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NEWS:
Volume 3,  Number 92
June 12, 2008
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Special weather information
provided by:
Wendell L. Malone,
Area Skywarn Coordinator
Eddy & Culberson counties
    THE WEATHER BOX
www.eddycountyskywarn.blogspot.com

      Isolated thunderstorms will be possible
across much of southeast New Mexico and
West Texas this afternoon and evening.  
Occasional cloud to ground lightning strikes
from these storms may be accompanied by
strong, gusty winds and hail.  Similar conditions
are expected to continue through Friday and
Friday evening.
      
Today: Sunny and hot, with a high near
104. North wind between 10 and 15 mph, with
gusts as high as 20 mph.
      
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around
64. South wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west.
Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
      Friday: Sunny, with a high near 98. North
wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as
high as 25 mph.
      Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low
around 67. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming
southeast.
      Saturday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a
high near 100. East wind 5 to 10 mph
becoming south between 15 and 20 mph.
Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
      Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low
around 70.
      Sunday: Sunny and hot, with a high near
102.
      Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low
around 71.
      Monday: Sunny and hot, with a high near
102.
      Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low
around 72.
      Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near
99.
      Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low
around 71.
      Wednesday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a
high near 100.
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.
Tips for smoother border crossings
EL PASO – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in El Paso are
providing border crossers several tips they may consider employing to
expedite their border crossing experience during the coming summer
months. These steps can help them cross the border quickly, safely and
without incident.

“Most area schools are now on summer vacation. As a result, we expect to
see some people who don’t regularly cross the border arrive at our
facilities,” said Arthur Gonzales, U.S. Customs and Border Protection acting
port director El Paso. “If the public adopts some of our tips, we believe we
can keep traffic moving while ensuring that our anti-terror mission and other
enforcement concerns are properly addressed.”

One of the most important changes from last summer is the implementation
of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative at land border crossings. Since
January 31, U.S. and Canadian citizens arriving for an inspection must
present documents to support their citizenship claims. Oral declarations are
no longer permitted. Individuals must present a valid passport to enter the
U.S. If individuals have not yet obtained a passport, CBP will accept a
government issued photo ID and proof of citizenship during this current
transition period. A limited number of documents also meet WHTI
requirements. More WHTI info can be found on
CBP.gov.

In addition to having the proper documents, travelers should prepare for
the inspection process before arriving at the inspection booth. Individuals
should have their crossing documents available for the inspection and they
should be prepared to declare all items acquired abroad. In addition,
individuals should end cellular phone conversations before arriving at the
inspection booth.

Travelers should plan to build extra time into their trips in the event they
cross during periods of exceptionally heavy traffic like weekends when the
annual Juarez Fair is being held. This includes Dedicated Commuter Lane
users. CBP is also reminding travelers that the DCL service hours were
recently expanded at both DCL locations, making the DCL program an
attractive option for any border crosser.

Travelers should familiarize themselves with the “Know Before You Go”
section of the CBP website to avoid fines and penalties associated with the
importation of prohibited items. ( Know Before You Go ) “Know Before You
Go” brochures are also available at border ports.

Members of the traveling public should consult the CBP website site to
monitor border wait times. ( CBP Border Wait Times ) Information is
updated hourly and is useful in planning trips and identifying periods of light
use/short waits. In addition to vehicle lanes, border crossing information on
select pedestrian crossing sites is also listed including El Paso’s Paso Del
Norte international crossing.

During periods of heavy travel, border crossers may wish to consider
alternative entry routes. For example, border crossers may want to use the
nearby and less heavily traveled Fabens or Santa Teresa ports of entry
instead of the El Paso port.

Visit the port of entry to obtain I-94 travel documents in advance of the
busiest holiday travel periods (4th of July, Labor Day, etc). This will allow
travelers who require I-94 documents (those planning to travel beyond the
border zone or stay in the U.S. for more than 30 days) to bypass those
lines when they formally enter the U.S. They will still be subject to the
inspection process.

Regarding I-94’s, travelers should not attempt to obtain this document at
the Paso Del Norte crossing. Because of an ongoing $26 million renovation
project, space is limited and travelers would be better served by obtaining
this document at an alternate crossing point.

Drivers should ensure that the vehicles they use to cross the border are
properly maintained and mechanically sound and that occupants avoid
riding in areas of vehicles not specifically designed to carry passengers.
Failure to follow these steps can expose crossers/passengers to carbon
monoxide. Keeping a close eye on the exceptionally young and old
members of your traveling party is also important as summer temperatures
often exceed 100 degrees in many border communities.

CBP officials continually monitor traffic and border crossing times and will
employ various traffic management operations to maintain the flow of traffic
during periods of exceptionally heavy usage.

The principal mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection is anti-
terrorism. CBP officers at border ports of entry are committed to identifying
and stopping terrorists and the tools of terror. As a result, border crossers
should continue to expect a thorough inspection process when they enter
the U.S. from Mexico.

