YOUR FREE ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE
DECEMBER 4, 2014
The Deadly
Also Inside: Reindeer Run
Dragon and Rose Concert
Tarantula Girl
The Historical Society Holiday Open House
Roswell Daily Record’s
GARY ALLAN
Thursday, December 4, 2014 Volume 20, Issue 23
DECEMBER 5
Publisher: Charles Fischer Editor: Rey Berrones Ad Design: Sandra Martinez, Steve Stone Columnists: Donald Burleson, Klas Åhman, Ben Mattice, Sara Woodbury
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Submissions: Call 622-7710, ext. 309, for writers’ guidelines. Vision Magazine is not responsible for loss or damage to unsolicited materials. Vision Magazine is published twice a month at 2301 N. Main St., Roswell, N.M. The contents of the publication are Copyright 2012 by the Roswell Daily Record and may not be reprinted in whole or part without written permission of the publisher. All rights reserved. One copy of each edition is provided to 13,000 weekday subscribers to the Roswell Daily Record in the first and third Friday newspaper of each month. An additional 3,000 to 5,000 copies are made available free of charge to county residents and visitors and select site newsstands, and direct mailed to non-subscribers in the retail trade zone. Subscriptions are available by mail for $2 a month or free through subscription to the Roswell Daily Record. The Roswell Daily Record and Vision Magazine are represented nationally by Paper Companies Inc.
On The Cover
TESLA
JANUARY 24 8PM TICKETS FROM $25 For tickets visit InnoftheMountainGods.com or or call (800) 545-9011
Mescalero, NM near Ruidoso | Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
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The locally produced, Deadly Tarantula Girl Youtube channel recently reached a quarter of a million views. See page 13 to find out what the fuss is about. Photographer: Rey Berrones
JUMP AROUND. 6TH ANNUAL DUMMY GELUNDE SKI JUMP Saturday, December 20, 2014 Dummy Gelunde: 3-4:30 pm | Torchlight Parade: 6-8 pm Build your best snow-riding dummy, tie him to a pair of skis or a snowboard and watch him fly down the hill and off our giant ski launch! Then, hang out for our torchlight parade down Capitan Trail followed by a spectacular fireworks show and more!
ACTIVIDADES
The Reindeer Run
Courtesy Photo
The road racing series comes to a close with the 30th annual Reindeer Run
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By Rey Berrones Vision Editor unners and walkers of all shapes and sizes will be braving December's early chill as they go dashing through Roswell. Many will be in festive costumes as they enjoy the final runner's race of the year. The rewards at the end of their trek are plentiful: prizes for the top contenders, drawings to win coveted items and the knowledge that one has helped local food banks stock up before the winter holidays. The 29th annual Reindeer Run is set to take off from the Roswell Convention and Civic Center on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 9 a.m. Participants will make use of the Spring River Corridor to complete one of four Reindeer Run races: the 10k run, the 10k walk, the two-mile run or the two-mile walk, before making their way back to the Convention Center. Cost to participate is $20 plus a nonperishable food item; after Dec. 5, the cost to register is bumped up to $25. The food donation would still be a requirement. A $1 discount applies to members of the Roswell Runners Club — the organization mostly responsi-
ble for the event — as well as for members of groups of 10 or more. A commemorative, embroidered sweatshirt is afforded to those who register for the race. There will be prizes for overall winners — one male, one female — in each race. There will also be prizes for winners from each age division. Additionally, there will be a series of drawings after the races for a variety of highly contested prizes, such as gift certificates for Pecos Flavors Winery, Peppers Grill & Bar, and a variety of other merchants. The Reindeer Run helps collect on average 250 pounds of food each year, race organizer Bob Edwards said. This year's run is made possible with the help from Rio Pecos Medical Associates, Roswell Recreation Department, Noisy Water Artwear and Callaway and Sons Auto Tech. For more information about the Reindeer Run, call Edwards at the Parks and Recreation Department at 624-6720, or Rio Pecos Medical Associates at 622-6322.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014 | VISION MAGAZINE / 3
.COM for more information, call 575-464-3600 OR Visit SkiApache.com! *Weather permitting.
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Your friendly neighborhood center
NMMI musicians slate Winter Concert
The New Mexico Military Institute Music Department will present its annual Winter Concert at 7 p.m. on Dec. 11 in Pearson Auditorium. Admission is free, but seating is limited, so guests are encouraged arrive early. The annual NMMI Music Department Winter Concert will open with the singing of an a cappella arrangement of the National Anthem by the NMMI Vocal Ensemble. Then the NMMI Concert Choir, led by Choral Director Lt. Col. Steve Thorp, will sing the traditional Ukrainian folk song “Carol of the Bells” and an upbeat arrangement of the holiday favorite “We Three Kings.” The choir will conclude its portion of the concert by singing selections from the Disney movie “Frozen”—including the filmʼs opening suite of Norwegian folk songs and its megahit “Let It Go.” Two members of the Vocal Ensemble, Francesca Kurtz and Joshua Mote, will then perform the duet “The Prayer”— made popular by singing sensations Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion and the 1949 Billboard hit by Frank Loesser, “Baby, Itʼs Cold Outside.” The Headquarters Live! Jazz Band, under the direction of Bandmaster Capt. Bill Lamb, will get the instrumental portion of the concert
started with the classic Don Menza tune, “Groovinʼ Hard.” Next they will feature the Vocal Ensemble duo as they sing “The Man with the Bag.” Kicking into high gear for Christmas the band will play a Paul Clark arrangement of “Jingle Bells.” The singers will return for the Charlie Brown Christmas favorite “Christmas Time is Here,” and close with a rock version of “Angels We Have Heard on High” that will surely get your toes tapping. The Regimental Concert Band will open things up with a Karl King march, “Gallant Marines.” The Christmas Song and “A ʻCan Canʼ Christmas” will put us in the Holiday mood and we will close with the traditional Irving Berlinʼs “God Bless America.” The concert will conclude as the band, joined by the Concert Choir, will perform the traditional “Christmas Sing-A-Long” led by Lamb and Thorp. The NMMI Concert Choir, Faculty-Staff Chorale and Vocal Ensemble will also perform in the annual First Sergeantʼs Candlelighting Service to be held at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 13 in the NMMIʼs Alumni Chapel. For concert information contact Lt. Col. Steve Thorp at 624-8443.
