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Volume 3, Number 9
February 13, 2008
February 13, 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 Red Flag Warning is in effect for West Texas and southeastern New Mexico through tonight, winds in excess of 20 mph, relative humudity levels of less than 15 percent and high fire danger. An arctic cold front is expected to move across the region Thursday night. The much colder air behind this cold front will result in afternoon high temps Friday and Saturday mostly in the 30s and wind chill temps in the teens and 20s. A strong storm system is expected to move across the desert Southwest Friday and into Texas Saturday. Moisture associated with this storm will combine with cold air already in place increasing the chance of winter precipitation. Temperatures could remain cold enough to result in chances for accumulating snow across the area Friday and Saturday. Periods of freezing rain also possible late Thursday night and Friday morning. Travelers are urged to use caution. Today: Sunny...windy...warmer. Patchy blowing dust in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 70s. South winds 10 to 15 mph increasing to 20 to 30 mph in the afternoon. Tonight:Partly cloudy. Not as cool. Lows in the lower 40s. Southwest winds 10 to 20 mph. Thursday...Partly cloudy. Windy. Highs in the upper 60s. Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph. Thursday Night...Increasing clouds. Chance of showers or snow showers. Colder. Lows in the upper 20s. West winds 15 to 25 mph shifting to the north 15 to 20 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation 30 percent. Friday...Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow showers. Much colder. Highs in the mid 30s. North winds 10 to 20 mph. Friday Night...Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow showers. Lows in the mid 20s. Saturday...Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 40s. Saturday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 30s. Sunday...Mostly sunny. Not as cool. Highs around 60. Sunday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 30s. Presidents Day...Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 60s. Monday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 30s. Tuesday...Partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 70s. |
| 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. |
New councilman on board
ARTESIA - Ray Miller was sworn in as the city councillor from District 3 at
Tuesday night's regular city council meeting. The post was opened upon
Mayor Phil Burch's appointment last month. Miller will serve the remainder
of the term, coming up for election in March 2010. Burch commented on
Miller's activity in the community, including his church and participation in
the Quarterback Club. Miller came to Artesia in 1980 and serves as
Secretary/Treasurer for Marbob. He holds degrees from the University of
New Mexico and the University of Southern California.
A full house at the meeting portended lively commentary from "concerned
citizens" regarding a public hearing to rezone a parcel of land at 26th and
Richey. Impassioned parents were also present regarding a public hearing
regarding a home occupation application submitted by Suzanne Valencia
for a daycare at 1010 W. Dallas Avenue.
Council passed the ordinance to change the zoning from R-1A to SA-2.
Citizens speaking out stated they were opposed to the zoning change
because the parcel might be used as the site for a new public safety
complex.
Because of the expected large number attending, Mayor Burch requested
that citizens sign in to be allotted time to speak. Despite much grumbling,
the citizens addressed the council with their concerns in a relatively timely
fashion. Upon passage of the ordinance, there was a mass exodus of
"concerned citizens."
Although the issue was a matter of zoning and not a new complex,
comments were not dissimilar to those made at the November 27, 2007
meeting, at which the property was annexed into the city.
Parents opposed to the home occupation application delivered their
impassioned pleas to council to reject the application for a daycare at 1010
W. Dallas, based on their experiences with the applicant's sister -
Rosemary Fierro - who had also provided daycare services in her home.
Council voted to continue the item until Valencia has received a license
from the State, one of the requirements recommended to council from the
Planning & Zoning Commission.
Three other public hearings were conducted without incident and council
approved annexation of a parcel of land in the Country Club Estates area;
a home occupation license to Juan Calderon dba Artesia Weed Control and
to Elvis Caudill dba Elvis's Custom Building.
Project Lifeline housing assistance program unveiled
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Pete Domenici Tuesday encouraged eligible
New Mexicans to take advantage of a new housing assistance program,
unveiled Tuesday by the federal government and several mortgage
lenders, to help alleviate the threat of foreclosure facing some homeowners.
Project Lifeline will provide eligible homeowners with a reevaluation and
modification of their housing and mortgage situation to help them remain in
their homes. Upon receiving a letter, qualified individuals must contact their
lender directly to request assistance.
“Many homeowners have been adversely affected by our present economic
situation, making it difficult for them to maintain payment on their homes,”
said Domenici. “This program is in the best interest of many homeowners
who have faced difficulty in maintaining their financial obligations to their
lenders. I encourage everyone who thinks they may qualify to contact their
lender to see if they qualify.”
In order to be considered for a loan modification, homeowners who receive
a Project Lifeline notification must do the following:
· Call their servicer within 10 days of receiving a notice.
· Notify the servicer that they have received the letter, they want to
stay in the home and they are willing to seek counseling, if necessary.
· Provide updated financial information so the servicer can explore the
appropriate solution.
· Homeowners already in the foreclosure process will have the process
“paused” for up to 30 days while they are evaluated for a loan modification.
Six leading servicers—Bank of America, Chase, Citigroup, Countrywide,
Washington Mutual and Wells Fargo—representing approximately 50
percent of the mortgage servicing market are expected to begin mailing
letters shortly to seriously delinquent homeowners explaining the steps they
must take to receive the assistance.
For more information on Project Lifeline, call (888) 995-HOPE.
Pearce bill to restore NM funding
WASHINGTON - Congressman Steve Pearce continued his commitment to
protecting New Mexico's economy by recently submitting legislation that
would restore the balance between federal and state royalty receipts on the
extraction of minerals on federal lands.
The "Restoring the West's Fair Share Act of 2008" (H.R. 5238) corrects a
change enacted by Democrats, including Rep. Tom Udall, that took roughly
$13 million out of New Mexico state coffers. The Pearce legislation has
seven additional co-sponsors from western states that have large amounts
of federally owned land. Pearce released the following comments:
"In their constant quest for increased taxes, the new liberal majority ended
the century-old practice of sharing state and federal royalties on the
extraction of minerals on federal land. As a result, the loss of revenue falls
to New Mexico's private property owners and consumers to make up. It is
not only unfair, but an unconscionable theft of important funds that could
be used on hospitals, schools or other infrastructure for the state. My
legislation would restore the balance.
"We have a new majority in Congress that believes they are entitled to a
larger share of New Mexico's resources. I believe we need to lower taxes
and eliminate wasteful spending. We can't begin to achieve that if we are
handing over more of our state revenue to Washington."
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.
ARTESIA - Ray Miller was sworn in as the city councillor from District 3 at
Tuesday night's regular city council meeting. The post was opened upon
Mayor Phil Burch's appointment last month. Miller will serve the remainder
of the term, coming up for election in March 2010. Burch commented on
Miller's activity in the community, including his church and participation in
the Quarterback Club. Miller came to Artesia in 1980 and serves as
Secretary/Treasurer for Marbob. He holds degrees from the University of
New Mexico and the University of Southern California.
A full house at the meeting portended lively commentary from "concerned
citizens" regarding a public hearing to rezone a parcel of land at 26th and
Richey. Impassioned parents were also present regarding a public hearing
regarding a home occupation application submitted by Suzanne Valencia
for a daycare at 1010 W. Dallas Avenue.
Council passed the ordinance to change the zoning from R-1A to SA-2.
Citizens speaking out stated they were opposed to the zoning change
because the parcel might be used as the site for a new public safety
complex.
Because of the expected large number attending, Mayor Burch requested
that citizens sign in to be allotted time to speak. Despite much grumbling,
the citizens addressed the council with their concerns in a relatively timely
fashion. Upon passage of the ordinance, there was a mass exodus of
"concerned citizens."
Although the issue was a matter of zoning and not a new complex,
comments were not dissimilar to those made at the November 27, 2007
meeting, at which the property was annexed into the city.
Parents opposed to the home occupation application delivered their
impassioned pleas to council to reject the application for a daycare at 1010
W. Dallas, based on their experiences with the applicant's sister -
Rosemary Fierro - who had also provided daycare services in her home.
Council voted to continue the item until Valencia has received a license
from the State, one of the requirements recommended to council from the
Planning & Zoning Commission.
