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NEWS:
Volume 3, Number 84
June 2, 2008
June 2, 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 Hot, dry and windy conditions are expected across the Guadalupe Mountains, the southeastern New Mexico Plains and portions of the western Permian Basin today. These conditions will result in hazardous conditions for rapid fire growth and spread. A RED FLAG WARNING is in effect for these areas today. Fire weather concerns will continue Tuesday and Wednesday. Hot, dry and windy conditions will continue across the region. A FIRE WEATHER WATCH is in effect for southeastern New Mexico, the western Permian Basin and the Upper Trans Pecos Tuesday, spreading across the central Permian Basin Wednesday. Today: Sunny and hot, with a high near 105. South wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. West wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Tuesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 107. West wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to between 20 and 25 mph. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. Southwest wind between 15 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Wednesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 107. Windy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph increasing to between 25 and 30 mph. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy and windy, with a low around 67. Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 106. Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 70. Friday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 103. Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Saturday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. Sunday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 104. |
| 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. |
2008 Summer Reading Program at Artesia Public Library
ARTESIA - The Artesia Public Library is ready for the 2008 Summer
Reading Program. It begins on Tuesday, June 3, 2008, continues for nine
weeks, and ends on Saturday, August 2, 2008.
The program for children ages 0-11 is Catch the Reading Bug; for teens 12
and up it is Metamorphosis @ your library.
Many wonderful groups are presenting programs this summer to both
entertain and educate our children. The purpose of the Summer Reading
Program is not only to have kids learn while having fun, but also to show
them that reading is a lifelong adventure, and full of excitement in its own
right. Children are encouraged to read a minimum number of hours,
geared to age categories. Upon fulfillment of the reading commitment,
youths will receive a book, certificate, and award incentives. Artesia
schools will honor and recognize youths that participate in the 2008
Summer Reading Program when classes resume in the Fall.
There will be surprises, prizes and fun galore! Registration forms,
calendars, guidelines and gamesheets are available at the library. Children
in first grade and above are encouraged to apply for a free library card if
they do not already have one.
There will be a magic show by Jamie O’Hara; the NM Humanities Council
has sponsored presentations by Don Criss on Johnny Appleseed, and the
Storytelling Theatre by Johanna Hongell-Darsee. The Mobile Dairy
Classroom by Southwest Dairy Farmers, and Zoo to You from Albuquerque ’
s Rio Grande BioPark will be back with us. Kathryn Jones, Living Desert
Ranger, will present “Ooky Spooky Arthropods”, and NMSU Extension
service officer Jane Pierce will talk “All about Bugs.” Officer Beasley and
Kasey will return to read and share with the children. Andy Mason (singer
and musician) will again share his musical talents with kids of all ages.
Sid Hausman, author, storyteller and singer, will present Cactus Critter
Bash, his book on Southwest desert inhabitants, set to song. He will be
joining us for the first time and I know the children will love his presentation.
The Girl Scouts have offered to provide a weekly two-hour workshop for
girls, Ages 5-12, during both June and July. It is scheduled for 2-4pm on
Monday afternoons. They do require a separate registration, so when the
girls register for the Summer Reading Program, they can complete the
separate registration for the Summer Exploration @ your library at the
same time.
Other community groups will also share talents. Grammy’s House (Puppets
are Lifesavers) will be here a week in July and their puppets will share
important messages with the children. Debbie Bell of the Chamber of
Commerce will present two story and craft programs for preschoolers. Linda
Stevens of Artesia Clean and Beautiful will conduct a week of special craft
sessions for different ages. The Artesia Historical Museum and Art Center
will share the Brain Teasers exhibit with children 8 and above. There will be
a number of craft and story time programs for children in the library
throughout the summer. Community volunteer readers will help with story
times. PVT employees will be the guest readers at the PVT Storytime on
Fridays at 1:30 pm. We are currently filling the reader slots, so please
contact Geri Dosalua @ 575-746-4252 if you are interested in reading to
children. We are also looking for someone who would be willing to present
a workshop on knot-tying with the children.