4 | VISION MAGAZINE / THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014
MUSIC
The Belly Dance and Band Extravaganza
By Rey Berrones Vision Editor
The Dragon and Rose Recording Studio is hosting an all-ages show on Dec. 6
O
Nova Rush in the Dragon and Rose Studio
n Dec. 6, Dragon and Rose Music Studio is inviting the public to come out and enjoy five local bands while they raise money to complete the recording studio. According to Jeffery Cabana, "We are a full time recording studio, Monday Saturday, but we also do free events. On Saturday we do an open jam which is free to the public to either view or play. We are big supporters of the local arts community, not just music, but dance, photography... everything. "The Dragon and Rose has been open to the public for a year. Before that, it was in the building stage. It took us a year just to build it as it is now, and it has come out of
our pockets to do this. "That year of building was to create a low reflection room. There is room recording and booth recording, and our idea was to do it a little warmer, like they did in the old days with the room recording. "All of our walls are bounce neutral, with no reflection from any of these walls. The idea was to make the room acoustically sound. "Our goal with the show is to raise money for the studio. Our prices are low so musicians can afford it. We can't afford to do a lot of things that we have been trying to do, like finish our ceiling so that it is as acoustically sound as the rest of the building. "We will be taking donations at the door, and we will
Courtesy Photo also be having a raffle. Tickets will be $3 each, or two for $5. The grand prize will be recording time. One complete song, tracked, recorded, mixed and mastered. "It is going down December 6, from 6 p.m. to midnight. The official name we are going with is the Belly Dance and Band Extravaganza. "We have a very well known local belly dancer, Marita De La Pena coming to belly dance as the highlight of the show, since she has such a big following. We also have five bands playing that night. The bands are the Sonic Architects, Mary Annette, Nova Rush, Renegade, and the Cosmic Purple Carrot. "Our open jam nights are SEE DRAGON ON PAGE 14
Ongoing Events Roswell
Every Week, Mon - Sat
Lest We Forget: Roswell Army Airfield - The Early Years This Walker Aviation Museum display will remain through the end of the year. This exhibit features a short history of the base and many items from the WWII era, as well as information about the planes that flew at Roswell Army Airfield from 1941-1945. The museum is open from 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. For more information, call 3472464 or visit wafbmuseum.org.
Every Week, Mon - Sat
Peace Through Strength This Walker Aviation Museum exhibit is a tribute to the 579th Strategic Missile Squadron assigned to Walker Air Force Base during the early 1960s. The squadron was responsible for operating and maintaining 12 Atlas missile silos around the greater Roswell area. The exhibit was funded through a grant from the Association of Air Force Missileers. The museum is open from 10 a.m. 3:30 p.m. For more information, call 347-2464 or visit www.wafbmuseum.org.
Every Wed
Sing Out Loud at Club Revue Sing Out Loud, Wednesdays, from 9pm to 11:30pm, at Club Revue, located at 3905 SE Main. Enjoy karaoke night with no cover charge and drink specials. Sing Out Loud is a 21 and over event. For more information call 623-8557
Every Week, Tues, Wed, Thurs
Games at Pair-A-Dice Pair-A-Dice game shack, located at 309 N. Main St., holds weekly gaming events. Tuesday from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. is
Trading Card Game night, featuring free play of games like Pokemon, Yu Gi-Oh!, Card Wars, My Little Pony and collectible card games. Wednesday from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. is board game night. Thursday is Miniature Night, featuring paint and play for games like Warhammer from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Friday nights feature Magic: The Gathering from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday afternoons have special featured games, which change weekly. For more information, call 575623-4263, or email vbriseno@pairadicegameshack.com
Every Week, Wed
Weekly Knockout The Roswell Fighting Game Community presents Weekly Knockout at The Unity Center located at 108 E. Bland every Wednesday from 7 p.m. - midnight. Dragonpunch with Ken, slash with Sabrewulf and smash with Kirby all night long without disturbing your neighbors. Casual and competitive gamers are welcome. Bring your favorite games and set up. All games are welcome. For more information, visit facebook.com/RoswellFGC.
Every Week, Wed, Sat
Karaoke at Billy Ray始s Restaurant and Lounge Karaoke at Billy Ray始s Restaurant and Lounge at 118 East Third St. from 9 p.m - until people stop singing.
Every Thu
Ritmo Latino at El Toro Bravo Ritmo Latino plays El Toro Bravo at 102 S. Main St. from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. For more information, call El Toro Bravo at 622-9280.
Every Week, Fri, Sat
David and Tina at El Toro Bravo David and Tina plays El Toro Bravo at 102 S. Main St. from
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6 p.m. - 8 p.m. For more information, call El Toro Bravo at 622-9280.
Every Saturday
Cuic Gonzales at El Tapatio Cuic Gonzales plays Latin Pop and Country music at El Tapatio at 3012 N. Main from 6 p.m - 9 p.m. For more information, call El Tapatio at 578-1915.
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2602 N. Main Street Roswell, NM 88201
Bus. 575-627-2123 Fax 877-437-0179 TF. 866-627-2123 james.mcclelland@edwardjones.com www.edwardjones.com California Insurance License OC24309
Every Saturday
Open Mic at Ginsberg Music Ginsberg Music opens up the stage every Saturday from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. P.A. system and drums are provided, all other instruments must be brought by the musician.
Every Saturday
Open Jam at Dragon and Rose Open Jam Every Saturday from 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. at Dragon and Rose music studio located at 4504 W. Second St. For more information, call 575840-5744.
Every Sunday
Sandbox Sundays Sandbox Sundays, every Sunday, from 1pm to 5pm, at Carmine始s Italian Eatery, located at 625 N. Main. Enjoy summer jams to Top 40 Favorites with live music performed by Digital Beat Junkeez and DJ Tao In The Mix. For more information call 578-1914.
Ruidoso
Every Week, Thu
Karaoke at Cree Meadows Lounge Karaoke with DJ Pete, every Thursday evening from 6 p.m. - 11 p.m. at Cree Meadows Lounge. There is also an all you can eat taco bar for $5.95 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 6 >>
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014 | VISION MAGAZINE / 5
>>5
October 24 - January 5
Calendar
Carlos Kemm The Roswell Artist-in-Residence program and the Roswell Museum and Art Center present Carlos Kemm. Over several decades, Kemm has explored numerous techniques along with various methods of assemblage and applications that have evolved and represented in his current works. Each piece has emerged out of spontaneous play and may been looked upon as having been borne out of an experiment, and active dreaming. The use of dimensional space from images adhered at various heights and depths within the visual plane add a visual intimacy. His works are also painted and inked, adding yet another visual texture. For more information, call 6246744.
