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NEWS:
Volume 3, Number 6
February 8, 2008
February 8, 2008
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Special weather information
provided by:
Wendell L. Malone,
Area Skywarn Coordinator
Eddy & Culberson counties
provided by:
Wendell L. Malone,
Area Skywarn Coordinator
Eddy & Culberson counties
| THE WEATHER BOX www.eddycountyskywarn.blogspot.com Fire weather concerns are elevated this afternoon across the Permian Basin, Southeast New Mexico Plains, Guadalupe and Davis mountains and the Upper Trans Pecos. Relative humidity values will drop to 15 percent or below and wind speeds will be around 20 mph. These conditions, together will dry vegetation, will combine to allow any fire to spread rapidly. Today: Sunny, with a high near 69. North wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 30. West wind between 5 and 10 mph. Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 70. North wind around 5 mph. Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. South wind around 5 mph becoming northwest. Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south. Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 59. Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. |
| The United States government's national threat level is Elevated, or Yellow. The U.S. threat level is High, or Orange, for all domestic and international flights. Only small amounts of liquids, aerosols and gels are allowed in carry-on baggage. See the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website for up-to-date information on items permitted and prohibited on airlines. |
Compromise stimulus package passes Senate
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Pete Domenici Thusday joined the Senate in
passing a compromise economic stimulus package that will provide tax
rebates to families, seniors and disabled veterans.
The Senate passed the Economic Growth Act (HR.5140) on an 81-16 vote.
The bill now returns to the House of Representatives for consideration, and
indications are that the House and White House will accept the Senate
changes.
The compromise plan builds on a House-passed plan by ensuring tax
rebates are allowed for seniors, disabled veterans and widows of disabled
veterans—all of whom would not have received benefits under the original
House plan. The Senate bill also includes provisions to exclude illegal
immigrants from receiving tax rebates or a $300 per child bonus rebate.
“This is a compromise bill that I hope can be enacted soon so that this
money can be sent to families and seniors as soon as possible. I believe a
vast majority of New Mexican households will benefit from the package. Our
intent is for them to use this money to ease their own financial burdens and
at the same time invigorate the economy,” Domenici said.
“I thought a somewhat larger package would have been better suited to
countering recessionary indicators, but this is as good as we can offer right
now,” he said.
The Senate package adds $9.0 billion to allow seniors, disabled veterans
and widows of disabled veterans to qualify for the rebate checks by
counting Social Security benefits and VA disability payments towards the
$3,000 earned income test. This benefit would help an estimated 20 million
seniors and 250,000 disabled veterans.
U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman said he is pleased that the Senate has
approved an economic stimulus package, but is disappointed that the
measure had to be scaled back to garner enough votes. As a member of
the Senate Finance Committee, Bingaman helped craft the bill.
Bingaman said he preferred the measure that was defeated in the Senate
on Wednesday because it would have extended unemployment insurance
by 13 weeks, providing an immediate infusion into the economy. That
measure was stripped, along with a $1 billion the Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program, in order to reach the 60 vote threshold for passage.
The bill does, however, authorize “stimulus checks” that will be likely be
processed in the spring. Rebate checks range from $300 for a single
taxpayer to $1,200 for a married couple. Some families also will qualify for
a $300 per child credit. There were also provisions to assist businesses
that are losing money in this economic downturn.
“Our economy is slowing and like many Americans I’m concerned that we’re
heading into a recession. It’s my hope that this measure will help turn our
economy around,” Bingaman said.
The measure has been sent back to the House of Representatives for
approval.
Congressman Steve Pearce applauded the passage of the stimulus
package. After the vote, he made the following comments:
"I thank the Senate for acting quickly to pass the House stimulus package.
As I said yesterday in my call for Senate action, America's middle class
families and small businesses do not have time for Washington's typical
partisan political games. The economy needs an immediate shot in the arm
to soften the effects of the anticipated economic slowdown and the
President and Congress have delivered.
"The package will bring tax relief for those who need it most – including our
veterans, families and low-income seniors –j, bolster our housing market
and help small businesses make investments. Today, we have taken a
positive step toward helping the American people and helping our
economy."
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Pete Domenici announced Thursday that
the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Kirtland Air Force Base will
be the site for laser weapons research, which will be carried out through a
$42 million contract.
Domenici, who serves on the Senate Defense Appropriations
Subcommittee, said the Air Force has awarded a $42 million contract to Ball
Aerospace and Technologies Corp., a Boulder-based firm with a branch in
Albuquerque, for a “Laser Effects Vulnerability Research” project.
The Air Force has initially obligated $640,521 of the contract. An estimated
80 percent of the contract will be executed in New Mexico, mostly in
Albuquerque and at the High Energy Laser Test Facility (HELSTF) at White
Sands Missile Range.
“The Air Force Research Lab is a premier facility and this contract is
intended to advance our understanding of lasers as a weapon,” Domenici
said. “This is also one dynamic of the ongoing push by the Air Force to
develop more high-tech weapons systems that can be used to defend this
nation and its interests.”
The research is intended to enhance the capabilities of the AFRL Missile
Assessment Center Codes and databases by assessing the effects of
lasers on various threat targets, including assessment on space, ground,
and missile targets.
