Focus on Carlsbad Summer 2015

SUMMER 2015

LIFE & SPORT

EXTREME

A Passion for Skateboarding Desert Willow Wildlife Rehab Center Carlsbad’s Desert Racing Experiencing Nature in the Classroom Little League Baseball Roundup Chamber News & More!

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FROM THE EDITOR FOCUS ON SKATEBOARDING

FOR LOVE OF SKATING

FOCUS ON ADRENALINE SEEKING

EXTREME COMPATIBILITY FOCUS ON SKYDIVING

RETIRED COLONEL EYE ON THE SKY FOCUS ON ANIMAL RESCUE

WHERE THE WILD THINGS GO FOR HELP!

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PHOTOS IN FOCUS FOCUS ON DESERT RACING

LIKE THE DESERT MISSES THE RACE

TIDBITS AND TRIVIA FOCUS ON MAINSTREET

GREETINGS FROM KARLA HAMEL FOCUS ON EDUCATION

EXPERIENCING NATURE IN OLÉ CLASSROOM FOCUS ON RACING HISTORY

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BURNING RUBBER FOCUS ON BASEBALL

LITTLE LEAGUE ROUNDUP FOCUS ON EXTREME GOLFING

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ABOUT THE COVER

Emily Venegas shows what Extreme Sports is all about with her skateboard at the Carlsbad Beach Bandshell.

Photo by Brand Eye Photography

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

Special Contributors: Staci Guy, Amanda Melvin, Eve Flanigan, Karla Hamel, Donna Birchell, Don Eskins & The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce FOCUS ON CARLSBAD IS PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY AD VENTURE MARKETING

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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.

SUMMER 2015 | A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

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F O C U S from the editor

THERE’S A DEARTH OF AVID SNOWBOARDERS IN CARLSBAD.

KYLE MARKSTEINER Editorial Director

FOCUS ON CARLSBAD

When we first settled on the theme for this edition—“Xtreme Outdoors” or “Extreme Outdoors”—I had a vision of interviewing some wild haired “dude” named Brody or Shaun who spends his life sliding down the sides of mountains.

Turns out, there are not that many dudes like that in Carlsbad, at least not that I was able to locate. One can only assume that the world’s elite snowboarders generally live somewhere with more snow?

We did manage to track down some cavers and rock climbers, courtesy of Amanda Melvin, who is now joining us as a stringer instead of as MainStreet director. Our new MainStreet Director, Karla Hamel, is in here as well. We also interviewed some skydivers, skateboarders and desert racers, all of whom probably qualify for something close to the traditional definition of “Xtreme.”

Let’s see, Eve Flanigan brings us an

article about “Xtreme Animal Rescue,” Donna Birchell has a history piece on “Xtreme Drag Racing,” and Staci Guy has an excellent story about the science program at the Early Childhood Education Center. Oh, and Don Eskins went with “Xtreme Senior Golf.”

I’m starting to think that my stringers are a somewhat independent-minded group of individuals.

But who am I to judge what “extreme” really means? I went into this project with a vague image that it would involve 20-something males, largely from Colorado, jumping out of or over things, but it is entirely possible that “extreme” is in the eye of the beholder.

My binge watching of old seasons of Parks and Recreation might be extreme to some, except that it isn’t.

Just for the record, I’ve been skydiving (tandem) once and bungee jumping once, and neither frightened me nearly as much as my last (and likely final)

time skiing. My issue is not so much a fear of heights or death but a complete lack of coordination. Extreme activities that rely on technology or other people are fine.

A quote often (and perhaps incorrectly) attributed to Ernest Hemingway reads “There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.” That being said, Hemingway also enjoyed finding and shooting exotic animals, so he may not be the best judge of character.

I hope you enjoy the magazine. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have an “Extreme Settlers of Catan” board game to attend to, followed by an even more extreme “search for some leftover Girl Scout cookies” and then finally, I will engage in a political argument on an internet message board, which may or may not also get a bit extreme.

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

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F O C U S on skateboarding

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FOCUS ON CARLSBAD | SUMMER 2015

by Kyle Marksteiner

“You can’t be careful on a skateboard.”~ Stephen King It’s hard to find a time when the skatepark outside Carlsbad’s Riverwalk Recreation Center isn’t being put to good use. The park has been in almost continual use since legislative funding paid for its construction more than a decade ago.

“I’m not trying to brag, but I think I’m probably the best one,” stated 20-yearold Dilan Salcido, and what’s odd is that you get the feeling he is sincere.

Salcido has been skating for the past nine years and he was even featured in Transworld SKATEboarding magazine.

Salcido has lived in South Eddy County his entire life. He’s one of a group of skaters, mostly male, who more or less grew up at the Carlsbad Skatepark.

In fact, Salcido now works at the Rec Center, partially due to the proximity to the park and partially because he says the part time job pays well. He’s also taking classes at NMSU-C. He received his first skateboard for his 11th birthday. “All my friends from elementary school were skating and I remember watching it on TV,” he reflected. He loved seeing the tricks

and wondered about the physics of how the experts kept the boards on their feet. As a child, he was pretty sure they used magnets. He’s learned a lot since then.

Cody Nance, 17, said he became a skateboarder after he attended the X Games in 2007 with his family. “It was just getting to see all the pro skaters and how good they were,” he recalled.

“I thought it was cool, so I got my first board.” Since then, he’s been to the skatepark almost every day.

Skating becomes a big part of life.

Skaters are a close group of friends and almost always the same group of people. Salcido’s girlfriend is a skater, too. “It’s like a family here,” he maintained. “If someone is hurt, we’ll help them.”

Time at the skatepark is a mixture of warming up, practicing and trying new things. “It’s all about trial and error,” Salcido pointed out. “You don’t really have specific moves or tricks, you just try new stuff.”

to demonstrate with considerable success. Skateboarding takes a certain level of durability as no moves, even

by Carlsbad’s top skaters, seem to have anywhere close to a 100% success rate.

Salcido admitted that he’s dealt with two broken ankles and a concussion during his skateboarding career.

“Skateboarding is a free sport,” he declared. “You are in control and can do anything you want.” He’s lost track of how many skateboards he’s been through over the past 11 years, but he will usually order two at a time so that he’ll have one ready if the other one gets damaged.

The skatepark is also open to bikes and scooters. There are a few unofficial rules in addition to the ones posted. “We call it snaking where if it is your turn to go then someone else goes right in front of you on the ramp,” Salcido explained.

“You are not

That said, a favorite of Salcido and Nance is the “Nollie Big Spin,” a 360 turn which the two were able

Dilan Salcido and Cody Nance show off one of the Riverwalk Recreation Center’s two new skateboard themed benches.

PHOTO:

SUMMER 2015 | A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

7

supposed to do that. Wait your turn.”

He spent four hours at the skatepark the day before the interview. He’s not the only skater over 18. “There are a lot of oilfield guys in their 20s who move here for work and come out and skate,” he revealed. “I have a couple of friends around 27 or 28 who still skate.”

At competitions, the judges look for creativity. “If you do something nobody else has seen, you get a lot of points because it’s unique,” Salcido offered.

“Style, you’ve got to have style,” Nance added.

The style of the skatepark improved in 2014 when the City of Carlsbad installed a pair of skateboard-themed benches that celebrate the park.

Riverwalk Recreation Center Director Renee Madrid said the benches have been popular attractions for photographers. “They are durable for skaters and scooters. You’re supposed

to be able to ramp off of them,” she noted. Madrid came up with the idea after attending a conference in Albuquerque. “They are attractive, and they really represent our skatepark,” she remarked.

The skatepark and adjacent concrete hockey rink fall under the purview of the Riverwalk Recreation Center, which means they operate under the same hours. “We don’t open until one p.m. on weekends because of staff,” Madrid commented. “When we show up, there will be kids waiting outside.”

When Salcido was 17, a group called the Global Youth Outreach Center approached him and sponsored him to compete at a skating event in Alamogordo. He won first place at the competition, and through connections with the outreach center, was later featured in the magazine while skating in Las Cruces.

He’s no longer an official member of the

Cody Nance performs a routine at the Carlsbad Skatepark. He went to the X Games in 2007 and has been an avid skater ever since. PHOTO BELOW: Dilan Salcido may spend four hours at the skatepark on a good day.

PHOTO RIGHT:

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FOCUS ON CARLSBAD | SUMMER 2015

program, since it is for youth, but he still skates whenever he can.

Several years ago, Carlsbad hosted a skateboarding competition. Madrid, Salcido and Nance all agreed that hosting another event would be an excellent idea. Madrid said she’d also like to look into hosting some 3-on-3 competitions at the hockey rink.