Teens will have some special programs of their own, beginning with a Teen
Book Talk Session in early June. Grammy’s House will be presenting their
puppet program on “Friends don’t let friends use Drugs” for youths ages 10
and up. They will also present a Mask Imagery workshop for teens. Kathy
Kolt from the Artesia Drug and Crime Coalition will present several
programs for different ages during the summer.
The majority of programs will be at the Artesia Public Library, with several
exceptions due to size of audience. Jamie O’Hara’s magic show and
Johanna Hongell-Darsee’s Storytelling Theater will be at the Artesia Center,
and the Zoo to You program will be at the TLC Center at First Baptist
Church.
The Lapsit program will resume in the summer. Babies and toddlers, will
have specific programs geared to their level. The lapsit group for Newborn
to PreToddlers is scheduled for Friday mornings at 11:00 a.m Toddlers will
have their own session at 11:30 am.
Many craft programs will be held throughout the summer, designated by
age groups. Some programs require preregistration, and that is indicated
on the calendar.
Vendors and businesses from Artesia have been very generous in
supporting the reading program. We urge you to support their businesses
as well, so that they can help us serve the youth of Artesia. Many Artesia
citizens have also contributed to the Sponsor-a-Child Program which helps
fund the Summer Reading Program. We are grateful for all this assistance.
We look forward to great participation in a summer of fun and reading.
Questions can be addressed to Geri Dosalua, Youth Services Librarian.
Artesia Public Library, (575) 746-4252. Registration forms and information
packets are now available at the library so please come by and register
your children.
Go to What's Happening to get the SRP Calendar.
More filming in NM starts in June
SANTA FE—Governor Bill Richardson Friday announced the television
series, Crash, based on the Academy Award-winning motion picture, will be
shot in New Mexico.
Crash will be produced by Lionsgate and Starz Entertainment. The
production will begin shooting in June and will wrap up in October. They
expect to hire approximately 145 New Mexico crew members, as well as
local actors and background talent.
Governor Bill Richardson also announced that the Lifetime Original Movie
“Sex & Lies in Sin City,” produced by The Konigsberg Company and Sony
Pictures Television, will be shot primarily in New Mexico.
Mena Suvari (“American Beauty”) and Matthew Modine (“Weeds”) are set to
star in the film, based on the true story of the death of wealthy Las Vegas
casino heir Ted Binion and the ensuing trial of his lover and her con artist
boyfriend. The movie is based on the book Murder in Sin City by Jeff
German. Frank Konigsberg (Lifetime’s “Caught in the Act,” “The Last Don”)
serves as executive producer on the film, which will be directed by Peter
Medak (“Romeo is Bleeding,” “Carnivàle”) from a script written by Teena
Booth (Lifetime’s “A Little Thing Called Murder”).
The production will be shot from June 2 - 28 in Santa Fe and expects to
hire approximately 80 New Mexico crew members and over 650 actors and
background talent.
Since Richardson took office, over 95 major feature film and television
projects have shot in the state, adding over $1.6 billion dollars to New
Mexico’s economy.
Domenici remarks on federal probe
ALBUQUERQUE – U.S. Senator Pete Domenici, ranking member of the
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, issued the following
statement regarding Thursday’s announcement by the U.S. Commodity
Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) of several initiatives to increase
transparency in oil markets, including disclosure of an ongoing investigation
into crude oil markets.
“It is appropriate that the CFTC take steps to increase transparency in the
oil markets, and investigate whether market manipulation is occurring.
While it is clear that fundamental supply and demand issues are mostly to
blame for the current high price of gasoline, it is certainly worth examining
whether speculators are also having an impact.
“I look forward to the results of this investigation, which should help
Congress decide if any legislative action on market manipulation is
warranted. Understanding the extent of the problem and the best ways to
address it will be of great benefit to us down the road as we make decisions
in this area.
