Published September 9, 2022

Mesa Public Library to host Internet Safety Program and free online resources

Online scams are more prevalent than ever but not always easy to recognize. The staff at Mesa Public Library will be presenting a free public program on internet safety on Tuesday, Sep. 13th from 7 to 8 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to attend virtually via Zoom livestream or in person in the conference room on the upper level of Mesa Public Library.

This program emphasizes scams that target seniors but will be beneficial for anyone, and all ages are welcome. Anyone struggling to keep up with the digital age and the game of internet scammers should consider attending. This program will cover common techniques used to separate you from your money and information and will help you learn to recognize “phishing” attempts, better protect yourself online, and feel more confident while browsing the world wide web.

As a supplement to this program, the library system also offers digital resources through Udemy, an online learning environment that offers educational modules on internet safety. This service is free to library patrons and only requires a library card number to sign in.

If you’re interested in attending this program, please visit the event calendar at LosAlamosLibrary.org or call (505) 662-8257 to register. Hosted by graduate student Meagan Carter. Thanks to the Friends of Los Alamos County Libraries for making library programs and services possible. 

September 20 Council meeting to be a work session

The next Los Alamos County Council meeting is a work session and will take place on September 20th, at 6:00 p.m., in Council Chambers, 1000 Central Ave., Los Alamos. This will be an in-person/Zoom hybrid meeting.

View the complete agenda packet for this meeting here.

Weekend water work to occur on Trinity

Water line work this weekend will slightly divert traffic traveling east on Trinity Dr. (NM-502) this weekend while water main connections for The Hills Apartments are tied into Los Alamos County water lines at Trinity Dr. and 35th St.

The work is scheduled to occur between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The work will be on the southern edge of Trinity Dr. near 35^th St. for about 400 feet. Traffic will be diverted from the eastbound lane closer to the center of the road.

Engineering staff from the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) encourage drivers to exercise patience when approaching the work zone. The work is scheduled for the weekend to avoid further impacting already heavy traffic on Trinity during the regular work week.

County Parks Division reminds the public there is no fishing in Ashley Pond Park 

Los Alamos County Parks Division would like to remind the public there is no fishing in Ashley Pond Park. Parks employees have received several calls and complaints recently from individuals who have witnessed others fishing in the Pond, prompting the reminder. 

Parks Superintendent Wendy Parker explains, “Although there is no ordinance preventing fishing, the park is the centerpiece of our town and an area for recreational use and enjoyment, but is not intended for fishing activities.” 

Los Alamos County is centrally located in a recreation-rich environment with several fishing options within an easy distance. The Valles Caldera National Preserve, Santa Fa National Forest, and area lakes all provide opportunities for excellent fishing. Whether you are a skilled fly fisherman or new to fishing, there are activities for every skill level and age throughout the area. 

New Mexico Game & Fish (NMGF) is the best overall resource, with specific Fishing Information for every situation, and a Fishing Waters Map to help you find locations such as Los Alamos Reservoir, the Rio Grande, and other fishing access nearby, as well as across the entire state. Fishing in New Mexico requires a license. Visit the NMGF permit and licensing page to learn how to obtain one before your fishing adventure begins. 

Visit these additional sites for more information about fishing options across New Mexico: 

Valles Caldera National Preserve Fishing 

Santa Fe National Forest Fishing 

Fenton Lake State Park 

Abiquiu Lake Recreation Area 

New Mexico True Tourism Page Fishing Information

Labor pains and rains

Employees with the Los Alamos County Parks Department are requesting the public’s patience. The year’s extremely wet monsoon season has brought welcomed drought relief, while simultaneously creating an explosion of vegetation throughout the county. This of course means additional challenges for a department that is already feeling pinched due to staff shortages.

The Los Alamos County Parks team has been busy mowing and trimming the remarkable growth from the rains this season. Unfortunately, vegetation management is only one of the many tasks for this team. This dynamic and diverse team cleans restrooms, picks up trash, prepares athletic fields, supports the concert series, rodeo, pavilion rentals, dog parks, irrigation repairs, burial services, and much more. Along with these regular maintenance services, the Parks team is also burdened with the continuous vandalism of playgrounds, restrooms, and signs.

Parks Superintendent Wendy Parker shares, “We ask for a little patience and understanding for the Los Alamos County Parks team. Each request for service or service gap shared with the group is on a list. Staff is managing priorities each day to meet the maintenance needs to maintain a safe and functional system.”