In the meantime, Carlsbad’s skaters will continue to practice here and compete elsewhere. Salcido recently competed in Midland, and he’s also served as a judge. There are other places in Carlsbad where skateboarders congregate, though the skatepark is the official destination.

“You just go out there and try stuff if you want to get better,” he concluded.

“But you always do it for the fun of it.”

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F O C U S on adrenaline seeking

EXTREME COMPATIBILITY

Kindred Spirits Find Love

by Amanda Melvin

Often misunderstood as reckless and adrenaline seeking, extreme adventurers aren’t afraid to go alone - that is, unless they meet someone who shares their passion for the unknown.

Having the world you love come to an end “is disappointing,” declared Mark Joop, caver and geologist. That end becomes ever elusive as he climbs down into dark, humid and often cramped underground spaces only to again emerge at the surface to await his next descent.

Celebrating the graduation of her son is what sprang Beth Jines, avid adventurer and nuclear medicine technologist, into the air for her first skydiving experience. “I wanted to make sure he remembered and celebrated the moment.”

Fortunately for her son, the jump was cancelled due to bad weather, but she would not be deterred. With a year remaining to use the tickets, she rescheduled. Sadly, this time her son declined. “I still went!” she enthusiastically exclaimed.

Neither Jines nor Joop claim to be extremists; rather, they wear a label placed by others who are intrigued by their engagement in what is commonly seen as fearsome activities.

It is in marveling their personalities that one discovers yet another level of interest. Extreme adventurers run together.

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FOCUS ON CARLSBAD | SUMMER 2015

PHOTO ABOVE: Explorers Alan and Beth Jines won’t let anything get in the way of a good adventure.

PHOTO LEFT: Mark and Diane Joop, pictured at their wedding

Alan Jines, a bicyclist, backpacker and environmental engineer, knew early in life that he wouldn’t accept others placing irrational rules on his backpacking escapades. He clearly recalls his teenage years when a friend backed out of a trip to the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Alan was fully packed and ready to depart when his friend cancelled. Upset by his friend’s decision not to go, he made up his mind to go backpacking alone.

Now newlyweds, Alan and Beth Jines have ventured along a journey from New York to Carlsbad and can be found hiking along trails or biking on some long stretch of desert road.

When asked how they met, Alan quickly responds that he saw a picture

of Beth skydiving and knew he wanted to meet her. When they share their story, it is apparent that their passion for each other is equal to their love of exploration.

Balancing love for both adventure and relationship when interests diverge may appear difficult. Beth, however, would disagree. “I have an unnatural fear of scuba diving,” she claimed.

She doesn’t mind water sports and swims well, but the idea of a mask on her face and being underwater was terrifying. Aware that Alan enjoyed scuba diving, Beth decided to face her fear and get her scuba certification.

“I almost didn’t make it,” she shared, the fear in her voice undeniable, “but I knew I wanted to.” Now a certified diver, she overcomes her fear each time she goes on a dive. Whether the fear will subside at some future point is unknown.

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Diane Joop, caver and educator, found her way to the life of adventure while living in Kentucky after witnessing pollution of a water source that feeds into a cave. To see if she could make a difference in protecting the cave waters, she decided to join the speleological society’s local chapter grotto club, what she refers to as “a jungle gym for adults.”

It was during her first caving experience in 2001 when, as a new grotto club member, she noticed Mark Joop poking his head out of the cave entrance.

“It was his smile that caught my attention.” She laughed and told how other club members, in response to her inquiries, warned her that Mark was celibate and not dating anyone.

Mark remembered thinking, “If [I] get married, it all goes out the window. I wanted to be free and explore the world.”

Time has a way of changing perspectives. As club members, Diane and Mark joined in many caving expeditions and built a trusted friendship. “On expeditions anything goes,” noted Mark. Both Mark and Diane went on to describe multiple experiences. They shared moments of traveling through cave water with only five or six inches of air space and explained how just one fast moving team member can form a wave that submerges others near them.

The story continued for more than an hour as Diane recalled a time when Mark was at his lowest. It was an expedition in Gap Cave and they were part of a group mapping a passage. Mark had been on a previous attempt with another team but with the same lead. This time Diane was part of the team. It was a team of six and they expected the trip to take 12-16 hours to map the connection. The first leg was to rappel 85 feet and belly crawl through a passage to rappel again another 40 feet. Then they would navigate through what Diane referred to as the “slot of death,” while Mark called it the “crack of hell:” a 45 degree angle slide.

Once through the slide, they spent four hours looking for the connection point. The team’s

intention was to go through the mountain but instead they had reached a dead end located somewhere in the middle of a mountain. The conditions were so miserable that for the first time in her five years of caving, Diane wanted to “bore straight up” through the rock to the surface.

Mark was completely discouraged, Diane recalled. “I knew I had to do something, so I made it a game.” To get back up the “crack of hell,” they inch wormed for 150 feet, standing on each other’s shoulders and pulling the other one up and over.

Using this leap-frog approach, they made it back to the surface 32 hours after they first started the expedition. Upon surfacing, one of the team members ran down the mountain and met up with a park team just in time to call off the rescue that had been dispatched.

Two years later, Mark and Diane were part of a team to successfully map the connection at Gap Cave. As a caver, “you learn your limitations and know the importance of trust,” claimed Mark. From discovering anthropological footprints dating back 5,000 years to going into unknown caves in Mexico, they eventually found their way to Carlsbad.

Mark proposed to Diane in 2007 in Kokopelli Cave near Farmington. He admitted that somewhere along the way he decided that “marriage [was] a great unknown that he wanted to explore.” Diane realized that she could love Mark and have a friend for life. “Your whole psyche feels better,” she claimed.

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F O C U S on skydiving

Retired Colonel Has Eye on the Sky

by Kyle Marksteiner

Tom Langowski hasn’t just jumped out of a perfectly good airplane once. He’s done it more than 1,250 times.

Langowski is a retired U.S. Army colonel who now teaches science at Carlsbad Intermediate School on the P.R. Leyva campus. Dealing with hormonal seventh graders may sound like more than enough of an adrenaline rush for most of us, but Langowski has spent more time falling out of airplanes than some of us have spent in them.

He made his first jump when he was 26 years old. He was a captain at the time and taught ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) classes in eastern Montana. One of his coworkers, a master sergeant, suggested he try jumping. A great trainer happened to be in the area, so he went out to the airport to give it a shot.

“I did two tandem jumps before I PHOTOS:

Pretty soon he was hooked, and the trial run became a hobby. After about 200 jumps, skydiving for him went from a thrill-seeker’s activity to a sport. He became interested in the technical issues, especially those associated with group skydives. “It’s about working with other people and making different formations,” Langowksi noted.

Skydives usually begin at around 12,500 feet above the ground. The distance at which you can free fall before needing to deploy your parachute depends on your experience level. As an expert, Langowski can fall around 10,000 feet before pulling

Colonel Tom Langowski, pictured in blue & white, has completed more than 1,250 skydives.

Photos courtesy of Keith Abner.

12

decided if I wanted to continue. At my first jump,” he admitted. “I remember thinking how stupid I was.”

FOCUS ON CARLSBAD | SUMMER 2015

the pilot chute. When jumping in large groups, there’s a set time before you turn away from the rest of the formation to deploy your parachute.

Often the best part for newcomers is the view after the parachute is deployed, Langowski noted, but true devotees of the sport live for the free fall experience and see the slow glide during the second half of the trip as a means to an end.

However, the view remains an important part of the experience.

Langowski recalled a dive with two other people. “We linked hands, and there was the most beautiful sunset,” he remembered. “It was one of the most fantastic jumps I ever did.”

When skydiving becomes a sport, the challenge then becomes competing against your own personal bests and trying to set new records, such as linking the largest number of people together. He recalls being part of a formation of 100 people diving

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together at Skydive Chicago, which is a favorite drop zone.

Langowski has always skydived as a civilian, though many of his fellow enthusiasts were also in the military. Skydiving has been a large part of his life apart from the military. “All of my best friends are still skydivers,” he reflected.

The heyday of his skydiving career was between 1991 and 2001. “I brought a camper so I could live on the jump site,” he recalled. “If I didn’t do 20 jumps, then it was a slow weekend.”

The tragedy of September 11, 2001 changed everything. He’s been skydiving since then, but not at anywhere close to the same rate. In addition to being on active duty—he was deployed to Afghanistan twice, but no, he never went skydiving there—the first of his three children was also born that year.

“It’s not that I feared leaving them fatherless,” he argued.

“But when you are skydiving, you are gone all weekend. My priorities changed when the girls arrived.” He said he has no plans to encourage his daughters to skydive later in life, but he also won’t forbid it. “If they express interest, if they choose to do it, then I’ll make sure they have a safe drop zone.”

