Columns

How The Hen House Turns: Chicks In Danger

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How the Hen House Turns
By CAROLYN (CARY) NEEPER Ph.D.
 
Chicks In Danger

After Peeper hatched, mother hen Peeky’s protective skirt of feathers was always ready to protect her chick when he ran from danger, whether real, like crows, or imaginary, like me. But when he flew up to the edge of the cut-off milk jug we used as a water trough—and fell in—Peeky let out such a wild squawking we raced down to the pen in seconds, adrenalin pumping.

We lifted Peeper’s struggling, bedraggled wet body from the water to save him from a drowning his mother clearly recognized but couldn’t prevent. With barely a Read More

Pastor Granillo: The Cross

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By Pastor RAUL GRANILLO
Los Alamos

The Cross

One might argue that the universal symbol for Christianity is the cross. When we see one on a building we might think it’s a church, when we see someone wearing a cross on a necklace we might think it represents their faith, and when we see one on the side of a highway we might think that it somehow brings comfort in a time of loss.

The cross is likely to be the universal symbol for Christianity and yet there are so many who are offended by its presence.

The removal of Christian symbols such as the cross (like the one created in the rubble of Ground Zero), or a monument Read More

Smart Design With Suzette: Back To Nature – Biophilic Design

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Nature in space. Courtesy photo
 
Smart Design With Suzette
Back To Nature – Biophilic Design
By SUZETTE FOX

Have you heard of Biophilic Design? The term “biophilia” literally means “love of life or living systems.” That sounds good, right?

Not to be confused with a specific “natural” or “organic” aesthetic, biophilic design is a design method with proven benefits for human performance and well-being.

 Biophilic design can reduce stress, enhance creativity and clear thinking, improve our well-being and expedite healing. I’m in!

An outdoor
Read More

Council Corner: Part 2 – Highlights Of The Budget

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By Vice Councilor David Izraelevitz
Los Alamos County Council
 
Part 2. What is a Budget? (Part 2 of a 2-part series)

In my previous column, I gave a brief overview of the budget process. Today, I will focus on a few highlights in the Fiscal Year (FY) 16 budget proposal to be presented by staff. As I mentioned in the last column, this budget proposal should ideally reflect the initial Council budget guidance discussed early in the budget process, as well as staff input regarding their operational needs.

It’s no surprise to anyone living in Los Alamos that spending has been down at Los Alamos National Read More

Council Corner: Part 1. What Is A Budget?

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By Council Vice Chair David Izraelevitz
Los Alamos County Council

Part 1. What is a Budget? (Part 1 of a 2- part series)

On April 20, the County Council will begin their dialogue and discussions about the proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 16 budget. My fellow councilor Susan O’ Leary is spearheading a discussion on additional ways to communicate with the public. With this theme in mind, I would like to use this first column to “set the stage” for these upcoming budget hearings by giving our citizens some background about the budget process and responsibilities.

It takes several months to develop and adopt Read More

This Week At The Reel Deal

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By JIM O’DONNELL
Real Deal Theater

This Friday we are opening Women in Gold starring Helen Mirren, Katie Holmes, and Ryan Reynolds. Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 also opens this Friday. Furious 7 and The Longest Ride will hold for another week. It Follows and Home will end this Thursday

Poster for ‘Woman in Gold.’ Courtesy/Reel Deal Theater

WOMAN IN GOLD is the remarkable true story of one woman’s journey to reclaim her heritage and seek justice for what happened to her family. Sixty years after she fled Vienna during World War II, an elderly Jewish woman, Maria Altmann (Mirren), Read More

Hannemann’s Music Corner: The Staff

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By RICHARD HANNEMANN
Los Alamos

Music exists in Time and Space. If we are going to talk and write, verbally, about music, which is non-verbal, we need a common point of reference.

The Space in which music is written is called The Staff:

Above is the Grand Staff. which is comprised of the G treble clef staff on top and the F bass clef staff below.

A note is a specific tone at a specific pitch. The tones are designated with the letters A – G which repeat at regular intervals of pitch, called octaves. We need a way to designate which octave, and hence which note, we are talking about. There are 5 “c” notes shown Read More

Solo Traveler: Things Or Experiences?

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Oaxacan boys create their own fun. Photo by Sherry Hardage
 
Solo Traveler
By SHERRY HARDAGE
 
Things or Experiences?

I was the only child and grandchild in my family for a long time. When I was four and was asked what I wanted for Christmas, I said I didn’t want toys, I wanted Santa to bring me one of his elves so I would have someone to play with. My mother had to explain that elves are “people” and we simply can’t own other people.

Even at four years old, it was clear that “things” were not nearly as much fun as a friend, someone with a mind of their own, someone who could play!

Dr. Thomas Gilovich, Read More

Yang: When Science Meets Reality – Part II

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By ELENA YANG
Los Alamos

When Science Meets Reality – Part II

On the one hand, we laud those who “follow what they believe;” on the other, we fault those who aren’t willing to entertain ideas outside of their beliefs. I am not referring to religion or current members of Congress; instead, my focus is on “when scientists become managers,” and continuing the theme from last week, “when science meets reality.” 

Whenever people say, “Oh, management is just exercising common sense,” I feel like responding with, “And how are your family dynamics (including in-laws if you are married)?  Are Read More

Griggs: Dateline León, Nicaragua March 2015

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The Hostel Tortuga Booluda (the Lazy Turtle) in León, Nicaragua. Photo by David Griggs

By DAVID H. GRIGGS
Formerly of Los Alamos

Poetry In The Heart Of León, Nicaragua

As a snowbird fleeing the ravages of the northern winter, I continued south. My next stop in Central America was the comfortable and copacetic colonial city of León in Nicaragua, and I was definitely into “shorts and T-shirt country”.

The hostel La Tortuga Booluda provided a great base for my five day stay in León. The staff was very friendly and helpful, giving directions and suggestions, serving drinks and arranging a shuttle. Read More