Columns

Food On The Hill: Sugarplums For The Holidays

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Sugar plums. Photo by Felicia Orth
 
 
By FELICIA ORTH
Los Alamos
 
The Nutcracker Ballet set in 1940s Los Alamos was extraordinary this year. The dancers, the sets, the costumes, the spy who danced through several scenes in pursuit of classified documents–all of it was thoroughly enchanting. It wasn’t the first time I’d wondered what a sugarplum is when the Sugarplum Fairy ruled the Land of the Sweets waiting for her prince to return; this year I followed through.

Turns out sugarplums were originally fennel or caraway seeds enrobed repeatedly in sugar to Read More

An Open Book: The Debts We Owe

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By DAVID IZRAELEVITZ
Los Alamos

Much too late, in retrospect I realize now, I developed an interest in my family history. The immigration of my parents and my siblings from Uruguay to America is one that I was a witness to, so I could, and have, documented that story.

But every year around this time, I receive a thank you letter that reminds me that my history is richer and deeper than my own story. All four of my grandparents were immigrants themselves, in this case from Lithuania to Uruguay in the 1920’s.

Unfortunately, by the time that I returned to Uruguay 26 years after emigrating, only one

Read More

TALES OF OUR TIMES: Round Stories Glisten Anew

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Tales of Our Times
By JOHN BARTLIT
New Mexico Citizens
for Clean Air & Water
 
Round Stories Glisten Anew
 
A special joy at Christmastime is to bring out the family’s old ornaments and enjoy each tale again, as we choose ones to place carefully on this year’s tree.
 
For this happy season, I choose three rich classics from my boxes full of air pollution hearings and hang the bright memories in this evergreen piece. Look for a chuckle, a twinkle and a glow. Enjoy.
■ A chuckle: As was often the case, we clean-air buffs got our testimony together only at the 11th hour. We had the usual last-minute
Read More

Cinema Cindy Reviews ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’

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By CYNTHIA BIDDLECOMB
Los Alamos

“The Force Awakens” is, chronologically, the seventh volume in the Star Wars series. The much-hyped film opened Friday across the country. For true fans of the series, this chapter does not disappoint. It offers original Star Wars nostalgia, great humor, action sequences worthy of the genre, a new adorable droid, some new heroes and villains, and some old favorites.

Movie poster for ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens.’ Courtesy Reel Deal Theater

J. J. Abrams was tapped by George Lucas himself to create this film. The younger Abrams made a name for himself Read More

Gray Matters: Making Sense (Cents) Of WIPP Incident

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By LARRY JOHNSON
Los Alamos
 
Introduction:
 
There has been extensive media coverage of the February 2014 release of radioactive material at WIPP, which has resulted in the shutdown of the facility.
 
The purpose of this column is to examine the incident and point out that there has been a massive over-reaction to the release resulting in a tremendous waste of taxpayer’s money.
 
In more common terms it is “making a mountain out of a mole hill” and “much ado about nothing”. The incident should have resulted in a shutdown of the facility of no more than a week or two
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Roger This: Auditing The Issues Management Audit

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By ROGER SNODGRASS
Los Alamos Daily Post

A December 2015 audit report by the Energy Department’s Inspector General’s Office deserves a little auditing itself.

The audit examines the issues management program at the Los Alamos Field Office (LAFO), which falls under the National Nuclear Security Administration, a semi-autonomous agency within the Department of Energy. NNSA is mainly responsible for the national security activities of DOE, including the nuclear weapons portfolio, the nuclear stockpile, threat reduction, non-proliferation and a variety of science programs that contribute Read More

Creating A Healthier Holiday Meal

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By DEBORAH JAUS, Director
LAMC Nutrition Services

A Holiday Menu Tune-Up

Holidays bring joy … and food anxiety. How to cook, how to serve, and, finally, how much? In an era when we all seem to be on a diet, do you give in and make everything Grandma did?

Today’s goal is not to re-create a Norman Rockwell painting, but to produce a festive meal you will be happy to serve. The biggest change: If you don’t need to present the whole turkey for carving at the table, cook a turkey breast instead.

Cooking Times

If you start with a fresh turkey breast, you don’t have to worry about thawing it in time to cook for dinner. Read More

Letter To The Editor: Free Money Is Killing New Mexico

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By PAUL J. GESSING, President
New Mexico’s Rio Grande Foundation

Nothing seems to unite New Mexicans like the desire for “free” money.

Over the past few weeks,  no fewer than three opinion pieces have run in various media outlets in support of Medicaid expansion. Two of these articles were from Democratic legislators.

While “compassion” and alleged health care improvements – unsupported by real-world data – were cited, a central argument involved “free” money that is flowing into the State from Washington. 

Recently, I had the chance to testify before an interim committee of the Read More

Pastor Granillo: Peace

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By Pastor RAUL GRANILLO
Los Alamos
 
Peace.

“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity” Micah 5:2 NASB).

Living in a state of peace is a common goal for mankind. Whether it be at the global level, the government level, in our own homes, or even in our minds, peace is something we all desire. And during the Christmas season, peace—especially “peace on earth”—seems to be one of the most prevalent themes in windows, on mantles, and in carols. Read More

Yang: Goal, Plan, Action, Result…

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By ELENA YANG
Los Alamos

Goal, Plan, Action, Result – Which Should Come First?

Often, we offer “set your goal” as encouragement to each other. Certainly, reaching goals, especially big and important ones, make us feel elated. But what’s more fascinating: How do people deal with failing to reach a particular goal? And, how do people deal with the aftermath, the let down, of achieving “that big goal”?

Recently, I have come across two seemingly contradictory articles. In one, entrepreneur James Clear, channeled through James Haden’s written words (link), advises people not to get so hung up on Read More