Apr-May 2012 Essence by LACDC

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Essence of Los Alamos and White Rock April/May 2012, Volume 6 Issue 3

Youth in Los Alamos Summer Activities for Youth • Starting Business Young LA Youth Food Project • Teen Programs

the Essence

Essence Interview with Joe Pestovich............................................... 5 The Fun Squad: Summer Activities for Youth............................... 7 Teen Programs Give Back ....... 11 Los Alamos Youth Food Project .......................................... 13 Business: Starting Young ..........15 NM Centennial Writing Contest... 17 Calendar of Events

Local Happenings in Your Town..............................

On the cover: Members of the Los Alamos Middle School Green Team celebrate after signing the contract with the Schools so that they can start working on the garden site. Above: Students hold up photos of possible greenhouse ideas for the food project.

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Participating CommunityMatters Chamber Members Assets in Action Bennett’s Jewelry Blue Windo Bistro Bob’s Bodacious BBQ CB FOX & CB FOX Kidz Central Avenue Grill Don Taylors Photography Enchanted Paradise Spa Family YMCA Hampton Inn & Suites High Mesa Institute The Hive Juvenile Justice Board- LA Karen Wray Fine Art Kiwanis Little Forest Play School Lorraine Hartway Los Alamos Co-Op Market Los Alamos County Environment Servies Los Alamos County Library Mesa Public Library Los Alamos Daily Post Los Alamos Family Council Los Alamos Farmers’ Market Los Alamos Fitness Center Los Alamos Heart Council Los Alamos Historical Museum Los Alamos Medical Center Los Alamos National Bank Mandy Marksteiner North Road Inn Pajarito Environmental Education Center Pajarito Greenhouse

Editor’s Note Welcome to the Essence! The Essence, a bi-monthly publication, created to inform and remind the community of what’s special about living in Los Alamos and White Rock. Remember to shop local and give our CommunityMatters members (listed to the left) your support. The theme of this issue is ‘Youth.’ Our community has a wealth of young people who are extraordinary. They are intelligent, enthusiastic, generous, community minded and courteous. That is why once a year the Essence makes the effort to appreciate them. When we help young people find their self worth, or their true value, we are giving them a gift that cannot be taken away. What better investment can we make in our future? And, they are darn fun to hang out with! Internships for high school and college students are highly encouraged. Forming a bond with young people is essential. Not only is it rewarding for them learning tools for success, but for the business community as well. What they give back is priceless. Our economic vitality depends on young people sticking around. As a community, we are realizing young people’s needs (from elementary to post graduate students) and are working towards an environment that supports them, such as events to attend and retail businesses that offer places for them to gather that encourages their desire, or willingness, to stay. With a recent visit from PLACE, we hope to do just that. PLACE is a Minnesota based ethical nonprofit development organization that builds sustainable communities for cities. For more information you can visit www.welcometoplace.com/losalamos. In this issue you will be inspired by our local youth and find fun opportunities for youth of all ages to experience this summer and throughout the year. • Admire the dedication that youth and local organizations have provided for the Los Alamos Youth Food Project • Learn about Jo Pestovich, a senior from Los Alamos High School, his radio show on KRSN and his thoughts about Los Alamos. • Uncover endless possibilities for summer activities • Find how Craig Wehner used a Youth Small Business Grant to build a thriving landscaping business • Enjoy the writings from elementary school children on their feelings about Los Alamos • Discover youth programs like Los Alamos Youth Mobilizers, Los Alamos Youth Leaderships and Envision Your Future Take the time to encourage, teach, mentor and inspire. Remember what it was like to be young and the hardships faced on a daily basis. Recognize your ability to impact youth and take responsibility to pass on knowledge, integrity and lead by example. A mutual respect is required. Whatever you take away from these stories, I hope you develop an appreciation for our young people. They are our future and their possibilities are limitless. ‘The future’s so bright, you have to wear shades.’

Pajarito Mountain Ski Area Pet Pangaea The Finishing Touch United Way UNM Graduate Program UPEX

Suzette Fox, Editor Community Projects Coordinator/LA MainStreet Manager Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation 505.661.4844, suzette@losalamos.org

Waddell & Reed

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Rockin’ & Riding Home Essence Interview: Joe Pestovich

