Columns

This Week At The Reel Deal

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By JIM O’DONNELL
Real Deal Theater

This Friday we are opening Pitch Perfect 2 and Mad Max: Fury Road. Avengers: Age of Ultron is holding for another week along with Hot Pursuit. The Water Diviner and Monkey Kingdom are ending this Thursday.

Movie poster for ‘Pitch Perfect 2’ Courtesy/Reel Deal Theater

Pitch Perfect 2: Reprising the kind of musical performances, campus hi-jinks, stinging humor and sassy sisterhood put in place by its eminently likable predecessor; Pitch, Perfect 2 remixes the elements and comes up Read More

Pajarito Rambler: First Flowers On The High Perimeter Trail

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The Pajarito Rambler
By NINA THAYER
Los Alamos
 
First Flowers On The High Perimeter Trail

Last weekend’s rain and snow have provided the much-needed moisture for the first of the wildflowers on the high Perimeter Trail (northern section). 

This loop trail is one of this rambler’s very favorites with spectacular views of the entire Rio Grande valley. It provides a field trip on wildfire ecology and regrowth.

The Perimeter Trail was built by many volunteers immediately after the Cerro Grande Fire fifteen years ago this month and this hike covers only a 2-mile segment.

The loop that Read More

Food On The Hill: Fresh Fruit Salad With Spearmint

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Food on the Hill
By FELICIA ORTH
Los Alamos
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This week’s recipe: Fresh Fruit Salad with Spearmint
 
Felicia Orth/ladailypost.com

A few things I know about fresh fruit salad:

  • Everybody likes it. Really, I’ve never met anyone who didn’t.
  • It’s not tricky to prepare. Time-consuming if, like me, you are scrupulous about washing it all carefully and chopping everything into bite-size chunks, but not otherwise challenging.
  • It’s always colorful, even if you only pay a little attention to that sort of thing.
  • No recipe is needed. Just go to
Read More

Living Well Los Alamos: Whole Grains

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Living Well Los Alamos
By HELEN IDZOREK
Los Alamos
 
Whole Grains

Health experts agree that half of our daily grain serving should come from whole grains. Whole grains may reduce the risk of stroke, diabetes and heart disease.

People who regularly consume three daily servings of whole grains may also have lower rates of obesity and lower cholesterol. Whole grains contain valuable phytochemicals and antioxidants, as well as folic acid, vitamins B and E, iron, fiber, magnesium and selenium.

Grains are composed of the bran, germ and endosperm. A whole grain is one that contains all of its original Read More

Yang: Can We Please Let Go Of Carrot-And-Stick Shtick?

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By ELENA YANG
Los Alamos

Can We Please Let Go Of Carrot-And-Stick Shtick?

When I read my previous column’s suggested article, How Successful People Overcome Toxic Bosses (link), I felt more depressed than hopeful. Evidently, there are a lot of horrible bosses out there, requiring us to develop strategies to keep them at bay. What a waste of energy and time, both of which are such precious resources for our work and life. 

A different perspective that places more responsibilities on bosses (link) evokes in me a slightly more positive reaction. Managers who develop relationships Read More

Observations Of A Fly On The Wall At The Merry Roundhouse

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By ROBERT GIBSON
Los Alamos

I served many of my eight years on the Los Alamos County Council as a member of its state legislative committee. In that role, I frequently visited with elected legislators (in both House and Senate), lobbyists, and staff. It was a close-up view of the legislature from the “outside.”

This year I had the opportunity to view the legislature from the “inside” as a staff member, an analyst for the House Regulatory and Public Affairs Committee (HRPAC). It was illuminating, although there were few surprises.

The basic job of legislative analysts is to study bills and provide Read More

Pastor Granillo: Mom Was Right!

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By Pastor RAUL GRANILLO
Los Alamos

Who are you? Who do you most resemble? Your mom? Your dad? Your best friend? Who influences your life?

I remember rolling my eyes when my mom would try to tell me that “so and so” was a bad influence. I couldn’t understand why she had so little faith in my own judgement and character that she thought I could be influenced. Chalk that up to another one of those things mom was right about—that column on my chalkboard is getting full!

Most parents today realize that their kids are influenced by others, and that who they hang out with really matters. Even as adults, we are influenced Read More

Smart Design With Suzette: Plan Your Kitchen Like A Pro

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Design drawing for a kitchen remodel. Courtesy/Suzette Fox 
 
Smart Design With Suzette
Plan Your Kitchen Like a Pro
By SUZZETTE FOX

A kitchen can be filled with beautiful materials and finishes, but if the layout and space doesn’t work well, it’s not a successful design. A good space plan and flow are critical. Anyone who has tried working in a poorly designed kitchen knows this.

Kitchens have become the main gathering area of the house. We want more from our kitchens—we want them to really work for us and, at the same time, be beautiful.

I recommend working with a kitchen Read More

Cinema Cindy Reviews ‘The Water Diviner’

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By CYNTHIA BIDDDLECOMB

The Water Diviner presents Russell Crowe as an early 20th century Outback farmer named Joshua Connor, skilled at divining to find water for his livestock—thus the title. This is Crowe’s directorial debut and another example of his fine acting.

Movie poster for ‘The Water Diviner.’ Courtesy/Reel Deal Theater

Connor’s idyllic farming life is disrupted when his three rambunctious and loyal sons enlist to fight in World War One. All three were shipped off to Gallipoli where we know Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) troops suffered a 60 percent Read More

Home Matters With Sarah: You Found The Perfect House … What Do You Do Next?

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Home Matters
 
By SARAH HOSFORD-CAMPBELL
Mortgage Loan Specialist
 
You have decided to buy a house.
 
You met with your mortgage lender to make sure you would qualify for a mortgage loan and get an idea of how much you could afford. You met with your realtor and started looking at houses that were in your price range. You found the perfect house! What do you do next?
 
The Offer:
 
You and your realtor will begin drafting an offer to purchase that will be submitted to the sellers. Your realtor will work with you to determine how much you should offer
Read More