Published July 26, 2024

In this newsletter...

Listening Session, County Fair, and Other Events | CONE ZONE Possible Rate Increase | Public Safety News | Climate Action Plan | Furry Friend FridayCommunity Highlights | ...and much more!

TONIGHT July 26, George Michael Reborn at the Summer Concert Series!

Don't miss the amazing GEORGE MICHAEL REBORN show! It's a fantastic tribute to the late, great legend, George Michael! With his live vocals, Robert Bartko brings the energy and passion of George from the 80s and 90s to life. You just gotta have faith - you'll love it!

Summer Saturdays at White Rock Branch Library

July 27 │ 2 - 4 p.m.

White Rock Branch Library, 10 Sherwood Blvd, White Rock

Free Admission

Tomorrow, the White Rock Branch Library is hosting a family-friendly movie. This program is best suited for elementary-aged kids—children five and under need to be accompanied by a grown-up to help with activities.

Movie in the Park: Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile

July 31 │7 – 10 p.m.

Rover Park, Admission: Free

Enjoy a summer evening in the park with a fun, family-oriented movie. Bring your blankets, pajamas, and snacks to watch a movie under the stars!

The next County Council Regular Session is Tuesday, July 30 at 6 p.m.

Council meetings are held at the Municipal Building in Council Chambers (1000 Central Ave., Los Alamos). Meetings are at 6 p.m., and a Zoom option is offered for remote participation (Zoom Link).

View the published agenda packet. Some items of interest include...

• Award of Bid No. 24-74 to TLC Plumbing & Utility for Construction of Bathtub Row Reconstruction Project
• Approval of Contract for General Services, Agreement No. AGR24-65 with La Mesilla Arts LLC for the Purpose of Management of the Step Up Art Gallery
• Approval of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Composting and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) Grant Application for the Purpose of Developing a Community Food Composting Program
• Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code Ordinance No. 02-359; An Ordinance Amending Chapter 40 relating to Gas Rate Schedules

For more information on the County Council, visit the County Council web page. For more information, please contact the County Manager's office at 505.663.1750.

Be sure to check the Los Alamos County calendar for all public meeting information, or visit the County's Legistar page.

Summer Activity Guide is now available digitally!

Download it now here!



County Events Directory

Have you checked out the Events Directory on the new website? Events are listed in chronological order, searchable, and updated daily! Check it out!

Cone Zone Updates for the Week of July 29

Visit the Cone Zone page on the My Commute web page for all the latest information!

Get all the latest updates for projects, road construction, and special events. Find active projects and learn how they are progressing and if they will impact you! Active projects will be updated weekly.

County Council to consider rate change

July 30 | 6 p.m.

With approval from the Los Alamos Board of Public Utilities (BPU), the Los Alamos County Council will now consider a gas rate increase during a public hearing at the Council meeting on Tuesday.

For more information, read the full news article here.

Parks invites the community to second listening session for BMX Track

July 31 | 6 – 7:30 p.m.



The Los Alamos County Parks and Open Space Division is still seeking feedback from the community as the planning process continues for the proposed BMX park on North Mesa. The upcoming Listening Session hosted by Action Sports Design will collect community input to assist Parks in understanding key community issues, priorities, and goals related to the project. This meeting will be similar to the in-person meeting held on June 20, 2024.

The Listening Session will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, from 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 810 1170 8797

Passcode: 639071

For more information on the planning process, please visit the project page, or contact Wendy Parker at wendy.parker@lacnm.us or call 505-663-1771.

Atomic City Transit After School Express Routes Resume Wed., August 7

Atomic City Transit is pleased to announce Express Routes will resume operations beginning Wednesday, August 7 in conjunction with the start of school.

Express Routes are amended to meet the new Los Alamos Public Schools release time:

• Elementary Schools 8:10 a.m. - 2:40 p.m.
• Middle School 8:40 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Please call Atomic City Transit at (505) 661-RIDE (7433) for additional information, or use the ACTracker to locate your bus route in real-time.

