Columns

How The Hen House Turns: Goats And Deer

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How the Hen House Turns
By Carolyn A. (Cary) Neeper, Ph. D.
 
Goats and Deer

When we first moved to Los Alamos, we were told about a lady, Alice Westervelt, who had a house goat. Rumor had it that the goat had been easily trained, was quite civilized really, but that it ate everything in the garden.

Goats are famous for eating tin cans, but I suspect that was not Alice’s problem. She was probably not a Master Gardener, and she probably could not hang up her red shirts on the line outside to dry. Trains have probably never passed through Los Alamos, so there were none to flag. (“Bill Grogan’s Goat” will Read More

Food On The Hill: St. Patrick’s Day Sides—Colcannon Pie And Pickled Red Cabbage

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Food on the Hill
By FELICIA ORTH

I decided long ago to cook vegetables separate from meat, even when they are traditionally cooked together. I didn’t like what happened to the vegetables when they were together; they often turned limp and greasy. 

The two recipes that prompted this change in practice were osso buco and chicken soup. In each case I ended up cooking the meat and veggies separately and “marrying” them late in the cooking process. I’ve come to a similar conclusion with corned beef, cabbage and potatoes, and either add the vegetables near the end of the cooking of the corned beef Read More

Yang: ‘Time’ Is Real & Measurable…

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By ELENA YANG
Los Alamos

“Time” Is Real & Measurable…yet time is also very subjective

Most of the time, the idea of “time” resides in our perception. “You have too much time on your hands,” or, “I don’t have enough time to…” Every minute or hour is exactly the same quantity as the one before and the one after. Yet, try to tell that to a harassed father or a Fortune 500 VP (who could be a mom with two toddlers). 

Of course, everyone knows that stress, anxiety, and sense of time (or the lack of it) are intimately related. We don’t need more social research to tell us that, but we sure can use more social Read More

Pastor Granillo: Driven

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By Pastor RAUL GRANILLO
Los Alamos

Driven

Every once in a while we get the opportunity to take a real look into this world. And, even if only for an instant, we see how many people there are that need someone to shine a light into their lives.

Every once in a while we see a glimpse of a smile from a face that we thought was chiseled into a frown by experiences of war, loss, poverty, disappointment and fear. And, every once in a while, we allow God to light our hearts with the Holy Spirit’s loving fire and ignite a passion in us that drives us to engage in whatever it takes to bring light and hope to every human being Read More

Cinema Cindy Reviews ‘Still Alice’

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Movie poster for ‘Still Alice.’ Courtesy/Reel Deal Theater

 

Review by CYNTHIA BIDDLECOMB
Los Alamos

“Still Alice” is a brave film that will haunt you. True to the book on which it is based, the film takes a respectful but honest look at how it feels to get Alzheimers. What makes the story different is that it is told from the perspective of the one diagnosed.

As we watch this film, we become Alice, going through the months as she becomes aware of her cognitive degeneration. She is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers, a rare and genetic form of the disease. There is a heart-wrenching Read More

Smart Design With Suzette: Small Space Design Tips

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Smart small kitchen design. Courtesy/Suzette Fox
 
Smart Design with Suzette
By SUZETTE FOX

Small Space Design Tips

If your home or apartment feels small to you, maximizing space is essential. My first home was a 900 square foot bungalow in Florida. I quickly learned how to make the best use of a small space.

Squeezing in as much usable space as possible makes rooms livable by helping it function properly, keeping claustrophobic feelings (and clutter) at bay, and making a home (especially a tiny one) feel more spacious.

No matter the square footage, it really comes down to being smart about

Read More

This Week At The Reel Deal

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By JIM O’DONNELL
Real Deal Theater    

This Friday we are opening Still Alice, Cinderella, and Run All Night. We will hold Chappie for one more week. Focus, McFarland, and Selma will end this Thursday.

Still Alice, (Oscar winner, Best Actress, Julianne Moore,) is highly anticipated here on the hill where many of our citizens either have or know someone dear to them with Alzheimer’s disease. Cinderella is getting very good reviews (9 out of 10) and is widely considered to be the flagship film for the spring movie season. Run All Night starring Liam Neeson promises to quench Read More

Food on the Hill: Best Intentions Green Chile Stew

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Food on the Hill
By FELICIA ORTH

I had intended this week to share one of the soups my mother made regularly as we were growing up: potato leek. I was planning to make a big batch to share. I purchased five pounds of Yukon gold potatoes and two bunches of leeks and a bouquet of fresh parsley to chop as a bright green garnish for the top of each bowl. I knew that pureeing some of the potato/leek mixture after it was cooked would take the place of most or all of the cream one might ordinarily add. I also have a tip to share about cleaning leeks, which are notoriously muddy and gritty.

And then…it was as though a spell Read More

Real Estate Corner: Why Do I Need Title Insurance?

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Real Estate Corner
By CARRIE MONTOYA-PEGG

Why Do I Need Title Insurance?

One of the most common questions buyers ask during the process of buying a home is “What is title insurance and why do I need it?” Title insurance (also known as an owner’s’ title policy) is issued by a title company and protects you against claims against your property and events that have happened in the past. The underwriter of the title company in addition will defend you in court if there is a claim on your title. 

What Types of Policies are Available to a Homeowner?

There are two types of title insurance available to a Read More

Yang: Social Psychology Of ‘Spock’ Phenomenon

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By ELENA YANG
Los Alamos

The Social Psychology Of The “Spock” Phenomenon

It tugged at my heart when I read the news that Leonard Nimoy died, at age 83. Mr. Nimoy’s “Spock” character in the short-lived but long-lasting impactful Star Trek series definitely fulfilled his destiny to “live long and prosper.” And based on various accounts, Mr. Nimoy was a fine, multi-talented human being. 

I am by no means a sci-fi aficionado, but I have enjoyed a few sci-fi books, movies, and TV shows. As a social scientist, I am always intrigued by the social psychological aspects of these stories (the scientific Read More