Simpkins: Los Alamos National Laboratory Embraces Diverse Abilities Of Its Employees During Disability Pride Month – And All Year Long
By BRET SIMPKINS
Associate Director for Facilities and Operations
Champion for DiverseAbility ERG
Los Alamos National Laboratory
At Los Alamos National Laboratory, success lies in innovation fueled by diverse talents. July is Disability Pride Month—at the Lab and across the nation—and it is an opportunity to celebrate the history, achievements, experiences and struggles of the disability community. July 2023 also marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, signed 33 years ago this month.
In 2018, a new Employee Resource Group was formed at the Laboratory. Called the Read More
Houck: Considering ‘Stepped Up’ Basis Option For Heirs
By David Houck
Qualifying Broker
Atomic Realty
We are often asked, “I have lost my spouse or inherited the family home recently, or several years ago, I am thinking of selling the home in the future, what are the tax consequences of doing so.”
The following is a basic primer of a “stepped up basis” – we are not tax advisors, always check with your tax professional before making any decisions that may affect your personal tax situation.
The IRS “stepped up” basis is designed to reduce the capital gains tax for heirs on inherited assets, including a home. Under IRC § 1014(a), the “stepped up basis” Read More
Lindberg: Hikers Destroying Trees In Local Canyons
A young ponderosa tree cut by a hiker who didn’t like the branches brushing against him. Courtesy/Lisa Lindberg
By LISA LINDBERG
Los Alamos
I was born and raised here and despite some years spent in Las Cruces and a couple in MA, I have lived in Los Alamos nearly all my 61 years. This is my home. Most of my childhood was spent scrambling over canyon rocks, hiking the trails, camping at Camp May and other campsites nearby and playing out in the beautiful surroundings of Los Alamos.
Never once did I consider carving my initials into a rock or into a tree. I was taught to respect nature—the rocks, the wildflowers Read More
Posts From The Road: Big Timber, Montana
Big Timber, Mont.: Clouds hover over Big Timber, Mont. in June while we attended the Pleasure Way rally at a campground just south of town. The town is small with a population of about 2,000 and is the county seat of Sweetgrass County. The ranching and western lifestyle are evident throughout Big Timber. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Pleasure Way RVs: Pleasure Way camper vans line up along the Boulder River at the campground in Big Timber, Mont. The calm water in the pond creates a reflection of the vans under clear skies at a previous campout. The rally is limited to about 25 vans, which makes Read More
Fr. Glenn: Rebel!!
By Fr. Glenn Jones:
Hmmm … a couple of weeks ago we were looking at a potential coup d’état in Russia, and this weekend (7/1) we’re witnessing all sorts of uprising and rioting in France—just as we’re coming up to Bastille Day on July 14, no less. Well, it IS summer, after all—the favored time for such things. But, in violation of Newton’s law, such action results in an opposite yet unequal reaction—oppression, violent quelling of riots, sometimes curfews and even martial law, depending upon the humanity and morality of governments involved, as well as the determination and resources of Read More
All Shall Be Well: Patriotism, Not Nationalism
Clergy from left, Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, retired; Pastor Nicolé Ferry, Assistant Rector Lynn Finnegan and Pastor Deb Church. Courtesy photo
By Reverend Lynn Finnegan
The Episcopal Church of the Holy Faith
Santa Fe
In my former life as a practicing lawyer, I would sometimes cringe at lawyer jokes. For sure, many of the jokes make me laugh and I don’t deny a lot of aspects of legal practice are ripe for a little humor. What made me cringe, however, was the stereotype promoted – a “lawyer persona” of greed and dishonesty that, for sure, was justified for more than a few lawyers, but not all. And it Read More
State Forester McCarthy: Properly Trained Volunteers Are Critical To New Mexico Wildfire Suppression Efforts
By LAURA MCCARTHY
New Mexico State Forester
May 10, at approximately 4 p.m., a wildfire started near Las Tusas – some of the only green forest left standing after the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire last year.
Buffeted by winds from the southwest and fueled by timber, brush and grass, the fire traveled quickly through a populated rural community just a dozen miles north of Las Vegas. Approximately 470 structures were threatened, including primary homes, RVs, stables and other outbuildings; lives were at stake.
As people evacuated their homes, more than 100 volunteer firefighters rushed toward Read More