For the specific route service schedules, visit the Atomic City Transit Routes Schedules website.

For more information, read the full news article here.

We want to hear from you...

Last week's poll results...

Did you attend any of the ScienceFest events this past week?

• Yes - As much of the event as I could! - 14.2%
• Yes - Some of it. - 21.7%
• Yes - Only the Friday Night Market and Concert - 4.7%
• No - I was out of town or unavailable. - 28.3%
• No - I didn't want to attend. - 23.6%
• No - I didn't know about it. - 7.5%

What was your favorite part of ScienceFest this year?



• Friday Night Market - 9%
• Saturday Discovery Day - 16.7%
• Discovery After Dark - 6.4%
• Beyond the Realms of Possibility - 11.5%
• Nature Center Events - 9%
• Panels and Discussions - 6.4%
• Valles Caldera Tour & Hike - 3.8%
• I didn't have a favorite. - 9%
• I didn't want to or was unable to attend. - 21.8%
• I didn't know about this. - 6.4%

Living with Wildlife...

Fun facts about the Bald Eagle!

• Bald is a deviation of balde, an old English word meaning white. The eagle was named for its white feathers instead of a lack of feathers.
• Bald eagles can swim
• They can fly at altitudes over 10,000 feet
• Their eyesight is 8 times stronger than ours
• The grip of a bald eagle talon is 10x stronger than that of humans
• Had Benjamin Franklin prevailed, America's emblem might have been the wild turkey not the bald eagle.
• The largest bald eagle nest on record, in St. Petersburg, Florida, was 10 feet in diameter and 20 feet tall.

What is the Jemez Mountain Salamander?

Jemez Mountains salamanders have a hairline furrow from the nostril to the edge of the upper lip. There are clusters of teeth at the back of the roof of the mouth. Adults are generally brown with fine, brassy flecks. Throats and undertails are lighter. The total length is 1 1/2 inches to 4 1/ 2 inches, of which about half is tail.

Jemez Mountain salamanders lack lungs and obtain oxygen directly through the skin. The skin is very thin and must be moist for breathing to occur, and dryness is quickly fatal.

Their normal food consists of insects and other small invertebrates, including mites and spiders.

Learn more about the Abert's Squirrel! 

• Abert’s squirrels live, nest, feed and seek refuge from enemies mostly in Ponderosa pine forests, but also can be found in mixed coniferous forests where they are likely to have been introduced by humans.
• All Abert’s squirrels have prominent ear tufts and long, bushy tails. During the winter, ear tassels measure about an inch in length, but become shorter in summer.
• The tail — being half of their length — it is often used as an umbrella to shade from overheating
• Abert’s squirrels are active year-round from sunrise to sunset, retiring at night and during fowl weather. 
• Abert’s will bark if exited.
• Abert’s do not hibernate but will sleep through periods of cold and resume foraging as temperatures warm.

To learn more about living with wildlife, visit the NM Game & Fish website at www.lacnm.com/NMGF. For information on how to contact NM Game and Fish, visit the Contact Us page on their website.

LAPD Announces the Appointment of Deputy Chief of Police James Rodriguez

The Los Alamos Police Department is pleased to announce the appointment of James Rodriguez as the new Deputy Chief of Police. Deputy Chief Rodriguez brings over 20 years of dedicated service and experience to the position.

Deputy Chief Rodriguez began his career with the Las Cruces Police Department in February 2004 as a patrol officer. In October 2005, Rodriguez was hired by the Los Alamos Police Department. He started as a patrol officer, progressing through the ranks of Corporal, Patrol Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, Police Commander, and now Deputy Chief of Police. Over the years, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership, exemplary teamwork, a high standard of professionalism, a commitment to community policing, and an unwavering dedication to the safety and well-being of our citizens.

For more information, read the full news article here.