He’s seen accidents and even fatalities in skydiving. While improvements to safety equipment have eliminated many of the dangers associated with the sport, the size of parachutes used by upper-level skydivers has gotten smaller. That means a quicker descent.

“In all my skydives, I’ve never had a malfunction, but I have had one reserve ride,” he revealed. In that instance, when his reserve parachute was deployed, he already had a fully functioning main canopy out. “I was late in deploying it, that’s why the

AAD (Automatic Activation Device) triggered my reserve,” he explained. “I then cut my main away.”

Had he utilized both parachutes, there may have been a risk due to the two parachutes splitting and failing to slow his descent.

Some safety equipment, such as what he uses, relies on electronics that automatically deploy the backup at a certain distance if the primary has not deployed. Other jumpers use a static line, which deploys the canopy when the diver becomes a certain distance from the plane.

NG I N E P O D N A R G 9-5 MAY 23rd •

He also suffered from a slight injury during his 1,000th dive, and he’s worn a helmet ever since.

He said he doesn’t have any other extreme hobbies, such as cliff diving. “I’m fact, I’m afraid of heights!” he declared, then clarified, “When you jump at 12,500 feet and open a parachute, you don’t get the ground rushing at you. It’s a controlled descent.

But put me on the edge of a cliff or building? No way!”

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Langowski retired to Carlsbad and civilian life in 2013. He jumps occasionally but is largely kept busy preparing science lessons for his junior high students. The closest skydiving drop zone is in Hobbs. He has jumped there a few times, and he also will sometimes meet with old friends to jump at prior destinations.

While his military career never involved skydiving, he certainly served with those from airborne units. In fact, they’d sometimes display a sense of superiority about their own skydiving experience, at least until they found out that he had more than 1,000 jumps.

“They’d shut up pretty quick,” he shrugged. “And being a colonel helped, too.”

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F O C U S on animal rescue

DESERT WILLOW WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CENTER

Where the Wild Things Go for Help!

At

by Eve Flanigan

a place where the city meets the country on Fiesta Drive is Desert Willow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

The facility is a growing testament to years of work and learning invested by veterinarian and Carlsbad native Samantha “Sammie” Uhrig, DVM, and others who help the wild animals of

our region.

Uhrig’s own history with wildlife rehab began at an early age.

In 1989, she obtained her state and federal permits to rehabilitate, and her work was key in rehabilitating 28 animals. By 1991, she assisted more than 100 animals.

Uhrig won national recognition for her contributions to wildlife even as a teen. Since then, she obtained wildlife biology and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from Colorado State University. In the past decade, the average number of animals taken in is a little more than 350 annually, with one especially hectic year in 2010 when 600 animals were treated.

Uhrig’s mother is now retired from this charitable enterprise, and Uhrig has taken over as the state and federal rehabilitation licensee. She is able to take in most local wild animals in need regardless of species.

The goal of the facility is twofold: to rehabilitate animals and return them to the most natural environment

possible, and to educate the public on the importance of wildlife in our own lives and how to help those animals stay healthy. Desert Willow Rehab is growing, and Dr. Uhrig wants to train volunteers to do some of the public education that her time does not

“You never know what’s going to happen; every day is different. There’s nothing like having a loon chase you across the yard or seeing a pelican grab and engulf a tech’s head in its pouch!” - Dr. Samantha Uhrig 14

FOCUS ON CARLSBAD | SUMMER 2015

PHOTO LEFT: Dr. Samantha Uhrig with Duke, the official greeter.

Brantley Lake State Park.

PHOTOS ABOVE: A

bald eagle release at

permit. The facility is also in need of transport volunteers and pens that will accommodate expanding demands and a greater spectrum of rehabilitation services.

“There is a lot of raptor (birds of prey) rehab here,” explained Uhrig. “We’re a triage center. We determine what injuries there are, stabilize the birds as best we can, and transport or arrange for transport for the appropriate level of care. Dr. Blake Murray here in town has been willing to step up as an orthopedic surgeon.”

Transportation is a serious issue for raptor rehab. “When I started this work, the airlines made free transportation in the cargo area available every day. That service was stopped,” she sighed with an air of regret. An organization called Hawks Aloft helps, but transportation now depends on volunteer availability.

Desert Willow Rehab made headlines in February when a celebration at Brantley Lake heralded the release of a bald eagle that successfully recovered from injury. “You never know how it’s going to go,” she explained, “but he flew with good strength, caught a thermal and finally circled up into the clouds where we couldn’t see him.”

Not all species at Desert Willow have feathers.

Currently, a pair of female bobcat kittens is in the care of the facility. They were found and turned in by a town-dweller who discovered them under a car. Countless deer have been treated as well as less commonly seen creatures like badgers, kangaroo rats and a Texas spiny softshell turtle. “We work very hard to keep animals wild,” she contended, explaining that wildness is essential to survival and her goal is to return every animal to its natural surroundings and way of living.

Potash mining brings some special considerations for wildlife rehabilitation. Especially vulnerable are waterfowl, both permanent residents and the

plethora of species that fly over south Eddy County on their migration paths. Brine lakes associated with mining are a natural magnet for birds for whom bodies of water are resting and feeding grounds.

“The first year I started taking in waterfowl, in 2008, I was a little overwhelmed and didn’t know what I was in for,” she admitted.

“Over 30 birds came that first weekend; seven of them were white pelicans.” Since then, according to Uhrig, Mosaic Potash has made such an effort to prevent animal injury that severe dehydration has become only an occasional presenting problem for animals entering the facility.

In fact, Mosaic’s program is so effective that it is often held up as a model program by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Another innovation that has emerged from Desert Willow and associated volunteers, including former Carlsbad High School teacher Steve West, a licensed U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) bird bander, is the banding of migratory fowl that come through the area.

Uhrig explained that anyone finding a band can report the finding and the band’s code on the USGS website www.usgs.gov.

If it was banded in the United States, a certificate showing the location of the bird’s release is sent to the person who recovers the band, and another certificate is sent to the bander of record showing the location of the bird when found.

What can people do to help an injured or orphaned wild animal?

“People need to mind their own safety and that of the animal,” Uhrig asserted. Call the clinic— the rehab center is located along with Desert Willow Veterinary Clinic. Local animal control officers are another resource who may be able to retrieve or transport, and depending on the species, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish may be a resource. “Every year I get animals people have attempted to raise or rehabilitate.

Some are good at it. But wild

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rehabilitation facility. It isn’t easy, but there are funny moments. “You never know what’s going to happen; every day is different. There’s nothing like having a loon chase you across the yard or seeing a pelican grab and engulf a tech’s head in its pouch,” she chuckled. “There were so many people here in Carlsbad who helped me learn. I was fortunate; I had support here.”

PHOTO LEFT: Radiographs of a great blow heron with a fishhook and tackle in its gut.

PHOTO RIGHT: Many of the Desert Willow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center’s patients are birds.

animals are just that—wild.”

What are the current needs of the program? Flight pens of gradually larger sizes, which give room for birds to gradually build flying strength, are an immediate need. The price tag for such pens varies widely from three to fifty thousand dollars. People with skills to make brochures, be trained as educators and increase the organization’s online presence are needed. Desert Willow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is on Facebook, for those inclined to “friend.”

The Carlsbad Foundation has made it easy to donate with Paypal access and a

demand fund set up for Desert Willow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

A “little shelf of horrors” at Desert Willow Rehab displays a selection of fishing paraphernalia, each with its own story of painful entanglement on a bird or turtle.

Many of these animals were found at Lake Carlsbad and Lower Tansil Dam. The lesson? Don’t litter, pick up fishing trash when you encounter it (safely, there might be hooks!), and encourage others to do the same.

Uhrig’s passion for this work keeps her working toward a vision of a full-service

A positive outlook is critical, as rehabilitation work fills the days with “a lot of angry stuff and a lot of sad stuff,” as Uhrig puts it. Some animals simply cannot survive. The words of an esteemed instructor are held close to her heart: “Every animal that comes through our door is dead” (or would be, without rehabilitation). Her voice wavering with emotion, she concluded, “Thinking about it that way makes the releases that much more precious.”

Desert Willow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and Desert Willow Veterinary Clinic are located at 512 E. Fiesta Drive in Carlsbad, phone 575-885-3399.

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FOCUS ON CARLSBAD | SUMMER 2015

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L.A. TEMPL ARS WRES T LERS 1 • Members of the L.A. Templars professional wrestling squad visited Carlsbad in March. More than 700 people attended the performance.

2 • Wrestling legend and WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi and Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway enjoy a tour of the Pecos River.

4

N ORTH MESA SEN IOR C ENT ER 3 • Pat Beason examines some of the work being done at the North Mesa Senior Center. Beason retired as the center’s director this spring.

