Warmer Springs Causing Loss of Snow Cover Throughout Rocky Mountains
A new study of the Rocky Mountains finds that, since 1980, warmer spring temperatures have reduced snow cover throughout the range. Photo by Jeremy Littell
AGU/USGS News:
WASHINGTON—Warmer spring temperatures since 1980 are causing an estimated 20 percent loss of snow cover across the Rocky Mountains of western North America, according to a new study.
The research builds upon a previous snowpack investigation by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) that showed that, until the 1980s, the northern Rocky Mountains experienced large snowpacks when the central and southern Rockies experienced Read More
NIST Researchers Propose New Old Way to Purify Carbons Nanotubes
Three examples of partitioning carbon nanotubes in liquid phases. Left, nanotubes partitioned by diameter. Smaller diameters, on the bottom, appear purple. Center, partitioned between semiconductors (amber, top) and metals. Right, a sample with different diameter range partitioned between metals (yellow) and semiconductors. Color differences are due to differences in electronic structure. Photo by Baum/NIST
NIST news:
An old, somewhat passé, trick used to purify protein samples based on their affinity for water has found new fans at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Read More
Column: Low Income Housing IS Available in Los Alamos
Caballo Peak Apartments facing Trinity Drive. Courtesy photo
Column by JULIE SMITH, Property Manager
Despite beliefs to the contrary, Los Alamos does have safe, low income rental housing options.
The Caballo Peak Apartments opened in June 2000 under a Federal Low Income Housing Program. It comprises 40 apartments, 32 of which are designated for low income tenant. There are eight handicap accessible units, seven of which are designated for low income tenants.
General rent is $800 per month, but for those who qualify under the low Read More
Council Denies GEW’s Smart Meter Bid Protest
Patrick Petelski of GEW Mechanical explaining Monday night that although his company was unable to obtain Smart Meter pricing from distributors, had spent some 200 hours working on its response to the County’s request for Smart Meters, so bid it without a cost for the meters. The County found the GEW bid nonresponsive. GEW filed a protest and after hearing testimony from witnesses May 7 and May 13, Council voted 6-0 Monday night to deny GEW’s protest, saying the County had followed the proper bidding process. GEW has the right to appeal its protest to a court of law. Print Screen photo Read More
Council Enters Closed Session to Discuss Bid Protest
Council Chair Geoff Rodgers, right, and Vice Chair David Izraelevitz join four other councilors in voting to go into closed session to discuss the Smart Meter bid award protest heard this evening by Council. Councilor Steve Girrens was absent. Print Screen Read More
Council Continues Hearing Appeal of Smart Meters Bid Award
Attorney Wayne Bingham begins questioning County staff in tonight’s Smart Meter bid award protest hearing. Print Screen photo
Assistant County Attorney Dan Gonzales, left, objects to a line of questioning by GEW attorney Wayne Bingham at right. Print Screen photo
Staff Report
Los Alamos County Council tonight is continuing, in its capacity as a quasi-judicial body, the hearing related to the protest appeal by GEW Mechanical (GEW) of a bid award for Smart Meters to Landis + Gyr (“L+G”.)
Council Chair Geoff Rodgers opened this evening’s meeting advising the attorneys Read More
School District Faces Budget Balancing Act
LAPS Chief Financial Officer John Wolfe, left, and Human Resources Director Gerry Washburn present their findings to a meeting of the the Los Alamos School Board focusing on the 2013-14 budget. The meeting took place May 9. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost
The audience, many of them teachers, listen as John Wolfe explains the proposed 2013-2014 LAPS budget. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypostThe Los Alamos School Board met May 9 to get input from the public on the proposed 2013-14 budget.
The District faces a budget shortfall. Although Read More
Los Alamos Police Blotter: May 3–May 8, 2013
LAPD News:
The following information is provided by the Los Alamos Police Department.
Neither arrests nor charges indicate a conviction, and neither means that a person is guilty of the charges filed against them.
May 3 at 2:31 p.m. / A 64-year-old Los Alamos man reported that he was the victim of larceny in the 100 block of La Vista. The estimated loss is less than $2,500.
May 3 at 5:03 p.m. / Police charged a 13-year-old Santa Fe boy near Oppenheimer Drive and Central Avenue with receiving stolen property, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was referred to the juvenile Read More
Bestselling Author Anchee Min Brings Her Story to Los Alamos May 19
Anchee Min. Courtesy/Bloomsbury PublishersIn 1994, Anchee Min made her literary debut with a memoir of growing up in China during the Cultural Revolution. Red Azalea became an international bestseller and propelled her career as a successful, critically acclaimed author.
Twenty years later, after the publication of a number of well-received historical novels set in China, Min returns to her own story.
Her memoir, The Cooked Seed, published this week, tells the story of her immigration to America. Min is touring to promote the book and will Read More
Library Drive-up Book Drop Out of Service; Handicapped Parking Temporarily Moved to Senior Center
COUNTY News:
Due to the ongoing library improvement project, the drive-up book drop is out of service and the handicapped parking will be moved this week to the Betty Ehart Senior Center to allow the contractor to work on the north side of the library driveway.