Three other public hearings were conducted without incident and council
approved annexation of a parcel of land in the Country Club Estates area;
a home occupation license to Juan Calderon dba Artesia Weed Control and
to Elvis Caudill dba Elvis's Custom Building.
Project Lifeline housing assistance program unveiled
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Pete Domenici Tuesday encouraged eligible
New Mexicans to take advantage of a new housing assistance program,
unveiled Tuesday by the federal government and several mortgage
lenders, to help alleviate the threat of foreclosure facing some homeowners.
Project Lifeline will provide eligible homeowners with a reevaluation and
modification of their housing and mortgage situation to help them remain in
their homes. Upon receiving a letter, qualified individuals must contact their
lender directly to request assistance.
“Many homeowners have been adversely affected by our present economic
situation, making it difficult for them to maintain payment on their homes,”
said Domenici. “This program is in the best interest of many homeowners
who have faced difficulty in maintaining their financial obligations to their
lenders. I encourage everyone who thinks they may qualify to contact their
lender to see if they qualify.”
In order to be considered for a loan modification, homeowners who receive
a Project Lifeline notification must do the following:
· Call their servicer within 10 days of receiving a notice.
· Notify the servicer that they have received the letter, they want to
stay in the home and they are willing to seek counseling, if necessary.
· Provide updated financial information so the servicer can explore the
appropriate solution.
· Homeowners already in the foreclosure process will have the process
“paused” for up to 30 days while they are evaluated for a loan modification.
Six leading servicers—Bank of America, Chase, Citigroup, Countrywide,
Washington Mutual and Wells Fargo—representing approximately 50
percent of the mortgage servicing market are expected to begin mailing
letters shortly to seriously delinquent homeowners explaining the steps they
must take to receive the assistance.
For more information on Project Lifeline, call (888) 995-HOPE.
Pearce bill to restore NM funding
WASHINGTON - Congressman Steve Pearce continued his commitment to
protecting New Mexico's economy by recently submitting legislation that
would restore the balance between federal and state royalty receipts on the
extraction of minerals on federal lands.
The "Restoring the West's Fair Share Act of 2008" (H.R. 5238) corrects a
change enacted by Democrats, including Rep. Tom Udall, that took roughly
$13 million out of New Mexico state coffers. The Pearce legislation has
seven additional co-sponsors from western states that have large amounts
of federally owned land. Pearce released the following comments:
"In their constant quest for increased taxes, the new liberal majority ended
the century-old practice of sharing state and federal royalties on the
extraction of minerals on federal land. As a result, the loss of revenue falls
to New Mexico's private property owners and consumers to make up. It is
not only unfair, but an unconscionable theft of important funds that could
be used on hospitals, schools or other infrastructure for the state. My
legislation would restore the balance.
"We have a new majority in Congress that believes they are entitled to a
larger share of New Mexico's resources. I believe we need to lower taxes
and eliminate wasteful spending. We can't begin to achieve that if we are
handing over more of our state revenue to Washington."
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.
Voting by Machine Begins Feb. 13th
ARTESIA - Absentee Voting by machine for the
March 4, 2008 Regular Municipal Election will
begin on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 and
will end February 29, 2008. Voters who wish to
vote prior to Election Day may come to the City
Clerk’s Office during regular business hours (8
–5), Monday through Friday, file an application,
and cast their vote by voting machine. The City
Clerk’s Office is located in City Hall, 511 W.
Texas Ave.
The City Clerk’s office is also still accepting
applications to mail out absentee ballots. Voters
may request an application to vote 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 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.
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.”
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 - Absentee Voting by machine for the
March 4, 2008 Regular Municipal Election will
begin on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 and
will end February 29, 2008. Voters who wish to
vote prior to Election Day may come to the City
Clerk’s Office during regular business hours (8
–5), Monday through Friday, file an application,
and cast their vote by voting machine. The City
Clerk’s Office is located in City Hall, 511 W.
Texas Ave.
The City Clerk’s office is also still accepting
applications to mail out absentee ballots. Voters
may request an application to vote 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 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.
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.”
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!