5

DANCING AT THE REC 4 • Dance competition at the Riverwalk Recreation Center.

TRAIN IN G F IRST RE S P ONDERS 5 • Members of the 64th National Guard Civil Support Team, along with local first responders, perform training exercises at the Permian Basin Regional Training Center.

6

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ML K DAY CELEBRATI ON 6 • Musical performances at Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Carlsbad were one way Dr. King’s dream was celebrated this year.

8

SPRIN G F LIN G 7 • Visitors to this year’s Spring Fling had the opportunity to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Carlsbad Beach area.

9

8 • Dancing the afternoon away at Spring Fling.

A SPECIAL HON OR 9 • Adán M. Rodriguez received a special honor by Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway this spring when the Honor Guard building was named in his honor.

SUMMER 2015 | A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

17

F O C U S on desert racing

Like the Desert Misses the Race

by Kyle Marksteiner

CARLSBAD’S DESERT RACING ENTHUSIASTS GO THE DISTANCE. On April 18 and 19, hundreds of racers and fans gathered at a remote location outside Carlsbad to participate in the Carlsbad 100 Desert Race, which is part of the Gas It Offroad Racing Series.

The racing takes place at the Hackberry Lake OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle) Use Area, set aside by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) about 20 miles northeast of town.

Bathrooms and picnic shelters mark the base of operations, but the true resource is the 388 miles of trails that stretch around the area, mostly to the north of U.S. 62-180. It’s about four miles away from the sand dunes that

are another attraction for Carlsbad residents.

The area was provided to the riders by the BLM, but much of the credit goes to racing legends Jesse and Jo Ann Perry, who have been nuts for the sport for decades.

“Let’s be real clear,” declared racer David Bryant. “They are responsible for all this.”

Jesse, 73, said he became interested in the sport after his cousin wanted to sell him a motorcycle. “He said ‘I need some money and I don’t know when I can pay it back,’” he recalled. “I bought

it and we (he and Jo Ann) started taking turns. But then she’d go off and I’d have nothing to ride, so I bought another one. Then the kids started riding, so it has escalated since then.”

The Perrys were previously involved in what’s called enduro racing, in which competitors riding desert courses are expected to be at checkpoints at certain times. It’s similar to desert racing, but a little more technical. “It takes a lot more people and a lot more work for enduro racing,” revealed Darren Bryant.

“It may be easy to go 35 miles per hour here,” added David, “but not so easy down in the gully.”

In fact, the Perrys have been racing in some fashion or another for some

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Cousins David and Darren Bryant, from left, are regulars at the Hackberry OHV desert course near Carlsbad.

PHOTO RIGHT: Local desert racers say Jesse and Jo Ann Perry are largely responsible for the excellent state of the BLM course and the Carlsbad 100 annual race.

PHOTO ABOVE:

40 years now. They previously rode at a different location south of the highway. “Where we were riding, they wanted to close it,” Jesse remarked.

“They gave us this area instead. We resisted for a long time, but once we got to laying this out we decided we liked this really good.”

The Desert Rough Riders Club recently formed to provide the patriarch and matriarch of Carlsbad racing with some assistance planning the race. Member Darren Bryant said there are maybe a dozen active members in Carlsbad, and they’ve even set up a Facebook page. The race requires membership in the American

Motorcyclist Association; registration is available at www.GasItOffroad.com.

Jesse said the bikes are called dirt bikes, but the official designation is a “dirt offroad motorcycle.” Some of them are converted motocross bikes and some are specifically designed for desert racing.

“We work on them more than we ride them,” admitted David. “There are very few things on this bike that are stock. It’s not a matter of mechanical failure. It’s just upkeep and maintenance.”

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“Maintaining a good working relationship with the BLM and others to provide and maintain safe riding areas. Raise funds to help organize and promote competitive events and encourage recreational riding and improve the image of motorcyclist in general.” - DESERT ROUGH RIDERS CLUB MISSION STATEMENT There were several families racing on a recent Saturday morning, but Darren said the track gets busier on Sundays, when a number of groups from Hobbs also show up. Darren and David were training for the upcoming race.

“Mostly, we’re here trying to get some physical training,” Darren asserted. “It takes a huge physical effort to ride 80 miles.”

single file in 10 second intervals and competed on a remote course that consists of 19 miles per lap. The Pro A class was four laps and the Pro B class was three laps. There were also shorter Sportsmen, Supermini and Youth classes. Mini races were on Saturday, while Sunday featured a prayer service and the lengthier race. Volunteers kept track of everything.

The Bryants are both considered expert racers. They used to compete in other desert races around the area, but lately they’ve been focused on planning and racing in the Carlsbad 100. This was the 23rd Carlsbad 100, and the races have usually been organized by the Perrys.

“We have a minimum of three sweepers that sweep the course throughout the race and multiple checkpoints,” Darren noted.

The race began near the picnic shelters. Competitors started in PHOTO LEFT: Desert racing enthusiast Darren Bryant PHOTO RIGHT: David Bryant races down the course.

22

The Bryants have computers attached to their bikes to keep track of their speed. The week before this interview, for example, Darren reached a high speed of 56 miles per hour and an average speed of 31 miles per hour.

warms up at the Hackberry OHV course east of Carlsbad.

FOCUS ON CARLSBAD | SUMMER 2015

Darren said he became involved through his father. “I grew up between here and El Paso in a gas camp,” he reflected. “Dirt biking was the only thing we had to do, and we did plenty of it.”

“He (Darren) taught me how to ride when he was ten and I’ve been chasing him ever since,” observed David.

The area is located smack in the middle of Eddy County’s oil patch, but the BLM has rules requiring oil companies to bury all pipes crossing trails. That’s usually the case, but the companies sometimes forget to comply.

“One good thing is that when the race is going on, the trucks have to stop because the racers have the right of way,” emphasized Jo Ann. The level of practice on any given weekend varies. While Darren and David are training, others adopt a more casual approach. One thing that everyone shares is an appreciation for the course. “Everyone who comes to this course respects the land and we pick up after ourselves,” assured David.

“I’ve run into people from Europe who have heard about this place.”

Unsurprisingly, desert racing does come with its ration of war wounds.

“We’ve all had our share,” Darren said,

noting that he and his cousin have dealt with injured knees and broken collar bones, and last year David came back to camp with a badly damaged finger. “It’s not a matter of if, but when,” admitted Jesse.

“I have one section of this course named after me. It’s called ‘Crash Site,’” joked David.

But for Carlsbad’s close-knit desert racing enthusiasts, it’s crystal clear that the good vastly outweighs the bad.

For more information on the Desert Rough Riders Club, please call Darren Bryant at 432-940-0191 or visit www.GasItOffroad.com.

With 98 total riders finishing in the top 5 is a major accomplishment.

Congratulations!

Dustin Britain 2nd Place • AAPro

Darren Bryant 5th Place • AAPro

Orry Hunt

2nd Place • B Open

Heath Fowler 3rd Place • B Vet 30+

Gene Bryant

2nd Place • C Masters 60+

Melvin Banister 3rd Place • C Masters 60+

Rett Young

1st Place • C Super Mini

THE X GAMES

The first X Games was held in 1995.

Test yourself to see what you know about Xtreme sports!

1

In 1992, Glenn Singleman and Nic Feteris set a world record for BASE jumping. What did these two daredevils jump from?

2 What is the record for longest backflip on a sandboard?

Who set the record for longest air when he flew 65 feet in the air after 3 dropping down a 49 foot roll-in at the King of Skate competition in 2002?

4

What is the name of the world’s most successful rodeo bull, who bucked off 312 straight cowboys during the 1980s?

5 Who was the first motocross rider to land a backflip?

6

BMX rider Mat Hoffman is famous for pulling off what extreme sports feat?

In 1997, German stuntman Jochen Schweizer pulled off the world’s 7 longest bungee jump. Schweizer plunged more than 3,000 feet from what?

8 Where is the world’s largest outdoor skatepark?

The first Winter X Games included snowboarding, 9 downhill bike racing, ice climbing and what else?

10 Who is the youngest athlete to win a gold medal at the X Games?

Answers (Questions compiled from www.kidzworld.com) 1. A 19,500 foot cliff in the Himalayas 2. 44 feet, 10 inches (13.6 m), performed by Josh Tenge 3. Danny Way 4. Red Rock 5. Caleb Wyatt 6. He jumped his bike off a 3,500 foot cliff with a parachute. 7. A helicopter 8. The Millennium Skate Park in Calgary, Canada 9. Shovel Racing 10. Skateboarder Ryan Sheckler, at age 13

23RD ANNUAL CARLSBAD 100 DESERT RACE APRIL 19, 2015 LOCAL RESULTS

F O C U S on mainstreet

Meet the New MainStreet Director GREETINGS FROM KARLA HAMEL

THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CARLSBAD MAINSTREET

KARLA HAMEL Executive Director

CARLSBAD MAINSTREET

L

et me start by telling you how excited and honored I am to have been selected by the Carlsbad MainStreet Board of Directors to lead this program. When I read about this position in January, I knew in my heart that this was the perfect career for me, a career that I have a passion for, a career I could see myself doing for years to come.

