steve Cummins, Los Aamos High School graduate Sophia Li and DPU Manager Tim Glasco celebrate Li’s acceptance into the Millennial Nuclear Caucus. Courtesy photo

By KIRSTEN LASKEY

Los Alamos Daily Post

kirsten@ladailypost.com

Sophia Li, a 2018 Los Alamos High School graduate, has yet to start her college career at MIT but she already received an up close look at her field of interest: nuclear energy.

Li was selected to attend the Millennial Nuclear Caucus held June 15 in Idaho Falls. The Department of Energy

Secretary Zinke Announces $42.6 Million In Payments To New Mexico To Support Vital Community Services

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 3, 2018

DOI News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke has announced that 32 local governments in New Mexico are receiving a total of $42.6 million under the 2018 Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, demonstrating the Administration’s commitment to local communities.

This is the largest amount ever allocated in the program’s 40-year history. A full list of funding by state and county is available at www.doi.gov/pilt.

“Local communities contribute significantly to our nation’s economy, food and energy supply, and help define the character