Focus on Carlsbad Fall 2015

FALL 2015

Kids THESE DAYS

Junior Docents at the Living Desert Teens on a Mission Robo Dreams & The Future High Hoops Hopes for Standout Chamber News & More!

Focus on Youth Edition

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FALL 2015

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FROM THE EDITOR FOCUS ON VOLUNTEERISM

JUNIOR DOCENTS AT LIVING DESERT FOCUS ON FAITH

TEENS ON A MISSION FOCUS ON AGRICULTURE

THE 4-H OPPORTUNITY FOCUS ON MUSIC

PIANO LAB A SMASHING SUCCESS

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TIDBITS AND TRIVIA PHOTOS IN FOCUS FOCUS ON INVENTION

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BPA ASSISTANCE HUGE SUPPORT FOCUS ON NUTRITION

DIETARY DRIVE

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FOCUS ON CIVICS

STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD FOCUS ON SPORTS

HIGH HOOPS HOPES FOR STANDOUT FOCUS BUSINESS BRIEFS

MEET THE RINGMAKER FOCUS ON THE CHAMBER BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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Joseph Villagran prepares to feed a pig he is raising. Villagran is one of many outstanding Carlsbad youths who participated in the annual Eddy County Fair.

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Kyle Marksteiner, Editorial Director - Rachel Hughes, Advertising Photography by Kyle Marksteiner, Brand Eye Photography & submitted.

Special Contributors: Staci Guy, Sharon McIntire, Stella Davis, Karla Hamel & The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce

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Every effort was made to ensure accuracy of the information provided.

The publisher assumes no responsibility or liability for errors, changes or omissions.

FALL 2015 | A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

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F O C U S from the editor

DO YOU EVER WONDER IF WE ARE LOSING OUR ABILITY TO RELATE TO EACH OTHER? KYLE MARKSTEINER Editorial Director

FOCUS ON CARLSBAD

We spent most of our history doing most of our communicating by actually talking to each other. We learned to read and subconsciously interpret thousands of subtle facial expressions and voice inflections that provided nuance and context to the communication process.

Now, as you know, we do a great deal of our interaction through texting. We argue with each other about politics on Facebook and, for reasons I’ve never been able to figure out, use a computer feature to announce to the world that we are in a relationship.

You’ve all seen the pictures of people visiting the Grand Canyon and looking down at their phones instead of up at one of the wonders of the world. Don’t even get me started on the evils of selfie sticks. Is something lost there?

I guess what I’m saying is – get off my lawn!

While there may indeed be some psychological downsides to our decline in direct personal contact, the reality is that I think we’re going to be OK. Much of my concern- I hope!- is that I just turned 40, and it is my job to be confused and frightened by the habits of the younger generation.

Generation(s), actually, as the Millennials have long-since joined the workforce and there’s a newer, younger group with even more alien ways heading to college. Kids these days.

Once again, we’re going to be OK. There are, without a doubt,

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FOCUS ON CARLSBAD | FALL 2015

generational shifts in values, but the big ones pretty much stay the same.

We still need each other. We still want to care and be cared about. We still get older. The human experience has not really changed, and we are a pretty darned resilient species.

That’s kind of what we’re going for with this edition of Focus on Carlsbad. It’s sort of a “20 Under 20” that focuses on some of the accomplishments of our youth. We’ve interviewed managers, missionaries, Division 1 athletes and inventors. We certainly didn’t get everyone, and I know we’ll be getting at least one “why didn’t you cover ____” email once this publishes, but we did strive for a good healthy mix.

There are some pretty amazing things going on with our youth- so “kids these days” may mean something more than what you think. *** Another thing about kids that hasn’t changed is that they seem bound and determined to grow up. They spend a year or so as a baby, and then they wander around with a half-eaten chicken strip for a couple more. Then all of a sudden, you are enrolling them in Little League and dance camp. It’s a blur, and pretty soon they are teaching you how to operate whatever the newest way of listening to music or watching movies has become.

It’s also something very important to us.

We are a society whose reverence for our children borders on worship.

We’ve added playgrounds to airports and even some restaurants; we listen to the Frozen soundtrack repeatedly during 20 hour car trips; and we devote most of our free time toward youth activities. Maybe there’s a bad side in that we are spoiling our kids, but adjusting the world around us to make things better for our work’s newest inhabitants certainly seems like the compassionate thing to do. It has been the case for some time now, at least in this country, that we no longer stick kids in factories or even expect them to basically be miniature adults.

So, yes, we live in a time with those awful selfie sticks, a dwindling sense of obligation, ridiculous partisan and conspiracy-minded message board commentary, bizarre Facebook relationship status updates and other entrapments of narcissism. However, we’ve also gained dog parks, multilevel jumpy houses, hundreds of snowcone flavors, a sense of respect toward our veterans, a desire to protect the helpless and the environment, and a growing social commitment toward things like equality and civility. I’d say maybe we’ve taken three steps forward for every one step backward.

To borrow from last year’s True Detective finale- if you ask me, the light’s winning.

A B O U T T H E E D IT O R

Kyle Marksteiner is the editorial director of Focus on Carlsbad. He can be reached by email at editor@ad-venturemarketing.com

FOCUSNM.COM

Carlsbad Arts & Culture

h g u o r h t h t u o Y r u o g Inspirin ! s ie it n u t r o p p o e iv t a e countless cr Gala Opening of Halagueno Arts Park Visit the new Halagueno Arts Park featuring visual arts, two performance stages and Chihuahuan Desert plantings. The park is on Halagueno St. between Mermod & Fox and adjacent to the Municipal Library.

Visual Arts • Music • Dance Theater • History & Cultural Events and so much more! www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com/crcmag.pdf Paid for by the Carlsbad Lodgers Tax

F O C U S on volunteerism

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FOCUS ON CARLSBAD | FALL 2015

by Sharon McIntire

F

or hundreds of Carlsbad’s youth, the Living Desert State Park’s annual Zoo Camp is the highlight of their summer.

Most have been to the park with their parents or on a school field trip since they were toddlers. Many of them have found the variety of animals and plants fascinating enough to enroll in the camp program, which is held annually during the summer at the park for children who are at least 7 years old. It’s always a good time to explore the exotic wild world of buffalo, bobcats, and bears.

A variety of educational activities at Zoo Camp whet the appetites of these young adventurers. But the weeklong educational program would not be possible without the help of the park’s junior docent program, created specifically for Zoo Camp by Susan Young.

Young, who grew up in New Mexico, worked in Chicago for 20 years at the Lincoln Park Zoo. When she retired, she knew she wanted to come back to New Mexico, but wasn’t really ready to quit working. “Anyone who has worked in a zoo knows you can’t just quit cold turkey,” she muses.

So she made some inquiries, and the assistant director at the Albuquerque Zoo suggested Carlsbad. When he explained that this park is unique because it is the only park that exclusively features plants and animals indigenous to our Chihuahuan Desert, she was intrigued enough to take a look. Young found the park had no educational program and asked if they would like one. When the answer was an enthusiastic “Yes!” she knew she’d found her new home.

In 1994, drawing from her experience at the Lincoln Park Zoo as well as from the Sonora Desert Museum in

Tucson, AZ, and the El Paso Zoo, Young spent months developing the eight-week training program for docents that the park still uses.

From this idea for an educational day camp for young learners, Zoo Camp was created. Zoo Camp also created the need for teenage volunteers. Junior docents underwent the same training as adult docents, becoming leaders and role models for the enthusiastic young campers.

Now, most of the junior docents evolve from the Zoo Camp program. Many became involved even earlier, during the park’s preschool storytime which is held most Friday mornings during the school year. Sandra Cosand, the Living Desert’s docent coordinator, says volunteer Abigail Buckholz was at the park almost every week for storytime and then attended Zoo Camp each year. After 7th grade, she was no longer eligible to participate in Zoo Camp, so Abigail graduated into the junior docent program. Now a senior in college, Abigail schedules her summers around Zoo Camp, making sure that she is home during that time so she can participate.