Essence: Tell us about yourself Joe, and your history with Los Alamos. Joe Pestovich: I am a senior at Los Alamos High. I was born in Denver, lived in the TriCities area in Washington State for awhile, and my family moved to Los Alamos when I was going into my sophomore year of high school. Essence: How hard was that … and what were your first impressions of Los Alamos? Joe Pestovich: I don’t remember it being hard. The town had a nice feel to it and I felt pretty comfortable right away. There was something I sensed that was unique about the place but I can’t quite put my finger on it to explain the uniqueness. If there was something that stuck out in my mind it was that this is a real small town compared to my past experiences. For me that turned out to be a plus … I like that about Los Alamos. Essence: The conventional wisdom of adults in the community is that teens think there is nothing to do here … do we have that right? Joe Pestovich: I think there is a lot to do and nothing to do. I think that is the case for teens everywhere. It is not unique to Los Alamos. I would probably say the same thing no matter where I lived. Essence: We are doing this interview at your work place. Tell us about that. Joe Pestovich: Last year I applied for the Chamber of Commerce’s internship program. I thought that was a really cool thing to want to get youth involved in work in the community. I didn’t have any idea where it might lead or what employer might be interested in me. All of the applicants took a test called WorkKeys that gave employers an idea of what we were capable of in terms of things like reading for comprehension, finding information, and applied math concepts. That was interesting in of itself as it gave me a better idea of the kinds of things employers care about. I was contacted by two local businesses, but KRSN AM-1490 got back to me first and I took a job here as an intern. The owners of KRSN, David and Gillian Sutton have been great. They put me right to work and I have learned enough that I do my own radio show on Monday through Friday, four to seven PM. Essence: Tell us about your show. Joe Pestovich: It is called the Rocking and Riding Home Show and it is geared for the time when people are heading home from work. It is a mix of music, national, and local news. I select the music based on things I like … classic rock, 60’s through 90’s era music and contemporary alternative. I try to link songs together in interesting ways, and I do take requests. Essence: What kind of things have you learned from the internship experience? Have there been things that surprised you? Joe Pestovich: It has been really interesting to see how a radio station works … and how it works to play a role in the community. I think it serves important public needs. I’ve had a chance to meet local business people as we do ads for them. Community radio gives them

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a good option for telling people about and promoting their business. Because I present the news, I’m way better informed than maybe I used to be about what goes on in the community. I’m a regular Los Alamos Monitor reader now. Police Beat is a favorite. As far as things that surprised me, I thought it was cool that the station has a record player and still uses it to play vinyl records … I have some of those in my own collection that I bring in and play. Another thing that is surprising is the reach that an AM station can have once we got our new antenna in place. Under the right conditions, people have tuned in from as far away as Colorado Springs. Essence: What do your friends think about you doing this kind of work? Joe Pestovich: My friends think it is awesome that I can do this. I have a real passion for music so they know this is a great fit. Essence: Who are your favorite artists? Top five … Joe Pestovich: Wow … that hard. I’d say Eric Clapton, Pearl Jam, the Clash, B.B. King, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Essence: Who do you play the most on your show? Joe Pestovich: Probably Lynyrd Skynyrd. Essence: With a passion for music, you probably go to a lot of the summer concert series shows. Is the Summer Concert Series popular with teens? What’s the best show you can remember? Joe Pestovich: The concert series is definitely popular with young people. It’s great, free fun. There are lots of people to see and be seen by. As far as favorite shows I’d have to say Eric Sardinas, the Nomads, and the Red Elvises come to mind. The Elvises did this great Lady Gaga cover that I’ll never forget. Essence: What are your future plans? Joe Pestovich: I plan to go to college … possibly NMSU. Fields I am considering are forensics, criminology, pre-med, and business. Maybe I’ll even get involved with the campus radio station. Essence: I need to let you get back to your show, but in closing, are there things that you think could make our community a better place for our youth? Joe Pestovich: The new high school building is a good step … it’s a nice, new, clean place that is well thought out. It is great to have a cafeteria with hot lunch service … the pizza is really good. I think we need gathering places that can serve more people at once. I like getting involved with people from other generations. Events, activities, and places that encourage that are really helpful. This internship is a great example as it has connected me with a much bigger variety of people than I would have ever met without it. There is a program in the community called Assets in Action and it is built on the idea that there are key assets that a community needs to be a good place for youth. I think that is right on.

Essence April/May 2012

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The Frolic

D A U Q S N FU

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By Mandy Marksteiner

Savvy parents are always on the lookout for activities for their kids to do, and the Internet makes it easy to ﬁnd out what’s happening right now. Just go to www.fyila.com. Behind those calendar listings there are people who love working with kids and who are passionate about ﬁnding ways to get young people to think, play, see the world, dance and create every day.