Emergency Management meeting
ARTESIA - Eddy County Emergency Management is holding "Open House"
Meetings for community discussion of the wildfire protection planning
process. The community is invited to attend, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008: 7:00
to 8:30 p.m. at the Artesia Center 612 N. 8th Street.
White Sands Film Festival Honors Latino Filmmakers
Festival Dates: March 16-22, 2008
ALAMOGORDO - For its fourth year, the White Sands International Film
Festival has dedicated two days during the 2008 program to honor Latino
contributions in cinema.
Attending the festival are critically acclaimed Mexican Filmmakers, Arturo
Ripstein and Alejandro Gomez Monteverde.
Arturo Ripstein is widely considered Mexico’s greatest and most celebrated
contemporary filmmaker with over 31 wins, 10 nominations, and having
directed over 30 films. After working for years with cinematic genius Luis
Buñuel, Ripstein is perhaps the main director to have inherited the master’s
mantle. In 1997 Ripstein received the National Prize for Arts and Sciences,
one of Mexico’s highest honors. Although European critics and audiences
have enthusiastically received his films, Ripstein remains relatively unknown
to American audiences. The WSIFF plans to help repair that unfortunate
oversight. Arturo will receive the festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Originally screened at Cannes, Ripstein’s film La Reina de la Noche (The
Queen of the Night) will appear onscreen in Alamogordo’s new Allen
Theatre complex March 18th, 2008.
Alejandro Gomez Monteverde launched onto the film seen with his critically
acclaimed film Bella. In 2004 Alejandro partnered with actor/producer
Eduardo Verástegui and Sean Wolfington to make Bella and to form
Metanoia Films, a company committed to projects that entertain engage
and inspire.
In September, The Smithsonian Latino Center presented Bella’s filmmakers
with the “Legacy Award” for their film Bella at its annual Smithsonian Con
Sabor! gala. In addition to winning awards around the world including the
prestigious People's Choice Award at Toronto Festival, Alejandro was
invited to the White House to receive an award from the Department of
Citizenship and to attend the state of the Union address with the first lady,
Laura Bush, because of his example as a new citizen making positive
contributions to the country.
Alejandro will present Bella at Alamogordo’s new Allen Theatre complex
March 19th 2008.
Edward James Olmos selected Bella to open the LA Latino International
Film Festival and said: “It is one of the most impressive landmark films to
open our festival in 10 years. It captures the heart and makes you think. It
is one of the best films to come out in a long time.”
Stimulus package failure
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman Wednesday expressed
disappointment that an economic stimulus package that would have sent
refund checks to millions of Americans, including seniors and veterans, was
defeated. As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, Bingaman
helped craft the bill.
The legislation would have taken steps to immediately bolster the economy
in New Mexico and across the country. The bill, which needed 60 votes to
pass but received 58, would have done the following:
* Give a $500 rebate to Americans with $3,000 of qualifying income to
report on his/her 2007 tax return, including millions of seniors living on
Social Security. Rebates would be doubled for married couples filing
jointly. (The rebate would be phased out at a rate of five percent of
adjusted gross income for single filers making more than $150,000
annually, and for married couples making more than $300,000 annually.)
And it would give families an additional $300 for each child under age 17.
* Provide an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits to all states;
states with highest rates of unemployment would get a total of 26 weeks of
unemployment benefits.
* Provided $1 billion in additional funding for the Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program – an initiative that helps Americans defray the cost of
the heating and cooling bills.
There were also provisions to assist businesses that are losing money in
this economic downturn. And there were provisions that extend tax credits
for renewable energy production and energy efficient construction.
Bingaman, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Committee, helped write these provisions last year; they were narrowly
defeated.
“This bill was designed to have an immediate impact on our ailing economy,
unlike the bill passed by the House of Representatives,” Bingaman said.
“I’m disappointed that it fell two votes shy of the 60 needed to pass.”
Bill to restore forests & ecosystems introduced
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Pete Domenici Tuesday
introduced legislation aimed at undertaking large-scale national forest
restoration projects with an eye toward reducing wildfires, restoring
ecosystems and creating jobs. The two senators are the chairman and
ranking member, respectively, of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Committee.
The measure, called the Forest Landscape Restoration Act of 2008,
authorizes $40 million annually for landscape-scale forest restoration
projects that cover 50,000 acres or more. Competitive grants would be
awarded to restoration projects that are developed in collaboration with
local communities. Eligible projects must be in need of ecosystem
restoration, utilize the best-available science, encourage the use of
restoration byproducts such as woody biomass, and be located primarily on
National Forest System land.
“This bill offers a unique approach to conducting comprehensive ecosystem
restoration at a landscape scale. We’re now spending billions of dollars a
year trying to suppress wildland fires, and this bill will help us get a better
handle on controlling those costs. It also will help to make the restoration
economy a reality by encouraging the use of restoration byproducts.
Healthier forest ecosystems and communities will result.” Bingaman said.
“Every year, we see millions of acres of land destroyed by forest fires.
These fires far outpace our ability to treat land. Too often they threaten
homes and communities, and ultimately result in millions of tons of carbon
dioxide and other pollutants added to our atmosphere. This bill is another
step in our efforts to increase treatments to federal lands in order to
decrease the intensity of wildfires. I look forward to working together with
my fellow cosponsors to get this bill adopted,” Domenici said.