I believe that Carlsbad is an awesome small town with a strong sense of community that has a desire to see an even better Carlsbad downtown.

Past Carlsbad MainStreet directors have done a fantastic job at laying the groundwork and accomplishing many projects here in our Carlsbad downtown, and I plan to carry on the torch and keep the mission going with many more improvements.

Carlsbad has been my home since 1998. I am pleased by the many positive responses I have received from the community when the word was out that I was hired for this position. This positive response motivates me more to accomplish the goals of the MainStreet program.

I have already seen some positive improvements over the years with the look of downtown, and I am looking forward to many more improvements.

Additionally, I am excited to be a part of the vision of making Carlsbad downtown a lively, vibrant place where people can shop, eat and find entertainment on weekdays, weekends and evenings.

I was able attend the National Main Streets Conference in Atlanta, Georgia

24

FOCUS ON CARLSBAD | SUMMER 2015

at the end of March. Wow! There was so much excitement and energy to revitalize communities all over the United States. New Mexico has over 23 MainStreet communities all around the state, and I was able to meet with many of the community directors. I also had the opportunity to meet with the New Mexico MainStreet Director Rich Williams and all of the New Mexico MainStreet program associates, one of whom is Amy Barnhart, a former Carlsbad MainStreet executive director. At the conference, I attended classes where I learned about the MainStreet Four Point Approach, which includes design, organization, promotion and economic positioning. This is a proven economic development strategy that is an incremental and comprehensive method for successful community revitalization.

In partnership with The Beauty College of Eddy County owner Amanda Willis and property owner Cliff Currier, Carlsbad MainStreet created a buzz recently when they met with William Powell, Design and Preservation Program Associate with New Mexico MainStreet. During the initial visit in the fall, they discussed the building exterior and ideas for improving its sign and entryway.

Powell took pictures, toured the facility and returned on December 11 to share his design plans with the owner, occupants and downtown community. Carlsbad MainStreet was awarded a façade improvement grant from New Mexico MainStreet and the New Mexico Resiliency Alliance to use on improvements to the exterior face of The Beauty College of Eddy County.

This program is available through a technical service grant provided to Carlsbad MainStreet for use in a downtown façade improvement.

Façade improvement grant eligibility is based on strong public/ private partnerships. Through the collaboration of business and property owners, Carlsbad MainStreet stands eligible to receive grants of this type, which includes design technical assistance and $2,000 in matching funds to be used toward the project.

Coming soon is the Farmers’ Market.

We had this season’s first meeting on March 26 and will have a meeting every Thursday until our opening date in the middle of June. Our new Farmers’ Market director is Brittany Glenn. Brittany and I are super excited about this year’s market and have lots of ideas and plans for another successful season.

When I moved to Carlsbad in 1998 I never imagined such a great opportunity like serving as Carlsbad MainStreet Director. When reading about this opportunity, I believed immediately that this was the perfect job for me. I want to be a vital part of the preservation and revitalization of downtown and the community for future generations. My son, Parker, and daughter, Hollyann, are both graduates of Carlsbad High School and have returned to this community after college. Knowing that they are here and plan to stay here gives me great motivation to do all I can to promote the present and future of downtown Carlsbad.

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here may come a time when your knee or hip pain reduces the quality of your life.

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F O C U S on education

Experiencing Nature in Olé Classroom

by Staci Guy

TUCKED INSIDE A COZY YET ADVENTUROUS ROOM NEAR THE BACK OF THE SCHOOL IS PERHAPS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR CLASSROOMS AT CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS’ EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTER (ECEC).

In fact, the class is so popular that some teachers use it as a bargaining chip for students whose behavior is not up to par.

Around ECEC the room is referred to as “Olé,” a hands-on science class designed specifically for the little hands and growing minds that enter the classroom doors each day. Once inside the class, learning is disguised as “having fun,” as students explore and feel and observe nature in a controlled environment. At the head of the class is veteran teacher Lois Williamson, who for the past 23 years has devoted countless hours of her

time to creating an exciting learning environment for her students. Each class at ECEC is designated a time every week to visit Olé, which is time highly coveted by teachers and students alike.

“I tell my students to soak it up; absorb everything in here because the experience in here is incredible,” beamed kindergarten teacher Michelle Montavo. “It’s so adventurous for them!”

The Olé program got its start more than 20 years ago when the late Sidnia

Three students take a peek through binoculars during Olé class. PHOTOS BELOW (FROM LEFT): Olé teacher Lois Williamson breaks open an egg during class to demonstrate the various parts of the egg and their respective purposes. Aiden Aragon uses a magnifying glass to look at a stuffed frog. Olé teacher Lois Williamson talks to her students about birds with the help of a large photo book.

PHOTO ABOVE:

26

FOCUS ON CARLSBAD | SUMMER 2015

Gardner applied for a grant through the State of New Mexico. “Sidnia was the first Olé teacher, and she put together 11 kits that included things like gardening, recycling, and agriculture,” Williamson recalled.

“Over the years, I have added to them with a lot of help from teachers and others who give me ideas.”

In any given class period, students will learn about everything from metamorphosis to recycling, life cycles to pollination and just about everything in between, all by means of hands-on lessons and activities.

“That’s the whole point of this class,” Williamson noted. “We want them to be able to come in here and touch everything. It’s all very hands-on. That’s how they learn and that’s what makes it so exciting for them!”

Take, for example, the live caterpillars, lady bugs and praying mantis egg cases Williamson will use to explain the process of metamorphosis. “They will actually get to see the eggs hatching,” she noted.

“They always love getting to see things happen that maybe they have only read about or heard about.”

As kindergartners, it doesn’t get much more exciting than being able to see a snake eat a live mouse, observe eggs hatching or watch beetle larvae shedding their exoskeletons.

Some of the regular occurrences in the Olé room include red wiggler worms, also known as recycling worms, eating paper; gerbils and chinchillas running around in wheels; birds chirping and fish swimming. Students also marvel at turtles, frogs, hermit crabs, lizards and even a large tarantula, all contained safely in their respective controlled environments. Some of the non-living learning tools used in the classroom include egg shells, bones, skulls, microscopes, binoculars, magnifying glasses and a large, full-scale human artificial skeleton. Olé even reaches outside the classroom when Williamson takes her students out into the orchard on the west side of the building.

The orchard provides Williamson with a living example when teaching about changing leaf colors, tree hibernation and spring blooms. “The neat thing is, I have been able to learn along with the kids,” Williamson

joked. “It’s been fun to teach this class and to see their excitement when they come in. I want them to say, ‘Wow!’ and ‘Ahh!’ when they come in here. It makes learning fun for them.”

Williamson’s dedication to the Olé classroom at ECEC extends beyond not only the school building, but beyond the school year as well. “In the summer I bring the animals home with me,” she shared. “I feed them and take care of them, but they are all low-maintenance, so it’s not bad.” Her backyard even has the perfect spot for Pumpkin, the class turtle. During the school year when students are on break, Williamson can be found at the school at least twice a week, feeding and caring for the animals and critters.

“Lois is a fantastic teacher!” boasted Montavo. “We are so appreciative of her. She works so hard before and after school taking care of these animals and things that help our students learn in a hands-on way, but it’s in a controlled environment.

The experience here is incredible and my kids look forward to Wednesday every week!”

Fellow teacher Lindsay Garza agreed. “It’s amazing! My kids love coming to Olé and they don’t even feel like they’re learning. It’s just fun for them!

Mrs. Williamson is just amazing and we’re grateful to have her teaching Olé.”

The popularity of the class is evident on the faces of each child that enters the doors.

The atmosphere is electric as students sit and listen, touch, smell, observe, laugh, wonder aloud, speculate and—most importantly—learn. But shhh, don’t tell them that’s what they’re really doing in the confines of the Olé classroom!

DANIEL’S SALON HAS BEEN SERVING OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1984.

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We welcome new clients - so please call for an appointment to come in and experience our salon.

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CARLSBAD, NEW MEXICO

F O C U S on racing history

Burning Rubber

by Donna Birchell

F

ootball and basketball season are over, the weather is warming up and most people want to spend some time outdoors. For some people, there’s nothing like the feeling you get from the thrill of a race. Drag, sprint and stock car racing fit these needs to a tee.

On a quiet evening you can hear the roar of the crowd and growls emanating from the souped-up engines of the stock cars at the Roadrunner Raceway in Happy Valley from almost anywhere in town. The audience gets an up-close and personal look at the racers as they navigate the track, with exhaust fumes, dirt clouds and an inevitable crash as part of the overall experience.

Sprint cars, which are usually not much larger than a four-wheeler, although much faster and louder, also run this dirt track, which attracts racers from

Albuquerque and even Texas to test their skills for the prize.

Probably one of the most thrilling of the motor sports is drag racing. Young men have been trying to prove superiority for centuries in just about every sport imaginable, and drag racing is no different.

Carlsbad has been an epicenter for the sport since the 1950s when the Dirt Dobber Auto Club came into existence.

From this club sprang many notables who have gone on to make huge names for themselves in the racing community.

One, in particular, was Dick Harrell, who began driving sprint and stock cars at age 14, where he lived in Carlsbad on a dairy farm owned by his parents. His three-year tour with the United States Army gave Harrell his first taste of drag racing—a taste he loved. He graduated quickly from amateur status to professional in 1962 driving a Chevy Chevelle with a Z11 427 stuffed into the chassis.

In 1967, as the sexy new Chevrolet Camaro made her debut, Harrell was asked

PHOTO LEFT: Bright new signage celebrates the Roadrunner Speedway. the Dirt Dobbers, racing legends and the Dirt Dobber Drag Strip.

28

FOCUS ON CARLSBAD | SUMMER 2015

FOR NINE YEARS, ROADRUNNER SPEEDWAY

(on Happy Valley Road) has brought the thrill of stock car, hobby stocks and sport modified racing to Carlsbad. Racing fans have a “never quit” attitude, many showing up even in the rain because the sport provides good family entertainment complete with concession, souvenir shop, door prizes and on occasion a live band to rock the eager crowd. Roadrunner’s sister track, Dirt Dobber Raceway (on Old Cavern Highway) has seen professional drag racing in the form of funny cars, top fueled and alcohol fueled dragsters and rails, which were first introduced to the town by early hometown professional racers such as Dick Harrell and Sonny Ward. Although there is no set schedule for the Dirt Dobber Raceway to reopen, the new owners are working hard to bring the drag strip back to its former glory.

PHOTOS BELOW (FROM LEFT):

Dick Harrell (left) and

by a Chicago dealership to promote the new car. He was hooked. Never satisfied with the factory offering, because “fast is never fast enough,” Harrell converted the standard 396 Camaro engine into his 427, which caught the eye of Camaro legend Don Yenko.

Chevrolet Bel Airs around. Although they spent much of their time racing each other, the competition never tarnished their friendship. This competition would only prove to bring out the best in both men who would make great strides in their individual racing careers.

Fate was certainly with Harrell as Herb Fox, a drag racer sponsored

by Fred Gibbs, became lost and happened into Harrell’s shop. It was there that Fox saw the converted Camaro and relayed what he saw to his sponsor; Gibbs bought two of the cars, sight unseen, for his own dealership.

For those who may be considering taking up drag racing, be prepared to have deep pockets. This is an extremely expensive sport.

Considering the cost of safety equipment, fuel, tires, engines, repair costs, entry fees and the price of the vehicle itself, you can be looking at least a basic $50,000 price tag to start.

It was through his relationship with Fred Gibbs that Harrell was able to help engineer the ZL1, an allaluminum 427 to be used in the 1969 model Camaros.

If you want to enjoy a sport with deep historic roots in Carlsbad without the expense, attend a race.

Although the Dirt Dobber Drag Strip is still in operation, it is in need of some tender loving care.

Harrell would go on to be named the 1969 AHRA (American Hot Rod Association) Driver of the Year and Driver of the Decade in 1970.

It was during this time that Harrell began converting Chevy Novas to big block status as well, making him one the most influential innovators in Chevrolet racing history.

Known to the world as “Mr. Chevrolet,” Harrell would rise to stardom behind the wheel of his Chevrolet Camaro funny car sponsored by Fred Gibbs, which boasted his 427 engine. It would find no matches throughout most of his career as he won 90% of his races. Also known as a caring person, Harrell would take time to be with his fans, sign autographs and answer questions.

On September 12, 1971, a terrible crash caused by a front tire on the copper colored funny car would tragically take the life of Harrell in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, thus ending an extremely promising career which started on the streets of Carlsbad all those many years ago. Harrell would be laid to rest in the Carlsbad Cemetery—a sad homecoming for a favorite son.

Another racer from Carlsbad was Sonny Ward, who was also a close friend of Harrell’s. According to Ward’s daughter Lou, the two would get into some trouble as they tore down and rebuilt engines while their families slept, without anyone’s knowledge, even before they had their driver’s licenses.

Ward and Harrell were known to own two of the fastest 1957 two-door

In its heyday in the 1970s, many will well remember the drag strip which saw funny cars, rails, and alcoholfueled dragsters that graced the quarter mile long track, much to the delight of the spectators who packed the bleachers.

The smell of burning rubber and bleach filled the air on Friday and Saturday nights on the Old Cavern Highway, giving everyone present a mighty fix for their need for speed.

The Dirt Dobber Drag Strip is now under new ownership and has a Facebook page.

Racing is not just a men’s sport anymore as the current trend involves a number of women who have taken up the sport of racing in all forms, some following in the steps of their famous racing fathers. Valerie Harrell is working hard to keep her father’s memory alive as she promotes the Dick Harrell Performance Center, which sells a line of performance equipment for race cars and memorabilia carrying her famous father’s name.

In 2013, one of Dick’s rare converted 1969 Camaros (he only made ten) went on the auction block at BarrettJackson, bringing in $253,000 to the owners. That was the second highest price received for a Camaro that day.

Grab the kids and a blanket and head out to the races for a thrilling evening of fun and excitement. Make some memories for your family that will last for a lifetime while supporting a great sport that put Carlsbad on the racing map.

Annual Events Main Event Car Show & Cruise Last Weekend in March

Smokin’ on the Pecos BBQ Championship Last Weekend in June

Fourth of July Celebration Red Dirt Black Gold Festival Last Weekend in August

Clays Crusher Fun Shoot 3rd Weekend in September

Balloons & Tunes

First Weekend in November

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F O C U S on baseball

Little League Roundup

BUSY SEASON FROM TRYOUTS THROUGH ALL-STARS

by Kyle Marksteiner

Little League Baseball probably doesn’t count as “extreme” using the most traditional definition of the word, but anyone who has ever been involved with the sport in Carlsbad knows that things here can get at least a little, well, intense.

Roughly 1,000 boys and girls play baseball in one of Carlsbad’s three Little League organizations every spring, and that’s not even counting the hundreds more who play softball. And while there is certainly a broad range of emotional investment, it’s probably safe to say that there are quite a few coaches and parents in Carlsbad who take their children’s Little League investment pretty darned seriously.

According to Shorthorn Little League President Bobby St. John, the division of Carlsbad’s three leagues—Shorthorn, National and American—is based on where the family lives or where the child

goes to school. Some of the school zone lines have caused difficulties for Carlsbad National, said Carlsbad National President Martin Calderon, who noted that he’s working with Little League headquarters to try to resolve the issue.

“We’re all part of Little League International,” St. John explained. “They dictate through us, but we can also make our own rules and regulations.”

Girls can and do play on the teams, though many girls will play T-ball (in which a ball is hit off of a stationary tee) at a young age and

Carlsbad’s American, National and Shorthorn Little League programs are responsible for the town’s legendary baseball prowess.

PHOTOS:

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FOCUS ON CARLSBAD | SUMMER 2015

then migrate over to softball.

Shorthorn has 295 players, ages 4-12, signed up for spring baseball. There’s a smaller league during the fall, but the primary season runs from April 6 through the middle of June. Shorthorn is now playing its games at the Bob Forrest Youth Sports Complex, but many practices are still held at the old complex near Lamont Street.

The leagues all hold tryouts in March and the scope of the tryout is based somewhat on the level of play. Shorthorn, for example, goes from T-ball to peewee to minors to majors. “Tryouts are basically for anyone not playing T-ball,” St. John explained. “We’ll split it into two days.”

During the peewee tryouts, for instance, players will throw and catch ground and fly balls and take a few trips to the plate.

Meanwhile, the league’s coaches watch and take notes.

“They are just kind of rating them and evaluating,” he explained. “The goal is for us to make teams that are even as possible, both in talent and number of kids on the team.”

The managers meet the following day and take turns picking players. If their own child is in the league, that kid is protected, but the coach still has to pick that player by a certain point in the draft. The rules on when that has to happen are complicated and specific to the age bracket, St. John noted. After the selection process has concluded, the players who don’t make most of the tryouts are assigned at random to teams with vacancies.

Carlsbad National President Martin Calderon said Carlsbad National has 265 total players this year.