“In the meantime, Congress should pursue policies that will increase
American production, such as deep sea exploration and removing
roadblocks to developing oil shale. Having spent the last week with my
constituents, I know firsthand that the high cost of gasoline is severely
impacting their family budgets. In fact, it has been the most talked-about
issue at home. By increasing domestic production, we can send a strong
signal to the rest of the world that we will no longer be content to rely on
foreign oil.”
ARTESIA - The Artesia Public Library is ready for the 2008 Summer
Reading Program. It begins on Tuesday, June 3, 2008, continues for nine
weeks, and ends on Saturday, August 2, 2008.
The program for children ages 0-11 is Catch the Reading Bug; for teens 12
and up it is Metamorphosis @ your library.
Many wonderful groups are presenting programs this summer to both
entertain and educate our children. The purpose of the Summer Reading
Program is not only to have kids learn while having fun, but also to show
them that reading is a lifelong adventure, and full of excitement in its own
right. Children are encouraged to read a minimum number of hours,
geared to age categories. Upon fulfillment of the reading commitment,
youths will receive a book, certificate, and award incentives. Artesia
schools will honor and recognize youths that participate in the 2008
Summer Reading Program when classes resume in the Fall.
There will be surprises, prizes and fun galore! Registration forms,
calendars, guidelines and gamesheets are available at the library. Children
in first grade and above are encouraged to apply for a free library card if
they do not already have one.
There will be a magic show by Jamie O’Hara; the NM Humanities Council
has sponsored presentations by Don Criss on Johnny Appleseed, and the
Storytelling Theatre by Johanna Hongell-Darsee. The Mobile Dairy
Classroom by Southwest Dairy Farmers, and Zoo to You from Albuquerque ’
s Rio Grande BioPark will be back with us. Kathryn Jones, Living Desert
Ranger, will present “Ooky Spooky Arthropods”, and NMSU Extension
service officer Jane Pierce will talk “All about Bugs.” Officer Beasley and
Kasey will return to read and share with the children. Andy Mason (singer
and musician) will again share his musical talents with kids of all ages.
Sid Hausman, author, storyteller and singer, will present Cactus Critter
Bash, his book on Southwest desert inhabitants, set to song. He will be
joining us for the first time and I know the children will love his presentation.
The Girl Scouts have offered to provide a weekly two-hour workshop for
girls, Ages 5-12, during both June and July. It is scheduled for 2-4pm on
Monday afternoons. They do require a separate registration, so when the
girls register for the Summer Reading Program, they can complete the
separate registration for the Summer Exploration @ your library at the
same time.
Other community groups will also share talents. Grammy’s House (Puppets
are Lifesavers) will be here a week in July and their puppets will share
important messages with the children. Debbie Bell of the Chamber of
Commerce will present two story and craft programs for preschoolers. Linda
Stevens of Artesia Clean and Beautiful will conduct a week of special craft
sessions for different ages. The Artesia Historical Museum and Art Center
will share the Brain Teasers exhibit with children 8 and above. There will be
a number of craft and story time programs for children in the library
throughout the summer. Community volunteer readers will help with story
times. PVT employees will be the guest readers at the PVT Storytime on
Fridays at 1:30 pm. We are currently filling the reader slots, so please
contact Geri Dosalua @ 575-746-4252 if you are interested in reading to
children. We are also looking for someone who would be willing to present
a workshop on knot-tying with the children.
Teens will have some special programs of their own, beginning with a Teen
Book Talk Session in early June. Grammy’s House will be presenting their
puppet program on “Friends don’t let friends use Drugs” for youths ages 10
and up. They will also present a Mask Imagery workshop for teens. Kathy
Kolt from the Artesia Drug and Crime Coalition will present several
programs for different ages during the summer.