While most drift away during their college years, it is certainly not

PHOTO: Docents and kids at “Zoo Camp” enjoy learning from each other while studying invertebrates at the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens. Pictured is docent - Heather Zwiener.

uncommon for these young volunteers to participate regularly in park programs, from preschool storytime until graduation from high school and leaving home. Elizabeth Brader and Lilly Chiou both began as toddlers at storytime.

“My mother was in the docent training,” says Lilly, who made her first trek to the park at the age of 4. “So she would bring me and also my older sister to storytime.” Then her sister went to Zoo Camp, and, finally, she did too. “I really liked the environment of Zoo Camp. I liked the other kids, and I learned a lot.”

“As a child,” Elizabeth recalls, “I saw the older kids helping the younger ones, and I knew I always wanted to have this as a part of my life. Now I’m majoring in education, and partly it’s because of my experience of volunteering at Zoo Camp.”

And she admitted, “Science and child care were not my strong suits until I started Zoo Camp.”

Lilly, who plans to study psychology and business in college next fall, agrees that the program is helpful. “I have gotten a lot of experience working at Zoo Camp. It has taught me time management, responsibility - And a lot of patience!” she adds with a laugh.

Junior docent involvement is not limited to Zoo Camp. They volunteer for moon walks, for other special events at the park, or anytime some extra help is needed.

Cosand admits, “There’s no way we could run our program without our junior docents.” No Zoo Camp is the FALL 2015 | A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

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same, and no two days at any Zoo Camp are the same. “We all learn to think on our feet,” she adds. “And when something unexpected comes up, we turn to the volunteers. The next thing we know, they’ve taken care of it – the problem’s solved.”

“Zoo Camp is character-building,” says docent Carol Belski. “The campers look up to these kids, and our volunteers never let them down.”

A love for animals and the outdoors has established a lifelong connection between Siobhan Bujac and the Living Desert State Park.

At the age of seven, she eagerly attended her first Zoo Camp –and all the subsequent ones - until she graduated into the junior, and then senior, docent program, where she now entices other young learners to explore the wonders of our Chihuahuan environment.

The park is a second home to Siobhan, although she has outlasted many of the friends with whom she’s worked.

“They’re like an extended family to her,” says her mother Jane, who also volunteers as a docent. “They’re always there for her when she needs them.”

“Our junior docents are role models for the younger children,” Catherine Law, Interpretive Ranger for the LDSP, stressed. Campers are divided into groups with a senior and a junior docent in each group, and the young PHOTOS:

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campers quickly become attached.

“The kids will tell the volunteers – their peers – things they won’t tell us,” she says.

“And,” she adds, “some of them can second guess when a camper has health problems.”

Part of the attraction for these teens is that, while they are there to guide children, they are also able to learn.

Each day there is a guest speaker who offers expertise in an area relating to the plants and animals at the park.

Since there is a huge variety of those plants and animals, there is always something new to be discovered. And it’s never too early to discuss one’s career or the education needed to acquire it.

Volunteers may not get money, but they still feel well paid. Elizabeth and Lilly both proudly related stories of campers coming up to them in a store with joyous hugs. And a story about mud puddles elicited much laughter from the two volunteers, if not a very coherent tale. But there’s always a lesson to be learned, right? Elizabeth noted, “We all learned that children don’t dissolve, and animals don’t come out when it rains!”

Elizabeth crafted a memory quilt from her Zoo Camp shirts, sparking the idea of having campers sign each other’s shirts on the last day of Zoo Camp.

While these students volunteer

Pictured from left are docents - Lilly Chiou, Reagan Pennypacker & Siobhan Bujac.

FOCUS ON CARLSBAD | FALL 2015

because they love the environment at the park, it should be noted that the experience looks good on a resume and on a scholarship application as well. Lilly will spend 3 ½ weeks this summer in West Virginia at the National Youth Science Camp. She is one of only two graduating seniors chosen from the state of New Mexico, and she credits her years as a volunteer at Zoo Camp for helping her getting accepted.

But probably the biggest reward for both the staff and docents is the development of a new family at the park.

“It’s wonderful to see these kids grow,” Cosand says fondly, adding, “We truly depend on our returning docents to make Zoo Camp the success that it is.”

Law agrees. “That is the blessing of my job,” she says. “I was invited to both these girls’ graduations, and I couldn’t be prouder of them if I was their parent.”

It is doubtful that Susan Young wrote this feeling of family into her docent training manual, but it is an unspoken and integral part of the program nevertheless. It also adds to the welcoming atmosphere visitors notice when they enter the park, and it is unquestionably one of the main reasons Zoo Camp is such an unqualified success each year at the Living Desert State Park.

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F O C U S on faith

on a

by Staci Guy

FILL IN THE BLANK:

Today’s youth are ___________.

Did you say something along the lines of “self-absorbed, apathetic, technology-obsessed, or just ‘plain ol’ rude?”

A group of teenagers at Word of Life Church are well aware of the stereotypes placed upon them by society, but they are on a mission to blow that notion out of the water.

Justin Taylor, Albert Ornelas III, and Clarissa Lopez seem like typical teenagers at first glance. Albert sports black rimmed glasses; Clarissa is comfy in her jeans and t-shirt, her phone close by; and Justin’s hair seems to have a following all its own. They’re not rude or apathetic, but they’re definitely teenagers – more mature than children, yet they still haven’t arrived at adulthood.

For the past two years, these seemingly “typical” teens have spent their spring break vacations serving the needy and less fortunate on a Navajo Indian reservation in Gallup, N.M. That sounds like anything but “typical teenage behavior.”

“Last year when I went on my first mission trip, I didn’t really know what to expect,” admitted Clarissa. “I was kind of nervous but a little excited, too. I had never been to that part of New Mexico.” Her mother shared in her excitement and encouraged her to make the trip. It was a decision she Albert Ornelas III, 15, Justin Taylor, 16, and Clarissa Lopez, 14, have spent their last two spring break vacations serving on mission trips in Northern New Mexico.

PHOTO:

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was glad she made. “It was different than I was expecting,” she confessed.

“I thought the scenery was very pretty, and I liked that part of the state, but it ended up being a lot more work than I was expecting!”

It might have been a lot of work, but that didn’t deter her from returning again the following year. “This year when I went, I was more prepared. I knew it would be a lot of work, and I was ready for it. I’m glad I went!” she said as a smile swept across her face. “I know now that I want to be a missionary.”

Initially, Albert had a different outlook

on his first mission trip. “I didn’t really want to go in first place,” he admitted.

“My brother is a missionary, so I felt like I had to go. I went in expecting nothing, thinking it was going to be useless, and I’d waste my spring break.”

Those feelings didn’t last long though.

As the days passed on the reservation, he found himself becoming more and more invested in his work there. “By the end of the trip it was a 360,” he said. “I fell in love with it, and I actually decided to become a missionary.”

Having worked with the children’s ministry at Word of Life, his leaders aptly placed him with the children’s ministry team on the mission trip as well. It was a decision that changed his life. “The work we did, it wasn’t just work; it helped out people, but it helped us more,” he reasoned. “I remember I did a clown skit. It was crazy, but to see the smile on the kids’ faces brought me joy. It made my day because I knew I made someone else smile.”

When the opportunity arose this year to return to the reservation, he didn’t hesitate to jump on board.

“The biggest thing for me was, it doesn’t matter who you are or what you came from, God can use you,” he said. “Society has a mold that they want you to fit in, but the way I see it, you’re different, set apart; you leave everything at the feet of God – worries, homework, all that stuff – and tell him to use me how you want.

That’s what I did.”

And what about Justin; the kid with hair that says, “I’m up for whatever!” but who, in reality, is a planner with an eye for details? “I was nervous at first.

I didn’t know what I was getting into,” he admits. “When we got there, they have this saying – WAFO (wait and find out) – that kind of bothered me because I like to know details! I really just had some friends that were going, and I thought it would be fun, but I didn’t know what to expect.”

