Columns

Duplicate Bridge In Los Alamos, April 14, 2025

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Bridge News:

Here is a very competitive hand from our April 14 Sectional Tournament at Clubs (STaC ) game. North/South have a great fit in hearts, while East/West have a 9-card fit in diamonds. Follow the auction below.

This is board #9. North is the dealer and E/W are vulnerable.

 

North is the dealer and passes, as does East, each with 10 high card points (HCP). South should open with 1♥, West passes, and North should raise to 2♥, likely showing 6-10 points.

East has a good hand at this point to make a takeout double. If South bids 3♥, that will probably end the auction. However, if South passes, Read More

Robinson: Tax Package Short On Planning, Long On Politics

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By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2024 New Mexico News Services

Few subjects inspire as much fuzzy math and fuzzier thinking as taxes. It was just one reason the governor not only vetoed House Bill 14 but stomped all over it and lambasted Democrats in a smoking veto message:

“In a session where the Legislature found time to pass three separate license plate bills and designate an official state bread, it is deeply disappointing that they waited until the final days—indeed, the final hours—of the 2025 legislative session to take up a tax package. Even more troubling is the fact that what ultimately Read More

Fr. Glenn: Easter Blessings

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By Fr. Glenn Jones:

A very joyous and blessed Easter to all!—the most sacred day of the Christian year as we celebrate the very cause of our joy: the Resurrection of Jesus the Christ on the third day after His death by crucifixion 2000-ish years ago. Once again all Christian voices all over the world enthusiastically exclaim: “Alleluia, The Lord is risen!” (the word “alleluia” from the Hebrew “hallelu-jah”, meaning “Praise God”) as we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

Why? Because Jesus—both Son of Man and Son of God—had come to the world to: 1) teach us perfection in life in the loving Read More

Altherr: Thank You All For All You Do And All You Have Done!

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The coloration of the Gila trout has been likened to a New Mexico sunset. Courtesy/Michael Altherr

By MICHAEL ALTHERR
Los Alamos

On this Earth Day, I want to pay tribute to the Federal employees and all those who insured the successes of the environmental movement of the 1960’s and 1970’s. In spite of the Vietnam War, and the sins of the Nixon administration, that period of time gave rise to The Clean Air Act (63’); The Wilderness Act (64’); The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (68’); The Endangered Species Act (74’); The Clean Water Act (77’) and others. It seems nostalgic to remember a time when  politicians Read More

All Shall Be Well: Christ Is Risen!

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Clergy from left, Deacon Amy Schmuck, Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, retired, The Rev. Mary Ann Hill and The Rev. Lynn Finnegan. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com

The All Shall Be Well clergy wish you a blessed Easter!

The Easter sermon of St. John Chrysostom (circa 400 AD)

Are there any who are devout lovers of God?
Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!
Are there any who are grateful servants?
Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!
Are there any weary with fasting?
Let them now receive their wages!

If any have toiled from the first hour,
let them receive their due reward; Read More

Houck: Retirement Series – Downsizing For Retirement … A Guide To Getting Started 4 Of 5    

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By DAVID HOUCK
Qualifying Broker
Atomic Realty LLC

Downsizing in preparation for retirement is a big step. It takes planning, effort, time—and often, money. If you’ve made the decision to move and downsize, the next question is: where do you begin?

The downsizing process isn’t simple, but it is a process and it is manageable. In fact, there are professionals whose entire careers are built around helping others navigate this exact transition.

Step One: Be Realistic

  • Start by taking an honest inventory of your home. Identify what’s essential—items you use regularly or truly love. If something
Read More

McQuiston: What Is A Smart Alarm System And Why Should I Consider One?

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By ALLEN MCQUISTON
Jemez Insurance Agency
Serving Los Alamos Since 1963

What is a smart alarm system?

As recently as 10 years ago, consumers did not have access to technology that let them manage their own home security systems. Smart alarm systems changed that. Originally, traditional security systems were hardwired into the home and monitored by a central station, usually a home alarm company. The customer paid monthly fees.

Fast-forward to today and consumers have smartphones, home networks and wireless technology – all of which the smart alarm system can utilize. People can buy door sensors Read More

Catch Of The Week: Kidnapping Scam Calls

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By BECKY RUTHERFORD
Los Alamos

Imagine it’s a regular day, you’re at work, and then your phone rings, it’s an unknown caller but you pick up anyways. You hear a voice yell “MOM!!” and then silence, then scuffling sounds, and another person comes on the line. “Ms. Rutherford, I’ve got your son, and you better get here, I’m going to kill him.” You panic, was that really your son’s voice? It happened so fast, it was hard to tell. You ask to speak to your son, but then the voice says “You already heard his voice, and if you don’t act now he’s going to be dead, understand? Unless you do exactly what we tell you to Read More

Mason: Unified Focus On Traffic Safety Is Essential

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By Director Thom Mason
Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Laboratory supports Los Alamos County’s recent efforts to control speeding and enforce traffic safety through an ordinance approved last week to install automated speed cameras in various locations around the county. The ordinance complements efforts taken by the Laboratory in recent months to further promote safer driving on and around Lab property. The Laboratory has installed mobile speed cameras around the site, utilized GPS systems in government vehicles that track speed, seatbelt usage, and location of Read More

Snyder: Pages Of Our History…

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A collage of documents and photos of Aldo Leopold. Courtesy/Aldo Leopold Foundation

By SHARON SNYDER
Los Alamos

In regard to the recent discussions concerning artist Jeff Segler’s painting of boys in uniforms and on horseback on the Pajarito Plateau, it seems appropriate to begin a series about the Los Alamos Ranch School boys and what they accomplished after leaving the plateau that was their home for a time.  

For my readers who have read Aldo Leopold’s Sand County Almanac, you appreciate the man who wrote that book and the pages that carry his belief in a land ethic — “A thing is right when it tends Read More