The majority of programs will be at the Artesia Public Library, with several
exceptions due to size of audience. Jamie O’Hara’s magic show and
Johanna Hongell-Darsee’s Storytelling Theater will be at the Artesia Center,
and the Zoo to You program will be at the TLC Center at First Baptist
Church.
The Lapsit program will resume in the summer. Babies and toddlers, will
have specific programs geared to their level. The lapsit group for Newborn
to PreToddlers is scheduled for Friday mornings at 11:00 a.m Toddlers will
have their own session at 11:30 am.
Many craft programs will be held throughout the summer, designated by
age groups. Some programs require preregistration, and that is indicated
on the calendar.
Vendors and businesses from Artesia have been very generous in
supporting the reading program. We urge you to support their businesses
as well, so that they can help us serve the youth of Artesia. Many Artesia
citizens have also contributed to the Sponsor-a-Child Program which helps
fund the Summer Reading Program. We are grateful for all this assistance.
We look forward to great participation in a summer of fun and reading.
Questions can be addressed to Geri Dosalua, Youth Services Librarian.
Artesia Public Library, (575) 746-4252. Registration forms and information
packets are now available at the library so please come by and register
your children.
Go to What's Happening to get the SRP Calendar.
More filming in NM starts in June
SANTA FE—Governor Bill Richardson Friday announced the television
series, Crash, based on the Academy Award-winning motion picture, will be
shot in New Mexico.
Crash will be produced by Lionsgate and Starz Entertainment. The
production will begin shooting in June and will wrap up in October. They
expect to hire approximately 145 New Mexico crew members, as well as
local actors and background talent.
Governor Bill Richardson also announced that the Lifetime Original Movie
“Sex & Lies in Sin City,” produced by The Konigsberg Company and Sony
Pictures Television, will be shot primarily in New Mexico.
Mena Suvari (“American Beauty”) and Matthew Modine (“Weeds”) are set to
star in the film, based on the true story of the death of wealthy Las Vegas
casino heir Ted Binion and the ensuing trial of his lover and her con artist
boyfriend. The movie is based on the book Murder in Sin City by Jeff
German. Frank Konigsberg (Lifetime’s “Caught in the Act,” “The Last Don”)
serves as executive producer on the film, which will be directed by Peter
Medak (“Romeo is Bleeding,” “Carnivàle”) from a script written by Teena
Booth (Lifetime’s “A Little Thing Called Murder”).
The production will be shot from June 2 - 28 in Santa Fe and expects to
hire approximately 80 New Mexico crew members and over 650 actors and
background talent.
Since Richardson took office, over 95 major feature film and television
projects have shot in the state, adding over $1.6 billion dollars to New
Mexico’s economy.
Domenici remarks on federal probe
ALBUQUERQUE – U.S. Senator Pete Domenici, ranking member of the
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, issued the following
statement regarding Thursday’s announcement by the U.S. Commodity
Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) of several initiatives to increase
transparency in oil markets, including disclosure of an ongoing investigation
into crude oil markets.
“It is appropriate that the CFTC take steps to increase transparency in the
oil markets, and investigate whether market manipulation is occurring.
While it is clear that fundamental supply and demand issues are mostly to
blame for the current high price of gasoline, it is certainly worth examining
whether speculators are also having an impact.
“I look forward to the results of this investigation, which should help
Congress decide if any legislative action on market manipulation is
warranted. Understanding the extent of the problem and the best ways to
address it will be of great benefit to us down the road as we make decisions
in this area.
“In the meantime, Congress should pursue policies that will increase
American production, such as deep sea exploration and removing
roadblocks to developing oil shale. Having spent the last week with my
constituents, I know firsthand that the high cost of gasoline is severely
impacting their family budgets. In fact, it has been the most talked-about
issue at home. By increasing domestic production, we can send a strong
signal to the rest of the world that we will no longer be content to rely on
foreign oil.”
