Columns

Home Country … Ol’ Max Evans: The First Thousand Years

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Home Country
By SLIM RANDLES

Four years ago now. Yep, four years ago we lost Max Evans. I sure did, anyway. That old cowboy, artist, writer, bar brawler and two-fisted philosopher meant a lot to a lot of people and not just his wife, Pat, and their twin daughters.

I met Max one day about 40 years ago. I was working for the Albuquerque Journal as a columnist at the time, and another columnist there, Jim Belshaw, came up to me in the newsroom one morning and said, “We’re having lunch with Max Evans today at noon. Don’t plan anything else for the rest of the day.”

I thought he was kidding. Lunch lasted through Read More

Posts From The Road: Echo Lake In Colorado

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Road to Mt. Blue Sky: The road to Mt. Blue Sky passes by Echo Lake before turning and becoming a fee road to the summit. Echo Lake and Echo Lake Lodge seen at the right side sit at about 10,600 feet in elevation. The road to the 14,264 summit is another 13 mile drive from the lodge. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com

Fisherman: A fisherman is seen casting his line at Echo Lake on a gorgeous afternoon in late August. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com

Close Up: A closer, more intimate view of the lake shore shows blades of grass among the blue waters. The light breezes created ripples in the water during Read More

Fr. Glenn: Finding Fulfillment

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By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Everyone on the planet seeks to find fulfillment. One might say that every living creature seeks fulfillment in its own way—growth, procreation, and life itself. Thus the plant reaches toward sunlight, the grazer to better pastures, the carnivore to where prey is plentiful. But, of course, with we humans, just life and existence and physical contentment is not enough for most; we desire more. We desire the satisfaction—the fulfillment-of having made a difference in our lives, whether that be with descendants, or discovery, or working to make others’ lives and the world Read More

All Shall Be Well: Delight

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Clergy from left, Pastor Deb Church, Deacon Amy Schmuck, The Rev. Mary Ann Hill, The Rev. Lynn Finnegan, Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, retired, and Pastor Nicolé Raddu Ferry. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com

By Pastor Lynn Finnagan
Associate Priest
The Episcopal Church of the Holy Faith
Santa Fe

Delight. Sheer delight. That is the best description of the look on my three-year-old granddaughter’s face as she anticipated the balloon I was about to toss her. It was a simple game and a simple balloon. Standing just a few feet apart, we lobbed the purple balloon back and forth in an activity that Read More

McQuiston: Choosing Safe Cars For Teens

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By ALLEN MCQUISTON
Jemez Insurance Agency
Serving Los Alamos Since 1963

If your teenager has just gotten a driver’s license, it may be hard to imagine handing over the keys to your brand new car, but that may be the smartest vehicle to choose.

However, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) say there is something worried parents can do to protect their teens — choose a safe vehicle.

Avoid vehicles that encourage reckless driving. Teen drivers not only lack experience, but may also lack maturity. As a result, speeding and reckless Read More

Gessing: Handing Governor Speaking Slot Disqualifying

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By PAUL GESSING
President
Rio Grande Foundation

I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member. Groucho Marx.

Since President Biden left the presidential race his replacement Kamala Harris has been vague about her policy ideas. In a few areas (like abortion) we know her positions clearly. And in a few isolated cases she has made detailed statements ($25,000 payments to first-time home buyers and not taxing tips).

But, the best way to know someone is by the company she keeps. At the recently-completed Democratic National Convention, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham was given a prime Read More

Denish: Conventions Provide Voters With Contrasts

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By DIANE DENISH
Corner to Corner
© 2024 New Mexico News Services

The 2024 Democratic and Republican conventions are now part of the history books. Having attended four Democratic conventions, I know each has its own flavor and spirit. Conventions help show voters the contrast between parties and candidates.

For every convention, there is anticipation and media hype prior to the event. Candidates have completed the primary process, and it’s time to come together behind a candidate.

This year was historic.

The Republicans nominated a former president who has been convicted of 34 felonies and Read More

Tallarico: What Is Sidewalk Hygiene?

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By ANTONIA TALLARICO
Canes & Canines
Low Vision Support Group

I tried to make sidewalk hygiene witty and interesting. I failed. So, I’m going to try and make this subject short. What is sidewalk hygiene? Since I just made the term up, I’m going to define it as what residents are responsible for making sidewalks safe and enjoyable for people like me who are low/no vision, children running helter-skelter to catch a school bus, dog walkers, joggers … in other words everyone.

I have been bushwhacked by tree limbs and shrubs. Since losing my vision, I’ve become extra vigilant ensuring my landscaping Read More

Skolnik: Tracking COVID And More In Los Alamos’ Wastewater

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By RICHARD SKOLNIK
White Rock

The tools for monitoring the presence of COVID in our communities have decreased dramatically over the last year or so. Thus, monitoring the virus that causes COVID in our wastewater has become even more important than earlier.

Los Alamos County has contracted for the monitoring of our wastewater in both Los Alamos and White Rock for:

          • SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)
          • RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)
          • Influenza A
          • Influenza B

In this manner, our wastewater surveillance can serve as a signal not only for the extent to which COVID is present in our community, but also the extent Read More

Robinson: Scions Of Two Political Families

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By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2024 New Mexico News Services

One day apart, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ended his presidential campaign, and Jeff Apodaca defended The New Mexico Project in court.

The scions of two political families are very different personally, but both have struggled to carve out their place in public life. Both stepped outside the inherited cocoon of the Democratic Party and attempted to cut a path through the political jungle on their own.

Kennedy at his core is a tragic figure. At 14 he saw his father killed on national TV. He wasn’t close to his mother, a widow with 11 children. Read More