November 26 - January 17
Michael Hurd Exhibit: Drawings and Watercolors A special exhibition of Michael Hurdʼs drawings and watercolors featuring works not previously seen by the public. Michael is the artist/owner of the Sentinel Ranch and The Hurd Gallery and Guest Homes. He is the son of the celebrated artists, Peter Hurd and Henriette Wyeth. For gallery hours and more information, visit wyethartists.com.
Carlsbad
November 28 - December 31
Christmas on the Pecos A Unique Christmas Wonderland - Christmas on the Pecos - is from November 28 - December 31, every evening except Christmas Eve. Imagine an evening boat ride on the Pecos River with illuminated backyards and is-
lands of twinkling lights. The holiday spirit shines through as wise men and angels sparkle in a fairyland of lights. Tickets are $15 for Sunday Thursday and $20 for Friday and Saturday for 13 and over, or $10 for Sunday - Thursday and $15 for Friday and Saturday for children five - 12. For tickets, please call the office at 575-887-6516 or visit christmasonthepecos.com.
Cloudcroft
November 29, December 20
SantaLand Visit with Santa and have a marshmallow roast with hot chocolate in Zenith Park on November 29 and December 20. Santa arrives at 5 p.m. For more information, visit coolcloudcroft.com.
Roswell
December 4
Randy Rogers Randy Rogers is playing Way Out West located at 4709 West Second. Tickets are $20 in advance, and $25 the day of the show. For more information, call 575-627-2072, or visit wayoutwestroswell.com.
December 4
Arias, Carols and Songs Xcellent Music at AMoCA presents Rising Stars of the
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6 | VISION MAGAZINE / THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014
Santa Fe Opera. Thursday, December 4 at 7 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m. Free admission, reception following. Featuring Soprano Amy Owens, Bass-Baritone Calvin Griffin, and Pianist Kirt Pavitt. For more information contact the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art at 575-6235600.
Alto
December 5
The Four Preps Christmas Show The Four Preps, featuring Original Lead Singer Bruce Belland, play a Christmas Show at the Spencer Theater on December 5 at 7 p.m. Itʼs the most wonderful time of the year. The songs of the hit pop-harmony ensemble The Four Preps stir up a memory or two – hits like “26 Miles (Santa Catalina)”, “Big Man,” “Down By The Station,” and “Dreamy Eyes” – memories as dreamy and warm as an old-time Christmas morn. The Four Preps will certainly share such era-favorites during their Christmas Show, which sparkles bright with more than a dozen traditional favorites like “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “The First Noel,” “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear,” “Hark The Herald,” “Winter Wonderland” & other holiday classics. The Four Preps were fresh out of Hollywood High in the Fab 50ʼs when the million-seller “26 Miles (Santa Catalina)” took the country by storm in 1958. With this song, as well as The
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Four Preps style and enormous success, countless young artists were inspired. Soon after the tuneʼs release, the group was featured in “Life” magazine and were the guest artists on countless “Ed Sullivan” and “American Bandstand” shows and with classmate Ricky Nelson in numerous episodes of “Ozzie and Harriett.” Now, in their 56th year of performance, The Four Preps are still fronted by original lead singer Bruce Belland, who is joined by the well-matched vocal force of Bob Duncan (formerly of the Diamonds), Michael Redman & Skip Taylor (from the Crew Cuts). Their Christmas Show is a harmonious gift thatʼs cheery and bright, delivered with an elegance and style that reminds us this truly is the most wonderful time of the year! The performance starts at 7 p.m., with a beef and shrimp kebab buffet before the show at 5 p.m. Tickets for the performance are $39, $55 and $59. Preshow buffet tickets are $20. For more information, call 1888-818-7872 or visit spencertheater.com.
Roswell
December 5
Stanley and the Search Stanley and the Search plays with Roomers, Captin and Wagoner at the Unity Center located at 108 E. Bland. Doors open at 5 p.m. For 7 >>
>>6 more information, visit facebook.com/theunitycenter.
December 5
Christmas FX Christmas FX Illusionist, David and Teesha Laflin, a family show, will be hosted at 5:30 p.m. at Grace Community Church located at 935 W. Mescalero Road,. Tickets are $5. Children 18 and under are free with a paying adult. For more information call Grace Community Church at 6235438.
December 5
Grupo Maldad Grupo Maldad plays the Roswell Adult Center located at 807 N. Missouri on December 5, from 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. For more information, call 624-6718.
Ruidoso
December 5
Gary Allan Country music singer-songwriter Gary Allan may be Southern California born, but heʼs got the heart and voice of a true Nashville country superstar. Allan will perform for one night only at Inn of the Mountain Gods on December 5. Allanʼs nine studio albums and Greatest Hits package have produced 26 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, Allan draws heavily from what he calls “the evolution of getting better,” mixing honky-tonk bravado and grainy isolation,
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all the while mining the emotional turf that fuels a life welllived. Of those 26 hits, five of them reached #1 including “Man to Man,” “Tough Little Boys,” “Nothing on but the Radio,” “Watching Airplanes,” and “Every Storm Runs Out of Rain.” Other hits you can look forward to hearing include his cover of Vertical Horizonʼs “Best I Ever Had” and “Right Where I Need to Be.” His unwavering uniqueness has earned him seven gold albums and three platinum, amongst raves and praises from fans and critics across the world of country. If his music isnʼt enough for you, Allan was also named “Countryʼs Sexiest Man” in “Country Weekly” magazineʼs 2013 poll. Donʼt miss Gary Allan at Inn of the Mountain Gods at 8pm on Friday, December 5. For more information, call 464-7777 or visit innofthemountaingods.com.
Roswell
December 6
Holiday Open House Holiday Open House, Saturday, December 6, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Roswell Mu-
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seum and Art Center, located at 100 W. 11th St. Prepare for the holidays by warming up at the Roswell Museum and Art Center with hot chocolate, warmed mulled cider, hors dʼoeuvres and festive music. Children are welcome to participate in supervised hands on activities. There will be ornament decorating activities, multiple Planetarium shows, and a scavenger hunt. There will also be hot chocolate and marshmallow roasting on the museum patio. For more information call 624-6744.
December 6
Nathan Craven Open Studio Ceramic artist Nathan Craven is having a Holiday Sale and Open Studio on Saturday, December 6 from noon - 5 p.m. at his studio located at 1404 W. Berrendo Rd. (in the N.W. corner of the property). See his latest project, “The ZigZag Wall.” Be the first to own a piece made in collaboration with Nancy Fleming. Free ornament while supplies last. For more information, visit nathancraven.com.
fully decorated floats and Christmas carolers. For more information visit mainstreetroswell.org.
