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NEWS:
Volume 3, Number 50
April 11, 2008
April 11, 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 effct today for locations in the Guadalupe Mountains with westerly winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to near 45 expected. Relative humidty values will again drop into the 10 to 15 percent range, contributing to the VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER. Today: Sunny, with a high near 77. Northwest wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 41. North wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 69. North wind between 5 and 15 mph. Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40. East wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 79. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. Monday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. |
| 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. |
Senator Cosponsored Extension for Clean Energy Incentives
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Pete Domenici Thursday voted with the
Senate to attach legislation he cosponsored to extend expiring clean
energy tax credits to a housing assistance bill passed by the Senate today.
Last week, Domenici signed as an original cosponsor to the Clean Energy
Tax Stimulus Act (S.2821). Today, the bill was offered and approved by a
vote of 88-8 as an amendment to HR.3221, legislation intended to mitigate
the economic impact of the current housing crisis.
Like S.2821, the renewable energy amendment approved Thursday would
provide a one-year extension of the renewable energy production tax credit
and an eight-year extension of the solar energy and fuel cell investment tax
credit, and provide other incentives for clean energy and energy efficiency.
“Our 2005 energy bill included some of the most sweeping tax credits for
clean energy technology to date. We cannot let them expire. Recent work
in areas such as solar technologies—including groundbreaking work at
Sandia National Laboratories, and the advancement of wind technology in
New Mexico—all faced big setbacks without this legislation,” said Domenici.
In addition to extending production and solar tax credits, the amendment
authorizes $400 million for Clean Renewable Energy Bonds, and extends
tax credits for those who modify or build energy-efficient homes and
commercial buildings. The amendment also extends credits for energy
efficient appliances such as dishwashers and refrigerators.
While some have advocating paying for the tax credit extensions with
specific offsets, Domenici reiterated his belief that it was unnecessary due
to the stimulative effect of the tax credits.
“As former chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, I have been
committed to fiscal discipline for my entire career. But when one takes a
larger view of these energy tax credits, it becomes obvious that they
stimulate the economy, create jobs, and help America become less
dependent on foreign sources of oil, which in my judgment is currently the
biggest strain on our economy. It is therefore unnecessary to offset the tax
credits, since the end result will be a benefit to our economy and energy
security,” Domenici continued.
Among the technologies that benefit from the renewable energy tax credit
are wind, biomass, geothermal, small irrigation power, landfill gas, trash
combustion and hydropower facilities.
Domenici supported and voted for the inclusion of clean energy tax credit
extensions in the economic stimulus package earlier this year. Ultimately,
Congress passed a stimulus package which did not contain the tax credit
extensions.
In terms of the Housing Bill (HR.3221), Domenici voted for the legislation,
which passed by a vote of 84-12. It contains provisions to mitigate the
economic impacts of the recent home mortgage and foreclosure crisis.
Among other things, it calls for homeowner counseling, as well as tax
breaks for responsible mortgage lenders.
Road closure for construction scheduled
ARTESIA - Starting Monday April 14, 2008 the east bound lanes of US 82
(Main Street) will be closed west of 1st Street to Freeman. Traffic will be
allowed to travel in each direction with one lane of traffic open in the
east bound direction on US 82 and two lanes of traffic open in the west
bound direction on US 82.
The road closure will last approximately 6 weeks. The closure is necessary
for the continuation of the City of Artesia Sewer Main Replacement Project.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Rachel Bustos, P.E.,
Executive Vice President, BURN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. at
505.526.4421.
Motorists are urged to use caution in this and other construction areas, to
seek alternate routes when possible and to remember that traffic fines are
doubled in construction zones.
Pearce protests to preserve ranchers' rights
WASHINGTON – Wednesday, Congressman Steve Pearce heavily
defended the New Mexico economy and protected the rights of ranchers in
western states against an enormous land grab. During debate over the
creation of the National Conservation Landscape System, Pearce offered
an amendment that preserves grazing rights on land that would come under
this new designation. The amendment passed 214 - 207. If it had failed,
much of the land included in the NLCS could have been closed to ranching.