The library will remain open during the construction and provide full service as usual, maintaining regular hours and offering the usual abundance of summer programming.
Patrons returning library materials must park and walk the material to either the external book drops adjacent to the main entrance, or inside to the book drop at the circulation Read More
Los Alamos American Legion Riders Participate in Massing of Colors
Members of the Los Alamos American Legion Riders participated in the Massing of Colors with the Military Order of World Wars at the New Mexico Bataan Memorial Saturday, May 11, from left, Ken Nadeau, Scott Wilkinson, Dave Bullock, Dave Demello and Randi Moore. Photo by Louis RosochaWork Underway in Rendija Canyon
COUNTY News:
The County is taking precautionary steps this week in sending Public Works crews into Rendija Canyon to blade the unimproved road that runs along the bottom of the canyon to make it passable for possible vehicular emergency access.
During the Cerro Grande Fire in May 2000, residents may recall that this road was used to evacuate motor vehicles with homes in northern Los Alamos County to help expedite the evacuation.
The actions are being taken only as a precautionary measure, as part of pro-active steps being taken for safety of the public during this active wildfire season, due to Read More
Sixteenth Annual Kite Festival May 17-19
Los Alamos School Employees Honored
Carolyn Torres, third grade teacher at Chamisa Elementary, was chosen Los Alamos Teacher of the Year. The announcement was made during a celebration Thursday at Fuller Lodge. The LAPS Foundation awarded $500 to Torres for her achievement. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon
Candidates for Teacher of the Year included (not pictured in this order) Jan White, Andrea Determan, Lynn Ovaska, Barbara Jo Wrobleski-Mullis, Jane Rust, and Catherine “Kati” Steinberg. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com
Eileen Jaramillo, who works in maintenance, facilities and custodial, was chosenForest Announces 2013 Season Open Recreation Sites
Courtesy/SFNF
SFNF News:
- Forest announces 2013 season open recreation sites; Asks public to help keep forest clean
SANTA FE – Forest recreation specialists are currently busy preparing 54 campgrounds, trail heads and picnic areas for the summer season across the Santa Fe National Forest.
Hazard tree inspections, drinking water sampling, and general maintenance to facilities brought on by winter snow are being accomplished so that visitors can once again enjoy their national forests.
However, there will be a reduction in services at some sites. Generally at sites where services are reduced Read More
Yang: You See Banana, I See Potassium … Part II
You See Banana, I See Potassium: Whose reality is more real? Part IIWe take on many roles simultaneously, and different people see us differently. I am a student of management, a watercolor painter, a gardener, a wife, a mother … I can be simultaneously smart and stupid (don’t say that you have never had such an experience), or I can be both compassionate and stingy.
You get the drift. Most managers are complex people, yet, often, they are regarded in a unidimensional image. The 20 people under one manager most likely have at least 10 different images for this manager. An open-minded Read More
Forest & VCNP Enter Stage I Fire Restrictions Tuesday
Smokey Bear. Courtesy/SFNS
SFNF News:
SANTA FE – Despite recent scattered rain showers, the Santa Fe National Forest and Valles Caldera National Preserve will enter Stage 1 fire restrictions at 8 a.m. Tuesday due to extreme/exceptional drought conditions and high fire danger.
The Pecos Wilderness and San Pedro Parks Wilderness areas are exempt from Stage I fire restrictions. Devices solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuel that can be turned on and off are allowed in areas that are barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device.
Letter to the Editor: I’m ‘Noisy; Unpleasant Child’s’ Parent
By MANDY MARKSTEINERSearching for Clandestine Graves with Geophysical Tools
Workers examine remains at a mass grave in eastern Bosnia in 2004. Photo by Polargeo
AGU News:
By , National University of Colombia, Bogota and , National University of Colombia, Bogota
Cancún, Mexico — It’s very hard to convict a murderer if the victim’s body can’t be found. And the best way to hide a body is to bury it.
Developing new tools to find those clandestine graves is the goal of a small community of researchers spread across several countries, some of whom are presenting their work on Tuesday, May 14, at the Meeting of the Americas in Cancún, Mexico, a scientific Read More
Jonah Katz Nominated for National VFW Scout of the Year Award
VFW Post 8874 Commander Roger Anaya presenting Eagle Scout Jonah Katz with $100 for winning the Scout of the Year Scholarship at the VFW Post Level. Katz has also won at the VFW State Level and is going on to compete for a $5,000 scholarship at the VFW National Level. Courtesy photo
VFW News:
The New Mexico Veterans of Foreign Wars has selected Los Alamos Eagle Scout Jonah Katz as their nominee for the national VFW Scout of the Year Award.
Annually, the VFW selects three young people — from the Boy or Girl Scouts, Sea Scouts or Venturing Crew — who have risen above their peers in exemplifying the exceptional Read More