December 6
Upland Workshop Pheasant Hunt The Upland Workshop and Youth Pheasant Hunt is Saturday December 6. Bitter Lake is hosting one day upland game workshop and hunt for youths 17 years of age or younger. For more information please call 575-6254009.
December 6
Belly Dance and Band Extravaganza Come out and support the Dragon and Rose Music Studio located at 4504 W. Sec-
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ond St. while enjoying the sweet talents of Marita, the Snake Dancing Belly Dancer, and several out-of-this-world bands. In addition to the amazing entertainment, the studio will be offering concession and a raffle for prizes including free studio recording time. Admission will be free but donations are highly encouraged. Please, come out and have some fun. People of all ages are welcome. Doors open at 6 p.m.
December 7
Enchanted Christmas Open House The annual Enchanted Christmas Open House is slated for
10 >>
December 6
Electric Light Parade Christmas Electric Light Parade, Saturday, December 6, at 6 p.m., beginning at College Blvd and Main Street. The annual parade brings the Christmas spirit with beauti-
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ountry artist Kevin Fowler will play a show at The Liberty, 312 N Virginia Ave, on Monday, December 8. His recent record How Country Are Ya? was released via his newly founded record label, Kevin Fowler Records. Fowler says of this release, “This one is on my own label with my buddies like we used to make records. I wanted to feel right at home, go back to the well, and not get into any outside influences. I really felt like I wanted to make music closer to all my anthems that people scream along to at shows.” Fowler is known for his engaging live performances as evidenced by his extensive social media following. Recently, his music video for “Panhandle Poorboy” was released on the Country Music Television (CMT) channel. Texas country singer-songwriter Kevin Fowler took a couple of years to take stock of his artistic career, launch his
own record label, then write and record How Country Are Ya? the old-fashioned way. How Country Are Ya? – Fowler’s seventh studio album and his first for Kevin Fowler Records in a joint venture with Nashville’s Thirty Tigers - is the good-timing, traditionsteeped and honky-tonkstomping Amarillo native’s return to basics effort. A year in the making, the album features 15 fresh tunes (he wrote all of them except for the raucous instrumental “Mousturdonus“) and was produced by Ken Tondre, Fowler’s drummer, at Tondre’s The Compound Recording Studio in Austin. One of the most potent songs on How Country Are Ya? is “Panhandle Poorboy,” a completely autobiographical piece that’s clearly the centerpiece of Fowler’s mindset during the creation of the disc. Simply put, he wanted to come back home. “The last couple of records have been on Nashville record
MUSIC
Kevin Fowler to play the Liberty
Courtesy Photo
Fowler brings his Texas Country sound to the Liberty stage on December 8
labels,” Fowler said, referring to 2007’s Bring It On, released on Equity Music Group, and 2011’s Chippin’ Away, released on Average Joe’s Entertainment. “But this one is on my own label with my buddies like we used to make records. I wanted to feel right at home, go back to the well, and not get into any outside influences. I
really felt like I wanted to make music closer to all my anthems that people scream along to at shows.” Plus, How Country Are Ya? is chock full of Texas-centric collaborations. Earl Dibbles Jr., the alter-ego of Dallas-bred Granger Smith, provides the disc’s no-nonsense intro. Amy Rankin, one half of Austin’s The Rankin Twins, croons with Fowler on the emotionally evocative number “Before Somebody Gets Hurt.” San Antonio’s Grammy winners Los Texmaniacs crank up the South-of-the-border ambiance
of “Borracho Grande.” Kingwood, Texas’ rebel-rouser Davin James lends his big personality to the hilarious “Chicken Wing.” And Huntsville, Texas newcomer Cody Johnson stirs straight-up country action on “Guitars and Guns.” Members of The Liberty and their guest are invited to attend. For more information please visit thelibertyinc.com or Pecos Flavors Winery. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the event is 21+.
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CULTURE
A Roswell holiday tradition returns
Rey Berrones Photos
Every year, the Morning Garden Club decorates the historic house and welcomes the holiday season
T
By Rey Berrones Vision Editor
he Historical Museum of Southeast New Mexico, on 200 N. Lea, has been an icon in the historical district of Roswell and is in the holiday spirit. As of late the museum is gearing up for its holiday open house with the help of the Morning Garden Club, which is a yearly tradition. While keeping up with the holiday season the Historical Museum will be hosting a Christmas open house reception, Dec. 7, from 1-4 p.m. Refreshments and door prizes will also be available while touring the immaculate, white house adorned with decorations from the early 1900s. Each room is decorated to resemble what the house would have looked like in its prime. The simplest of details are accented to make one feel as if stepping back in
time. The dining room has a antique chandelier over the dining table with the finest china. The work of the Morning Garden Club is vivid to cover every possible detail in which this historic home comes to life. According to Tina Williams,
director of the Historical Society, "It is the big unveiling, the big reveal for the Christmas Decorations and we will have carolers, Santa Claus, an organist on the antique pump organ. We will fire that up and have Christmas music." She added, that if weather
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permits, there will be horsedrawn carriage rides. The house that is the Historical Museum, is also known as the White House, previously owned by JP White. Construction on the house began in 1910 and completed in 1912. The style of the home is called ‘prairie’ or ‘schooner’ a design developed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the early 1900s. Several of the rooms and driveway were later added in 1916. The third floor and basement were added in 1920. The house has 14 rooms, three baths, attic and basement. The ceilings are 10 and a half feet high and the house is mostly woodwork of oak and the floors are hardwood. The house now acts as a museum and has archives available to scholars of local history. The antiques in the home also serve and are available for special events like weddings, receptions, meetings and Victorian-era Valentines dinners. Williams said, "We will have refreshments in the archive building." She went on to say that they will have they will have many of the local authors that have written books about local his-
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Since 1990
tory that are available in the Historical Society bookstore. In addition, author Linda Sanchez, who recently presented at the museum will also be there signing books. She also said that during the open house, "There is a 10 percent off sale in the bookstore." Donations keep the museum functioning. The museum’s main source of donations come from the Heritage Dinner and garage sale which provide funds for the upkeep of the building. The museum continues to be a tourist stop for those who are interested in Roswell’s historical past and those dedicated in preserving Roswell’s past have done a good job in doing so. Currently there is a special exhibit that features Bob Chewning. Williams said, "The open house is a great opportunity to see the Bob Chewning exhibit, which will close at the end of the month." For more information on the Roswell Historical Museum call 622-8333.