"Our ranching communities dodged a bullet today," said Pearce
immediately after the vote. "The economies of western states depend on
the use of public lands and we can't simply shut it off. It would be
devastating."
Though Pearce ultimately voted against the overall bill, the addition of the
Pearce amendment remains a solid victory for New Mexico and western
state economies. The Pearce Amendment was endorsed by the National
Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the New Mexico Cattle Growers
Association.
"In New Mexico and across the West, our ranchers are our real
conservationists and know how to protect the land they depend on
everyday," Pearce said during debate over the amendment. "Their lands
are often the backstop against growth and they are the voice of preserving
the rural nature of our lands."
"However, in counties in the West that are 30, 18, or 6 percent private land,
our ranchers depend on public land for their operations," he continued.
"These ranchers bring millions of dollars in economic activity to New Mexico
and the entire West. In many places, ranching is the single largest
economic driver in our communities."
Council agenda light but productive
ARTESIA - The regularly scheduled meeting of the Artesia City Council was
conducted Tuesday night with a fairly light agenda.
Mayor Phil Burch had two proclamations: April 13-19, 2008 has been set
aside to recognize two groups of vital but often under-appreciated law
enforcement professionals.
Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week is designed to highlight Animal
Control and its officers, who risk life and limb by going out into the public
and spending thousands of hours per man and woman doing jobs such as
"saving the lives of the community by rabies prevention, protecting the
welfare of helpless animals and pets that are rescued from injury, disease,
and starvation, and the giving of sanctuary to the millions of homeless
animals that an uneducated society allows to multiply and then literally
throws away on the street with like some much trash," according to the
National Animal Control Association.
The second week of April also is dedicated to the professionals who serve
both the public and the public safety officers in the field: National Public
Safety Telecommunicator's Week. In any emergency, 911 dispatchers are
on the job 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The information they
obtain, the decisions they make to send appropriate personnel to the scene
of any emergency and the service they provide to those people are
oftentimes literally the difference between life and death. The Eddy County
Dispatch Authority will present plaques to their employees to remind them
of the excellent work they do and the lives they touch.
In other business, council approved hiring Janlee Fanning as a firefighter
trainee and Naomi Flores as part-time museum registrar. Council also
ratified Mayor Burch’s approval to hire Amanda Genzling and Stephanie
Fierro as temporary lifeguards.
Stephanie Bretz of Artesia MainStreet asked the council for permission to
use Central Park for the WPA Oilfield Cook-off/Arbor Day Celebration on
April 26th. The event will raise funds toward restoring Central Park. Nancy
Jorren, representing West Main Baptist Church, received permission for the
use of Roberts Park on Sunday, August 17, 2008 from 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
for Community Day. Both events promise to be fun-filled and promise good
food and good fellowship.
In a public hearing to approve a home occupation license for Big Heart
Travel World, Councilor Luis Florez spoke on behalf of his wife, Aida, who
will be the business owner. Besides providing a valuable service to the
community, Mrs. Florez intends to donate a portion of her proceeds toward
cancer research. Council approved the recommendation to allow the
license.
Fire Chief J. D. Hummingbird requested and received permission to apply
for the Assistance to Firefighters grant in the amount of $826,000. The
funds, if received, will go toward replacing a 21-year-old pumper truck,
replacing SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) units and acquiring a
mobile air compressor.
Community Development Director Tina Torres presented statistics for the
month of March, which included a continued upward trend in building
permits. For the first quarter of the year, the value of permitted projects
exceeded $9,750,000. The value of permitted projects for the entire year
2007 was slightly over $22,000,000.
Torres also invited the council to attend the open house for the Public
Safety Complex scheduled for April 14th.
Mathematics Awareness Month events to be held at NMSU
LAS CRUCES - April is Mathematics Awareness Month and the department
of Mathematical Sciences at New Mexico State University is recognizing the
occasion with three events.
The theme for this year is Mathematics and Voting and speakers will use
mathematics and statistics to attempt to answer the question, “What makes
your vote matter?”
The department is hosting a panel discussion on the topic at 4 p.m.
Tuesday, April 8, in Science Hall Room 107. Nancy Baker, associate
professor of Government, will be moderator. The panel will include
representatives from the departments of Mathematical Sciences,
Psychology, Communication Studies, and Government.
The panel will discuss how procedures for counting votes can influence the
outcome and how polling and predictions in the media influence voter
psychology and results.
Lane. A. Hamaspaandra, professor of computer science at the University of
Rochester, will be guest speaker at lectures at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 16,
and 1:10 p.m. Thursday, April 17, in Science Hall Room 107.
In the first lecture, Hamaspaandra will discuss how computational
complexity, already used to protect commercial Internet transactions, can
be used as a shield to prevent bribery and control of elections. He will show
that an election system developed by the 13th century Catalan mystic
Ramon Llull and the closely related Copeland election system are both
resistant to all standard types of electoral control.
In the second lecture, Hamaspaandra will discuss a voting system created
in 1876 by mathematician Charles Dodgson, who wrote “Alice’s Adventures
in Wonderland” under the name Lewis Carroll. Hamaspaandra said the
system has long fascinated political scientists and the algorithm used in the
system never incorrectly declares a non-winner to be the winner.
Mathematics Awareness Month is held each year in April. Its goal is to
increase public understanding of and appreciation for mathematics.
All events are free and open to the public. They are sponsored by the
departments of Mathematical Sciences, Computer Science, Psychology,
Government, Communication Studies and History and the office of the dean
of the College of Arts and Sciences. For more information call (575) 646-
2030.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Pete Domenici Thursday voted with the
Senate to attach legislation he cosponsored to extend expiring clean
energy tax credits to a housing assistance bill passed by the Senate today.
Last week, Domenici signed as an original cosponsor to the Clean Energy
Tax Stimulus Act (S.2821). Today, the bill was offered and approved by a
vote of 88-8 as an amendment to HR.3221, legislation intended to mitigate
the economic impact of the current housing crisis.
Like S.2821, the renewable energy amendment approved Thursday would
provide a one-year extension of the renewable energy production tax credit
and an eight-year extension of the solar energy and fuel cell investment tax
credit, and provide other incentives for clean energy and energy efficiency.
“Our 2005 energy bill included some of the most sweeping tax credits for
clean energy technology to date. We cannot let them expire. Recent work
in areas such as solar technologies—including groundbreaking work at
Sandia National Laboratories, and the advancement of wind technology in
New Mexico—all faced big setbacks without this legislation,” said Domenici.
In addition to extending production and solar tax credits, the amendment
authorizes $400 million for Clean Renewable Energy Bonds, and extends
tax credits for those who modify or build energy-efficient homes and
commercial buildings. The amendment also extends credits for energy
efficient appliances such as dishwashers and refrigerators.
While some have advocating paying for the tax credit extensions with
specific offsets, Domenici reiterated his belief that it was unnecessary due
to the stimulative effect of the tax credits.
“As former chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, I have been
committed to fiscal discipline for my entire career. But when one takes a
larger view of these energy tax credits, it becomes obvious that they
stimulate the economy, create jobs, and help America become less
dependent on foreign sources of oil, which in my judgment is currently the
biggest strain on our economy. It is therefore unnecessary to offset the tax
credits, since the end result will be a benefit to our economy and energy
security,” Domenici continued.
Among the technologies that benefit from the renewable energy tax credit
are wind, biomass, geothermal, small irrigation power, landfill gas, trash
combustion and hydropower facilities.
Domenici supported and voted for the inclusion of clean energy tax credit
extensions in the economic stimulus package earlier this year. Ultimately,
Congress passed a stimulus package which did not contain the tax credit
extensions.
In terms of the Housing Bill (HR.3221), Domenici voted for the legislation,
which passed by a vote of 84-12. It contains provisions to mitigate the
economic impacts of the recent home mortgage and foreclosure crisis.
Among other things, it calls for homeowner counseling, as well as tax
breaks for responsible mortgage lenders.
Road closure for construction scheduled
ARTESIA - Starting Monday April 14, 2008 the east bound lanes of US 82
(Main Street) will be closed west of 1st Street to Freeman. Traffic will be
allowed to travel in each direction with one lane of traffic open in the
east bound direction on US 82 and two lanes of traffic open in the west
bound direction on US 82.
The road closure will last approximately 6 weeks. The closure is necessary
for the continuation of the City of Artesia Sewer Main Replacement Project.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Rachel Bustos, P.E.,
Executive Vice President, BURN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. at
505.526.4421.
Motorists are urged to use caution in this and other construction areas, to
seek alternate routes when possible and to remember that traffic fines are
doubled in construction zones.
Pearce protests to preserve ranchers' rights
WASHINGTON – Wednesday, Congressman Steve Pearce heavily
defended the New Mexico economy and protected the rights of ranchers in
western states against an enormous land grab. During debate over the
creation of the National Conservation Landscape System, Pearce offered
an amendment that preserves grazing rights on land that would come under
this new designation. The amendment passed 214 - 207. If it had failed,
much of the land included in the NLCS could have been closed to ranching.
"Our ranching communities dodged a bullet today," said Pearce
immediately after the vote. "The economies of western states depend on
the use of public lands and we can't simply shut it off. It would be
devastating."
Though Pearce ultimately voted against the overall bill, the addition of the
Pearce amendment remains a solid victory for New Mexico and western
state economies. The Pearce Amendment was endorsed by the National
Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the New Mexico Cattle Growers
Association.
"In New Mexico and across the West, our ranchers are our real
conservationists and know how to protect the land they depend on
everyday," Pearce said during debate over the amendment. "Their lands
are often the backstop against growth and they are the voice of preserving
the rural nature of our lands."
"However, in counties in the West that are 30, 18, or 6 percent private land,
our ranchers depend on public land for their operations," he continued.
"These ranchers bring millions of dollars in economic activity to New Mexico
and the entire West. In many places, ranching is the single largest
economic driver in our communities."
Council agenda light but productive
ARTESIA - The regularly scheduled meeting of the Artesia City Council was
conducted Tuesday night with a fairly light agenda.
Mayor Phil Burch had two proclamations: April 13-19, 2008 has been set
aside to recognize two groups of vital but often under-appreciated law
enforcement professionals.
Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week is designed to highlight Animal
Control and its officers, who risk life and limb by going out into the public
and spending thousands of hours per man and woman doing jobs such as
"saving the lives of the community by rabies prevention, protecting the
welfare of helpless animals and pets that are rescued from injury, disease,
and starvation, and the giving of sanctuary to the millions of homeless
animals that an uneducated society allows to multiply and then literally
throws away on the street with like some much trash," according to the
National Animal Control Association.
The second week of April also is dedicated to the professionals who serve
both the public and the public safety officers in the field: National Public
Safety Telecommunicator's Week. In any emergency, 911 dispatchers are
on the job 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The information they
obtain, the decisions they make to send appropriate personnel to the scene
of any emergency and the service they provide to those people are
oftentimes literally the difference between life and death. The Eddy County
Dispatch Authority will present plaques to their employees to remind them
of the excellent work they do and the lives they touch.
In other business, council approved hiring Janlee Fanning as a firefighter
trainee and Naomi Flores as part-time museum registrar. Council also
ratified Mayor Burch’s approval to hire Amanda Genzling and Stephanie
Fierro as temporary lifeguards.
Stephanie Bretz of Artesia MainStreet asked the council for permission to
use Central Park for the WPA Oilfield Cook-off/Arbor Day Celebration on
April 26th. The event will raise funds toward restoring Central Park. Nancy
Jorren, representing West Main Baptist Church, received permission for the
use of Roberts Park on Sunday, August 17, 2008 from 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
for Community Day. Both events promise to be fun-filled and promise good
food and good fellowship.
In a public hearing to approve a home occupation license for Big Heart
Travel World, Councilor Luis Florez spoke on behalf of his wife, Aida, who
will be the business owner. Besides providing a valuable service to the
community, Mrs. Florez intends to donate a portion of her proceeds toward
cancer research. Council approved the recommendation to allow the
license.