While the rain added a small complexity to the maintenance schedule, Los Alamos County is feeling the brunt of the labor shortage just like our other local businesses. According to Parker, the Parks team alone has seven open full-time positions, which is a 33 percent reduction in staff for this team alone. These positions have been open since last April. To attract candidates the Parks team has expanded recruiting, changed job descriptions, and begun offering hiring bonuses to try to fill these voids.

“The team is working hard to get caught up. So please be a bit patient if you see something a little overgrown or not maintained. Please rest assured that if we are notified of an issue, it is added to the list that is re-prioritized each day,” said Parker.

Finally, Parker asks the community for help to spread the word. “If you know anyone looking for a career working outdoors in a variety of duties, send them to the Los Alamos County Human Resources site https://www.losalamosnm.us/government/departments/human_resources.”

Interested individuals are encouraged to reach out to Wendy Parker, Park Superintendent, at (505) 662-8170 for more information. Parker notes that Parks is not the only County Division looking for staff. As of this week, Los Alamos County has 31 open positions with some of the positions listed for multiple hires. Parker thanks the community for its understanding as the Parks team works through the Labor pains of rains. 

Health Commons–did you know?

At the Health Commons, two healthcare providers, the New Mexico Department of Health and Las Clinicas Del Norte, are available to serve the community. The Health Commons is located at 1183 Diamond Drive, Suite D, across from the High School on the left side of the building. The New Mexico Department of Health is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Las Clinicas Del Norte has office hours in Los Alamos every Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The Department of Health offers many resources, among them are sexual health services, such as STI/STD, HIV, and pregnancy tests. Family planning services include multiple methods of birth control and free condoms to encourage safe sex. Services for women and children, such as breastfeeding support and supplemental food (WIC), are also available. Other services include vaccines (COVID and others), harm reduction programs, and Children’s Medical Services.

Las Clinicas Del Norte offers medical services including primary care, counseling, and health promotion services. Most counseling services are offered via telehealth to assist with behavioral health and case management issues. Community Healthcare Workers provide patient education on preventative health and chronic disease. Students have access to useful resources as well, for example, sports physicals, prescriptions, birth control, and STI/STD testing. Staff at Las Clinicas Del Norte emphasize their availability to assist clients whenever there is a healthcare need.

The Health Commons is a community resource with free and insurance billable services for people of all ages and walk-ins are always welcome. Health Commons staff are here to help, they are understanding of all situations, and will see anyone with no judgment and with full confidentiality. The New Mexico Department of Health office can be reached at (505) 662-4038. The phone number for Las Clinicas Del Norte is (505) 695-1616.

Facing it Together Series: 

The Sculpture and Photography of Jack Bordnick 

September 8 - October 4

Santa Fean Jack Bordnick’s sculptural and photographic imagery reflects his past and present forces and the imagination of his life’s stories. The predominant imagery deals mostly with the faces of both living and non-living beings and things. They are expressed in many forms and images and speak to us in their own languages.

10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Mon. - Thurs.

10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Fridays

10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Saturdays

Step Up Gallery at the Mesa Public Library

FREE

For details visit: stepupgallery.org

Bandelier welcomes first Artist in Residence for the 2022 season

Bandelier National Monument is once again hosting artists in the park and welcomes the first of three Artists in Residence for the 2022 season, Ms. Sarah Colby. Sarah was born in northern New Mexico and raised in the Rocky Mountains. She is married to a retired Army Chaplain and has a son in the Navy. Sarah has an MFA in Creative Writing from Sierra Nevada College and an exuberant interest in making the ordinary luminous. She is currently working on a manuscript of poems about her experiences as a military family member. 

Bandelier’s Artist in Residence Program offers professional artists the opportunity to live and work in the historic district of Frijoles Canyon, close to the sacred sites of the Ancestral Pueblo People for one month. Artists are invited to seek and share the inspiration they get from Bandelier with visitors. Sarah will be providing public presentations later this month.  

The National Park Service Artist in Residence Program affords great opportunities to draw inspiration from the unique landscapes that the agency protects. With diverse historical and natural sites, along with access to knowledgeable park rangers and staff, artists are sure to discover new perspectives.  

Bandelier National Monument is open every day from sunrise to sunset. In Frijoles Canyon, the park visitor center and the park store (operated by Western National Parks Association) is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm and the café, Sirphey at Bandelier, is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.   

Park entrance fees are $25 per private vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, or $15 per bicycle/individual. All entrance passes are valid for 7 days. Camping fees are not included in entrance fees. America the Beautiful– the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands passes are accepted for entrance fees. The full suite of America the Beautiful – the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands passes as well as Bandelier Annual passes are available for purchase at the visitor center. For more information about types of passes and prices, visit: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm.