Columns

Yang: NUMMI – A Giant’s Atrophy

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By ELENA YANG
Los Alamos

The higher rank one occupies, the harder it is to change for better/climbing higher. When you become # 1 – by whatever measurement – what’s next? This query is useful for individuals as well as organizations, but in this space, my focus will be on organizations – big, powerful, lumbering organizations. 

I didn’t learn about the NUMMI case till a few months ago (from “This American Life”), but immediately recognized several management lessons. NUMMI stands for New United Motor Manufacturing Incorporated; it was a joint venture (JV) between GM and Toyota, back in Read More

Pegg: New Year’s Exercise Program

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By KENT PEGG
Los Alamos

Another new year is upon us and that means that many of you will be resolving to get fit, lose weight, or improve your health this coming year. Good for you! There is no time like the present to start out on your path to a healthier, fitter life.

But often that’s easier said than done. If you don’t have a significant workout history it can be challenging to find the right exercise program and stick with it long term. Fear not because there are some things you can do to significantly improve your chances of succeeding with your resolutions this year.

First, be careful, take it slow and Read More

Myers: It’s A Great Time To Sell In Los Alamos

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Kelly Myers

By KELLY MYERS
Associate Broker, RE/MAX of Los Alamos

If the New Year has you thinking about selling your home, the good news is that it’s a great time to sell.

Heading into 2016, our inventory is extremely low – with only 66 houses on the market as of today. This means we are selling more houses and listing fewer, draining the supply. When supply decreases, demand increases and prices rise. This, along with low interest rates, produces a terrific climate in which to list and sell your home. 

Last year I saw an increase in younger buyers. Buyers came into town with a new job, a family Read More

The Most Important New Year’s Resolution Of All

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By MONISHA VASA, M.D.
 
As 2016 begins, we might find ourselves thinking about new years resolutions for how we can better parent our children. 
 
More than ever, it feels important to help our children develop tools that will allow them to grow into a conscious, healthy adults. 
 
One of the most important skills for emotional well being is that of gratitude. Here are five quick, easy (and free) ways to encourage an attitude of gratitude in our children.
 
  • Engage in random acts of kindness: Children will often spontaneously share a toy
Read More

Coaching Café: Catabolic vs. Anabolic Leaders Part 4

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By LeAnne Parsons
Los Alamos
 
Welcome to 2016, the best year yet! The year to design your best life! 
 
This month, part 4 of the discussion of the characteristics of anabolic and catabolic leaders focuses on how (and if) leaders assess themselves, and examine how their actions and attitudes affect their results, as well as impact the people around them.
 
Catabolic leaders operate in their own little worlds. They do what they do, and they rarely, if ever, stop to think about the consequences of what they are doing (and how they are doing it).
 
If catabolic
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Gray Matters: Vote No On School Bond Issue

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By LARRY JOHNSON
Los Alamos
 
The purpose of this column is to urge you to vote no on the school bond issue. There are at least three good reasons to vote no.
 
First, we voted for a large tax increase before the new high school was built, followed by a new middle school and a new elementary school. We were assured by the school board at that time they would need no further bonds for capital expenses. The present vote is for further capital spending. A vote no will reduce our taxes and partially compensate for the previous large increase.
 
The second reason to vote no is because the school
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Food On The Hill: Chicken And Rice Soup

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Chicken and Rice Soup. Photo by Felicia Orth
 

By FELICIA ORTH
Los Alamos

I make a lot of soup throughout the year, including gazpacho, minestrone, Hungarian mushroom, curried squash, and chile/chili stew, but this is my favorite. The recipe originally came from the Silver Palate “Good Times” cookbook, a strong early influence full of joyful entertaining tips and recipes organized by holiday and season. I’ve adapted it in several respects to reduce the fat and increase the veggies, among other things.

When I tell friends that it is a miraculously healing soup, I am only half-kidding: chicken Read More

Reward Yourself For Healthy Choices

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By TERESA REYNOLDS, MSA, RN
Chief Nursing Officer,
Los Alamos Medical Center

Healthy lifestyle habits are your best defense against heart disease, but changing habits isn’t easy.

Whether you’re trying to eat a heart-healthy diet, get more exercise to strengthen your heart, lose a few pounds or make another healthy change in your life, it can be tough to stay motivated as the weeks go by. That’s where rewards can keep you inspired and motivated to reach your long-term goal.

Set a specific short-term goal that you have to reach to get a reward. For example, your goal is to lose 10 pounds in the next six Read More

Cinema Cindy Reviews ‘The Hateful Eight’

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By CYNTHIA BIDDLECOMB
Los Alamos

“The Hateful Eight” is Quentin Tarantino’s eighth movie as writer and director. If you know anything about Tarantino, you either hate his films or have a sense of guilt about loving to see what over-the-top thing he’ll do next.

Movie poster ‘The Hateful Eight.’ Courtesy Reel Deal Theater

This movie will not change your mind about hating or loving Tarantino films. Just look at the rating: “Rated R for strong bloody violence, a scene of violent sexual content, language and some graphic nudity.” You can take that as a warning.

All that being said, I love Read More

Living Well Los Alamos: Slow Cooker Month

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By HELEN IDZOREK
Extension Home Economist

With the New Year upon us many of us make resolutions to improve our health—both physically and financially.

January is Slow Cooker Month. Slow cookers use less electricity than an oven and because they use long, low temperature cooking, less expensive cuts of meat come out tender. Though we often turn to slow cookers for making winter soups and stews, they also work well in the summer as they do not heat up the kitchen like an oven. You can use your saved time from slow cooking to be physically active or to spend time with your family.

Safety

While  slow Read More