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014 | VISION MAGAZINE / 9
>>7 Sunday, December 7, from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Please join the Historical Society for Southeast New Mexico for an afternoon of refreshments, entertainment, Door Prizes, holiday cheer and special guests. Located at 208 N. Lea at the Historical Museum.
December 7
Christmas Classics with the RSO The Christmas Classics concert with the Roswell Symphony Orchestra is Sunday, December 7 at 2:30 p.m. at the NMMI Pearson Auditorium. For tickets and more information call (575) 623-5882 or visit www.roswellsymphony.org
Hobbs
December 7
Chris Isaak Chris Isaak is performing Sunday, December 7 at the Lea County Event Center at 7 p.m. Tickets are available online at hobbsroadtrip.com or selectaseatlubbock.com and available at the Lea Event Center Box Office. Tickets will also be on sale at the doors on Sunday, December 7, 2014. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Isaak is a singer, songwriter and actor with several gold records and notable appearances in films by David
Lynch, Jonathan Demme and John Waters. Isaakʼs best known song is “Game”. Though released on the 1989 album Heart Shaped World, an instrumental version of the song was later featured in the 1990 David Lynch film “Wild at Heart”. Lee Chesnut, an Atlanta radio station music director played the vocal version and it became the stationʼs most-requested song. Chesnut spread the word to other radio stations and the single became a national Top 10 hit in February 1991. The music video for the song was directed by Herb Ritts and was a MTV and VH1 hit. Shot in black and white, it featured Isaak and supermodel Helena Christensen in an encounter on the beach. Another less-seen version of “Wicked Game” directed by David Lynch comprises scenes from the film “Wild at Heart”. In 1995, Isaak released his Forever Blue album. Borrowing his brotherʼs guitar, Isaak taught himself how to play and started writing songs as a teenager. He found early inspiration in country musicians such as Hank Williams whom his father liked to listen to on to the radio. Frequenting second hand stores with his mother, Isaak continued his musical education by buying used records and discovering
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firsthand the power of early Rock and Roll, an experience that helped to shape Isaakʼs enduring sound. Isaak moved to San Antonio and started as a solo act, but in the early 1980s Isaak formed a rockabilly influenced group called Silverstone. The early days were challenging as Isaak and the band played every Bay Area bar and club trying to make their name. Isaakʼs luck turned around when he caught the attention of producer Erik Jacobsen, best known for his work in the ʻ60s with Lovinʼ Spoonful, Tim Hardin and Norman Greenbaum. With Jacobsenʼs help, Isaak scored a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records. In 1985 Isaak released his debut album, Silverstone. The record received considerable critical praise earned raves from other artist such as John Fogerty and became as a major commercial hit in a number of international markets. Backed by his band mates including drummer Kenney Dale, Johnson and Bassist Rowland Salley, who continues to play with him to this day, Isaak established a reputation as a crowd pleasing live performer wherever he went. For more information, call 575-391-2900 or visit hobbsroadtrip.com.
Roswell
December 8 Kevin Fowler
Country artist Kevin Fowler will play a show at The Liberty, 312 N Virginia Ave, on Monday, December 8. His recent record How Country Are Ya? was released via his newly founded record label, Kevin Fowler Records. Fowler says of this release, “This one is on my own label with my buddies like we used to make records. I wanted to feel right at home, go back to the well, and not get into any outside influences. I really felt like I wanted to make music closer to all my anthems that people scream along to at shows.” Fowler is known for his engaging live performances as evidenced by his extensive social media following. Recently, his music video for “Panhandle Poorboy” was released on the Country Music Television (CMT) channel. Members of The Liberty and their guest are invited to attend. For more information please visit thelibertyinc.com or Pecos Flavors Winery. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the event is 21 and over.
Artesia
December 9
White Mountain Christmas White Mountain Christmas with the Flying J Wranglers is at the Ocotillo Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Celebrate Christmas the Western way by joining the Flying J Wranglers for an evening of great music, humor and yuletide
CALENDAR
cheer. Tickets are $20 and $10. For more information, visit artesiaartscouncil.com.
Roswell
December 9
Hemlock Hemlock plays Ginsberg Music located at 210 N. Main St at 7 p.m. This is an all ages show. Admission is $10.
December 11
NMMI Winter Concert The New Mexico Military Institute Music Department will present its annual Winter Concert at 7 p.m. on Dec. 11 in Pearson Auditorium. Admission is free, but seating is limited, so guests are encouraged arrive early. The concert will conclude as the band, joined by the Concert Choir, will perform the traditional “Christmas Sing-A-Long” led by Lamb and Thorp. The NMMI Concert Choir, FacultyStaff Chorale and Vocal Ensemble will also perform in the annual First Sergeantʼs Candlelighting Service to be held at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 13 in the NMMIʼs Alumni Chapel. For concert information contact Lt. Col. Steve Thorp at 624-8443.
Artesia
December 11
A Mariachi Christmas A Mariachi Christmas with Mariachi Aguila de Aztlan and Ballet Folklorico Paso Del 11 >>
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10 | VISION MAGAZINE / THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014
Gift Tickets available at our box office. They make great stocking stuffers!
4501 N. Main Roswell, NM 88202 Movie Hotline (575) 623-1010
>>10 Norte is at 7:30 p.m. at the Ocotillo Performing Arts Center. The rich tradition comes to the Ocotillo. Stomping feet, thrilling horns, swirling dresses and lively violins fill the air as Mariachi Christmas, for the first time, takes to the Ocotillo Stage to ring in the holiday season. Tickets are $20 and $10. For more information, visit artesiaartscouncil.com.
Alto
December 11
Flying J Wranglersʼ Christmas Show The Flying J Wranglersʼ holiday show features rich melodious western yodeling, vocals, fiddle and guitars in a program of traditional favorites and new and classic western/cowboy Christmas songs, instrumentals and homespun comedy. Featuring six outstanding musicians and vocalists, The Flying J Wranglers are: James, a singer/songwriter and rhythm guitarist; his wife Cindy, a distinguished three-octave vocalist and WMA National Western Style Yodel Champion (and comical sketch character); the renowned multi-instrumentalist Randy, (guitar, mandolin, banjo, dobro and vocals); cowboy Chaney on upright bass and
vocals; fiddler and vocalist Corinna, and baritone vocalist Greg. Since first making camp at The Flying J Ranch in 1982, more than 600,000 visitors to Lincoln County have enjoyed the troupeʼs home-cooked chuckwagon meals and western music stage shows. Their Christmas concerts are now in demand too – a seasonal gift to audiences in New Mexico, Arizona and Texas that started with the Spencerʼs first Flying J Christmas presentation in 2003. The performance starts at 7 p.m., with a pork chop buffet before the show at 5 p.m. Tickets for the performance are $30, $33 and $36. Pre-show buffet tickets are $20. For more information, call 1-888-818-7872 or visit spencertheater.com.
Hobbs
December 11-14
A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol Tickets are now on sale for our 2014 Christmas Production, “A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol.” Everyoneʼs favorite classic holiday tale gets the fractured fairy-tale treatment. All the famous fairy-tale characters take on all of the memorable roles of Dickensʼs A Christmas Carol. Youʼll never know who will show up next as the Big Bad Wolf (as
Ebenezer Scrooge) meets his old business partner Jacob Midas (Marley), who could turn anything to gold. Midas warns Big Bad that heʼll be visited by The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future (played by a Fairy Godmother, Old King Cole, and the Queen of Hearts respectively). The ghosts make Scrooge realize what a scoundrel heʼs been to the Charming (or Crachit) family — including Prince Philip, Cinderella and their kids, Hansel, Gretel and Tabitha, their Little Match Girl — and help him to remember what the Christmas spirit is all about. This fun-filled adaptation stays true to the warmth and heart of the classic. Show dates are December 11 - 13 at 8 p.m. and December 14 at 2 p.m. All seats are $10, and can be purchased online or at the door. For more information, visit communityplayersofhobbs.com.
Roswell
December 11
Asleep At The Wheel Western swing band Asleep at the Wheel will play a show at The Liberty, 312 N Virginia Ave, on Thursday, December 11. Now in their 44th year of performing, Asleep at the Wheel have won 9 Grammy awards. They have also been
voted Best Country & Western Band by Rolling Stone, awarded Touring Band of the Year by Academy of Country Music, and honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by Americana Music Association, Asleep at the Wheel has toured with Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Bob Dylan, George Strait, Merle Haggard, Lyle Lovett, Ray Price, Alice Cooper and many more. Raves Billboard Magazine, “Everything this act has ever released is simply spectacular.” General admission tickets are available for $55 and VIP tickets for $75 at thelibertyinc.com or at Pecos Flavors Winery. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the event is 21 and over. For more information on The Liberty, tickets, or to become a member, visit thelibertyinc.com.
CALENDAR
Annual Christmas Program Graceʼs Annual Christmas Program, Saturday, December 13 at 6 p.m., or Sunday, December 14 at 9 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. Located at 935 W Mescalero Rd. Full musical presentation featuring the Grace Community Church Choir and musicians led by Worship Pastor John Cantu, along with a message from Pastor Rick Hale on “A Servantʼs Heart.” If you would like your event listed on the entertainment calendar, please email vision@rdrnews.com or call 622-7710 ext. 309.
December 13 - 14
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014 | VISION MAGAZINE / 11
MUSIC
T
Building a music scene, one venue at a time
New New Mexico Sounds
by Klas Ă…hman
here's a new music venue in Roswell, and they're hosting their first show on Thursday, Dec. 11. Stellar Coffee recently opened the doors of its pre1904 building in downtown Roswell. They are located on North Main Street, on the block between Third and Fourth Streets. Aside from all their different styles, techniques and flavors of baristamade coffees, Stellar Coffee serves a wide selection of smoothies, snacks, breakfast, lunch, and desserts. When I stopped in early last week for an afternoon latte (which was delicious), I got to talking to Anne Baker, who owns Stellar Coffee with her husband Dan. Anne expressed a wish to host live music, so I offered them help to get started. I recently met and jammed music with a new guy in town, songwriter Joel Cederberg,
12 | VISION MAGAZINE / THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014
who works with his wife Rachel at Stellar Coffee. Joel is doing renovations on the top floor, and Rachael works as a barista. Joel and I decided to book an acoustic event together to get things going. Joel started playing drums at age eight in Israel where his parents were missionaries. Explaining his passion for music, he says, "When a human body makes music, the molecules are changed by the frequencies. It feels incredibly wonderful syncing with amplified frequencies." He says he is driven to make music that is "sincere and honest" for "forward motion and progress." Joel plays
alternative rock with influences from unusual and multicultural sources and with a rustic, mellow vibe. I'm really excited to have another music venue for acoustic song writers to boost our local music scene! With the great location, it's yet another great progress in keeping Roswell with a real living downtown full of venues, restaurants, shops, etc., all within walking distance from each other. When I first moved to Roswell there was one venue in town for original music. Last Friday I saw three different original bands, at three different venues, on the same night, and there were
Klas Ă…hman Photos
plenty of people at all of them. And I know of four more shows by original artists or bands who played the same night at other Roswell and Artesia venues. I'm proud and happy to see our local music scene really starting to flourish! Come support our local scene and Roswell's newest music venue Stellar Coffee on Thursday, Dec. 11 and enjoy an evening of original acoustic music by me and my good friend Joel Cederberg! Show starts at 7 p.m. All ages welcome. No cover.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
The Deadly Tarantula Girl
Rey Berrones Photos
Marita, The Deadly Tarantula Girl, brings the exotic animals in her serpentarium into homes around the world through her Youtube channel.
O
By Rey Berrones Vision Editor n the outskirts of Roswell is a serpentarium that has more tarantulas and reptiles than many zoos. While it is the private collection of J & M Exotics, the collection goes on display to the public through a youtube channel named "Deadly Tarantula Girl." The channel has proven quite popular, having just reached more than a quarter of a million views. Marita De La Pena, the "M" in J & M Exotics, plays the role
of the Deadly Tarantula Girl, while her husband, J.D. Lorbiecke does the filming for the channel. Incidentally, J.D. is the "J" in J & M Exotics. The duo developed the Deadly Tarantula Girl youtube channel as a way to show their private collection of animals, and to educate people on conservation and care of animals that are typically thought of as scary. De La Pena said, "Our focus on the channel is on education and conservation awareness. We welcome any ques-
tions and comments from people that are animal keepers, or not. "We have in our collection, invertibrates, tarantulas from every continent that they live on, which is every continent excluding Antartica. We have many beautiful species from all over the world. Some are desert, some are tropical, some are terrestrial, some are arborial. And then we have some interests in a few different scorpions, and things like that, but it is mainly tarantulas.