Like Albert and Clarissa, after a few days on the reservation, Justin experienced a shift— a change of heart. “God opened my eyes and showed me the purpose of why I’m here,” he confessed. “It made me want to go back and serve again, and I left with a better understanding and a better love of people.”

“When you go on mission trips, you set limits for yourself, but God extends you past your limits,” added Albert.

While Clarissa and Albert envision their respective futures in the mission field, Justin, who plays guitar in the church’s worship band, has different plans. “I will definitely be going back on future mission trips, but I don’t think being a missionary is my calling as a career,” he shared. “God put on my heart to be a youth pastor.”

Justin continued, “People say kids aren’t passionate these days. It’s just that they need something to be passionate about. I want to do that; give them something to be passionate about.” Albert interjected, “We’re making a path for our generation that people don’t think we can make.”

The mission trips Albert, Clarissa, and Justin attend are organized and led by Jason Shirley, who served as

“We’re making a path for our generation that people don’t think we can make.”

PHOTO TOP: The Word of Life Missions Group at Window Rock.

PHOTO INSET: Wendy Lopez teaching a Sunday School Class.

youth pastor at Word of Life Church for 12 years before taking on the role of associate pastor in late spring. “For us, as a church, missions are extremely important,” he noted. “On the youth mission trips, we do outreach programs for kids and teens; we hold assemblies in the schools; we do clean up and work projects, like painting and construction;,we do food and clothing distribution; just whatever it is they need us to do, we do.”

The church raises 100 percent of money needed for the trips – approximately $25,000 annually – through various fundraisers. Each year approximately 40 students attend the spring break mission trip. “It’s amazing to see them transform,” Jason expressed. “To see their heart for people and to see them change; it’s an incredible experience.”

He added, “I think everyone should go on at least one mission trip. Some people will realize it’s not for them and others will be totally changed. Every time I go I learn something that is transformational.”

FALL 2015 | A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

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F O C U S on agriculture

THE 4-H OPPORTUNITY

TOOLS TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE L ooking for a positive youth program? The Eddy County 4-H provides youth with tools to be successful in life, according to Youth and Development Agent Allison Leimer.

The 4-H is an international organization that is administered in the United States through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The H’s stand for Head, Heart, Hands, and Health, and the organization is commonly associated with county and state fair participation.

There are nine 4-H clubs throughout Eddy County with 227 youth enrolled

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in the 4-H program. Club meetings take place once a month for about an hour each. Each member must complete a demonstration, participate in community service, lead an activity and attend a 4-H council meeting or event, according to Leimer.

pets to livestock, there’s a project for almost any interest. Studies show that 4-H members do better in school, are more motivated to help others, feel safe trying new things, achieve a sense of self-esteem, and develop lasting friendships.”

“The 4-H council is the backbone to the Eddy County 4-H program and puts on fundraisers to help put on county events and send members to district and state events,” Leimer said. “There are over 200 projects members can get involved in. From nutrition to health, from rocketry to engineering, from baking to sewing, from archery to engines, and from

Local 4-H students participated in this year’s Eddy County Fair from July 20-25. For more information, visit eddycountyfair.com or email nmlandman@gmail.com.

Photos from 2014’s Eddy County Fair.

APPLY ONLINE AT WWW.C A R L S B A D NAT I ONA L . COM •

F O C U S on music

Piano Lab at High School a Smashing Success

by Kyle Marksteiner

BILLY JOEL MAY NOT BE VISITING CARLSBAD ANY TIME SOON, BUT THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF PIANO MEN AND PIANO WOMEN IN THE AREA, THANKS TO A NEW PIANO LAB AT CARLSBAD HIGH SCHOOL. Last January, the high school began teaching several piano classes. The school received a group of 16 electronic pianos, all linked together electronically.

Now, dozens of students are jumping at the opportunity to learn how to play the instrument.

“The teacher’s piano is computerized,” noted Ken Miller, Director of Choirs.

“The kids put their headphones on, and you can make one piano sound out loud or all sound out loud. It’s a way to get a combination of group and individual instruction with a whole lot of students at the same time.”

The lab allows students to load accompanying music or play printed music as needed. Students can also record themselves and put their music on jump drives.

“It is the vision of Carlsbad Municipal Schools to have learning opportunities for students that will develop a wellrounded educational experience,” added Assistant Superintendent Kelli Barta.

“Research shows that students involved in music perform better in math and science courses and have greater success at the post-secondary level.”

Piano teacher Robin Irving agreed.

Irving and Miller both teach piano at the high school “Having a piano lab at CHS has opened up all kinds of music education possibilities that we didn’t have before,” Rudy Gonzalez demonstrates the new piano lab at Carlsbad High School while instructor Robin Ward Irving watches.

PHOTO:

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FOCUS ON CARLSBAD | FALL 2015

she noted. “One example of music technology at work in our classroom is the digital, wall-mounted board that lights up the notes on the music staff as well as the keys on a piano while I play them on the leader keyboard, allowing an entire class of students to follow along. To be able to SEE it and HEAR it simultaneously is a great advantage for a classroom of beginning pianists.”

The lab was paid for out of the school’s technology bond funding. There were two piano classes taught in the spring, and there will be three during the upcoming fall semester. Each class has 20-24 students, as pianos can be split into two.

“We had tremendous response,” Miller beamed. “We may even add a fourth class.”

Previously, piano lessons were not

possible at Carlsbad High School.

Potential students would have to provide a private teacher, and possibly even own a piano, which more or less eliminated the opportunity for anyone of limited economic means.

“Implementing a piano lab available to all students provides an in-school learning experience at no cost to the student or family,” Barta added.

Classes so far are considered beginning.

“We have students who are more advanced, and they will be able to move at their own pace or work on individual things at their skill level,” Miller added.

Barta said she enjoyed a visit to the piano lab. She was impressed by how much each student had learned, and she was especially amazed that each student was able to compose and perform a piece of music.

“We hope this is just the beginning of many more opportunities in the field of music and all it encompasses for students!” Barta concluded.

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Speaking of Youth…

The Young Irelanders will kick off the Carlsbad Community Concert Association’s 72nd Concert Season at 7:30 p.m. on November 12 at the P.R. Leyva Auditorium.

The group consists of eight sensational performers, all in their 20s and 30s, talented in Irish traditional music, song and dance. The artists have toured as lead performers with Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, been soloists on PBS specials and performed in front of kings and presidents across the world.

The sound the band creates is best described as eclectic, with traditional Irish, Celtic, folk, world, jazz, country and pop music coming together to give rise to a very unique and multi-faceted sound.

Season subscriptions are $50.00 per adult; children 18 years and younger are admitted free. Tickets for individual concerts may also be purchased at the door using cash, check, or credit/ debit card.

Coming up later this year as part of the same concert series are The Lincoln Trio ( Jan. 7) and Svetlana Smolina (March 15). The Lincoln Trio’s polished presentations include well-known chamber works as well as an accessible contemporary repertoire. This has led to their reputation as a first rate ensemble.

Svetlana Smolina has performed with orchestras and in recitals worldwide.

Some of her notable guest appearances include the Mariinsky Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, the New York Philharmonic at Avery Fischer Hall, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, the Orchestra National de France, the Odessa Philharmonic and Nizhny Novgorod Philharmonic Orchestras.

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For more information, contact Wayne Roberts at (575) 302-6843 or visit www.carlsbadconcerts.com The Carlsbad Community Concert Association (CCCA) was established in 1944 with a vision to present internationally acclaimed, high quality entertainment to Carlsbad and the surrounding area. The CCCA is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, 501c3 organization. In partnership with its Patrons, Benefactors, Donors and Seasonal Subscribers, The Carlsbad Community Concert Association is committed to enriching the cultural life of the community with world-class, live performance events offered at affordable, family friendly prices. Season subscriptions may be purchased or at the door using cash, check, credit/ debit card, or by downloading the Subscription Form at www. carlsbadconcerts.com.

2015

SEPT 18-19

NOV 7-8

1-800-658-6251

ArtesiaChamber.com

Here are some amazing accomplishments by some extraordinary individuals who made waves at a young age.

Think you know who is who?

1 • Her first acting gig was at age three, and she went on to become the most successful and popular child star of all time. She later became a United States ambassador.

7 • Who wrote his most famous poem “Thanatopsis” at age 18?

He also wrote a series of satirical poems on politics in 1808 when he was 13.

2 • He was considered the leading philosopher of the 19th century. He learned Greek at age 3 and mastered all of the elements of a classical education by age 10.

8 • This cellist began playing at age 4, but he’d already tried the violin and viola before that.

4 • Born in 1623, this genius wrote a scientific paper on vibrating bodies when he was only 9. He produced his first mathematical proof when he was 16.

5 • This crooner from Georgia began singing when she was 6 and became her family’s breadwinner by age 10. Her nickname was “Little Miss Dynamite.”

6 • He was the youngest chess Grand Champion at age 15.

Famous for defeating Boris Spassky in the 1972 World Chess Championship.

9 • He published a paper on the albino sparrow at age 11. Later found an interest and career as a psychologist.

10 • Born in 1991, this child genius has an IQ of 173. She began learning college-level calculus at age 7. She first learned math from her mother when her family was homeless and lived together in a car.

Answers (Taken from Funtrivia.com) 1 • Shirley Temple 2 • John Stuart Mill 3 • Alexander Pope 4 • Blaise Pascal 5 • Brenda Lee 6 • Bobby Fischer 7 • William Cullen Bryant 8 • Yo Yo Ma 9 • Jean Piaget 10 • Promethea Olympia Kurene Pythaitha

3 • This celebrated poet wrote a play called “Avadar” when he was only 12.

"Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It's what you do for others."

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1

OCOTILLO ELEMEN TARY

1 • Principal Sandra Nunley speaks at

2

the ribbon cutting for the new Ocotillo Elementary School.

3

BOUTIQUE AIR 2 • Boutique Air’s first flight to Carlsbad.

The airline offers flights to Albuquerque and Dallas/Ft. Worth.

4

HALAGUEN O ARTS PARK

5

3 • Wren Prather-Stroud watches as a

donated piece of artwork is unloaded at the new Halagueno Arts Park. The park held a grand opening on July 2.

DAY OF CARIN G 4 • NWP employees participate in the United Way’s annual Day of Caring event. Attendance this year doubled from the previous year.

MEMORIAL DAY 5 • The annual Memorial Day Parade and ceremony at the Carlsbad Veteran’s Memorial Park.

6

LION ’S CL UB F UN DRAI S ER 6 • The annual Lion’s Club carnival fundraiser drew hundreds of visitors to the San Jose Plaza.

7

A DAN CER AN D A MAYOR 7 • Ricardo “Boogie Frantick” Rodriguez paid Carlsbad a visit and posed with Mayor Dale Janway.

8

N AN A’S F IRE SAFET Y S C HOOL 8 • Summer camp with Nana’s Fire Safety School at the Permian Basin Regional Training Center.

10

9

REL AY FOR L IF E 9 • Zumba at Carlsbad’s annual Relay for Life celebration. Carlsbad holds the state’s largest Relay for Life.

TORCH R UN 10 • Participants in the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.

FALL 2015 | A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

17

F O C U S on invention

ROBO DREAMS

by Stella Davis

He’s only 16, but Nathan Christensen, already an entrepreneur, has set his sights on greater things in the near future.

Christensen, who will be a senior at Carlsbad High School in the fall, is taking his love for robotics to the next level. He’s in the process of developing an affordable robotic lawnmower that will make mowing the lawn a little more palatable for those who view it as a chore.

patent on a product that may be same as Christensen’s.

He hopes to have his invention ready for production by next year and is currently working on getting his lawnmower patented with the U.S. Patent Office. A patent search is required to ensure no one else has a

Christensen said his robotic lawnmower will be cost-effective and easy to use, and added. “There are robotic lawnmowers already on the market. But I hope to market mine at $250 versus $1,000, which is about the

“He does have to finish his robotic lawnmower before he goes to college, because then I will have to mow the lawn,” Nathan’s father Sam, said with a grin.

PHOTO: Nathan Christensen, 16, works on the robotic portion of his robotic lawnmower he is in the process of developing and applying for a patent for his invention. He is spending his summer mowing lawns and working on his robotic project.

going price for what’s out there now.

My lawnmower will be about the size of a regular lawnmower.”

Why can he make his robotic lawnmower for less?

“Other’s use fancy computer chips,

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whereas I use a basic control, which is more effective,” Christensen explained.

He said his love for everything related to engineering and robotics stems back to the seventh grade when became a member of the school district’s Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) program, which is part of the MESA national program.

“MESA requires a lot of team work when working on robotics,” Christensen stated. “We work through long brainstorming sessions to come up with a project that is most feasible and applicable.”

His robotics team, under the guidance of Carlsbad High School team sponsor and engineering teacher Deborah Haggerton, has earned accolades in MESA robotic competitions statewide, nationally, and even in the world competition that was held last year in Anaheim, Calif.

Christensen said Haggerton has been very instrumental in getting him this far in his endeavor of developing his robotic lawnmower.

“She has allowed me to use the 3-D printer and the time to work on my project. I talk a lot to Mrs. Haggerton and bounce ideas off her. I also bounce

Awesome Toys!

ideas off my family,” he shared. “I also have more access to equipment at school. During the school year, I have more time to work on my project.

In addition, I spend time on the weekends at home working on it.”

His father said it comes as no surprise to him that his son is leaning toward becoming either a mechanical or electrical engineer. He said since his son could walk, he was always building or designing things with LEGOs. He said his son’s entrepreneurial drive makes him proud.

In addition to his MESA activities and school work, his son also started a successful lawn mowing business that earned him enough money last year to buy a new pickup truck.

“I am very proud of Nathan. He has done some amazing things. I am proud of all our kids,” Sam Christensen said, noting that he and his wife, Kerri, are also parents to two daughters. “All three of our kids are above average and work hard.”

Christensen said ideally, his college of choice would be MIT, but would be cost- prohibitive for his parents to send him there. He said

he is looking at New Mexico State University’s engineering school to earn his engineering degree. However, although engineering is first choice, he is not averse to the possibility of a degree in business and marketing, an area in which he also has some interest.

“If I get the patent, I plan to market it (robotic lawnmower),” Christensen said, Asked if he would recommend that other students join the MESA program, he replied, “Yes, it’s a great program that not only allows you to learn about robotics, it also teaches you the importance of teamwork. I believe that it also helps you when applying for college. Participating in MESA is a lot of work and takes commitment, but it is also fun. In our program, we are lucky to have Mrs. Haggerton. She keeps us going and inspires us.”

Christensen said he hopes his robotic lawnmower will demonstrate to other MESA students that anything is possible if you are willing to work hard. And yes, if his lawnmower is successfully marketed, he hopes it will bring him some extra cash to pay for college and other endeavors.

“I am very proud of Nathan.

He has done some amazing things.

I am proud of all our kids.”

- Sam Christensen

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Carlsbad Museum Classrooms do not always have desks.

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And hand s that get dirty can create great wo rks.

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Stay informed about upcoming exhibits, events, and classes at your museum!

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Education isn’t just about feeding the brain.

Art and music feed the heart and soul.

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Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

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Will the pumpkin spice latte/fall obsession continue through 2015? Here are a couple ideas, from allrecipes.com, that may give you the edge in pumpkin mania.