Conceptually, this bill is similar to the Community Forest Restoration Act,
legislation Bingaman wrote and Domenici supported. As a result of the
measure, which was enacted in 2007, millions of dollars have been invested
in small-scale forest restoration projects in New Mexico. This legislation,
developed by the New Mexico lawmakers with California Senator Dianne
Feinstein, would allow the state to compete for much bigger grants and
treat significantly larger pieces of land.
The Forest Landscape Restoration Act of 2008 was referred to the Senate
Energy and Natural Resources Committee. A hearing on the bill will be
scheduled for spring.
Holly quarterly conference call scheduled
DALLAS – Holly Corporation (NYSE: HOC) plans to announce results for
the quarter ended December 31, 2007 on February 19, 2008, before the
opening of trading on the NYSE. The company has scheduled a conference
call on February 19, 2008 at 10:00AM EST to discuss financial results.
Listeners may access this call by dialing (888) 548-4639. The ID# for this
call is 31093355. For those who would like to listen to this call via the
internet, you may access the call at:
http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=45093
Additionally, listeners may replay this call approximately two hours after the
call concludes by dialing (800) 642-1687. This audio archive will be
available through March 5, 2008.
Holly Corporation, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is an independent
petroleum refiner and marketer that produces high value light products
such as gasoline, diesel fuel and jet fuel. Holly operates through its
subsidiaries an 85,000 barrels per day (“bpd”) refinery located in Artesia,
New Mexico, and a 26,000 bpd refinery in Woods Cross, Utah. Holly also
owns a 45% interest (including the general partner interest) in Holly Energy
Partners, L.P. (NYSE “HEP”), which through subsidiaries owns or leases
approximately 1,700 miles of petroleum product pipelines in Texas, New
Mexico and Oklahoma and petroleum product terminals in several
Southwest and Rocky Mountain states.
Living Treasure nominees sought
ARTESIA - The Artesia Historical Museum & Art Center Foundation needs
your input! The Foundation sponsors the Museum’s Living Treasures
awards ceremony & reception each year, which honors one man & one
woman in Artesia who have made a difference in all of our lives—whether it’
s by preserving our town’s history, volunteerism, good deeds, or by
contributing towards our quality of life in their own way. The one thing all of
our past honorees have had in common is their modesty; therefore we
would like to ask all of you here in town to let us know who you think is
worthy of recognizing as this year’s Living Treasures. If you have a person
in mind to nominate, please take a moment to write down their name and
your reasons why you feel this person deserves recognition and drop it by
the Artesia Historical Museum & Art Center by the end of February 2008, or
mail it to us at 505 West Richardson Ave., Artesia 88210. Thank you for
caring about our local unsung heroes!
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Pete Domenici Thusday joined the Senate in
passing a compromise economic stimulus package that will provide tax
rebates to families, seniors and disabled veterans.
The Senate passed the Economic Growth Act (HR.5140) on an 81-16 vote.
The bill now returns to the House of Representatives for consideration, and
indications are that the House and White House will accept the Senate
changes.
The compromise plan builds on a House-passed plan by ensuring tax
rebates are allowed for seniors, disabled veterans and widows of disabled
veterans—all of whom would not have received benefits under the original
House plan. The Senate bill also includes provisions to exclude illegal
immigrants from receiving tax rebates or a $300 per child bonus rebate.
“This is a compromise bill that I hope can be enacted soon so that this
money can be sent to families and seniors as soon as possible. I believe a
vast majority of New Mexican households will benefit from the package. Our
intent is for them to use this money to ease their own financial burdens and
at the same time invigorate the economy,” Domenici said.
“I thought a somewhat larger package would have been better suited to
countering recessionary indicators, but this is as good as we can offer right
now,” he said.
The Senate package adds $9.0 billion to allow seniors, disabled veterans
and widows of disabled veterans to qualify for the rebate checks by
counting Social Security benefits and VA disability payments towards the
$3,000 earned income test. This benefit would help an estimated 20 million
seniors and 250,000 disabled veterans.
U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman said he is pleased that the Senate has
approved an economic stimulus package, but is disappointed that the
measure had to be scaled back to garner enough votes. As a member of
the Senate Finance Committee, Bingaman helped craft the bill.
Bingaman said he preferred the measure that was defeated in the Senate
on Wednesday because it would have extended unemployment insurance
by 13 weeks, providing an immediate infusion into the economy. That
measure was stripped, along with a $1 billion the Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program, in order to reach the 60 vote threshold for passage.
The bill does, however, authorize “stimulus checks” that will be likely be
processed in the spring. Rebate checks range from $300 for a single
taxpayer to $1,200 for a married couple. Some families also will qualify for
a $300 per child credit. There were also provisions to assist businesses
that are losing money in this economic downturn.
“Our economy is slowing and like many Americans I’m concerned that we’re
heading into a recession. It’s my hope that this measure will help turn our
economy around,” Bingaman said.
The measure has been sent back to the House of Representatives for
approval.
Congressman Steve Pearce applauded the passage of the stimulus
package. After the vote, he made the following comments:
"I thank the Senate for acting quickly to pass the House stimulus package.