Pool owners to pay for illegal pool
drainage
ARTESIA - Summer is coming and it promises to
be hot! One way to battle the heat is with a cool
dip in your pool. There are a couple of things of
which pool, spa and hot tub owners should be
aware: According to the Uniform Swimming
Pool, Spa & Hot Tub Code (USPSHTC), it is
unlawful to discharge the water from these onto
city streets or alley ways. As the more stringent
code, USPSHTC supersedes Municipal Code.
The Artesia Municipal Code specifies that,
“draining of swimming pools into the alleys within
the city can create soil conditions in which the
city's solid waste collection trucks and service
trucks of other utilities will create severe rutting,
making said alleys impassable.” City code
prohibits “the draining of swimming pools into
alleys of the city…. It shall be unlawful for any
person to drain any swimming pool into any
alley within the city.”
There has already been an incident where a city
sanitation truck got stuck in the mud that was
created when water from a pool was discharged
into the alley. The city ordinance states that the
property owner can and will be billed for the
actual cost of repair of the alleys or streets
damaged, as determined by the Infrastructure
Director. These costs will be reported to the
City Clerk and assessed on the next statement
for water, sewer & solid waste.
Building Inspector Danny Jones recommends
that pool owners needing to discharge water
from the pool do so by directing the outflow into
the sewer via the clean-out with a temporary
connection only.
If you have any questions or concerns, or to
alert the city of any unlawful draining, contact
Jones at 575.748-8298 or Code Enforcement
Officer Cheryl Hinkle at 575.748-8291.
You can't afford to drink and drive
SANTA FE – Governor Bill Richardson
announced the kick off of the second annual
100 Days and Nights of Summer anti-DWI
campaign. The highly successful program kicks
off on Saturday, May 31, 2008. 100 Days and
Nights of Summer is an intensive summer-long
effort to make New Mexicans safer by taking
drunk and reckless drivers off the road.
“100 Days and Nights of Summer was a huge
success last year,” said Governor Richardson.
“Last Summer State Police conducted more
than 100 checkpoints across the state and I
have directed State Police to conduct even
more this year.”
The start of this summer’s enforcement will be a
large sobriety checkpoint on the evening of
Saturday, May 31st. New Mexico State Police
and other law enforcement agencies will be
checking for drunk drivers on I-25 at the
Algodones exit.
Holidays and summer months have historically
been the deadliest on New Mexico roadways.
Preliminary DWI numbers year to date show a
decrease of 47% over last year as well as a
decrease in alcohol related fatalities this past
Memorial Day Weekend. This is the fourth year
in a row showing a significant reduction in
alcohol related fatalities.
There was a decrease in alcohol related
fatalities last summer due at least in part to the
increased number of checkpoints and increased
public awareness about anti-drunk driving
enforcement.
VOTE… Artesia for TitleTown.
Here in Artesia, we have long sported the
moniker "TitleTown." Now we have the chance
to get that word out across the country!
Go to http://sports.espn.go.
com/espn/titletown/index and vote for Artesia to
be the 20th city to be visited by "SportsCenter"
this summer.
"SportsCenter" will announce which of four cities
is selected by voters and the other 18 finalists
starting next week. "SportsCenter" will then visit
these 19 cities and Green Bay in July. Your vote
will determine which town most deserves the
title. So vote for Artesia and pass the word to
other Artesia fans!
If you're not 100% sure Artesia should be listed
as the nation's "TitleTown" then read the
submitted essays! That should remind you of
the spirit, the sea of orange, the ORIGINAL fight
song (which all by itself is impressive as it's not
just words to some university's tune!) and all the
excitement and sportsmanship that Bulldog
Football represents.
Just having a bowl to rival large universities, a
fan base that includes 99% of the population, a
dog pile, an award-winning band, an awesome
cheerleading squad and fireworks at every
home game is an experience that I imagine is
quite intimidating to rival teams should be
enough to clinch your vote! The state
championship record that includes wins in 3-A
and 4-A, often against larger schools makes
Artesia the logical choice!
drainage
ARTESIA - Summer is coming and it promises to
be hot! One way to battle the heat is with a cool
dip in your pool. There are a couple of things of
which pool, spa and hot tub owners should be
aware: According to the Uniform Swimming
Pool, Spa & Hot Tub Code (USPSHTC), it is
unlawful to discharge the water from these onto
city streets or alley ways. As the more stringent
code, USPSHTC supersedes Municipal Code.
