Columns

NM Junior Foodies: Alkemē Cooking Event Review

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Christopher Rutherford outside Alkemē. Courtesy photo

Chef Hue-chan Karels and Christopher Rutherford. Courtesy photo

By BECKY RUTHERFORD
Los Alamos

Have you ever really wanted to just leave it all behind and take off for Vietnam? Same! Sadly, my four cats and two children (not to mention my job) would be really bummed if I were to jet off overseas, so I am stuck here. That said, you can eat like you are in the heart of Vietnam in Santa Fe at Alkeme!

What is Alkemē? From their website:

Alkemē is Culture-to-Table dining with an innovative spirit. What does this mean? Similar to the “Farm-to-Table” Read More

Skolnik: An Open Letter To Secretary Rubio

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By RICHARD SKOLNIK
White Rock

Dear Secretary Rubio:

It is tragic that you began your work as Secretary of State by implementing measures that are leading to preventable illness and death of many people, to many countries losing confidence in the US as a partner, and to the US ceding to others leadership in global health.

As you know, the US until now has been a major supporter of critical efforts in global health, including work in maternal health, child health, nutrition, and the control of communicable diseases. The evidence is clear that this support has prevented an immeasurable amount of illness, Read More

Amateur Naturalist: The Life Of The Spotted Owl

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A Spotted owl is roosting quietly during the day near a steep canyon wall. There still is a distinctive circular pattern of the feathers around its eyes even while closed. Photo by Robert Dryja

By ROBERT DRYJA
Los Alamos

The Spotted owl catches attention for several reasons. Compared to many species, it is a large bird. It is approximately 17 to 19 inches in length and weigh from 1.1 to 2.2 pounds. A house finch in comparison is only 5 to 6 inches long and weighs form 0.6 to 0.9 of an ounce. Spotted owls do not gather in flocks like house finches, but its size makes it stand out when seen.

The anatomy of a Spotted Read More

Robinson: Dems Snub Medical Malpractice Reform

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

Long before the legislative session started, a full-page ad accosted readers with this headline: “Medical corporations & insurance companies blame patients harmed by medical malpractice for the healthcare crisis so they can distract us from the billions of dollars in profit that go to their out-of-state corporate headquarters.”

Whoa! Nobody is blaming patients who are victims of medical malpractice. And, looking at New Mexico’s ragged hospital network, there’s more red ink than black ink.

The New Mexico Medical Society Read More

Posts From The Road: Cleveland Roller Mill

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Cleveland Roller Mill: The Cleveland Roller Mill is in the tiny village of Cleveland in Mora County. The three story adobe structure still contains all milling equipment. At the end of the building is a cast iron water wheel 18-feet-6-inches high, which powers the milling equipment. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com

Mill Entrance: The Cleveland Roller Mill is now a private museum. The entrance to the museum looks much like it has for decades when the mill was in operation. The museum is a 501(c)(3)organization that provides history of the mill, wheat farming in Mora County and the history Read More

Fr. Glenn: Re(Presenting) Ourselves

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By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Maybe you’ve caught some of the confirmation hearings for prospective (some now confirmed) members of President Trump’s cabinet. It’s the same every time when a new administration comes into office—the sidestepping of ticklish questions, and “gotcha” questions by adversaries on the various examining committees. But no doubt much of the public show is concerned with presentation on both sides … how they will appear to their constituencies, supporters and bosses so that their own particular target audiences will continue to support them.

Now, on February 2 of each year, Read More

Dannemann: A Harder Line On Teenage Criminals

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By MERILEE DANNEMANN
Triple Spaced Again

We remember the murder of a five-year-old girl in 2023, shot in a drive-by incident that was motivated by a dispute between the shooter and another teenager. It still breaks our hearts. That is partly because the little girl, Galilea Samaniego, was an innocent child who was victimized by accident. But it also would have also been tragic if the shooter had murdered the teenage boy who was his intended target.

Another heartbreaking story – last year a gang of young men, older than teenage, murdered Froyland Villegas, age 11, who was on his way home from a ball Read More

All Shall Be Well: Faith, Hope And Love Abide

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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

By Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb
M.Div., ELCA

Many of us are feeling lost, scared or depressed these days as we hear tidbits of national news. Try to tune it out and we miss important information about the direction our country is being taken. Watch it with fervid interest and we have trouble sleeping peacefully through the night. 

What can we hang on to when our long-held values no longer seem to matter? It seems like the chaos has only just Read More

Sophomore Lawmaker Files Bill Proposing Dramatic Rewrite Of New Mexico Inspection Of Public Records Act

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Rep. Kathleen Cate

By PHAEDRA HAYWOOD
The Santa Fe New Mexican

A sophomore lawmaker has filed a bill proposing a dramatic rewrite of New Mexico’s public records law that critics warn would have an alarming effect on government transparency and accountability.

The measure would create dozens of new exemptions to the Inspection of Public Records Act, giving state and local government agencies broader authority to refuse to provide requested records.

Rep. Kathleen Cate, D-Rio Rancho, said she doesn’t expect the measure to become law but wanted to start a discussion. 

“IPRA is not broken, but Read More

Travel: Relax At The Spa At Sec-He In Palm Springs

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Enter a haven of healing at The Spa at Séc-He in Palm Springs, one of the most luxurious hot mineral spring spa destinations in the country. Photo by Debbie Stone

Salt cave at The Spa at Séc-He. Photo by Debbie Stone

By DEBBIE STONE
Santa Fe
For the Los Alamos Daily Post

Palm Springs is a desert oasis, known for its hot springs, amenity-rich resorts, top-notch golf courses, eclectic boutiques, vibrant food scene, and easy access to nature. It’s also a wellness mecca, offering numerous spas where you can soak and get pampered to your heart’s content.

Only one of these spas, however, has a natural, mineral Read More