As I said yesterday in my call for Senate action, America's middle class
families and small businesses do not have time for Washington's typical
partisan political games. The economy needs an immediate shot in the arm
to soften the effects of the anticipated economic slowdown and the
President and Congress have delivered.
"The package will bring tax relief for those who need it most – including our
veterans, families and low-income seniors –j, bolster our housing market
and help small businesses make investments. Today, we have taken a
positive step toward helping the American people and helping our
economy."
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Pete Domenici announced Thursday that
the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Kirtland Air Force Base will
be the site for laser weapons research, which will be carried out through a
$42 million contract.
Domenici, who serves on the Senate Defense Appropriations
Subcommittee, said the Air Force has awarded a $42 million contract to Ball
Aerospace and Technologies Corp., a Boulder-based firm with a branch in
Albuquerque, for a “Laser Effects Vulnerability Research” project.
The Air Force has initially obligated $640,521 of the contract. An estimated
80 percent of the contract will be executed in New Mexico, mostly in
Albuquerque and at the High Energy Laser Test Facility (HELSTF) at White
Sands Missile Range.
“The Air Force Research Lab is a premier facility and this contract is
intended to advance our understanding of lasers as a weapon,” Domenici
said. “This is also one dynamic of the ongoing push by the Air Force to
develop more high-tech weapons systems that can be used to defend this
nation and its interests.”
The research is intended to enhance the capabilities of the AFRL Missile
Assessment Center Codes and databases by assessing the effects of
lasers on various threat targets, including assessment on space, ground,
and missile targets.
Emergency Management meeting
ARTESIA - Eddy County Emergency Management is holding "Open House"
Meetings for community discussion of the wildfire protection planning
process. The community is invited to attend, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008: 7:00
to 8:30 p.m. at the Artesia Center 612 N. 8th Street.
White Sands Film Festival Honors Latino Filmmakers
Festival Dates: March 16-22, 2008
ALAMOGORDO - For its fourth year, the White Sands International Film
Festival has dedicated two days during the 2008 program to honor Latino
contributions in cinema.
Attending the festival are critically acclaimed Mexican Filmmakers, Arturo
Ripstein and Alejandro Gomez Monteverde.
Arturo Ripstein is widely considered Mexico’s greatest and most celebrated
contemporary filmmaker with over 31 wins, 10 nominations, and having
directed over 30 films. After working for years with cinematic genius Luis
Buñuel, Ripstein is perhaps the main director to have inherited the master’s
mantle. In 1997 Ripstein received the National Prize for Arts and Sciences,
one of Mexico’s highest honors. Although European critics and audiences
have enthusiastically received his films, Ripstein remains relatively unknown
to American audiences. The WSIFF plans to help repair that unfortunate
oversight. Arturo will receive the festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Originally screened at Cannes, Ripstein’s film La Reina de la Noche (The
Queen of the Night) will appear onscreen in Alamogordo’s new Allen
Theatre complex March 18th, 2008.
Alejandro Gomez Monteverde launched onto the film seen with his critically
acclaimed film Bella. In 2004 Alejandro partnered with actor/producer
Eduardo Verástegui and Sean Wolfington to make Bella and to form
Metanoia Films, a company committed to projects that entertain engage
and inspire.
In September, The Smithsonian Latino Center presented Bella’s filmmakers
with the “Legacy Award” for their film Bella at its annual Smithsonian Con
Sabor! gala. In addition to winning awards around the world including the
prestigious People's Choice Award at Toronto Festival, Alejandro was
invited to the White House to receive an award from the Department of
Citizenship and to attend the state of the Union address with the first lady,
Laura Bush, because of his example as a new citizen making positive
contributions to the country.
Alejandro will present Bella at Alamogordo’s new Allen Theatre complex
March 19th 2008.
Edward James Olmos selected Bella to open the LA Latino International
Film Festival and said: “It is one of the most impressive landmark films to
open our festival in 10 years. It captures the heart and makes you think. It
is one of the best films to come out in a long time.”
Stimulus package failure
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman Wednesday expressed
disappointment that an economic stimulus package that would have sent
refund checks to millions of Americans, including seniors and veterans, was
defeated. As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, Bingaman
helped craft the bill.
The legislation would have taken steps to immediately bolster the economy
in New Mexico and across the country. The bill, which needed 60 votes to
pass but received 58, would have done the following:
* Give a $500 rebate to Americans with $3,000 of qualifying income to
report on his/her 2007 tax return, including millions of seniors living on
Social Security. Rebates would be doubled for married couples filing
jointly. (The rebate would be phased out at a rate of five percent of
adjusted gross income for single filers making more than $150,000
annually, and for married couples making more than $300,000 annually.)
And it would give families an additional $300 for each child under age 17.
* Provide an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits to all states;
states with highest rates of unemployment would get a total of 26 weeks of
unemployment benefits.
* Provided $1 billion in additional funding for the Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program – an initiative that helps Americans defray the cost of
the heating and cooling bills.
There were also provisions to assist businesses that are losing money in
this economic downturn. And there were provisions that extend tax credits
for renewable energy production and energy efficient construction.
Bingaman, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Committee, helped write these provisions last year; they were narrowly
defeated.
“This bill was designed to have an immediate impact on our ailing economy,
unlike the bill passed by the House of Representatives,” Bingaman said.
