Sunflowers on the Shaffer's wild folk art garden gate,
Recently I've blogged less about arts. So where are they? Partly it's a hiatus and change of pace before going after sunflower like killing snakes (Southernism meaning once you start, you can't stop until you finish) or cleaning closets. Musing on the "arts" in Mountainair Arts lead me to look at definitions
Definition of arts from Princeton University: "humanistic discipline: studies intended to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills (rather than occupational or professional skills)." Yeah, I'd say that more than covers us (me & bloggie mcgee). More up my alley too.
That's it for "arts" this go-round. In the meantime... here's some local (which according to many is not just local but global & to Daniel Moynihan, "all politics are local.")
Tuesday August 7, 2007: Chamber of Commerce luncheon meeting at the Shaffer Hotel. Rescheduling from evening to midday luncheon meeting perked up chamber attendance. Meetings of yore had an unfortunate reputation for running too long and being either boring or contentious. No longer so. The meeting marches along briskly, following the agenda without digression. Prez Dorothy Cole speaks softly but carries a large mallet.
Additionally, the program for each meeting includes 1-2 brief presentations by business and organization members. August presenters were Scott Remmich on B Street Market and Larry Archuleta (Phil's brother-in-law) on P & M Signs, Mountainair's largest private employer, plant expansion and upcoming (August 20th) ground breaking festivities.
More announcements of interest but the notes did not make it with me to the library and will have to wait. Besides, this past meeting packed enough into just one hour to warrant a separate report including high points & announcements, which I'll try to get to - no promises though. After all, you can always check out a meeting for yourself. Maybe next time chamberly ptbs will send me an advance agenda and names of guest presenters to blog and further whet your interest.
I've been enjoying visiting & chatting with the Shaffer's new manager, Seneca Tomallo. I've met Senceca's toddler daughter too and look forward to meeting his wife Kate, an artist who is busy, busy commuting to work in abqq (IT support) and classes at UNM. Kate missed getting in on the arts tour, but maybe we'll see her work at Sunflower. I plan to blogzibit her work as welcome to Mountainair gesture and so you can all have a look.
Saturday August 4, 2007: Unofficial opening of the Depot at Jackass Junction, US 60E, across from
Turner Inn. Invitation only but serendipitious drop-ins welcomed. When I get pictures, there will be a separate review with pictures and an official grand opening with all the bells 'n whistles. Until then - no regular set hourse. If the open sign is up, come on in. Please park in front of the Depot (store) and not the main gate. A treat and definitely worth checking out ahead of the official opening. Aesthetician and art critic Walter Benjamin was not into Americana and the culture of the American West but surely would pronounce Maureen and Neil Hamilton's Depot as authentic and having aura.
Estancia Biomass Plant continues to be focus of discussion, dissension, controversy and strong feelings. Whatever your position, be sure it is an informed one and that you are doing your own homework instead of taking someone else's word without checking it out for yourself.
Alas neither position explores Rogerian approach or otherwise looks for middle ground both sides could live with. Hard questions could and should be asked all the way around - with zero tolerance for evasion and logical fallacies (which abound partout, thriving like evil and the proverbial green bay tree).
Next biomass plant hearing: Aug. 20 and 21 at the Moriarty Civic Center, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. If ou attend the meeting, be sure to carpool to keep your CO2 footprint eco-appropriate. If you can't, then write, call, e-mail or fax your indubitably well-informed opinion.
The board can choose to do one of four things with Curry's decision: overturn it, uphold it, modify if or send it back to Curry with directions for further consideration.... Three parties will present technical testimony at the hearing in August: Western Water & Power, NMED and Forest Guardians. Members of the public who wish to testify at the hearing must be sworn in by the court reporter. Everyone testifying will be subject to cross examination by anyone who is a part of the proceeding. "More than likely we will make a decision at the Sept. 12 meeting," [EIB vice chairman and hearing officer Gregory] Green said, referring to the next regularly scheduled EIB meeting. Depending on the complexity of the issue -- and if there are more people who want to testify -- Green is willing to leave the meeting open and schedule more days of hearings.
Articles & April blog with links to online resources
ALL Results for 2007 NM Senior Olympic Games - searchable by name, category, event, city: http://www.nmseniorolympics.org/db/_results_list.php
S.H.A.R.E. deadline for ordering locally, Friday August 10, 2007. Call Shirley Jones, 847-0114, or email
shobomntnr@aol.com. You can order online at
http://www.sharecolorado.com/ through August 17 for August 25 pickup at the Nazarene Church of the Nazarene. A look at the
August menu will show how much choice and higher end items (produce, grill boxes, steak packages, a la carte items) this program offers. Combine B St Market + SHARE + Mountain Friends (coop buyers group) to eliminate those onerous, time & energy wasting trips to grocer in another county.