Their season started a couple of weeks before that of American or Shorthorn, and games take place at the National complex on W. McKay Street.

Players try out for majors, but then they get a slight break. “Once they make it to the majors, they can stay on the same team,” confided Calderon. That means a player working his way up through American League, for example, might participate in tryouts each spring from age 6 through 11, but stay on the same team during his second year on the majors, and then face tryouts again when he reaches Junior League.

Some coaches make their choices based on talent, Castro revealed, while others do have a tendency to pick the players they already know.

St. John declared that the entire tryout and draft process stays fairly low key. “It doesn’t get out of hand at all or cutthroat,” he declared. “There are rules in place and the managers and coaches understand and work with each other.”

Other league presidents had mixed opinions on the intensity level.

“I think the younger kids get pretty excited by tryouts,” added Castro.

“And, yes, the coaches take the draft pretty seriously. We hope to get fair teams drafted across the board, but sometimes you’ll get a dominant team.”

“Yes and no,” laughed Calderon, when asked if the selection process can get intense. “There is the fact that a lot of the parents want them to do well and the coaches are trying to select them first.”

St. John said what he remembers the most about the tryouts for his son, Ryan, were that they were especially cold this year. He doesn’t remember

his own tryouts. “Either it was so boring or so traumatic that it didn’t stick,” he shrugged.

“I think mostly the kids get hyped up,” Calderon remarked. “They want to show what they can do, but they also like hanging out with their friends.”

There’s typically no interleague crossover during the regular season, though the teams do meet in tournaments. There is also now some interleague play between American and National at certain age levels.

Finally, there is All-Star play, where Carlsbad’s three leagues each select their top players at upper levels.

O U R S P E C I A LT Y T E A M S

A R E AC C E P T I N G N E W PAT I E N T S

St. John and Calderon are both legacy players who grew up in Shorthorn and National, respectively. Castro is a bit of an anomaly.

“I didn’t play baseball until my senior year (of high school),” he recalled.

“When I moved back to town, one of my buddies got me to help coaching a team. All of a sudden, I ended up president.”

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Games for most leagues begin at 5:30 p.m. and can extend, depending on the age range, up to 9:00 p.m.

Wednesdays and weekends are usually kept free, at least from league play, but tournaments are often around the corner.

Carlsbad American’s Matt Castro is also running the Junior and Senior League, a combined league for the upper levels of play (ages 13-17). Counting Junior and Senior League players, there are 330 total participants. American League games are also at the sports complex.

“Our Junior and Senior Leagues have increased quite a bit,” Castro observed. “This year and last year, they had an average of 120 players.”

All-Star competition can extend through the summer. Castro explained that the coaches of each league will gather together to vote for the All-Stars in that league. There will usually be a few obvious choices who get votes from everyone, but the selection process for filling the rest of each team can sometimes become more difficult. American, National and Shorthorn typically each form two All-Star teams, who play each other and area competition from other communities such as Hobbs and Loving.

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Over the years, American, National and Shorthorn will take turns having the most dominant All-Star teams. “I think you get little spurts of age groups coming up,” Calderon speculated.

Add travelling teams and baseball camps to the formula, and it’s no surprise that Carlsbad’s Little League program has produced its share of high school state championships and even Major League players such as Cody Ross and Shane Andrews.

Carlsbad is, as they say, a baseball town.

575.748.3333

7 0 2 N . 1 3 t h St re e t • Ar t e sia, Ne w Me x ico

F O C U S on extreme golfing

Making the Most of the Golden Years Senior Golfers Teeing Up at the Muni

by Don Eskins

LIFE SEEMS TO MOVE FORWARD RATHER FAST AFTER WE REACH A CERTAIN AGE.

week for all of us.”

That brings to mind an old quote. I don’t know who coined the phrase first, but for many Carlsbad seniors, it’s a good fit: “Age is a matter of mind. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”

“We currently have about 35 members in our Senior Par 3 Golf Association,” reported David Tawater, treasurer.

Membership in the Par 3 Senior Golf Association costs participants just $10.00 annually. There is a $2.00 tournament entry fee each week along with Lake Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course’s Par 3 green fees unless participants have purchased season passes. Male and female golfers 50 years of age and up are eligible to join.

Besides weekly competition, the Association also sponsors two major tournaments each year. An awards banquet is held for members, family and friends in December.

Well, for many seniors in Carlsbad, getting a bit older doesn’t seem to matter. Getting out, exercising, staying busy, socializing, and competing when they can does. Senior golfers in the Cavern City, many who have chosen to make it their second home, have discovered that Lake Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course seems to meet most of those priorities.

“Our tournaments are all handicap events,” revealed Par 3 Association Tournament Director Jerry Jarnagin. “Players without handicaps may still participate. We just use the rounds they turn in each week to help establish a handicap for them. To take a bit of the stress out of competing, especially for newcomers, nobody records more than a six on any hole.”

Besides the time they spend out on the course throughout the week, seniors enjoy two days set aside by the Muni Golf Course just for them.

There is no senior association for the Lake Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course’s Big Monday Senior Scramble. However, as with the Par 3 Association, participants must be at least 50 years of age, pay an entry fee of $5.00 each week and 18-hole green fees unless they have a season pass.

With jobs winding down, retirement already ongoing or the kids being out on their own, an empty nest delivers a whole new series of life’s challenges for those headed toward the golden years of their lives.

Each Monday morning, seniors participate in a four-person, 18-hole scramble tournament.

Friday mornings have been earmarked for Senior Par 3 tournament play, a nine-hole event.

“Playing golf is a great way for seniors to stay in shape and keep in touch with their peers,” according to Lake Carlsbad Senior Par 3 Golf Association President Ysidro Molinar. “I’d encourage local seniors, who might be looking for a little something extra to do with their lives, to come out and join us. We’re always looking to get more members out here.”

Par 3 Vice President Bobbe Young agrees.

“Playing with the seniors on Mondays and Fridays is much more than just a round of golf.

We all care about each other out here. It’s more of a family atmosphere. It’s a very special time of the

“Seniors just meet there to compete and have fun,” replied Big Monday participant and Carlsbad Golf Course Advisory Board Chairman Dean Bair. “We play a four person best ball scramble. The teams are comprised of men and women from four different handicap classifications, so it really doesn’t matter at what level a person may be playing. Everybody has an opportunity to contribute, everybody has an opportunity to win and everybody has a good time.”

“With the number of seniors participating in tournament play on Mondays and Fridays, plus the time that many of them spend out on the course during the rest of the week,” summed

PHOTOS BELOW (FROM LEFT): Friday Par 3 tournament linksters (from left) Jerry Jarnagin, Tony Hernandez and Jerry Krause. Big Monday Scramble foursome Pat Cournoyer (at left), Myrna Cournoyer, Bobbe Young and Paul Cox. Retired Carlsbad High School tennis coach Bill Davis

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FOCUS ON CARLSBAD | SUMMER 2015

up Par 3 Treasurer Tawater, “it’s safe to say that seniors, besides the benefits they get from staying so active, have definitely helped to make Lake Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course a successful venture.”

“Our senior golfing community is the single most important group we have playing here at the municipal course,” Lake Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course Pro John Heaton, Jr. concurred. “They’re here every day from the crack of dawn and usually play until early afternoon when our other players begin to come out. They definitely make a major impact on what we do here.”

The Lake Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course has proven to be much more than just a place to play golf for the many seniors who have teed up over the past several years. For them, it’s been a regular fountain of youth, helping to keep them both physically and emotionally fit. “We’ve had as many as 40 golfers tee up for our Big Monday Senior Scramble,” remarked Pro Shop Manager Linda Hughes. “Besides getting out of the house and socializing with their friends, they like to compete. It’s really a big day for them and they seem to thoroughly enjoy being out here.”

“The Big Monday Senior Scramble is a lot more intense and appears to have more skilled golfers than we do during Friday’s Par 3 tournament play,” noted Par 3 Association Secretary Ken Bindel. “We’re more of a social group on Friday, but we are beginning to get a few more members who also play on Big Monday. ” Ben Mendoza, 78, has been teeing his ball up at the municipal course since 1958. “The seniors who play here are a very nice group of people,” declared Mendoza. “We have, and have had, participants playing well into their 70s, 80s and a few even into their 90s.”

“Having the opportunity to get together with friends and to compete in a game that we all enjoy playing is something we look forward to each week,” acknowledged Mendoza. “The camaraderie we share there has helped to keep us active, healthy and feeling young.”

For more information on senior golf play at the Lake Carlsbad Municipal Course, contact the Muni Pro Shop at 575-885-5444.

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F O C U S business briefs

b y Kyl e Mark ste ine r

Super BBQ Blitz When Officer Charlie Garcia is around, you don’t have the right to remain hungry.