“I’m disappointed that it fell two votes shy of the 60 needed to pass.”
Bill to restore forests & ecosystems introduced
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Pete Domenici Tuesday
introduced legislation aimed at undertaking large-scale national forest
restoration projects with an eye toward reducing wildfires, restoring
ecosystems and creating jobs. The two senators are the chairman and
ranking member, respectively, of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Committee.
The measure, called the Forest Landscape Restoration Act of 2008,
authorizes $40 million annually for landscape-scale forest restoration
projects that cover 50,000 acres or more. Competitive grants would be
awarded to restoration projects that are developed in collaboration with
local communities. Eligible projects must be in need of ecosystem
restoration, utilize the best-available science, encourage the use of
restoration byproducts such as woody biomass, and be located primarily on
National Forest System land.
“This bill offers a unique approach to conducting comprehensive ecosystem
restoration at a landscape scale. We’re now spending billions of dollars a
year trying to suppress wildland fires, and this bill will help us get a better
handle on controlling those costs. It also will help to make the restoration
economy a reality by encouraging the use of restoration byproducts.
Healthier forest ecosystems and communities will result.” Bingaman said.
“Every year, we see millions of acres of land destroyed by forest fires.
These fires far outpace our ability to treat land. Too often they threaten
homes and communities, and ultimately result in millions of tons of carbon
dioxide and other pollutants added to our atmosphere. This bill is another
step in our efforts to increase treatments to federal lands in order to
decrease the intensity of wildfires. I look forward to working together with
my fellow cosponsors to get this bill adopted,” Domenici said.
Conceptually, this bill is similar to the Community Forest Restoration Act,
legislation Bingaman wrote and Domenici supported. As a result of the
measure, which was enacted in 2007, millions of dollars have been invested
in small-scale forest restoration projects in New Mexico. This legislation,
developed by the New Mexico lawmakers with California Senator Dianne
Feinstein, would allow the state to compete for much bigger grants and
treat significantly larger pieces of land.
The Forest Landscape Restoration Act of 2008 was referred to the Senate
Energy and Natural Resources Committee. A hearing on the bill will be
scheduled for spring.
Holly quarterly conference call scheduled
DALLAS – Holly Corporation (NYSE: HOC) plans to announce results for
the quarter ended December 31, 2007 on February 19, 2008, before the
opening of trading on the NYSE. The company has scheduled a conference
call on February 19, 2008 at 10:00AM EST to discuss financial results.
Listeners may access this call by dialing (888) 548-4639. The ID# for this
call is 31093355. For those who would like to listen to this call via the
internet, you may access the call at:
http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=45093
Additionally, listeners may replay this call approximately two hours after the
call concludes by dialing (800) 642-1687. This audio archive will be
available through March 5, 2008.
Holly Corporation, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is an independent
petroleum refiner and marketer that produces high value light products
such as gasoline, diesel fuel and jet fuel. Holly operates through its
subsidiaries an 85,000 barrels per day (“bpd”) refinery located in Artesia,
New Mexico, and a 26,000 bpd refinery in Woods Cross, Utah. Holly also
owns a 45% interest (including the general partner interest) in Holly Energy
Partners, L.P. (NYSE “HEP”), which through subsidiaries owns or leases
approximately 1,700 miles of petroleum product pipelines in Texas, New
Mexico and Oklahoma and petroleum product terminals in several
Southwest and Rocky Mountain states.
Living Treasure nominees sought
ARTESIA - The Artesia Historical Museum & Art Center Foundation needs
your input! The Foundation sponsors the Museum’s Living Treasures
awards ceremony & reception each year, which honors one man & one
woman in Artesia who have made a difference in all of our lives—whether it’
s by preserving our town’s history, volunteerism, good deeds, or by
contributing towards our quality of life in their own way. The one thing all of
our past honorees have had in common is their modesty; therefore we
would like to ask all of you here in town to let us know who you think is
worthy of recognizing as this year’s Living Treasures. If you have a person
in mind to nominate, please take a moment to write down their name and
your reasons why you feel this person deserves recognition and drop it by
the Artesia Historical Museum & Art Center by the end of February 2008, or
mail it to us at 505 West Richardson Ave., Artesia 88210. Thank you for
caring about our local unsung heroes!
Artesia building off to a good start
ARTESIA - Building permits for the month of
January 2008 are off to a good start with project
valuation over $1.4 million.
The projects include four new single family
homes, including one valued near $300,000.00
that was permitted by the city's new permitting
jurisdiction that extends three miles from the city
limits. The authorization for extra-terratorial
permitting was awarded in mid-December.
Project valuation is more than four times the
value of permits issued in January 2007, which
was $311,484.00.
Final program of Key Ingredients
The Artesia Historical Museum & Art Center is
getting ready to present “Food & The Arts”, a
community program for everyone, on Saturday
February 9th at 2:00-4:00 pm in the Museum’s
Art Annex gallery at 503 West Richardson Ave.
in Artesia.
“Food & The Arts” is our 4th and last public
program in connection with our Smithsonian
“Key Ingredients” exhibit, and will give visitors a
chance to not only check out our exhibit but to
learn about a variety of food-related crafts that
combine practicality with artistic expression.
Many of today’s popular home and kitchen
decorations began as practical and convenient
ways to store food, and have evolved over the
years into art forms. How many of us have
decorative baskets, chile ristras, garlic braids,
and herb bundles on display in our kitchens?
We’ll also have toy patterns, quilt blocks, and
embroidery patterns from the 1930s—many
flour and sugar bags used to come with these
patterns printed on them so that Depression-era
families could recycle these bags into something
useful once the contents were used up.
(Remember the beautiful vintage heirloom quilts
made from flour bags displayed in the annual
Artesia Quilters Guild shows every year?) Local
artiste Lisa Frederick will be demonstrating
these arts and others, and hands-on
demonstrations and lessons will be offered.
As always, we’ll have refreshments for everyone
as well as a selection of recipes and handouts
from our previous programs. Everyone is invited
to attend—for more information call (575) 748-
2390 or visit www.artesiamuseum.org.
Eastern hosting operas
PORTALES—The Department of Music at
Eastern New Mexico University in Portales is
presenting "Managers, Mediums and Magic": An
Evening of One Act Operas at 7 p.m. on Friday-
Saturday, Feb.15–16, and 2 p.m. on Sunday,
Feb. 17, in Buchanan Hall in the Music Building.
The features include Mozart's "The
Impressario," a story of a theater manager who
has the opportunity to produce one last opera
before he retires; "The Medium" by Menotti, a
story of a psychic; and "Bastien and Bastienna,"
also by Mozart, about the story of the "magic"
that reunites two lovers.
The feature includes performances by Virginia
Slater from Portales/Lubbock, Holly Prince from
Albuquerque, Qianyu Wang from Sichuan,
China, Kaili Liu from Henan, China, SiSi Sun
from Sichuan, China, CiCi Chen from Heilong
Jiang, China, Zhu Shifang from Sichuan, China,
Xinrui Li from Sichuan, China, Kevin Simmons
from Hobbs, Jessye Marquez from Hobbs,
Janice Pacheco from Muleshoe, Derek Gilmour
from Albuquerque, Orlando Shelly from
Portales, Richard McNeill from Grants, Veronica
Valdez-Kent from Canyon, Gerardo Gomez from
Muleshoe and Jenny Gheer from Ruidoso.
Tickets will be available in the music office
(Room 115) in the Music Building beginning
Monday, Feb. 11, and at the door one hour
before the performances. Ticket prices are $8
General Admission, $7 Senior Citizen, $6 pre-
college student, and $5 with an ENMU Student
ID.
Richardson orders release of funds
SANTA FE – Governor Bill Richardson has
ordered the release of $20.5 million in state
funding to help pay for higher education
maintenance projects across the state. The
Governor released the funding, which is on top
of another $20.5 million released July 1, 2007,
after receiving assurances from the Attorney
General’s Office that the funding is legal.
“I am pleased that we are finally able to invest
this money in our colleges and universities,
without further legal delays,” Governor
Richardson said.
The Legislature passed $41 million for higher
education maintenance projects, known as
deferred maintenance, during the 2007 session.
But Governor Richardson vetoed language in
the budget that would have split the $41 million
so that half was distributed through an
established formula and the other half was
spread out according to a recent study of facility
needs. The Governor’s veto meant that the
entire $41 million was distributed through the
formula.
Some legislators questioned the legality of the
Governor’s veto of the language. But after
reassurances from Attorney General King that
the veto was appropriate, Governor Richardson
directed the Higher Education Department to
release the final $20.5 million to colleges and
universities.
Gutierrez Canyon Expanded
BERNALILLO, NM -- The Trust for Public Land
(TPL) and Mayor Martin J. Chávez announced
the protection of 400 acres in Gutierrez Canyon.
Located just off the Turquoise Trail in Cedar
Crest, this property will expand recreational
opportunities for area visitors. It will provide
miles of new hiking and equestrian trails easily
accessible from the National Scenic Byway. Its
protection more than doubles the size of
Gutierrez Canyon Open Space.
"This property connects Gutierrez Canyon Open
Space with the Turquoise Trail, opening a local
treasure to Cedar Crest residents and visitors
alike. Just 15 miles from Albuquerque, this 400-
acre property offers visitors an opportunity to
get out of their cars and enjoy the rugged
beauty of New Mexico's landscape. It includes
great trails for hiking and horseback riding, and
will allow for the creation of a trailhead and
parking area just off the highway," said Jenny
Parks, state director for The Trust for Public
Land.
"I am very pleased that today the City of
Albuquerque will be adding 420 acres of Open
Space to the City's current Public Open Space
Network," said Mayor Martin J. Chávez. "I want
to thank and commend the Milne Family for their
safe keeping of the property, that is essentially
in pristine condition; and now entrusting the City
and the public with its management as an Open
Space and Wildlife Preserve. From day one, I
pledged the City's willingness to take on the
long term management of the property and to
insure that it remains protected for all future
generations of people and animals.
Albuquerque has one of the top Open Space
Programs in the Nation and today we just made
it better."
The property is accessed by a small strip of
land just south of the Cedar Springs post office.
It is surrounded on the north and east sides by
residential development, and abuts Gutierrez
Canyon Open Space on the south. Its protection
brings the total acreage of Gutierrez Canyon
Open Space to 700 acres, and creates the first
public access from N.M. 14, the Turquoise Trail.