"For snakes and reptiles, it is similar, as we have them from all over the world. "Our interests are wide ranging, and if we are interested in an animal, we get a pair or a trio, because the reality of the situation is that the natural environments for these animals is dwindling." Which brings us back to the topic of conservation, which is a central theme. The youtube channel is just a third of the major thrust that both De La Pena and Lorbiecke are involved with. They believe that many of the animals that are endangered can only be saved if measures are taken while the animals still maintain an active population. This leads to the activity commonly known as "herping." Having become popular in recent years, herpers can be be found in rugged terrain, locating and studying reptiles in their natural environments. This activity is important, because it helps people that are learning to breed these exotic animals in captivity. Breeding in captivity is the second major thrust. De La Pena explained, "The preservation of a lot of these species is only going to be possible if they are able to be bred in captivity. These are all animals that have not been studied a lot in the wild or in captivity. The only way to learn about them is to try and care for them in captivity while there are wild populations. "We believe that they should be reproduced and cared for in captivity so that they don't become extinct. Some of them are endangered, and some of them aren't and we need to study these animals and reproduce them now, while there is a wild sustaining population. "We really think it is important to the world." The third thrust is education, which is done not only through the channel, but through old-fashioned public
speaking. De La Pena said, "A lot of the serious hobbists that lear n all these secrets to breeding in captivity keep them a secret because they want to have a monopoly on the market. We always try and share any knowledge that we have because we love it, and we know other people love it too, but we think it is important for the welfare of the animals in the long term." Many people around the world have found her channel, and use her as a resource for animal care. De La Pena said, "I'm not a self-proclaimed expert. I always say, 'here is my knowledge, here is my experience.' It comes from books, experience, mentors, 'this has worked for me.' I don't consider myself an expert, and my background is not in biology, entemology, herptology, rather, it is in education. What people are seeing that give them faith in my knowledge and ability is almost two years of records of animals that I have successfully kept, reproduced and maintained. Not just one specific species, or genus, or even one type of animal. It is all types of animals. That is a very difficult thing to learn about effectively. In general, these are all very exotic animals that need to live in a fabricated environment... barometric pressure, humidity, temperature, seasons, rainy seasons, dry seasons, temperature fluctuations... and I've done this for a significant period of time. And it has grown. That's something that impresses people." In a very real way, she has become an authority on exotic animal care and breeding through her actions, rather than her credentials. She adds, "Also, I'm not afraid to say that I don't know, and if someone asks a question that I don't know the answer to, I will say, 'I'm not sure, but let me see what I can SEE
TARANTULA ON PAGE 14
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014 | VISION MAGAZINE / 13
A Bridge Over “Culture Shock”
CULTURE
On the Horizon
M
By Ben Mattice YPAC Founding Member
ost people wouldn’t think that a simple move across the United States could cause something as foreign and uncomfortable as “Culture Shock,” and many talk about “American Culture” as if the United States were some small homogenous region of the world where customs are uniform from border to border. Yet, if you’ve ever visited another region of our country, a region far away from the one in which you were raised, you would understand, or at least begin to see, that our nation is exceedingly diverse from region to region. Some might even say that our nation is several different countries under one name. Therefore, it might not be much of a
TARANTULA
Continued from Page 13
find out.' Then I will call someone that does know. “Time is showing that I am successful and I am knowledgable. If you are not knowledgeable, and you don't have a passion, it would be impossible to maintain this type of collection in the private sector." De La Pena is also a resource for the public schools in the area. She is a special education teacher at Sierra M i d d l e School, but makes herself available to the science classes within the district. She
Young Professionals for the Arts Collective
stretch to imagine that someone moving from the Inland North West United States to the Inland South West United States could experience culture shock. You might think that my many experiences overseas might have prepared me to endure culture shock in my own country. But how can one be prepared for it when he doesn’t even know it’s coming? Culture shock is ever so disorienting when you don’t even know you’re experiencing the phenomenon. But to what can we compare culture shock? Culture shock is like transferring between schools. You might have that one kid in your new school who is overtly welcoming to the “new person,” but after a short time they’ve overstayed their welcome, and they suddenly become suffocating. You feel
as if you have virtually no friends. When you see someone from your part of the world, you flock to them, even if you would never have hung out with them at home. Almost everything everybody does is foreign. You feel left out of almost every joke and because you don’t understand, you might even feel like the butt of the joke. But then you meet that one person. They are the bridge. They are enough like you to make you feel comfortable in your native skin, yet they are also of here and can help you learn how to be comfortable here. YPAC was my bridge. The Young Professionals for the Arts Collective in Roswell is a group of professionals, both young and young at heart — yes, I know, it’s a cliche! But if the shoe fits — who share a unique passion
for the many arts and a unique desire to share that passion with others in Roswell and the surrounding area. I am a creative writer, and when I found this core of creative spirit in Roswell, I knew that I had found a bridge to ease me over my mild case of culture shock. There are plenty of people in YPAC who are also foreigners to the great Southwest. Yet, a great percentage of our members are true, born and raised locals who want to see their community thrive through the arts, and they have helped me see a different side to Roswell than what I first assumed was here. Over the past year YPAC has welcomed poets, traveling artists, musicians, performers, and many others into our little community. I’ve had the chance to volunteer through
said, "I do guest lectures, anytime possible, with live animals, and for those class-
rooms that have reptiles, I'm on call if they are in trouble. "I had a teacher, whose ball python had bit itself , so I zipped down there and helped. Also, I give them skeletal remains, rattlesnake rattles or tarantula molts that are preserved, where you can look at the fangs and the hair, - snake sheds, teeth, shells just different scientific specimens." A few years prior to getting serious about reptiles in the early 2000s, De La P e n a picked up belly dancing as a lowimpact exercising activity to help her manage her fibromyalgia.
It took a while to link snakes with dance, she says. She started dancing with snakes publicly about two years ago. She has one piece where she dances with a 13foot long Burmese Python named “Sescha.” De La Pena says one thing that drew her to belly dance was its eclectic origins. She says she identifies with the dance in part because she is of mixed race, though she does not know the specifics of her ethnic background. “I feel like I’m kind of a blend of the whole world,” she says. “In a way, [belly dancing is] kind of my own way of telling my own story through dance. … It’s beautiful and it’s different and then, it’s me.” To get a detailed look inside the serpentarium, search for "Deadly Tarantula Girl" on Youtube.