Pumpkin Pancakes (Makes 12)

Ingredients: • 1 1/2 cups milk • 1 cup pumpkin puree • 1 egg • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil • 2 tablespoons vinegar • 2 cups all-purpose flour • 3 tablespoons brown sugar • 2 teaspoons baking powder • 1 teaspoon baking soda • 1 teaspoon ground allspice • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

In a bowl, mix together the milk, pumpkin, egg, oil and vinegar. Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon, ginger and salt in a separate bowl. Stir into the pumpkin mixture just enough to combine. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

Pumpkin Stew Ingredients:

• 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1 inch cubes • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided • 1 cup water • 3 large potatoes, peeled and cubed • 4 carrots, sliced • 1 large green bell pepper, chopped • 4 cloves garlic, minced • 1 onion, chopped • 2 teaspoons salt • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper • 1 (14.5 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, chopped • 2 tablespoons beef bouillon granules • 1 sugar pumpkin

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Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Place beef in the saucepan and cook until evenly brown. Mix in the water, potatoes, carrots, green bell pepper, garlic, onion, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer approximately 2 hours. Dissolve the bouillon into the beef mixture. Stir in the tomatoes. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Cut top off the pumpkin and remove seeds and pulp. Place the pumpkin in a heavy baking pan. Fill the pumpkin with the beef mixture. Brush outside of the pumpkin with remaining oil. Bake in the preheated oven 2 hours, or until tender. Serve the stew from the pumpkin, scraping out some of the pumpkin meat with each serving.

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F O C U S on mainstreet

BPA Assistance Huge Support to MainStreet BPA student Austin Anaya has been the office assistant working for MainStreet since last summer.

KARLA HAMEL Executive Director

CARLSBAD MAINSTREET

BPA, Business Professionals of America, is an organization for students pursuing careers in business management, office administration, information technology and other related career fields. The BPA’s mission is to contribute to the preparation of a world-class workforce through the advancement of leadership, citizenship, academic, and technological skills. Austin Anaya came to us through the Carlsbad High School BPA program lead by Frances McCoy. Answering the telephone, making calls, designing fliers, distributing materials - the list of many tasks that he has does to help the office function better goes on and on. At the Farmers’ Market, Austin helped the vendors find their correct canopy, collecting money for booth rentals and any other task that we asked of him. BPA is a great program that MainStreet has been pleased to support. Thank you Austin for your help and assistance!

After months of getting my feet wet, and a few slips and slides, I finally feel I am off and running as the new Executive Director of MainStreet.

I want to thank all of you who have encouraged me with positive comments, notes, phone calls, text and smiles. The merchants that I have

Austin Anaya is an office assistant, and an integral part of the Carlsbad Mainstreet organization. He is part of the Business Professionals of America program at Carlsbad High School.

PHOTO:

24

FOCUS ON CARLSBAD | FALL 2015

met downtown have been helpful and encouraging with their ideas and thoughts for the future of downtown Carlsbad.

Carlsbad MainStreet reestablished its façade improvement grant program in 2013. This program makes funds available to assist in paying for building facades located in the MainStreet district. We have successfully applied for a $4,000 grant from Xcel Energy to help fund improvements. Effort and details of the improvements are currently being discussed. I am excited to see more improvements in the downtown area.

This summer’s Downtown Farmers’

Market season has been outstanding!

Every Saturday all of our booths have been filled with vendors and nonprofit organizations. On our opening day we had music and magic provided

by Jamie O’Hara. There was also a “kid’s corner” set up for children to make a dream catcher. Two Yeti coolers, compliments of Mosaic, were raffled. Carlsbad residents and out of town guests shopped and purchased goods from our vendors. The season has continued to be a success with great attendance. Our 4th of July bash was great fun with a bounce house, face painting and the use of MainStreets new Cornhole boards.

The season’s excitement continues to escalate until our closing day October 3, 2015 where we will have plenty of entertainment to make the shopping experience in the Farmers’ Market a memory that will build excitement that will have everybody ready for next season.

On the business side of Farmers’ Market, Carlsbad Downtown Farmers’ Market and MainStreet have provided seminars open to any of our vendors. Funding for these seminars was provided through a grant awarded to Carlsbad MainStreet by Xcel Energy. The seminars have provided the vendors an opportunity to learn how to expand their business outside of the Farmers’ Market. Scott Bucher, with Small Business Development Center (SBDC), presented a PowerPoint in an open discussion setting. The group enjoyed lunch, good information, open discussions and camaraderie. In each seminar one could feel the excitement of the vendors as they were provided with tips and ideas of how to make their business grow. Vendors have been given the opportunity for assistance in setting up their own website that will be linked to Carlsbad MainStreet’s website and have also been encouraged to utilize the one on one consultations with SBDC. As the new MainStreet Executive Director, I have been privileged to be a part of the Mayor’s Fine Arts Acquisition and Vetting Committee (FAAV).

This committee was formed years ago to plan, design and develop the Halagueno Arts Park. An $80,000 grant that MainStreet was awarded along with a $20,000 match from the lodger’s tax was a vital part of the construction of the park.

After years of hard work in the construction of the park, purchasing and receiving art (one of which MainStreet attained a $4,000 grant from Xcel Energy to purchase), a gala was planned for the grand opening. At the opening ceremony, Julia Heaton, chairwoman of the committee, recognized the numerous people who had helped make the park become a possibility. With red balloons, cookies, lemonade, fans and entertainment the park was

officially open. The gala was a success;, if you have not been to the park please go and enjoy this gift.

Carlsbad MainStreet is looking forward to August 21st-22nd where we will be hosting a cornhole board tournament at the Chili Cook-off. There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. If you want to enter a team, please contact the MainStreet office. (575) 6283768. MainStreet’s 3rd annual Progressive Dinner, featuring our downtown restaurants, is being planned for September. Our Fall Festival is also being planned for October. That is where children can come to collect candy from our downtown merchants and other businesses of Carlsbad.

There are plans for the lighting up of the Halagueno Arts Park to be followed by the Electric Light Parade on November 28th. As the MainStreet Director, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to meet with and get to know so many different people. Carlsbad is full of individuals who have a genuine interest in revitalizing our town to make it a place that people want to be; whether that be to visit here for a day, a weekend or a week, or perhaps to raise their family and retire. Carlsbad downtown should be a place that people can come shop, eat and be entertained day or evenings 7 days a week. I am excited for the future of Carlsbad!

Carlsbad downtown Farmers’ Market is open every Saturday from 8:00 am to 11:00 am at the courthouse lawn. Come to where you can purchase fresh produce, honey, poultry and eggs or unique handmade crafts. When you have finished shopping at the Farmers’ Market, be sure you go around the corner and shop at our downtown stores.

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F O C U S on nutrition

by Kyle Marksteiner

WHEN OPPORTUNITY CAME KNOCKING, SONIA ARREOLA WITH A LITTLE ENCOURAGEMENT FROM HER LOVED ONES - THREW OPEN THE DOOR. Arreola, only 19, is the dietary manager at CARC Inc., a Carlsbad facility that provides services to area clients who are developmentally challenged. She’s quickly adjusting to the many responsibilities of preparing a nutritional schedule for the facility’s many clients and employees.

“Sonia has been a remarkable

addition to the CARC staff and has immersed herself into learning meal preparation, diet planning, directing off-site food service as well as the day-to-day management of her department,” stated CARC Inc. CEO Mark Schinnerer. “I am more impressed every day with her abilities, ideas and the desire to accomplish what is in front of her.”

Arreola moved to Carlsbad with family about six years ago from Pasadena, Calif. It took her a little bit of time to adjust to the small town life, but she says Carlsbad has been a land of opportunity for her.

She finished high school in 2013, and cooking has always been a passion.

She previously worked as a chef at the Stock Exchange Restaurant. She also made cupcakes and ran her own small catering business.

After high school, Sonia decided she wanted to give the business world a try. She briefly worked at a local bank and as a pumper in the oil field.

“I’ve cooked since I was very little,” she noted. “I was originally going to try for culinary school, but I could not get the financial support.”

However, Arreola shared that she really missed cooking. Her boyfriend and mother encouraged her to apply for the position at CARC when they discovered the dietary manager

26

FOCUS ON CARLSBAD | FALL 2015

PHOTO ABOVE: Sonia Arreola enjoys the days where she gets to help out in the kitchen – “I’ve cooked since I was very little.” PHOTO LEFT: Sonia Arreola, at left, examines some of the inventory at CARC Inc. Arreola is CARC’s dietary manager.

opening. She’d never thought about being a dietician – “I wanted to be the next celebrity chef—“ but it looked like a good mix of Sonia’s interests of food and business.

She was very nervous at first and didn’t think she’d get the job, but CARC Inc. offered her the position about eight months ago.

Her day-to-day work scope involves overseeing a staff of five employees and up to six client employees while working with the contracted dietician to create a nutritional plan for each CARC resident. The 30 day menu needs to balance all nutritional needs and also address the special diets of the 80 clients and employees.

“For example, some people can’t have spices, and some can’t have citrus,” she explained. “We’re trying to make a menu that covers it all.”

She also oversees “The Coffee Spot” located inside the SkeenWhitlock building and creates a chef ’s special each week for that location. Sonia is in charge of ordering all the food for CARC with the food vendors and creating a menu each month for the nonprofit agency’s child care center, day staff, and clients. Not only does Sonia do this on a daily basis, but she is always on call to any staff member at CARC if questions arise for dietary substitutions.

“It’s typically a lot of paperwork and making sure menus are followed,” she noted. “But I really love it when I get to cook and interact with clients.”

She also prepares the monthly board meeting lunches and helps in the kitchen when someone calls in sick. Arreola is receiving additional training and also attending college, working on a two year certification.

“It’s completely different from what I’ve done in the past, but

I really like it,” she added. “The biggest challenge is making sure you meet the dietary needs of each client.”

Arreola’s Supervisor is Amy Ochoa, CARC Inc’s Work Services Director. The two women work closely together every day.

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“There is no doubt Sonia has the natural talent and leadership ability to work in the food industry, but what is truly amazing is how she is able share those skills and her passion with the individuals we serve to create an interactive learning experience at the CARC dining hall,” Ochoa offered.

Like many employees at CARC, Arreola said she enjoys working with the clients there. She was nervous at first, because she had no previous experience of working with the developmentally challenged.

“It’s just amazing to see them every day and become a part of their life,” she declared, noting that she loves personally working with each client to address dietary concerns.

When she is away from work, Arreola says she doesn’t really try to get those around her to focus on diet and nutrition.

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“I’m awful. I love to eat,” she shared. “I exercise a lot, but I can’t give up my pastas. Also, my boyfriend does not eat vegetables at all! He won’t even touch them.”

But she defended her boyfriend, noting that he was one of her loved ones who encouraged her to apply for the job.

“If you had asked me if I wanted to be a nutritionist, I would have said no,” she shared. “I was going to be the next network chef, but as you get older I think you get a little more realistic, and I really love this job.”

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F O C U S on civics

Student Advisory Board:

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

by Kyle Marksteiner

If you really need something done in Carlsbad, call in some future leaders.

Four times a year, members of the Mayor’s Student Advisory Council meet with the mayor to discuss activities, concerns and programs that relate to youth in Carlsbad.

“It is absolutely the best part of my job as a City Councilor to be chairman of the Mayor’s Student Advisory Council,” beamed Ward 2 Councilor Sandra Nunley, who is also a local principal. “The students never cease to amaze me with their commitment to the task of informing Mayor Janway of their concerns.”

The students, in grades 6 through 12, were recommended by their principals to participate on the assessment committee based on leadership skills, scholastic aptitude and character.

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway listens as members of the Mayor’s Student Advisory Council speak to the audience.

PHOTO:

28

FOCUS ON CARLSBAD | FALL 2015

Yoni Xiong, about to start her junior year in high school, has been a member of the council since she was in the seventh grade.

“It’s really interesting to look at the inner workings of city council,” she shared. “Sometimes we’ll have a speaker, but we’ll always look at things we can do to make Carlsbad better.”

Incoming senior Kendyl Burke also joined the council when she was in the seventh grade.

“Usually, we talk about something specific on how we can better things for youth in the city,” she added. “We also talk about how we can make the city a better place in general. I really think they want to get us involved so we feel like we have a say.”

One year, the Council focused its

attention on making improvements to the Riverwalk Recreation Center. They met with city officials and pitched their ideas on the need for security and cleanliness improvements. Many of their ideas were eventually incorporated.

The Advisory Council doesn’t have to attend City Council meetings, but members will usually be introduced to the local adult politicians. Xiong said politics is something that interests her.

Burke isn’t sure. Her parents are both teachers at the high school and she is also interested in education.

This year, Council members voiced concerns about bomb threats, vandalism, drugs on school campuses and drunk drivers in meetings with Mayor Pro Tem Dick Doss and Police Chief Kent Waller. In the past, they’ve also helped Mayor Dale Janway initiate a Teen Court program.

Councilor Nunley said her parents modeled civic duty for her, so it is a privilege to chair a committee that involves students that are committed to their own civic involvement.

“It certainly takes time out of their busy schedule s to discuss issues facing the youth in Carlsbad,” Nunley added.

“It never fails that a guest speaker will tell me what an intelligent, outgoing, civic minded and a fun group these students are.”

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F O C U S on sports

High Hoops Hopes for Standout

T

by Kyle Marksteiner

aylor Edmonson, a former Carlsbad High School basketball standout, has high hopes going into her final year of college.

The 5’11” guard plays for the Div. 1 Washington State Cougars. She was injured at the end of last season, and a portion of her summer training has been physical rehabilitation.

Athletes remain busy at the collegiate athletics level during the summer.

Even though the basketball season doesn’t start until November, athletes take classes, practice by position and meet with coaches for a few hours a week.

Edmondson had a concussion at the end of last season, and she was also battling some knee problems. She said she’s had some knee injections and is now in the middle of a nine week healing process. She is doing a lot of upper body lifting and will soon begin riding the training bike.

“We’ll get a short break at the end of July, but then it is back to workouts in the morning and individual training and practices in the afternoon,” Edmondson added.

Summer classes help athletes keep

Former Carlsbad High School basketball standout Taylor Edmondson helped lead the Div. 1 Washington State Cougars to a WNIT trip last year. Edmondson hopes the senior class will propel the Cougars into the NCAA Tournament next spring.

PHOTOS:

Photos courtesy of WSU Athletic Communications.

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FOCUS ON CARLSBAD | FALL 2015

ahead of the curve on academics.

Because so much of the season involves travel, players have study sessions for two hours a day during the fall and spring and a special resource center.

“It’s our priority,” Edmondson stated. “You can do athletics as long as you keep up with school work.”

The Cougars had a good year.

Washington State earned a postseason berth after finishing with a 17-14 overall record and being selected to the Women’s National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) for the second straight season. They went 7-11 in Pac-12 Conference Play and finished seventh for the second straight season, but highlights included four wins over Top 50 teams.

On March 18, the Cougars were eliminated from the WNIT following a 67-65 loss to Eastern Washington. It was an especially difficult loss for Edmondsondoctors had cleared her to return to the lineup if the Cougars won that game.

Edmonson’s goals for the upcoming season cover the entire spread: She wants to see the Cougars become Pac 12 champions, to play in the NCAA Tournament, to stay healthy and to make the All Pac 12 team.

“These last two seasons, we were one game away from making the NCAA Tournament,” she shared.

Taylor’s parents, David and Christine, rent an apartment in Pullman, Washington, so that they can visit during the season to attend games.

Edmondson lettered four times for coach John Zumbran at Carlsbad High School and was picked all-district all four years.

During her senior year, she was named the state’s top prospect

by NMPREP.com and posted team highs in scoring (10.7 ppg), blocks (32) and assists (88).

Taylor also lettered three times in volleyball, three times in track and once in softball.

Adjusting to the collegiate level

took some time.

“One of the biggest adjustments was the shot clock,” said. “But another difference between high school and college is that you may be the best player on the court in high school, but when you get recruited to college, everyone was recruited for the same reason.”

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There’s always another good player ready to take your spot, she observed, but it also means you can always count on the abilities of your teammates.

It also took a long time to physically and mentally adjust to workouts and four hour practices, Edmondson noted.

But adjust she did. Edmondson appeared in every game during her freshmen year and had her first start by her sophomore year, during which she averaged 5.4 ppg and recorded 27 assists and 10 steals.

She appeared in 28 games last year and missed the final four due to her injury. She averaged 5.1 ppg and two rebounds a game, while recording 32 assists, 13 steals and three blocks. She matched a career-high 17 points with three assists in a win over Seattle.

Edmondson is one of five seniors rolling into the upcoming season.

The lineup also includes a single junior, 6 sophomores and 3 incoming freshmen.

Beyond her lofty goals for the upcoming season, Edmondson hopes to continue her athletic career after that.

“I hopefully can play overseas somewhere,” she declared. “If I have a good year, the coaches say that is more than likely to happen, but I want to focus on this year.”

Edmondson’s message to Carlsbad is that she wants everyone to know she is working hard to do a good job representing New Mexico.

We believe New Mexico can be proud of Edmondson and her efforts.

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F O C U S business briefs

Meet the Ringmaker

by Kyle Marksteiner

The prince brings the ring, just like the fairy tales say.

Only in this story, the prince makes the ring from scratch, with a little help from the customer. Alfonso Luna Jr. is the prince of “Pa’ve Prince Custom Jewelry Designs,” which is now open at 1127 B. Canal Street in Carlsbad.

“Pa’ve” means “to pave” and in the jewelry world represents a style where many small gemstones are set closely together. It’s like you are paving a

road, Luna said. Luna received his title, “the Pa’ve Prince” by someone who was impressed with his work.

Luna was born and raised in Carlsbad.

He developed an interest in making jewelry in high school art class. After high school, he attended Paris Junior College, where he learned how set diamonds and cast rings. After that, he spent 16 years working at a jewelry

Alfonso Luna Jr., outside of his business, designing pieces with his computer and at his work bench - Luna’s “Pa’ve” style means many tiny diamonds may be put into one ring.

PHOTOS:

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FOCUS ON CARLSBAD | FALL 2015

store in College Station, Texas.

“We did amazing work together,” he reflected.

He decided to move out on his own and originally planned to open a store in Lubbock. Then he opted to move just a little further west to Carlsbad.

“My family is here and my wife’s family is here,” he noted. “My kids are now growing up with their cousins.”

Luna opened his doors in Carlsbad on April 1. He thought about putting out a “free jewelry” sign just as a joke.

Maybe next year, he laughed.

The store is open Monday through Saturday.

“It’s pretty exhausting and nerve wracking,” he stated about operating his own business. “I’m running on the fly.”

Luna makes jewelry on demand.

His store, barring a handful of items on display, is empty of product. Space is instead devoted to the complex laboratory of machines required to complete the artistry and large notebooks overflowing with Da Vinci-like sketches depicting jewelry ideas.

The whole process, from brain to finger, takes place inside of Luna’s office “Well, I don’t mine my own gold,” he observed. Creation can take anywhere from a few hours to many weeks, depending largely on the design process. Luna doesn’t just make rings; he’s done bracelets, necklaces, canes, guns and even mouth grills. He also handles repairs.

How does it all work? A customer comes in with an idea, “and we’ll kick it around and talk about it,” Luna shared. Sometimes, Luna offers professional suggestions, but sometimes he has to explain the realities of what can actually be done. On slower days, Luna browses through magazines and sketches what he sees, but he always puts his own spin on anything he creates.

The design is the toughest part of the process. The pa’ve style means hundreds of minute details spotlighting an interest or style.

Personalized class rings are a popular creation.

“I think most people don’t even realize what is possible,” Luna added. “I like to let the customer’s imagination run while.

Sometimes I have to pull them down a bit, but sometimes I’m like Emeril in that I suggest we spice it up a bit and maybe add some flare.”

Once an idea is born, Luna’s next step is to sketch out a picture of what he thinks the jewelry will look like, making adjustments if necessary. Does the customer want a narrow shape or a square shape? Does she want a halo of diamonds around the center stone?

From there, he heads over to his computer and creates a 3D rendering of the piece, using specially designed software similar to AutoCAD. Luna said he starts with the size of the item and then works his way out. The computer is hooked up to a rapid prototyping machine that creates an actual liquid resin ring that includes all the details of the ring. It looks a lot like a ring you get out of a gumball machine, only it includes hundreds of details.

“It looks just like the actual ring,” he added. “She puts it on her hand, and we talk about it.”

Once the customer is satisfied with the model, the model becomes the mold for the actual ring. The resin put into a plaster and burned out, leaving an indention that perfectly captures the subtleties of the original design. Another machine relies on centrifugal motion to inject liquid gold into the mold.

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Once things cool off, Luna breaks the ring out of its case. Next stop is the workbench where Luna carefully inserts, in some cases, hundreds of tiny diamond chips around the central stone.

“All you see is sparkle,” he declared.

60th Anniversary

While Luna enjoys the mechanics of creating a piece of jewelry, he stressed that he considers the art element of the process to be the most important. After all, that’s what captured his interest at a young age.

Luna said he eventually plans to have some items on display, but he still wants everything to be unique and personalized. After all, he hopes to live “happily ever after” in Carlsbad.

For more information on Pa’ve Prince Custom Jewelry Designs, visit Paveprince.com or call (575) 689-8085.

Proudly serving those within Eddy County for 60 years.

LET US HELP YOU WITH YOUR FINANCIAL NEEDS. 1105 West Pierce Carlsbad, NM 88220 575-887-6030 2603 South Canal Carlsbad, NM 8822 575-628-0304 www.finseccu.com Your deposits are federally insured to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration.

FALL 2015 | A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

33

F O C U S on the chamber

Letter from the

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Welcome to the late summer/early fall edition of Focus on Carlsbad!

Allow me to introduce myself as your new Chairman of the Board of the Chamber of Commerce.

LISA SEXTON

Chairman of the Board

CARLSBAD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

I’m a 33 year Carlsbad resident, graduate of Carlsbad High School and a business owner.

It has been my pleasure to serve on the Chamber’s Board of Directors the past four years, and I’m looking forward to serving our members in the months ahead.

As the Chairman of the Board, I am interested in assuring that our organization is run as efficiently as possible and that the needs of the members as well as the good

The summer heat will fade soon, and we have several events just ahead. We look forward to your participation and support for our Business Expo & Job Fair, the Winter Wine Festival, and the always exciting Christmas on the Pecos. Come on out and join us!

Sincerely, Lisa Sexton

Chairman of the Board - Lisa Sexton, Accu-Rite Tax Accounting Incoming Chairman of the Board - Robert Baldridge, Intrepid Potash - NM LLC Treasurer – Dr. John Gratton, NMSU-Carlsbad Past Chairman of the Board - Jack Volpato, Southwest Pharmacy Ambassadors - Jill Barkley, Big Johns Automotive Machine Shop Carlsbad 40 Under 40 - Jeff Campbell, Carlsbad Department of Development Christmas on the Pecos - Mike Calvani, Calvani Carpets Education - Dr. John Gratton, NMSU-Carlsbad Governmental Affairs - Jack Volpato, Southwest Pharmacy Positively Carlsbad & Special Events - Mindy Keefer, Carlsbad National Bank Retirement - Wanda Durham, Durham Mackay Architects, Inc Tourism – Marjo Pace, First American Bank

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FOCUS ON CARLSBAD | FALL 2015

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

EVENTS

Business Expo & Job Fair October 22, 2015 Pecos River Village Conference Center

of the community are our primary concern.

2015-2016 BOARD OF DIRECTORS COUNCIL CHAIRS

UPCOMING

Christmas on the Pecos

November 27 – December 31, 2015 Pecos River Village

Winter Wine Festival December 4 - 5, 2015 Pecos River Village Conference Center

Please contact the Chamber of Commerce at 575-887-6516 for more information!

BOARD MEMBERS

Patricia Aragon, McDonald’s in Carlsbad & Artesia JR Doporto, City of Carlsbad representative Kelly Duke, Carlsbad Medical Center Todd Hyden, Pacesetter Pressure Pumping, Inc Ben Jaime, Xcel Energy Maria Knittel, PVPM Inc Donavan Mager, Nuclear Waste Partnership LLC Gary Perkowski, Carlsbad Municipal Schools Stuart Roberts, TDS Communication Jill Torres, Lodger’s Tax Representative Richard Torres, Devon Energy Debe Wagner, Pioneer Bank Mary Walterscheid, The Garden Mart Alan Wood, Denton-Wood Funeral Home

HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS

Mike Antiporda, Carlsbad Community Foundation Brad Bolton, Lincoln National Forest – Guadalupe District Eric Brunnemann, Guadalupe Mountains National Park Mark Cage, Eddy County Sheriff’s Department Linda Dodd, United Way of Carlsbad & South Eddy County Eddy County Commissioner Eve Flanigan, Carlsbad Anti-Drug/Gang Coalition Karla Hamel, Carlsbad MainStreet Doug Neighbor, Carlsbad Caverns National Park Adrian Stiteler, Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park Dr. George Veni, National Cave & Karst Research Institute John Waters, Carlsbad Department of Development

F O C U S on the chamber

CARLSBAD WAS RECENTLY FEATURED IN 3 DIFFERENT PUBLICATIONS….

Most Unique Experiences in New Mexico & the Most Breathtaking Caves in the World… Carlsbad Caverns National Park

whose presence gives the caves a fantastical and almost cartoonish look,” notes the publication.

New Mexico (Best in New Mexico)

“15 experiences you can only have in New Mexico” Carlsbad Caverns National Park makes number 5…. (featured in Matadornetwork)

Architecture Design described the Caverns as “Breathtaking Caves That Are Almost Too Beautiful To Exist” - Carlsbad Caverns comes in at number 6 out of 20.

“What makes these caves truly notable, though, are the massive deposits of gypsum, clay, and silt,

Finally, Danny’s Place was featured

by Thrillist in “The Best BBQ in Every State…”

Danny’s Place 902 S Canal - Carlsbad

“Louisiana-based vinegar-sauced ribs or a pulled pork sandwich. Best BBQ was a toss-up between Danny’s and Sparky’s, but Danny’s took the prize with their smoked meats on the menu and special BBQ sauce.

40 years and still cranking out the smoked meats that put the rest of the state to shame.”

LIVING IN AN AGE-FRIENDLY WORLD How would you like to live in an Age-friendly city? You might ask, “What is an Age-friendly city anyway?”

taking steps to becoming more age-friendly and we are “off and running.”

According to the World Health Organization: It is a place where people of all ages can actively participate in community activities. It is a place that treats everyone with respect, regardless of their age. It is a place that helps people stay healthy and active at any age. It is a place that helps those who can no longer look after themselves live with dignity and enjoyment.

• Home to Three Senior Living Facilities • A Respite Care Center • Two Senior Recreation Centers • Two National Parks and Two State Parks • 34 Public Parks, Open Spaces and a Dog Park • Sports Complex • Neighborhood Playgrounds • Riverwalk Recreation Center • Tennis Courts • Golf Courses

The City of Carlsbad is already

We offer the following:

These are just a few of the amenities Carlsbad has to offer.

The City will continue implementation of a transportation improvement plan to connect current and future needs of the community and develop Carlsbad and Eddy County into an agefriendly area.

We ask all citizens to give input on this project.

Please call Janell at 575-887-6516 or send an e-mail to retire@carlsbadchamber.com with suggestions.

FALL 2015 | A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

35

F O C U S on the chamber

BOUTIQUE AIR

CAMP WASHINGTON RANCH

CHILL-YOGURT BAR

CHUCK’S BLENDED PECANS

ELITE NAIL SPA #2

FIDDLER’S INN BED & BREAKFAST

Boutique Air celebrated its first flight into Carlsbad on Monday, June 19, 2015. Boutique Air is at 1505 Terminal Drive in the Carlsbad Municipal Airport and can be reached at 1-855-268-8478.

New to the Carlsbad Mall is the Chill-Yogurt Bar!

Elite Nail Spa #2 is now open and ready for business at 1620 S. Canal Street!

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FOCUS ON CARLSBAD | FALL 2015

Camp Washington Ranch Xperience held a ribbon cutting for its new activities in late May. They’re located at 18 Rattlesnake Springs and can be reached by calling 575-785-2228.

Chuck’s Blended Pecans located at 2228 N. Canal Street celebrated its opening on May 12 and can be reached at 575-520-1676.

Carlsbad recently welcomed the Fiddler’s Inn Bed and Breakfast. This Bed & Breakfast is located at 705 N. Canyon and can be reached by calling 575-725-8665!

FOCUSNM.COM

F O C U S on the chamber

YOUR CHAMBER STAFF ROBERT DEFER, Chief Executive Officer director@carlsbadchamber.com

DONNA CASS, Senior Admin. Assistant carlsbadnm@carlsbadchamber.com

BRENDA WHITEAKER, Director of Operations operations@carlsbadchamber.com

DOROTHY RIDGEWAY, Admin. Assistant temp@carlsbadchamber.com

LISA BOEKE, Director of Tourism & Marketing tourism@carlsbadchamber.com

RANDY BAKER, Director of Facility Maintenance facility@carlsbadchamber.com

JANELL WHITLOCK, Director of Retirement retire@carlsbadchamber.com

JESUS TORRES, Facility Maintenance JAVIER LOPEZ, Facility Maintenance

6TH GRADE ACADEMY

LANDSUN MEMORY CARE

LANDSUN SKILLED UNIT

SLEEP INN & SUITES

The Carlsbad 6th Grade Academy celebrated the completion of the Habitat Project on April 22. The Academy is located at 301 Alta Vista.

Congratulations to the students and staff!

The Landsun Homes Health Service Center celebrated the opening of its Skilled Unit on May 11. The Health Service Center is located at 1900 Westridge Rd. For more information, please call 575-887-2894.

Landsun Homes recently opened their Assisted Living with Memory Care unit. The unit is located at 2002 Westridge Road. For more information, please call 575-887-2894.

Sleep Inn & Suites celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting and businessafter-hours celebration. This new hotel is located at 3825 National Parks Highway and can be reached at 575-941-2300.

AND THE WINNERS ARE!!!

Several awards and special presentations were made at the Chamber’s Annual Banquet & Meeting on July 9, 2015. Donna Cass, the Chamber’s Senior Administrative Assistant, was recognized for ten years of service to the Chamber! Ernie Carlson, Susan Owen, and Brenda Suggs were recognized as retiring Board members. The Jack E. Knittel Presidential Award was presented to Lisa Sexton, the Pete Panagopoulos Ambassador of the Year went to Michele Robertson, and the 2014-15 Business of the Year is Mosaic Potash. Congratulations to all!

WELCOME NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS! Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is proud to welcome the following businesses as new members.

B & B DISTRIBUTORS Rita Rims NM 575-887-3486 BIG DOGS CURBSIDE GRILL 575-302-4397 BOUTIQUE AIR 1505 Terminal Drive 1-855-268-8478 CHUCK’S BLENDED PECANS 2228 N Canal St 575-520-1676 DANBAR DIVERSIFIED/ CRED REPAIR NERDS 121 S Canal St, Suite B 575-941-3003 FIDDLER’S INN BED & BREAKFAST 705 N Canyon 575-725-8665 HONOR YOUR TRUTH EQUUS AND LIFE COACHING 575-952-0159 HORIZON PEST CONTROL 4404 Mescalero 575-725-9331 HOTEL ENCANTO DE LAS CRUCES 705 S Telshor Dr, Las Cruces 575-522-4300 LIVINGSTON HEARING AID CENTER 219 S Canyon 575-689-8300 LMC SERVICES, INC 575-200-5181 For more information or to join the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce call 575-887-6516 or visit carlsbadchamber.com.

FALL 2015 | A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

37

F O C U S business directory

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