The Artesia Municipal Code specifies that,
“draining of swimming pools into the alleys within
the city can create soil conditions in which the
city's solid waste collection trucks and service
trucks of other utilities will create severe rutting,
making said alleys impassable.” City code
prohibits “the draining of swimming pools into
alleys of the city…. It shall be unlawful for any
person to drain any swimming pool into any
alley within the city.”
There has already been an incident where a city
sanitation truck got stuck in the mud that was
created when water from a pool was discharged
into the alley. The city ordinance states that the
property owner can and will be billed for the
actual cost of repair of the alleys or streets
damaged, as determined by the Infrastructure
Director. These costs will be reported to the
City Clerk and assessed on the next statement
for water, sewer & solid waste.
Building Inspector Danny Jones recommends
that pool owners needing to discharge water
from the pool do so by directing the outflow into
the sewer via the clean-out with a temporary
connection only.
If you have any questions or concerns, or to
alert the city of any unlawful draining, contact
Jones at 575.748-8298 or Code Enforcement
Officer Cheryl Hinkle at 575.748-8291.
You can't afford to drink and drive
SANTA FE – Governor Bill Richardson
announced the kick off of the second annual
100 Days and Nights of Summer anti-DWI
campaign. The highly successful program kicks
off on Saturday, May 31, 2008. 100 Days and
Nights of Summer is an intensive summer-long
effort to make New Mexicans safer by taking
drunk and reckless drivers off the road.
“100 Days and Nights of Summer was a huge
success last year,” said Governor Richardson.
“Last Summer State Police conducted more
than 100 checkpoints across the state and I
have directed State Police to conduct even
more this year.”
The start of this summer’s enforcement will be a
large sobriety checkpoint on the evening of
Saturday, May 31st. New Mexico State Police
and other law enforcement agencies will be
checking for drunk drivers on I-25 at the
Algodones exit.
Holidays and summer months have historically
been the deadliest on New Mexico roadways.
Preliminary DWI numbers year to date show a
decrease of 47% over last year as well as a
decrease in alcohol related fatalities this past
Memorial Day Weekend. This is the fourth year
in a row showing a significant reduction in
alcohol related fatalities.
There was a decrease in alcohol related
fatalities last summer due at least in part to the
increased number of checkpoints and increased
public awareness about anti-drunk driving
enforcement.
VOTE… Artesia for TitleTown.
Here in Artesia, we have long sported the
moniker "TitleTown." Now we have the chance
to get that word out across the country!
Go to http://sports.espn.go.
com/espn/titletown/index and vote for Artesia to
be the 20th city to be visited by "SportsCenter"
this summer.
"SportsCenter" will announce which of four cities
is selected by voters and the other 18 finalists
starting next week. "SportsCenter" will then visit
these 19 cities and Green Bay in July. Your vote
will determine which town most deserves the
title. So vote for Artesia and pass the word to
other Artesia fans!
If you're not 100% sure Artesia should be listed
as the nation's "TitleTown" then read the
submitted essays! That should remind you of
the spirit, the sea of orange, the ORIGINAL fight
song (which all by itself is impressive as it's not
just words to some university's tune!) and all the
excitement and sportsmanship that Bulldog
Football represents.
Just having a bowl to rival large universities, a
fan base that includes 99% of the population, a
dog pile, an award-winning band, an awesome
cheerleading squad and fireworks at every
home game is an experience that I imagine is
quite intimidating to rival teams should be
enough to clinch your vote! The state
championship record that includes wins in 3-A
and 4-A, often against larger schools makes
Artesia the logical choice!