During the weekday, Garcia may be one of Carlsbad’s boys in blue, but when he’s not on duty, he shifts from his uniform to an apron. Garcia and his wife, Nancy, run C-N-G BBQ and Catering, which boasts of its mesquite smoked barbecue and a trailer that can travel to wherever it is needed.

Garcia has been employed with the Carlsbad Police Department for the past five years, but he’s been in law enforcement for 16. He’s presently assigned to Carlsbad City Hall and oversees the 3-1-1 program.

“After serving eight years in the

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FOCUS ON CARLSBAD | SUMMER 2015

military, I got out and was working as a day laborer,” he recalled. “I was working in fields putting in irrigation.”

He began taking classes at night and worked as a ranger with Texas Parks and Wildlife for three and a half years, but he said the peace officer position with the park was eliminated at about the same time he graduated from the police academy. Instead, he took a job as a police officer in the Rio Grande Valley city of Hidalgo, Texas.

Barbecue has always been on his mind.

“It started out as a hobby where I was cooking on weekends,” Garcia recalled. “A friend of mine owned a welding shop and started building barbecue pits.” He said he began helping the friend in competitions and then started working on his own pit.

“The police department where I worked in Hidalgo would start having special events,” he reflected.

“Someone would say, ‘We’ve got exchange students coming in from all over the world and we want to have a barbecue for them, so could you take care of it?’”

When Garcia moved to Carlsbad five years ago, one of his goals was to build a barbecue pit and put it on a trailer.

He’s got his own trailer typically parked outside of his house southeast of Carlsbad, which he can cart to special events if needed.

C-N-G BBQ was operating somewhat casually after the Garcias first moved to Carlsbad, but they decided to pick things up during the oil boom.

His other career helps in terms of credibility. “I think when people find out I’m a police officer, they are sometimes a bit more comfortable,” he noted.

Business in Carlsbad has largely spread through word of mouth, and holidays such as Easter are often especially busy. They offer a hefty menu including sliced brisket, smoked turkey, pulled pork and whole smoked chicken, along with sides including beans, potato salad and cole slaw.

They don’t do steaks, but they do offer hamburgers, hot dogs and chopped brisket.

Garcia said most of his recipes have been developed through trial and error. “It’s tweaking seasonings and marinades and what not,” he noted.

“There’s no ancient Garcia secret that

PHOTO TOP: Charlie Garcia, an officer with the Carlsbad Police Department, stays busy running a barbecue catering service also. PHOTO BOTTOM: Charlie and Nancy Garcia enjoy preparing meals for special events in Carlsbad.

FOCUSNM.COM

was handed down.”

C-N-G BBQ and Catering does graduation parties, church events, business meetings and fundraisers.

Even when Garcia is at his job in law enforcement, his wife stays busy taking calls, ordering supplies and preparing food for the business.

Garcia has been active in the community since his arrival here.

For example, he helps put together an annual Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run. For more information on C-N-G BBQ and Catering, please call 956-607-8241 or 956-605-4268.

New Bed & Breakfast to Carlsbad The Fiddler’s Inn Bed & Breakfast has opened at 705 N. Canyon Street, announced co-owner Julie Chester.

Chester said the building was built in 1912 before Carlsbad became a city.

“Our three guest suites have each been named after popular fiddler tunes,” she said. “All three suites offer a unique experience, ranging from the romantic antiquity of the 1920s to the modernday executive retreat.”

Owners Tonk and Julie Chester have also teamed up with the Blue House Bakery, and overnight guests receive a voucher for the bakery.

“We are excited to promote tourism and enrich the culture in our wonderful community by stimulating commerce and providing lodging that is second-to-none,” Chester added.

For more information, visit www.FiddlersInnBB.com or call 575-725-8665.

Business Moves to New Location The Kountry Kottage has moved to a new location at 113 S. Canyon Street.

“Due to increased demand for affordable shopping, we have outgrown our previous location,” noted owner Julie Baker. “We now offer a larger selection of antiques, home décor and more.”

The Kountry Kottage and owners Terri and Julie Baker can be reached at 575-706-5916 or by visiting https:// www.facebook.com/pages/TheKountry-Kottage/176228892523274.

Amenities include 50-inch flat panel TVs, cable, free high-speed Wi-Fi, luxurious pillowtop king sized beds, Turkish bathrobes, in-room coffee makers and minifridges, hand-made (all natural) soaps and lotions and an outdoor hot tub in their private courtyard.

PHOTO RIGHT:

The Fiddler’s Inn Bed & Breakfast

SUMMER 2015 | A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

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F O C U S on the chamber

PLANNING A CONFERENCE, RETREAT, FAMILY REUNION OR WEDDING? The Pecos River Village Conference Center could be just what you’re looking for!

owned by the City of Carlsbad and managed by the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce.

In the early 1970s, President’s Park was built on the current site of the Pecos River Village Conference Center. This park included an antique carousel, train rides, bumper cars and many more attractions for residents and visitors to Carlsbad. The City of Carlsbad later purchased the property and existing building, and they were converted into what is now the Conference Center. Located at 711 Muscatel Avenue, the Center is

Whether you are planning a conference, corporate retreat, family reunion or other festive occasion, the tranquil setting of the Pecos River Village Conference Center is the place for you. Located on the banks of the sparkling Pecos River, it offers five meeting rooms, a large colonnade and the Carousel House banquet facility.

The Carousel House can accommodate 200 classroom style,

ONE OF 14 STUNNING PLACES TO VISIT AND PHOTOGRAPH IN NEW MEXICO Carlsbad Caverns National Park is listed as one of the top 14 places to visit and photograph in New Mexico

by Fodor’s Travel.

Whether you are a photographer, nature-lover or adventurer or you are just looking for an amazing experience, you’ve come to the right place.

This collection features some of the most unique places across the state of New Mexico for surreal vistas that will inspire. Get ready for some wanderlust.

This subterranean wonderland engulfs mind-bogglingly vast chambers carved out of limestone reef, marking some of the largest and most impressive caves on the entire continent.

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FOCUS ON CARLSBAD | SUMMER 2015

Located underneath the Chihuahuan Desert’s Guadalupe Mountains, parts of the network of more than 119 known caves at Carlsbad Caverns National Park can be visited on rangerled or self-guided tours (audio guides are available). They are accessible via an elevator or a 750-foot-long trail

400 theater style or 300 banquet style. This is a wonderful setting for larger or more formal meetings, and the dance floor makes it the perfect place for wedding receptions. The five additional conference rooms vary in size; the larger rooms can seat up to 100 theater style.

The Conference Center includes courtyards, covered dock areas, beautiful grounds for outdoor functions and a large commercial kitchen. Please note that certain restrictions apply if alcohol will be served at a function.

Please contact the Chamber of Commerce at 575-887-6516 to see how you can have your next event at the Pecos River Village Conference Center.

from the cave’s natural entrance; each descends the equivalent of about 79 stories underground. Wild formations (stalactites, stalagmites and more) and gaping limestone chambers, including the most famous, the 8.2 acre Big Room, capture the imaginations of visitors. The hollowed-out setting was sculpted over a 250 million-year-long geological process dating back to when the caves you see today started off as an ancient undersea reef. When it’s in season, stick around, too, for the memorable sunset flights of bats from the cave entrance.

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

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

ASSIGN ADVERTISING 575-706-2967 BRADY INDUSTRIES 801 N. 8th Street 575-885-0715 CARLSBAD FAMILY WELLNESS 110 S. Halagueno #4 575-322-2453 COMFORT SUITES 2600 W. Pierce Street 575-689-8222

CARING ANGELS

Caring Angels, located at 301 S. Halagueno, hosted an open house with friends, family, employees and Chamber Ambassadors. Caring Angels can be reached at 575-941-3030.

ELITE NAIL SPA #2 1620 S. Canal Street 575-499-4070 HB RENTALS 9034 Airport Road 575-628-8389 HIGH DESERT GUNWORKS 1903 Connie Road 575-499-5684 SALLI MASON-JOHNSON Independent Ambassador for Plexus 575-725-4281

AMERICAN MEDICAL GROUP

The staff of American Medical Group Walk-In Clinic recently held a grand opening and business-after-hours. The clinic is located at 2402 W. Pierce, Suite 6A and can be reached at 575-689-8700.

WESTWOOD PROFESSIONAL SERVICES 1509A S. Canal Street 612-760-0071 For more information or to join the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce call 575-887-6516 or visit carlsbadchamber.com.

UPCOMING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EVENTS

Annual Golf Tournament • June 6, 2015 • Lake Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course Annual Banquet & Meeting • July 9, 2015 - 6:30pm • Pecos River Village Conf. Cntr.

SUMMER 2015 | A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

37

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