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NEWS:
Volume 3, Number 8
February 12, 2008
February 12, 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 A Fire Weather Watch is in effect Wednesday afternoon for West Texas and southeast New Mexico. Winds in excess of 20 mph and relative humidity values of less than 15 percent will result in high fire danger. Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. North wind 10 to 15 mph becoming south. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. South wind between 5 and 10 mph. Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to between 20 and 25 mph. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Southwest wind between 20 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61. West wind between 20 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Thursday Night: A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Friday: A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Friday Night: A slight chance of snow or rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 48. Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. Presidents' Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. |
| 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. |
Governor praises increased penalties
SANTA FE - Governor Bill Richardson applauded the passage of a bill that
increases penalties for repeat domestic violence offenders. The Senate
agreed this morning to changes the House made to SB 68. The bill now
heads to Governor Richardson, who will sign it.
“This bill is a huge step forward in our fight against domestic violence in
New Mexico,” Governor Richardson said. “We’re sending a clear message
to offenders that we take their crimes seriously and that they will not be
tolerated.”
SB 68 makes the third conviction of battery against a household member or
aggravated battery against a household member a fourth degree felony. A
fourth or subsequent conviction would result in a third degree felony.
Currently, repeat convictions on both charges are only considered
misdemeanors in the State of New Mexico.
First Lady Barbara Richardson, the state’s leading anti-domestic violence
advocate, has been instrumental in seeking the increased penalties.
“We have been pushing this initiative for several years,” First Lady Barbara
Richardson said. “We never gave up because we knew there were victims
who were counting on us and who deserve this level of protection,”
“This bill compliments our efforts regarding treatment over the last few
sessions,” said Sen. Rod Adair (R-Roswell), the bill’s sponsor. “It places an
appropriately stern sentence on offenders who don’t get the message.”
Applications for internships available online
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today encouraged students
to apply for a summer internship in his Washington office. The application
deadline is March 31. The internships are open to college and university
undergraduate students who attend school in New Mexico or attend school
in the state.
The internship program is designed to educate New Mexico students about
the political process and to allow them to gain experience in the daily
operations of a U.S. Senate office. Summer interns will work five 40-hour
weeks in Bingaman’s Capitol Hill office during one of two sessions:
First session: May 27 – June 27
Second session: June 30 – August 1
Applicants are required to complete an intern application form, as well as
provide a resume, three letters of reference, a writing sample and answers
to three essay questions.
Because of continued delays in mail delivery to Senate offices in
Washington, students are encouraged to complete and submit the
application online at: http://bingaman.senate.gov. The link to internship
information is located under the “Services and Programs” section on the
main page. Students may also submit a printed version via fax at (202) 224-
2852.
Students who apply on Bingaman’s home page will input their resume
information, writing sample and answers to three essay questions into the
page’s special application forms. Letters of reference should be submitted
by fax or e-mailed by the writer to interns@bingaman.senate.gov. To
confirm receipt of completed applications, students can call (202) 224-5521.
Intern positions in Bingaman’s state offices are also available. Please
contact state offices for more information.
Washington (202) 224-5521
Albuquerque (505) 346-6601
Las Cruces (505) 523-6561
Roswell (505) 622-7113
Santa Fe (505) 988-6647
CBP inspects imported flowers
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, U.S. Customs and Border
Protection agriculture specialists working at U.S. ports of entry are busy
making sure that flower imports are free from insects, pests and diseases
that could harm the agricultural and floral industries of the United States.
“CBP’s agricultural specialists are experts at identifying signs of insects,
pests or disease in shipments of flowers, plants and fresh herbs,” says
Vernon Foret, acting executive director, agriculture programs and trade
liaison “They are dedicated professionals, who enthusiastically accomplish
the mission of protecting the United States from the potential threats to our
environment and economy every day.”
Miami ranks first among U.S. international airports for shipments of cut
flower imports, followed by New York and Los Angeles.
Here are more facts about cut flower imports:
* In 2007, Miami CBP agriculture specialists processed more than 5 trillion
stems of imported flowers, compared to 2 trillion flower stems for New York,
and 168 billion flower stems for Los Angeles.
* In these shipments of imported flowers, Miami intercepted 21,152 plant
pests that could be detrimental to American agriculture, New York
intercepted 5,332 and Los Angeles intercepted 2,831.
* The top flower imports in Miami are roses and mixed bouquets from
Colombia, followed by roses from Ecuador.
* The top flower imports in New York are Vanda from Thailand, Ilium from
the Dominican Republic and narcissus from the Netherlands.
* In Los Angeles, roses from Ecuador are the top cut flower import, followed
by dendrobium from Thailand, and dianthus from Colombia.
* The most common type of insects found in cut flower imports are leaf
miner flies, moths, plant bugs and thrips (destructive wingless insects).
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the
Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control
and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of
entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of
the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
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, 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."
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!