The property offers hikers and equestrians
impressive views from its high ground, and
includes oak filled side canyons. Residential
development was a very real threat in this
scenic part of Cedar Springs, but decisive
action from community activists and local and
state government ensured its conservation as
open space.
The $2.2 million purchase was funded by the
City of Albuquerque, capital outlays from the
New Mexico legislature, and New Mexico Land,
Wildlife, and Clean Energy funds. Key support
was provided by Governor Bill Richardson,
Senator Sue Wilson Beffort, Senator Kent
Cravens, Representative Kathy McCoy,
Representative Mimi Stewart, Albuquerque
Mayor Martin Chavez, and Albuquerque
Councilors Isaac Benton and Martin Heinrich.
The Trust for Public Land, established in 1972,
specializes in conservation real estate, applying
its expertise in negotiations, public finance, and
law to protect land for people to enjoy as parks,
greenways, community gardens, urban
playgrounds, and wilderness. TPL has
protected more than 2 million acres across the
country and in New Mexico, TPL has helped
protect over 140,000 acres.
Roswell art on display
PORTALES—The Department of Art at Eastern
New Mexico University in Portales is presenting
the "Just Down the Road: Imported Art from
Roswell" exhibit from 5-7 p.m. through
Wednesday, Feb 6, in the Runnels Gallery in
the Golden Library on the Portales campus.
The exhibit includes work from 15 artists from
the Roswell area, including work by Sue Wink
who has public art located around the ENMU
campus.
"The show is composed of a wide variety of
media ranging from ceramics and painting to
animation and video," says Mollie Oblinger,
assistant professor of art.
Admission is free and open to the public.
For more information, contact Susan Pippin at
575.562.2778.
Absentee Voting Continues
ARTESIA - Absentee voting for the March 4,
2008 Regular Municipal Election will begin on
January 29, 2008 and will end February 29,
2008. Voters wishing to vote Absentee must
request an application to vote by absentee by
calling the City Clerk’s Office at 746-2122 or
email at cityclerk@artesianm.com. The
application will be mailed to your address.
ARTESIA - Building permits for the month of
January 2008 are off to a good start with project
valuation over $1.4 million.
The projects include four new single family
homes, including one valued near $300,000.00
that was permitted by the city's new permitting
jurisdiction that extends three miles from the city
limits. The authorization for extra-terratorial
permitting was awarded in mid-December.
Project valuation is more than four times the
value of permits issued in January 2007, which
was $311,484.00.
Final program of Key Ingredients
The Artesia Historical Museum & Art Center is
getting ready to present “Food & The Arts”, a
community program for everyone, on Saturday
February 9th at 2:00-4:00 pm in the Museum’s
Art Annex gallery at 503 West Richardson Ave.
in Artesia.
“Food & The Arts” is our 4th and last public
program in connection with our Smithsonian
“Key Ingredients” exhibit, and will give visitors a
chance to not only check out our exhibit but to
learn about a variety of food-related crafts that
combine practicality with artistic expression.
Many of today’s popular home and kitchen
decorations began as practical and convenient
ways to store food, and have evolved over the
years into art forms. How many of us have
decorative baskets, chile ristras, garlic braids,
and herb bundles on display in our kitchens?
We’ll also have toy patterns, quilt blocks, and
embroidery patterns from the 1930s—many
flour and sugar bags used to come with these
patterns printed on them so that Depression-era
families could recycle these bags into something
useful once the contents were used up.
(Remember the beautiful vintage heirloom quilts
made from flour bags displayed in the annual
Artesia Quilters Guild shows every year?) Local
artiste Lisa Frederick will be demonstrating
these arts and others, and hands-on
demonstrations and lessons will be offered.
As always, we’ll have refreshments for everyone
as well as a selection of recipes and handouts
from our previous programs. Everyone is invited
to attend—for more information call (575) 748-
2390 or visit www.artesiamuseum.org.
Eastern hosting operas
PORTALES—The Department of Music at
Eastern New Mexico University in Portales is
presenting "Managers, Mediums and Magic": An
Evening of One Act Operas at 7 p.m. on Friday-
Saturday, Feb.15–16, and 2 p.m. on Sunday,
Feb. 17, in Buchanan Hall in the Music Building.
The features include Mozart's "The
Impressario," a story of a theater manager who
has the opportunity to produce one last opera
before he retires; "The Medium" by Menotti, a
story of a psychic; and "Bastien and Bastienna,"
also by Mozart, about the story of the "magic"
that reunites two lovers.
The feature includes performances by Virginia
Slater from Portales/Lubbock, Holly Prince from
Albuquerque, Qianyu Wang from Sichuan,
China, Kaili Liu from Henan, China, SiSi Sun
from Sichuan, China, CiCi Chen from Heilong
Jiang, China, Zhu Shifang from Sichuan, China,
Xinrui Li from Sichuan, China, Kevin Simmons
from Hobbs, Jessye Marquez from Hobbs,
Janice Pacheco from Muleshoe, Derek Gilmour
from Albuquerque, Orlando Shelly from
Portales, Richard McNeill from Grants, Veronica
Valdez-Kent from Canyon, Gerardo Gomez from
Muleshoe and Jenny Gheer from Ruidoso.
Tickets will be available in the music office
(Room 115) in the Music Building beginning
Monday, Feb. 11, and at the door one hour
before the performances. Ticket prices are $8
General Admission, $7 Senior Citizen, $6 pre-
college student, and $5 with an ENMU Student
ID.
Richardson orders release of funds
SANTA FE – Governor Bill Richardson has
ordered the release of $20.5 million in state
funding to help pay for higher education
maintenance projects across the state. The
Governor released the funding, which is on top
of another $20.5 million released July 1, 2007,
after receiving assurances from the Attorney
General’s Office that the funding is legal.
“I am pleased that we are finally able to invest
this money in our colleges and universities,
without further legal delays,” Governor
Richardson said.
The Legislature passed $41 million for higher
education maintenance projects, known as
deferred maintenance, during the 2007 session.
But Governor Richardson vetoed language in
the budget that would have split the $41 million
so that half was distributed through an
established formula and the other half was
spread out according to a recent study of facility
needs. The Governor’s veto meant that the
entire $41 million was distributed through the
formula.
Some legislators questioned the legality of the
Governor’s veto of the language. But after
reassurances from Attorney General King that
the veto was appropriate, Governor Richardson
directed the Higher Education Department to
release the final $20.5 million to colleges and
universities.
Gutierrez Canyon Expanded
BERNALILLO, NM -- The Trust for Public Land
(TPL) and Mayor Martin J. Chávez announced
the protection of 400 acres in Gutierrez Canyon.
Located just off the Turquoise Trail in Cedar
Crest, this property will expand recreational
opportunities for area visitors. It will provide
miles of new hiking and equestrian trails easily
accessible from the National Scenic Byway. Its
protection more than doubles the size of
Gutierrez Canyon Open Space.
"This property connects Gutierrez Canyon Open
Space with the Turquoise Trail, opening a local
treasure to Cedar Crest residents and visitors
alike. Just 15 miles from Albuquerque, this 400-
acre property offers visitors an opportunity to
get out of their cars and enjoy the rugged
beauty of New Mexico's landscape. It includes
great trails for hiking and horseback riding, and
will allow for the creation of a trailhead and
parking area just off the highway," said Jenny
Parks, state director for The Trust for Public
Land.
"I am very pleased that today the City of
Albuquerque will be adding 420 acres of Open
Space to the City's current Public Open Space
Network," said Mayor Martin J. Chávez. "I want
to thank and commend the Milne Family for their
safe keeping of the property, that is essentially
in pristine condition; and now entrusting the City
and the public with its management as an Open
Space and Wildlife Preserve. From day one, I
pledged the City's willingness to take on the
long term management of the property and to
insure that it remains protected for all future
generations of people and animals.
Albuquerque has one of the top Open Space
Programs in the Nation and today we just made
it better."
The property is accessed by a small strip of
land just south of the Cedar Springs post office.
It is surrounded on the north and east sides by
residential development, and abuts Gutierrez
Canyon Open Space on the south. Its protection
brings the total acreage of Gutierrez Canyon
Open Space to 700 acres, and creates the first
public access from N.M. 14, the Turquoise Trail.
The property offers hikers and equestrians
impressive views from its high ground, and
includes oak filled side canyons. Residential
development was a very real threat in this
scenic part of Cedar Springs, but decisive
action from community activists and local and
state government ensured its conservation as
open space.
The $2.2 million purchase was funded by the
City of Albuquerque, capital outlays from the
New Mexico legislature, and New Mexico Land,
Wildlife, and Clean Energy funds. Key support
was provided by Governor Bill Richardson,
Senator Sue Wilson Beffort, Senator Kent
Cravens, Representative Kathy McCoy,
Representative Mimi Stewart, Albuquerque
Mayor Martin Chavez, and Albuquerque
Councilors Isaac Benton and Martin Heinrich.
The Trust for Public Land, established in 1972,
specializes in conservation real estate, applying
its expertise in negotiations, public finance, and
law to protect land for people to enjoy as parks,
greenways, community gardens, urban
playgrounds, and wilderness. TPL has
protected more than 2 million acres across the
country and in New Mexico, TPL has helped
protect over 140,000 acres.
Roswell art on display
PORTALES—The Department of Art at Eastern
New Mexico University in Portales is presenting
the "Just Down the Road: Imported Art from
Roswell" exhibit from 5-7 p.m. through
Wednesday, Feb 6, in the Runnels Gallery in
the Golden Library on the Portales campus.
The exhibit includes work from 15 artists from
the Roswell area, including work by Sue Wink
who has public art located around the ENMU
campus.
"The show is composed of a wide variety of
media ranging from ceramics and painting to
animation and video," says Mollie Oblinger,
assistant professor of art.
Admission is free and open to the public.
For more information, contact Susan Pippin at
575.562.2778.
Absentee Voting Continues
ARTESIA - Absentee voting for the March 4,
2008 Regular Municipal Election will begin on
January 29, 2008 and will end February 29,
2008. Voters wishing to vote Absentee must
request an application to vote by absentee by
calling the City Clerk’s Office at 746-2122 or
email at cityclerk@artesianm.com. The
application will be mailed to your address.