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.

Council approves events, new businesses
ARTESIA - The Artesia City Council addressed several items at its regularly
scheduled meeting Tuesday evening, approving three upcoming events
and two home occupation applications.

In the section of the meeting reserved for hearing visitors, Edward Mullen
appeared on behalf of Bethel Baptist Church to request permission to use
Central Park on July 5th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for a Black Community
Reunion.  The request for the event was approved.

Danielle Moreno of the Artesia Chamber of Commerce requested
permission to use JayCee Park for the annual July 4th event, which will run
from 7 a.m. To 11 p.m.

Linda Stevens of Artesia Clean & Beautiful presented information on the
upcoming Electronic Waste Recycling Event scheduled for June 27th &
28th.  Stevens has distributed information about the event throughout the
community and adjacent communities.  For more information, contact
Stevens at 575.748.3192.

Five public hearings were scheduled and council approved home
occupation applications for George & Regina Mullen, and for Bessie Major.  
Council also approved the transfer of ownership of a liquor license to
Allsup's Convenience Store at 1910 W. Main Street, approved a summary
plat redivision for Quality Milk Sales, Inc., and approved an ordinance
amending rear-yard setbacks from 30 to 20 feet in four zoning districts.  

Human Resources Director Bill Thalman presented a final list of summer
recreation applicants that may be hired as summer recreation aides,
leaders, lifeguards and youth workers.  Thalman also explained a
restructuring of the Infrastructure Department, which shifted employees
from the Parks Department to Streets and Water and created a Facilities
Maintenance Department.

Congressmen on hand to welcome Raptors to Holloman
ALAMOGORDO – Members of the New Mexico congressional delegation
Friday formally welcomed the arrival of F-22A Raptor fighters to Holloman
Air Force Base Friday, a move signaling the launch of a new mission for the
southern New Mexico installation.

U.S. Senators Pete Domenici and Jeff Bingaman, as well as
Representatives Heather Wilson, Tom Udall and Steve Pearce, joined Air
Force and community leaders to welcome the aircraft and to commit to
supporting the two squadrons of F-22s that will be bedded down with the
49th Fighter Wing at Holloman.

“The world remains dangerous and we welcome the F-22s for what they
represent in protecting the United States and its interests.  Our enemies
are eager to attain emerging technology to challenge our national security,
and countering this lethal technology requires a superior weapons system.  
It’s like having a spear that is longer, stronger than your enemy’s.  I
consider the F-22 the ‘tip of the spear.’  It guarantees our air dominance
and the ability to defend our forces at any place, any time,” said Domenici,
a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.

“Today is a big day for Holloman Air Force Base.  Making Holloman home to
the next generation of fighter air craft demonstrates how major a role the
base plays in keeping our nation safe,” Bingaman said.  

“This has been a huge week for southern New Mexico,” says Wilson, a
former Air Force Captain.  “The F-22 Raptor is a forward-looking plane that
will be a key part of the Air Force’s arsenal for years to come.  And New
Mexico is perfectly positioned to help deploy these aircraft into combat.  
Once again, New Mexico is proving how important we are in the defense of
this country, and I’m honored to be here today.”




















                                                                         U.S. Air Force Photo/ Senior Airman Russell Scalf
F-22 Arrival
Col. Jeff Harrigian, 49th Fighter Wing commander, and Lt. Col. Mike Hernandez, 7th
Fighter Squadron commander, fly a pair of F-22A Raptors over White Sands National
Monument, on the way to Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., June 2. The jets are the first
two Holloman-tailed F-22's to arrive on base.

“The Raptor F-22s represent the next generation in air power, and New
Mexico is the perfect place for this new aircraft,” said Udall, a member of the
House Appropriations Committee. “Having these planes will ensure that New
Mexico continues to play a crucial role in defending America, and I am
proud to welcome them to Holloman.”

“Holloman Air Force Base provides the weather, the terrain, the wide open
spaces, and the radio spectrum availability for true combat
demonstrations.  The introduction of the F22s poses an enormous
economic benefit to the area and fulfills a critical national security need for
our country,” said Pearce.

Two 18-aircraft squadrons of F-22A Raptors are scheduled to be deployed
at Holloman Air Force Base, replacing the F-117 stealth fighters that had
been assigned to the base for almost 20 years.  Members of the delegation
have advocated continuing Department of Defense procurement of F-22
aircraft which could result in the Holloman squadron being expanded in the
future.

The Air Force also intends to place an F-22 Air Force Reserve Unit at
Holloman, which would give the base a broader mission and additional
personnel.  The Holloman unit will be an Air Force Reserve “classic
associate unit.”  As such, reserve pilots, maintenance and ground crews will
share use of the same F-22 aircraft used by the active units at Holloman.