Fire Chief J. D. Hummingbird requested and received permission to apply
for the Assistance to Firefighters grant in the amount of $826,000. The
funds, if received, will go toward replacing a 21-year-old pumper truck,
replacing SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) units and acquiring a
mobile air compressor.
Community Development Director Tina Torres presented statistics for the
month of March, which included a continued upward trend in building
permits. For the first quarter of the year, the value of permitted projects
exceeded $9,750,000. The value of permitted projects for the entire year
2007 was slightly over $22,000,000.
Torres also invited the council to attend the open house for the Public
Safety Complex scheduled for April 14th.
Mathematics Awareness Month events to be held at NMSU
LAS CRUCES - April is Mathematics Awareness Month and the department
of Mathematical Sciences at New Mexico State University is recognizing the
occasion with three events.
The theme for this year is Mathematics and Voting and speakers will use
mathematics and statistics to attempt to answer the question, “What makes
your vote matter?”
The department is hosting a panel discussion on the topic at 4 p.m.
Tuesday, April 8, in Science Hall Room 107. Nancy Baker, associate
professor of Government, will be moderator. The panel will include
representatives from the departments of Mathematical Sciences,
Psychology, Communication Studies, and Government.
The panel will discuss how procedures for counting votes can influence the
outcome and how polling and predictions in the media influence voter
psychology and results.
Lane. A. Hamaspaandra, professor of computer science at the University of
Rochester, will be guest speaker at lectures at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 16,
and 1:10 p.m. Thursday, April 17, in Science Hall Room 107.
In the first lecture, Hamaspaandra will discuss how computational
complexity, already used to protect commercial Internet transactions, can
be used as a shield to prevent bribery and control of elections. He will show
that an election system developed by the 13th century Catalan mystic
Ramon Llull and the closely related Copeland election system are both
resistant to all standard types of electoral control.
In the second lecture, Hamaspaandra will discuss a voting system created
in 1876 by mathematician Charles Dodgson, who wrote “Alice’s Adventures
in Wonderland” under the name Lewis Carroll. Hamaspaandra said the
system has long fascinated political scientists and the algorithm used in the
system never incorrectly declares a non-winner to be the winner.
Mathematics Awareness Month is held each year in April. Its goal is to
increase public understanding of and appreciation for mathematics.
All events are free and open to the public. They are sponsored by the
departments of Mathematical Sciences, Computer Science, Psychology,
Government, Communication Studies and History and the office of the dean
of the College of Arts and Sciences. For more information call (575) 646-
2030.
Fund-raiser for Sammy
There will be a benefit for Capt. Sammy
Martinez on Friday, 11 April 2008 from 11:00 a.
m. to 7:00 p.m. $6.00 a plate. Green
enchiladas only, at the Moose Lodge on West
Main.
Fund established for local hero
ARTESIA - The Artesia Fire Department
estimates that Capt. Sammy Martinez has
responded to over 10,000 emergencies in his
career. Now, he is battling cancer and the AFD
is requesting your help. Please go to our
community events section to read the letter from
Fire Chief J. D. Hummingbird and get
information on how you can help a local hero
who has devoted his life to helping others.
ENMU-R hosting grand opening for CUB
ROSWELL - The public is invited to the Grand
Opening of the newly remodeled ENMU-Roswell
Campus Union Building (CUB) on Tuesday, April
15 at 12:30 p.m. Visitors can tour the new
cafeteria and meeting rooms and sample some
of the food served in the cafeteria. For the past
five months, the CUB has undergone an
extensive make over and is now ready to show
off to the community. The project called for the
renovation of close to 15,000 square feet of
existing space, as well as 4,667 square feet of
new construction. The new cafeteria features a
modern, spacious dining area. The kitchen,
service line, bathrooms, meeting rooms, and
service line were renovated, and the kitchen
equipment was upgraded. A new meeting room
was also added to the CUB. The $3.6 million
project was funded through local general
obligation bond funds.
The cafeteria opened to students and the public
the first week of March and can now seat 311
people, compared to 165 in the old space.
According to Food Services Director, Jim Baird,
the new cafeteria provides a variety of food
options and overall improved service to
students and other customers. Food venues
include the new Cougar Grill (hamburgers and
hot dogs), Crustano’s Sandwich Crafters
(specialty sandwiches), Sunset Strips (chicken
items and fries), Ancho Grill (Mexican), and
Bonici Eatery (Italian). Each of the venues have
warming chutes and signature salads with grab
and go items for less waiting. A full buffet will be
available each day, in addition to a soup and
salad bar and specialty coffee station. The
cafeteria is open to the public, as well as ENMU-
Roswell students and staff.
Dance concert scheduled
PORTALES—The Department of Theater and
Dance at Eastern New Mexico University in
Portales is presenting “Portals to the Soul,” a
student-choreographed dance concert at 7 p.m.
on April 9-12, and 2 p.m. on April 13 in the
University Studio Theatre.
Student choreographers including Rojun
Alexander, Josh Bullard, Sharon Bynum, Megan
Fajardo, Melanie Lucero, Desiree Markham,
Stephanie Miller, Domenic Nickles and Mary Ann
Sullivan will perform their new dance work as
well as guest choreographer and ENMU
alumnus Bryan Hahn and ENMU dance
faculty/artistic director Tomas Tamayo.
The concert will include dance performances
that reflect the spirit, mind, body, heart and
soul. Belly dancing, classical Javanese dance
drama, hip-hop, swing, jazz, theatrical and
modern dance.
Admission is $4
For more information, contact Shirlene Peters at
575.562.2711.
Rockfall protection project to begin on
U.S. 82 in Otero County
The New Mexico Department of Transportation
(NMDOT) in conjunction with AUI, Inc. will begin
rockfall protection project on U.S. 82 between
milepost 3 and milepost 8 in Otero County, April
14. Single lane closures will be in place while
work is being done.
Work includes slope stabilization, rock scaling,
retaining wall and wire rope rock retaining
systems. Work also includes clearing and
grubbing, dirt/rock excavation adjacent to
roadway. This will cause intermittent
interruptions to traffic flow for the duration of
project.
This $1.7 million project will increase safety
along this corridor. The project is scheduled to
be complete fall 2008. Work hours are
tentatively scheduled for Monday through
Thursday, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Maximum
efforts will be made to ensure minimized
disruption of normal traffic flow before 8:30 a.m.
and after 4:00 p.m.
AUI, Inc. a New Mexico owned corporation was
awarded the project March 27, 2008.
The NMDOT has made numerous improvements
over the last five to seven years, such as
guardrail upgrades, roadway rehabilitation,
lowered posted speed limits in some sections,
replaced signage, and has made this section of
U.S. 82 a safety corridor (which imposes double
fines for speeding). The department also
initiated an educational campaign geared
specifically for the trucking community
highlighting the steep grades between
Cloudcroft and Alamogordo.
Motorists are urged to watch for construction
personnel working in the area, observe
temporary detours, and obey posted reduced
speed limit signs throughout the work zone.
The New Mexico Department of Transportation
is committed to the safety of the traveling public
and thanks you for your patience and
assistance while work is taking place.
For further information, please feel free to
contact Mary Ann Wootton, AUI, Inc., at 575-627-
2260 or Manon Arnett, Public Information Officer
for the New Mexico Department of
Transportation District Two, at 575-637-7200.
There will be a benefit for Capt. Sammy
Martinez on Friday, 11 April 2008 from 11:00 a.
m. to 7:00 p.m. $6.00 a plate. Green
enchiladas only, at the Moose Lodge on West
Main.
Fund established for local hero
ARTESIA - The Artesia Fire Department
estimates that Capt. Sammy Martinez has
responded to over 10,000 emergencies in his
career. Now, he is battling cancer and the AFD
is requesting your help. Please go to our
community events section to read the letter from
Fire Chief J. D. Hummingbird and get
information on how you can help a local hero
who has devoted his life to helping others.
ENMU-R hosting grand opening for CUB
ROSWELL - The public is invited to the Grand
Opening of the newly remodeled ENMU-Roswell
Campus Union Building (CUB) on Tuesday, April
15 at 12:30 p.m. Visitors can tour the new
cafeteria and meeting rooms and sample some
of the food served in the cafeteria. For the past
five months, the CUB has undergone an
extensive make over and is now ready to show
off to the community. The project called for the
renovation of close to 15,000 square feet of
existing space, as well as 4,667 square feet of
new construction. The new cafeteria features a
modern, spacious dining area. The kitchen,
service line, bathrooms, meeting rooms, and
service line were renovated, and the kitchen
equipment was upgraded. A new meeting room
was also added to the CUB. The $3.6 million
project was funded through local general
obligation bond funds.
The cafeteria opened to students and the public
the first week of March and can now seat 311
people, compared to 165 in the old space.
According to Food Services Director, Jim Baird,
the new cafeteria provides a variety of food
options and overall improved service to
students and other customers. Food venues
include the new Cougar Grill (hamburgers and
hot dogs), Crustano’s Sandwich Crafters
(specialty sandwiches), Sunset Strips (chicken
items and fries), Ancho Grill (Mexican), and
Bonici Eatery (Italian). Each of the venues have
warming chutes and signature salads with grab
and go items for less waiting. A full buffet will be
available each day, in addition to a soup and
salad bar and specialty coffee station. The
cafeteria is open to the public, as well as ENMU-
Roswell students and staff.
Dance concert scheduled
PORTALES—The Department of Theater and
Dance at Eastern New Mexico University in
Portales is presenting “Portals to the Soul,” a
student-choreographed dance concert at 7 p.m.
on April 9-12, and 2 p.m. on April 13 in the
University Studio Theatre.
Student choreographers including Rojun
Alexander, Josh Bullard, Sharon Bynum, Megan
Fajardo, Melanie Lucero, Desiree Markham,
Stephanie Miller, Domenic Nickles and Mary Ann
Sullivan will perform their new dance work as
well as guest choreographer and ENMU
alumnus Bryan Hahn and ENMU dance
faculty/artistic director Tomas Tamayo.
The concert will include dance performances
that reflect the spirit, mind, body, heart and
soul. Belly dancing, classical Javanese dance
drama, hip-hop, swing, jazz, theatrical and
modern dance.
Admission is $4
For more information, contact Shirlene Peters at
575.562.2711.
Rockfall protection project to begin on
U.S. 82 in Otero County
The New Mexico Department of Transportation
(NMDOT) in conjunction with AUI, Inc. will begin
rockfall protection project on U.S. 82 between
milepost 3 and milepost 8 in Otero County, April
14. Single lane closures will be in place while
work is being done.
Work includes slope stabilization, rock scaling,
retaining wall and wire rope rock retaining
systems. Work also includes clearing and
grubbing, dirt/rock excavation adjacent to
roadway. This will cause intermittent
interruptions to traffic flow for the duration of
project.
This $1.7 million project will increase safety
along this corridor. The project is scheduled to
be complete fall 2008. Work hours are
tentatively scheduled for Monday through
Thursday, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Maximum
efforts will be made to ensure minimized
disruption of normal traffic flow before 8:30 a.m.
and after 4:00 p.m.
AUI, Inc. a New Mexico owned corporation was
awarded the project March 27, 2008.
The NMDOT has made numerous improvements
over the last five to seven years, such as
guardrail upgrades, roadway rehabilitation,
lowered posted speed limits in some sections,
replaced signage, and has made this section of
U.S. 82 a safety corridor (which imposes double
fines for speeding). The department also
initiated an educational campaign geared
specifically for the trucking community
highlighting the steep grades between
Cloudcroft and Alamogordo.
Motorists are urged to watch for construction
personnel working in the area, observe
temporary detours, and obey posted reduced
speed limit signs throughout the work zone.
The New Mexico Department of Transportation
is committed to the safety of the traveling public
and thanks you for your patience and
assistance while work is taking place.
For further information, please feel free to
contact Mary Ann Wootton, AUI, Inc., at 575-627-
2260 or Manon Arnett, Public Information Officer
for the New Mexico Department of
Transportation District Two, at 575-637-7200.