SANTA FE - Governor Bill Richardson applauded the passage of a bill that
increases penalties for repeat domestic violence offenders. The Senate
agreed this morning to changes the House made to SB 68. The bill now
heads to Governor Richardson, who will sign it.
“This bill is a huge step forward in our fight against domestic violence in
New Mexico,” Governor Richardson said. “We’re sending a clear message
to offenders that we take their crimes seriously and that they will not be
tolerated.”
SB 68 makes the third conviction of battery against a household member or
aggravated battery against a household member a fourth degree felony. A
fourth or subsequent conviction would result in a third degree felony.
Currently, repeat convictions on both charges are only considered
misdemeanors in the State of New Mexico.
First Lady Barbara Richardson, the state’s leading anti-domestic violence
advocate, has been instrumental in seeking the increased penalties.
“We have been pushing this initiative for several years,” First Lady Barbara
Richardson said. “We never gave up because we knew there were victims
who were counting on us and who deserve this level of protection,”
“This bill compliments our efforts regarding treatment over the last few
sessions,” said Sen. Rod Adair (R-Roswell), the bill’s sponsor. “It places an
appropriately stern sentence on offenders who don’t get the message.”
Applications for internships available online
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today encouraged students
to apply for a summer internship in his Washington office. The application
deadline is March 31. The internships are open to college and university
undergraduate students who attend school in New Mexico or attend school
in the state.
The internship program is designed to educate New Mexico students about
the political process and to allow them to gain experience in the daily
operations of a U.S. Senate office. Summer interns will work five 40-hour
weeks in Bingaman’s Capitol Hill office during one of two sessions:
First session: May 27 – June 27
Second session: June 30 – August 1
Applicants are required to complete an intern application form, as well as
provide a resume, three letters of reference, a writing sample and answers
to three essay questions.
Because of continued delays in mail delivery to Senate offices in
Washington, students are encouraged to complete and submit the
application online at: http://bingaman.senate.gov. The link to internship
information is located under the “Services and Programs” section on the
main page. Students may also submit a printed version via fax at (202) 224-
2852.
Students who apply on Bingaman’s home page will input their resume
information, writing sample and answers to three essay questions into the
page’s special application forms. Letters of reference should be submitted
by fax or e-mailed by the writer to interns@bingaman.senate.gov. To
confirm receipt of completed applications, students can call (202) 224-5521.
Intern positions in Bingaman’s state offices are also available. Please
contact state offices for more information.
Washington (202) 224-5521
Albuquerque (505) 346-6601
Las Cruces (505) 523-6561
Roswell (505) 622-7113
Santa Fe (505) 988-6647
CBP inspects imported flowers
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, U.S. Customs and Border
Protection agriculture specialists working at U.S. ports of entry are busy
making sure that flower imports are free from insects, pests and diseases
that could harm the agricultural and floral industries of the United States.
“CBP’s agricultural specialists are experts at identifying signs of insects,
pests or disease in shipments of flowers, plants and fresh herbs,” says
Vernon Foret, acting executive director, agriculture programs and trade
liaison “They are dedicated professionals, who enthusiastically accomplish
the mission of protecting the United States from the potential threats to our
environment and economy every day.”
Miami ranks first among U.S. international airports for shipments of cut
flower imports, followed by New York and Los Angeles.
Here are more facts about cut flower imports:
* In 2007, Miami CBP agriculture specialists processed more than 5 trillion
stems of imported flowers, compared to 2 trillion flower stems for New York,
and 168 billion flower stems for Los Angeles.
* In these shipments of imported flowers, Miami intercepted 21,152 plant
pests that could be detrimental to American agriculture, New York
intercepted 5,332 and Los Angeles intercepted 2,831.
* The top flower imports in Miami are roses and mixed bouquets from
Colombia, followed by roses from Ecuador.
* The top flower imports in New York are Vanda from Thailand, Ilium from
the Dominican Republic and narcissus from the Netherlands.
* In Los Angeles, roses from Ecuador are the top cut flower import, followed
by dendrobium from Thailand, and dianthus from Colombia.
* The most common type of insects found in cut flower imports are leaf
miner flies, moths, plant bugs and thrips (destructive wingless insects).
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the
Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control
and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of
entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of
the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
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, 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."
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 city council to meet Tuesday
ARTESIA - The regular meeting of the Artesia
City Council will be conducted Tuesday evening
at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall,
located at 511 W. Texas Avenue.
This is a public meeting and all members of the
public are invited and encouraged to attend.
The agendas for the meeting will be available
from the front desk at city hall Monday
afternoon, or you can view the final agenda and
the consent agenda by clicking on the links.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
ARTESIA - The regular meeting of the Artesia
City Council will be conducted Tuesday evening
at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall,
located at 511 W. Texas Avenue.
This is a public meeting and all members of the
public are invited and encouraged to attend.
The agendas for the meeting will be available
from the front desk at city hall Monday
afternoon, or you can view the final agenda and
the consent agenda by clicking on the links.
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.
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.
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.
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.”