In addition, the delegation is supporting the administration’s budget request
to provide $25 million for five new military construction projects to support
the F-22A at Holloman, including maintenance, repair and simulation
facilities.
ENMU alumni concert
PORTALES—The Eastern New Mexico
University Alumni Band will meet from June 19–
21 and present a free concert at 7 p.m. on
Saturday, June 21, at 7 p.m. in the Campus
Union Ballroom in Portales.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the
founding of the ENMU Alumni Band.  The
ensemble was founded to allow alumni the
opportunity to make music together following
graduation, enhance their friendships with one
another, preserve their bond to the institution,
and recognize the significant impact of their
mentor and director, Floren Thompson Jr.,
Director of Bands Emeritus.

The ENMU Band Alumni Reunion has been held
every two years since 1988, according to Jane
Henry, secretary of the Alumni Band Board of
Directors.

"It’s a lot of fun to rehearse under the capable
direction of Dustin Seifert for two days and
present a concert.  We have former ENMU band
students coming from Arizona, California,
Colorado, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania,
Texas and New Mexico. For some of us it will be
the last chance to see the Music Building before
it is remodeled with the addition of a new band
hall.  In looking in the archives we found the
Music Building opened in 1957 at a cost of
$500,000.00—over budget, of course, from
$379,000," she said.

Transformers sequel in Alamogordo
ALAMOGORDO - Governor Bill Richardson
Monday announced DreamWorks Pictures,
Paramount Pictures and director Michael Bay
will return to New Mexico to film major
sequences for T
ransformers: Revenge of the
Fallen
. The next installment of the box office hit
Transformers is expected to hit theaters next
summer.

“Transformers was a huge success and I am
pleased that Dream Works, Paramount Pictures
and Michael Bay have decided to return to New
Mexico to film the second installment,” said
Governor Richardson.

The first film, starring Shia LaBeouf, Tyrese
Gibson, Josh Duhamel, Megan Fox and John
Turturro, grossed more than $700 million
worldwide.

The current production has been prepping in
Alamogordo since April and expects to begin
filming in the fall.

Since Governor 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.

UNM wins EPA recognition
The University of New Mexico has won an
Energy Star Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
award from the Environmental Protection
Agency for reducing its energy use by 20
percent.

CHP, also referred to as cogeneration, is an
efficient, clean, and reliable approach to
generating power and thermal energy from a
single fuel source. By installing a CHP system, a
facility can increase operational efficiency and
decrease energy costs, while reducing air
pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

“Whether at home or at work, being energy-
efficient is a smart environmental and economic
strategy,” said EPA Regional Administrator
Richard E. Greene. “EPA is pleased to
recognize committed organizations like the
University of New Mexico that are making CHP
and other green technologies a fundamental
part of how they do business.”

EPA recognized the university for its natural gas-
fired CHP system at the Ford Utilities Center.
Part of a major energy infrastructure upgrade
project, the CHP system supplies the campus
with roughly one-third of its total electricity
demand and produces steam to help meet the
space heating, space cooling, and domestic hot
water production needs of more than 25,000
students, staff, and faculty. The CHP system
runs with an operating efficiency of almost 65
percent and requires 20 percent less fuel than
typical alternatives.

In addition to the University of New Mexico, EPA
recognized two other CHP award winners: the
Calpine Columbia Energy Center in Gaston,
South Carolina, and the Verizon Garden City
Fuel Cell Project in Garden City, New York.

Since 1999, EPA has given the Energy Star
CHP Award to recognize organizations and
institutions that install exceptionally efficient
CHP systems. EPA's CHP Partnership seeks to
reduce the environmental impact of power
generation. EPA works closely with energy
users, the CHP industry, state and local
governments, and other stakeholders to support
the development of new projects that have
significant energy, environmental, and economic
benefits. The program plays a vital role in
efforts to achieve a collaborative, public-private
goal of doubling the capacity of CHP in the
United States to 92 gigawatts (GW) by 2010.

Additional information about CHP, the Energy
Star CHP Award, and the EPA CHP Partnership
is available at
http://www.epa.gov/chp.

Poetry group opportunities
ARTESIA - Poetry in Motion is a group of writers
who get together to read our poetry, stories and
song lyrics to the group.

We endeavor to help each other get the results
we each are seeking from our individual efforts
whether that is to become published or to better
understand our lives.

We always have something to share and are
encouraged to do so in every meeting whether
it's a few words or a few pages, a question, a
hug.

We have plans for an Open Mike, fundraisers,
special guests, writers and storytellers, and
many more special events.

We meet every other Monday at the Artesia Arts
Council building, located at 510 W. Main in
downtown Artesia, New Mexico. Membership is
free and we have writers of all ages and
backgrounds.    

Write us at the poetry club's main email,
poetryinmotionartesia@yahoo.com, or call our
founder, Richard, at 1-575-317-4216 for exact
dates, times, and directions.

Enjoy the
website and we hope to hear from you
soon.
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