Letters to the Editor

By JONATHAN LATHROP
Los Alamos

To those who were victimized on Monday by the young man who was “rolling coal” on the streets of Los Alamos I apologize for not being able to stop it from happening.

I watched helplessly from behind as he, in his white Dodge Ram truck and bumper stickers proclaiming “Pro-America, Anti-Biden” and “Let’s go Brandon” slowed as he approached as you enjoyed your walk or run, swerved to get closer to you, then gunned his engine in an attempt to envelope you in a cloud of black exhaust.

While the truck itself indicates a complex suffered by a certain French emperor, it was the claim Read More

By DAVE LANNEN
White Rock

In response to the recent letter about Smith’s (link), I offer a few thoughts.

Smith’s is no doubt going through unprecedented struggle with supply chain and staffing issues, compounded by mask mandates and the stress of working with the public during a pandemic.

I shop at Smith’s in White Rock, and I could not be more satisfied with the courtesy and competence of the entire staff.  In these difficult times in retail, I salute the superb service at Smith’s – and I am most grateful for a market in our small town. Read More

By ZHEN HUANG
Los Alamos

“Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children.”- Martin Luther King Jr,  Aug. 28, 1963

Now is the time to read My Country Versus Me, written by a Chinese-American scientist. 

Now is the time to recall “This is not an American Dream, it’s an American nightmare”, said by a Chinese-American Read More

By MICHAEL CARLSON
Los Alamos

All I needed was a three-ring binder, so I hopped in my gently battered SUV and made the five-mile journey to Smith’s Marketplace.

My first stop in this Mall of Los Alamos was the Starbuck’s kiosk, where I bought a vende pink drink – which translates in English as a large strawberry beverage. Who can go wrong with strawberries?

Upon receiving my dose of sugar for the week, I made my way to the stationary aisle, where I found a binder that would suit my needs. It was double the normal price but better than driving off the hill.

I put the binder in my basket and eventually made my Read More

By EDWARD ARTHUR
Albuquerque

I am a retiree of Los Alamos National Laboratory who purchased a CALPERS long-term care insurance policy.

The cost of this policy increased 85 percent recently.

There is a class action suit against CALPERS but only California residents are allowed to participate in the suit.

Since Los Alamos National Laboratory employees were considered U of California employees at the time when U California ran the lab, one would hope that such former employees could/should be included in the suit. However this is not the case.

Are there other LANL retirees in the same situation? Read More

Read More

By BRANDI ENGEMAN
White Rock

Recently, the Los Alamos County Council heard a report compiled by the Environmental Sustainability Board and Parks and Rec Board about eliminating the use of certain herbicides on Los Alamos County properties. The outcome was a positive one for our community and public feedback was given wholehearted consideration during the council meeting.

Another topic that is under discussion currently, and the subject of much debate, is the upcoming updates to Code 18 (commonly known as the nuisance code) of the Los Alamos County Charter. The County Council, through staff Read More

By LYNN HANRAHAN
Los Alamos

We were having a sock fight in the dining room today when I yelled “Stop!” and we smiled for the camera out the window. It reminded me of last summer when we were having a grocery bag battle out in the front yard and even though the neighborhood was dead still a police car mysteriously cruised past.

I had the feeling someone was watching me for some time. I am, as far as I know, sane. We simply have the misfortune of having one of those neighbors who have no lives, no hobbies, no friends, and nothing going on. Well nothing going on other than using Code Enforcement to share their Read More

By ANNALEA TRASK 
Program Coordinator
Cancer Prevention in Action Program

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. It is estimated that 11,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cervical cancer this year.

Did you know cervical cancer can be prevented with screening and the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination? Stony Brook Cancer Center’s Cancer Prevention in Action (CPiA) Program is here to help keep yourself and your loved ones safe with these cervical cancer prevention tips.

Schedule your screening: Cervical cancer screening tests can find the cells that lead to cancer so Read More

By ANITA BARELA
White Rock

The discussion of the New Mexico Cannabis Law has overshadowed other State Bills enacted in 2021. “Death with dignity” is now legal in the state of New Mexico.

The Elizabeth Whitefield End of Life Options Act went into effect June 18, 2021 and HB 47 makes New Mexico the 10th U.S. jurisdiction to enact a “death with dignity” law. It also is known as physician-aid-in-dying and 10 states allow terminally ill patients the right to die without suffering with unmanageable pain in their final days or weeks.

Terminally ill patients who seek aid in dying aren’t necessarily concerned Read More