Photo courtesy LA Daily Post

Found Unclaimed Bicycles

The Los Alamos Police Department has received numerous unclaimed bicycles in recent months. If you are the owner of a missing bicycle, we kindly request that you contact the department at (505) 662-8222 and inquire with the Evidence Department. We require a detailed description of the bicycle, including its color, brand, and any specific identifying features. Our objective is to ensure the rightful return of these bicycles to their owners. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Furry Friend Friday!

Have you seen our adoptable furr-ever friends Romeo, Jasper and Max? Check out the website today, or stop by and visit the Los Alamos Animal Shelter (226 East Rd., Los Alamos). All adoptions include spaying and neutering, FELV/FIV and heartworm tests on cats, heartworm tests on dogs, microchips, and all vaccinations.

Learn more about the Climate Action Plan and get involved!

For additional information on this project and the County’s sustainability efforts, visit https://lacnm.com/Sustainability or email the County's Sustainability Manager, Angelica Gurule, at angelica.gurule@lacnm.us.

2024 Los Alamos County Festival, Fair & Rodeo NEXT WEEK!

August 2-4

Friday

Fair Exhibits | 3-8 p.m., Mesa Public Library

Saturday

Festival & Fair | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Parade | 10 a.m. Central Ave., Los Alamos

County Rodeo | 2 - 5 p.m., Brewer Arena, Los Alamos

Cowboy Dinner & Dance | 5 - 9 p.m. Los Alamos Sheriff’s Posse Lodge

Sunday

Stroll the Stables | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., North Mesa Stables

Rodeo | 1-5 p.m.

Admission

Fair, Festival and Parade: Free

Rodeo:

2 yrs & under FREE

Youth (3 - 17) & Seniors (60+): $5

Adults (18 - 59): $10

Family of 4: $25

The 2024 Los Alamos County Fair & Rodeo is almost here! This year, we will have a variety of fun exhibits, including knitting, arts and crafts, horticulture, and baked goods. Don't forget about the pie competition!

The parade theme for this year is "Roping the Dream." All ages are encouraged to register for a parade entry. Everyone is invited to come out, pick a spot, and enjoy the festivities. Parade entry registration is free and limited to first-come, first-served. Registration is open for more information follow the link here.

For more information, visit the event page here.

Bradbury Science Museum Announces New Exhibit

Come and explore the latest exhibit at the Bradbury Science Museum, where you can delve into the captivating world of the "Project Y Photographers." These talented individuals were the creative minds behind the lens during the Manhattan Project. Immerse yourself in their fascinating stories and experience a visual journey through time with a collection of historical images, anecdotes, and even the cameras used during that significant period. Don't miss the chance to visit the Bradbury Science Museum.

Los Alamos Site of Manhattan Project National Historical Park Hosting Day of Peace and Remembrance in Observance of Atomic Bombings of Japan

Manhattan Project National Historical Park, in partnership with Pearl Harbor National Memorial (NM), will host four "Days of Peace and Remembrance" across its three sites and at Pearl Harbor National Memorial to commemorate and reflect on the 79th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Japan in 1945.

The Los Alamos event will take place on Thursday, August 8th at 6:30 p.m. MDT. In collaboration with Friends of MAPR-LA and Los Alamos Arts Council the park will host a viewing of the documentary film Richland followed by a silent luminaria viewing at 8:00 p.m. MDT in the historic Memorial Rose Garden on the grounds of Fuller Lodge. This quiet introspective experience focuses on providing participants the opportunity to walk the lighted path, remember and reflect. Visit Los Alamos Lights for Peace for more information.

The public is also invited to write messages of peace on the luminaria bags available at the park Visitor Center located at 475 20th St. Suite C Los Alamos, NM 87544. The park is also accepting Messages of Peace written on white paper bags, dimensions 6" x 3-5/8" x 11" via mail, and electronically by sending the park a message at mapr_information@nps.gov. Visit Messages of Peace for more information about these programs and how to participate.

Los Alamos County is hiring for a range of fields!

With numerous openings in various areas, we’re sure to have a right position for you. Join our team! Apply today!

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