14 | VISION MAGAZINE / THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014
the arts more than I have in years. I’ve met people who challenged my sense of what it means to be creative. I’ve found a family where I thought I would only find strangers. I’ve given ideas, I’ve taken ideas. There is truly nowhere I’ve lived that has Roswell’s exact flavor of creative spirit. It is slightly redolent of roasted chiles, basalt, dust, and cow dung. It is an earthy spirit. And I will carry it into this next year, a year full of adventure in the arts. Ben Mattice is a creative writer, YouTube creator, and loyal husband to Dr. Mattice at College Garden Animal Hospital. You can find his writing at rehabhappy.wordpress.com And his YouTube channel is: w w w. yo u t u b e . c o m / humanetcha
DRAGON
Continued from Page 4
Saturday from 7 p.m. to midnight, but we have been known to go to 2 a.m. Basically, any musician in Roswell is welcome to come up and play. The idea behind an open mic is that a musician does their act and gets off the stage. We do an 'open jam,' as we like to call it, is more musicians mingling. People playing together. Sometimes they won't say a word to them, but the music will do it all for them. "We are going on two years on hosting these open jams." For more information on the show, open jam nights, or the recording studio visit f a c e b o o k . c o m / dragonandrosemusicstudio.
Christmas Kids, Ranchos de Taos
HISTORY
From the Vault
By Sara Woodbury RMAC Curator of Collections and Exhibitions
O
nce again the holiday season has arrived, so to celebrate the festive spirit we’ll be taking a look at Christmas Kids, Ranchos de Taos by Howard Cook. Howard Cook (1901-1980) was a remarkably versatile artist, working in a variety of materials and stylistic modes throughout his career. Originally from Massachusetts, he came to New Mexico for the first time in 1926 while working as a magazine illustrator, and it was during this trip that he met his wif e, the equally talented artist Barbara Latham. Among his various achievements, Cook was a two-time Guggenheim Fellowship recipient, a W.P.A. muralist, and an art correspondent in the South Pacific during World War II. He and Latham were also among the first participants in the Roswell Artist-in-Residence Program. Cook first achieved artistic renown as a printmaker, working in techniques as varied as woodcut, intaglio, and lithography. As his career progressed, Cook branched out into fresco, oil painting, pastel, and collage. His earliest pieces, particularly his prints, are representational works replete with detail, emphasizing his technical proficiency. Over the course of several decades, his work became increasingly abstract, with his figures becoming more simplified and colorful. He also experimented with textural effects by combining different materials, such as watercolor and chalk, or ink and collage, and
Roswell Museum and Art Center
scraping at his paintings and drawings to create varied surfaces. Created in 1945, Christmas Kids, Ranchos de Taos is a pastel drawing measuring 26 ¾” x 20”. Children bundled in warm clothing dominate the scene, though a magpie and a small white dog can also be found in their midst. The repetition of certain colors, such as the reds and blues in the children’s coats and hats, establishes a visual rhythm that guides the eye through the scene. Compared to Cook’s work from the 1920s and 1930s, this piece is less meticulous, particularly in the children’s faces, but rather than focus on minute details, Cook takes advantage of the pastel’s luminous quality to give his scene a glowing character. With its soft colors and radiant light, Christmas Kids, Ranchos de Taos embodies the warmth of the holiday season. Of course, these children aren’t the only ones at the Museum enjoying the holiday spirit; you too can partake in the festivity by coming to our Holiday Open House on Saturday, Dec. 6. This celebration will take place from 5 7:30 p.m., right before the Light Parade, so come see us and take advantage of the free parking. You will enjoy a variety of activities, including ornament decorating, music in the galleries, a scavenger hunt, and roasted marshmallows on the patio. The Planetarium will provide 30-minute shows at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., and a hands-on activity at 5:30 p.m. The Museum Shop will also be open, with a 15 percent discount for all visitors and a 20 percent discount for Museum members,
so stop in and get a head start on your holiday shopping. For a full schedule of events, check out
Photo courtesy Roswell Museum and Art Center
our website at roswellmuseum.org/events/, or contact our Membership Coordinator at 575-624-6744
ext. 10. In the meantime, we look forward to seeing all of you this holiday season.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014 | VISION MAGAZINE / 15
UFOLOGY
T
he practice of UFO investigation is full of surprises. We get many sighting reports, and we try to make sense of them, one way or another. In the process, we never quite know how things will come out. Let me describe what turned out to be a very surprising case. On Oct. 19, a witness turned in an unusual report to the Mutual UFO Network’s online Case Management System. I took the case and initiated email exchanges with the witness. Rather than having observed some strange object in the sky as is usually the situation, this witness had been sort of “browsing” on
The UFO crash that might have been
Looking Up
Google Earth (which provides close-up photographs of virtually every square inch of the Earth’s surface) and had spotted what for all the world looked like a crashed flying saucer in the prairie several miles west-southwest of Dulce, New Mexico. He gave the coordinates as 36 degrees 53 minutes 5 seconds north, 107 degrees 3 minutes 32 seconds west. I immediately went on Google Earth to see the site for myself , securing slightly more precise coordinates which I converted to decimal form. Anyone with a computer can check this out at 36.884636111 N, 107.058838889 W.
16 | VISION MAGAZINE / THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014
What I saw at the site was something appearing to be a disk-shaped silvery craft in a sandy clearing. Using Google Earth’s “ruler” function I measured the diameter of this roughly circular object at 32 feet. Downloading some of these photos and running them through image enhancement software, I was able to see that the object had radiating lines or ridges on its top (or bottom, if it was flipped over) and what looked like a sort of hole or puncture wound on one end. There also seemed to be metallic fragments scattered on the ground near the object, as well as a fallen tree some 100 feet away.
Certainly the thing looked intriguingly like a crashed disk. There was even the impression of its having been brought down, from what appeared to be surface damage. One troubling point of logic occurred to me, though. If this really was a downed flying saucer, why in the world would the official Powers That Be have left it lying there in the desert? We all know, from UFO crash episodes like Roswell and Aztec, that the government and the military always spirit these things away, never to be seen again. On an impulse I sent some of my image enhancements to my old friend and colleague
By Donald Burleson
Ray Stanford, who was the original independent investigator on the Socorro UFO landing case of April 1964. Ray did some further analysis with his own very sophisticated image processing software and determined what the object was. Are you ready for this? It was a cattle feeding station with a metal roof . Ray also discovered faint, subtle indications, in the surrounding soil, of tracks made by cattle. Disappointing, perhaps, when one was hoping for a genuine crashed flying saucer, but we need to follow facts wherever they may lead.