Opinion

Los Alamos Facing Financial Challenge We Can’t Ignore

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By ALLAN SAENZ
Los Alamos

Los Alamos is facing a financial challenge we can’t ignore. From conversations with leaders across multiple organizations, it’s clear that times have changed. Many groups are struggling with fewer volunteers, fewer donors, and changing behaviors in how people give and shop. The Los Alamos Arts Council and Fuller Lodge Art Center are facing serious financial problems. The Senior Centers are looking at a funding gap of more than $200,000, driven in part by reductions in federal and state funding.

This is not an isolated case. Groups like 100 Men Who Care and 100+ Women Read More

Op-Ed: Los Alamos Our Arts Need Help!

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By BECCA JONES
Los Alamos

Code Red in Los Alamos: our town’s arts heartbeat is at risk.

The Los Alamos Arts Council and Fuller Lodge Art Center are facing a $10,000 year-end deficit, and they need our support now to remain thriving community anchors.

Why this matters…

These spaces offer essential, affordable access to the arts for all ages:

  • After-school programs for elementary students, a safe and welcoming environment where kids can explore creativity; giving kids a “third place”;
  • Adult art classes that build skills, foster community connections, and help neighbors reconnect with
Read More

Rule Of Law Advances A Civil And Engaged Democracy

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New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice David K. Thomson, Courtesy/NMSC

By Chief Justice David K. Thomson
New Mexico Supreme Court

I am pleased to announce the New Mexico Supreme Court’s fifth annual “Rule of Law” program. The goal of the program is to educate middle school, high school, and college students on the judiciary’s role in our democracy and how the rule of law secures a just and civil society. This year we will hold oral argument at the Henderson Fine Arts Center at San Juan College in Farmington on Aug. 28, at 1 p.m.

Normally, I write an op-ed in advance of the program to discuss the importance Read More

LALT Shines In Newest Production Of Julius Caesar

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The cast warming up for the opening of Los Alamos Little Theater’s production of Julius Caesar. Performances continue Aug. 14, 15, and 16. Courtesy/LALT

Review By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

When I heard that Los Alamos Little Theater (LALT) was going to do Shakespeare in the Park, I automatically thought it would do a comedy. A light-hearted, entertaining tale seemed appropriate for an open air venue. So I was a little surprised when I learned LALT had chosen Julius Caesar. Why, I wondered?

Turns out Shakespeare’s play appears, at least to me,  as a cautionary Read More

Pawlak: In For A Penny

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By JOHN PAWLAK
Advisory Board Member
UNM-Los Alamos

Okay, first of all, this letter has nothing to do with a penny. Absolutely nothing. Now, that being said, let’s talk about the penny. Due to the increasing price of copper and production, it costs four cents to mint/distribute a penny. Leave it to our government to lose money by making money, eh? 2025 will be the last year in which we mint the penny. Will this change the meaning of “A penny for your thoughts”?

OK, I didn’t want to talk about the death of the US penny, but rather about something more personal, your death. But let’s be honest, saying “Let’s Read More

Tell DPU How You Really Feel About Electrification

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COUNTY News:

The Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) wants to better understand community perspectives on electrification, or the gradual transition away from natural gas usage to electricity only.

An online survey on the topic was emailed to DPU’s utility customers today. The survey seeks feedback on DPU’s goal of achieving zero natural gas usage by 2070. A collaborative effort, the survey is being distributed by DPU while research and analysis is being conducted by the University of New Mexico (UNM) and New Mexico State University (NMSU).

Achieving the goal largely depends Read More

Tales Of Our Times: Fans Of Either Party Are Threats To Our Democracy

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Tales Of Our Times
By JOHN BARTLIT
Los Alamos

Fans Of Either Party Are Threats To Our Democracy

A funny thing happened on the way to the news forum. I started out to write a column about the National Environmental Policy Act of 1970 (NEPA). Before I was too far along, I got tangled up in the political linguistics of our time. Such problems catch many of us unawares, and often, I suspect.

When Americans hear the term “pillars of democracy”, a big bunch of them might think of Democrats; another large bunch might think of Republicans. Democracy itself benefits most from more awareness of free speech and Read More

Chamberlin: Response To Kelly Myers And Emma Abata

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By REBECCA CHAMBERLIN
Los Alamos

I wish to respond to the July 22 Op/Ed from Kelly Myers and Emma Abata (link).

I share their moral concern for the pain that the Palestinian people have experienced in the past 77 years, and I share their grief for the thousands of Gazans who are reported to have been killed, injured, or malnourished in the current conflict.

The situation is all the more tragic because so much of the Palestinians’ pain has been perpetuated by their own leadership, and maintained and fostered for decades by the UN agency that should have provided resolution to their displacement.

Read More

Goldman: About Benson’s Response To Rabbi Shlachter

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By TERRY GOLDMAN
Los Alamos

I write to appreciate Jody Benson’s civilized response (link) to Rabbi Shlachter’s post (link).

Of course, I have some quibbles with language. Bret Stephens’ NYT opinion piece (link) covers better than I can, the misuse of the word “genocide”. Benson degrades the meaning and power of that word just as those who call someone a Nazi for their bad (not even evil) behavior. We should all be more careful in our use of language.

My other objection is to the use of the term “ethnic cleansing”. As a member of a very large family of people repeatedly subjected to ethnic cleansing Read More

Saenz: Why SALA Is Hosting ‘Free Palestine’ Series

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By ALLAN SAENZ
Owner
SALA Los Alamos Event Center

Beginning this evening, SALA Los Alamos Event Center will host Free Palestine, a multi-part film and discussion series produced by an independent group that rented our facility. The announcement has sparked strong emotions across our community; several members have resigned their memberships, and our staff has received a number of angry phone calls and emails.

We write to clarify three points:

SALA’s Mission as a Public-Facing Venue

SALA is an event center first and foremost. We provide space for school recitals, church services, science Read More