Columns

PEEC Amateur Naturalist: A Winter Snapshot Of Birds

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PEEC Amateur Naturalist
By ROBERT DRYJA

 

A Winter Snapshot of Birds
 
The Audubon Society has been conducting a nationwide bird count at various locations every year for 116 years.
 
This count is called the Christmas Bird Count since it is conducted in December. Learn about participating here.
 
Nationwide, approximately 22,000,000 birds have been counted in 875 areas for 2015 and data still is being submitted. Sixty four people counted 4,770 birds representing 76 species throughout the Los Alamos area this year.
 
The Los Alamos area
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Lujan Grisham On Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

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By U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham
 
Mothers, grandmothers, sisters, cousins, or aunts shouldn’t have to wait any longer for equal pay.
 
Wage discrimination based on gender has been a priority of mine in Congress since the moment I took office, because we have a responsibility to ensure economic security for millions of women in this country. But I am frustrated that we still haven’t done enough to make sure women in this country have equal pay for equal work.
 
Today marks the seventh year anniversary of The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, an incredible step forward
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Yang: Follow-up On Introvert-Extrovert

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By ELANA YANG
Los Alamos

Follow-up On Introvert-Extrovert

Introverts aren’t automatically shy; shy people aren’t always introverts. And there are shy extroverts, truly.   

My columns on introversion-extraversion seemed to have struck a nerve with many readers, particularly the introverts. Not a surprise, since by definition, introverts generally wouldn’t be compelled to speak up themselves.

However, from various comments and conversations, I feel the need to clarify and distinguish between introversion and shyness. Of course, these two concepts overlap, but they are Read More

Smart Design With Suzette: Highlights Of 2016 International Builders Show

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White kitchen with wood accents. Courtesy photo
 
 
By SUZETTE FOX
Los Alamos
 

The last column I wrote indicated design trends for 2016. Let’s continue the conversation and take a look at some residential design trends that judges of the Best in American Living Awards (BASA) at last week’s International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Las Vegas, predicted would be this year’s most prominent.

High on the list were intimate outdoor spaces, intricate stairwells, and Mid-Century Modern detailing. Repurposed wood, which has also become a staple accent throughout many styles Read More

Pastor Granillo: A Jealous God

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By Pastor RAUL GRANILLO
Los Alamos

He that is not jealous is not in love. —St. Augustine

Being called jealous is not typically a compliment. When people are considered to be jealous, they are thought to be in a state of mind that is ugly, selfish, insecure, and even harmful. These are things that are in direct contrast to what we think of when we think of love; so it can be very difficult for us to reconcile jealousy with love. But does that really mean they are in opposition?

What jealousy implies, or reveals about us, is likely the reason we don’t think very highly of it. Consider this, if you are the person Read More

Classical Music World: Easy Start To Knowing More

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By ANN MCLAUGHLIN, Artistic Director
Los Alamos Concert Association
 
I will say it again: You don’t need to know anything about classical music to enjoy it.
 
But what if you really would like to know more about the art form without making too big a project out of it? 
 

Here are some suggestions for ways to get started that are easy and fun:

  • Listen to Performance Today on KUNM 89.5FM. It is broadcast for two hours beginning at 9 a.m. every weekday. Host Fred Child introduces live performances recorded in concert halls around the nation and the world featuring great orchestras,
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TALES OF OUR TIMES: Prosperity Builds On Regulation

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Tales of Our Times
By JOHN BARTLIT
New Mexico Citizens
for Clean Air & Water

Prosperity Builds On Regulation

A popular sound bite says “kill regulation” so prosperity will rise. Regulation is likened to a stalking horse brought out to snatch away property rights. Yet in history, property rights are created by regulation. Why do these stories sound so conflicting?

As usual, the message heard depends on which scraps of the whole story are told. Huge amounts are left out in boosting policy preferences.        

The pride of our nation is the rule of law. Read More

Williams: School Funding And Taxes

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By MATT WILLIAMS
Los Alamos

As vice president of the LAPS School Board I would like to present some of my very simple ideas about our taxes and how they fund our schools. If there are any errors in this writeup there are mine and mine alone, I also do not speak for the School Board. I hope the readers find this information useful.

I typically think of these taxes in three main categories:

  • Operational;
  • House Bill 33 (Referendum); and
  • Capital Reinvestment.

There are other peripheral categories, but these are the main ones. Here is a general description of these three categories:

Operational: This is Read More

An Open Book: Have I Got A Rumor For You!

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An Open Book
By DAVID IZRAELEVITZ
 
Have I Got A Rumor For You!

One of the surprising facts I have learned as a county councilor is how quickly a rumor can take on a life of its own, especially if it involves the ever conspiratorial local government. I have decided to take the bull by the horns and start a rumor of my own, which I document below. The county has nothing to do with it, but then, that is what we would say anyway, wouldn’t it?

CHILIWORKS AND STARBUCKS IN JOINT VENTURE

After months of negotiations, Chiliworks has agreed to partner with Starbucks on a new project that will address the Read More

Yang: NUMMI – When The Giant Stumbles…

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By ELENA YANG
Los Alamos
 
It hurts everyone in its path.
 
Is it possible that all those working at NUMMI (New United Motor Manufacturing Incorporated) were happy team players? Of course not, that’d be against reality, and so not American.
 
However, since the dissenters were few, there was little chance of upsetting production. Ultimately, the question was: If NUMMI was such a success, wouldn’t GM want the rest of the company’s plants, or at least the majority of them, to learn (not copy) from it?
 
As I have explained before, changes are
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