Shaking Our Sillies Out Melissa Mackey plans Music and M ovement and story time at the Mesa Public Library. “One of the biggest things we do is collection development; choosing all the books, DVDs, books on CD, and music that we share with the kids.” Mackey has been working at the library for eight years and has a background in children’s education. Before she started working at Mesa Public Library she ran the children’s education program at Ghost Ranch. She said, “I could never do a job that I don’t love. I’m crazy about it.” http://www.losalamosnm.us/library/Pages/default.aspx

Get kids outside to have fun in nature Katie Watson, who has been the Program Director at the Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) since 2010, believes that unstructured outdoor play is wonderful for kids’ development and imagination. Los Alamos is such an academically rigorous town, where elementary kids are doing algebra and lot of parents worry when their kids are bored in school. Rather than giving advanced kids more work outside of school, Watson recommends getting them outside. “Dig holes in the dirt. Go to a museum. Do things that will enrich their lives personally,” said Watson. “My kids have always played in the dirt all summer. I can see that if they’re upset about something, when they go outside it gets better. They make up games that last for months when they go outside… it’s supposed to be really good for their development, when they keep playing the same game but always add to it and develop it. They notice so many things outside. They’re being observant and curious.” Before taking the position at PEEC Watson taught in the GATE program in Los Alamos and fifth and sixth grades in Santa Fe. As a teacher, she knows that it can be difficult to satisfy the requirements of standardized testing and still come up with hands-on science lessons in the classroom. That’s why PEEC developed the Pajarito Plateau Field Science Curriculum. The Pajarito Plateau Field Science Curriculum, which was made possible by grants from the LANL Foundation, R.E.I., and the Albert I. Pierce Foundation, gives teachers a chance to offer enriching, outdoor scientific experiences, without a lot of the initial legwork. Students do hands-on field science in their own school yards and trails. They get to experience what scientists actually do. They see that the school yard is full of plants and insects. They begin to think about how it is a habitat. Sixth graders go on a field trip to Fenton Lake. In August, all the K-6th grade teachers will be trained. PEEC will seek more grant funding so that they can provide trunks filled with all the supplies that classrooms will need. “For teachers, it can be hard to do the hands-on science,” said Watson. “Our goal is to make it as simple as possible. It’s really targeted for Los Alamos and centered around the plants and animals in the area.” PEEC has a box of antlers, furs, shells, rocks and shelves full of books and puzzles about animals and nature. There are tanks with bullfrogs, toads, salamanders, turtles, insects. There’s specific information about wildfires and large predators. To get information about PEEC’s offerings, like First Friday Forts, their Summer Adventure Program and Monday Nature Playtime, join the “PEEC This Week” mailing list by visiting http://www.pajaritoeec.org/.

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Los Alamos Farmers Market

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Navigating Life Changes Susan Mack, the Executive Director of Family Strengths Network, understands what it’s like to be new to Los Alamos, and how challenging it can be to connect with other families. When she started the job in 2005, she had just gotten married, just become a stepparent, and had only been living in Los Alamos for four days. She didn’t even know how to find Family Strengths Network. “I knew nobody. Nobody,” she said. “But one of the amazing things about Los Alamos is that there is an exceptional amount of cooperation and collaboration with organizations and services. I was able to meet people right away and learn the unique needs of the community and the people, and find out where the service gaps are and what the other agencies are doing to fill those gaps. Instead of there being a sense of competition, there is a sense of cooperation.” “Because of my experience moving to Los Alamos, I can relate to people who are new here,” said Mack. “Many families are here because of a job, and their extended families are far away, which can be a real challenge.” FSN’s mission is to help people navigate relationships as families grow and change. Families face a lot of changes when kids become teenagers. FSN offers programs that address those changes in a fun way, they have: Girl’s Circle, Envision Your Future, and Tweens to Teens. Tweens to Teens is a class where they talk about puberty and the physical and emotional changes coming up in a relaxed atmosphere. Mack said, “We just started a Tweens to Teens class for boys. The class has all men, no females allowed. It takes some of the ‘ick’ out of explaining puberty.” FSN has a toy lending library, Mommy and me yoga classes, groups for parents with small children, free toddler music classes with Greg Schneinder, owner of Music Together Los Alamos. In the Beth Ladino Library they have resources that can help people get through everything from when a teenager wants more independence, to caring for aging parents, to disciplining a toddler. “Whatever I’m going through in my life,” said Mack, “I can always find a book at FSN to answer my questions.” To find out more visit www.lafsn.org

Helping Kids Find Their Artistic Side Ken Nebel, owner of Village Arts and Executive Director of Fuller Lodge at Center, plans the summer art programs at the Fuller Lodge Art Center. Nebel grew up in Los Alamos and started working as an art intern at the Art Center when he was 13. He worked there all through high school. Then he attended Northern Illinois University where he studied illustration. He illustrated Maggie, the Girl Who Only Loved Herself, by Alberto Monnar and Linda Franklin and Clutter, by Ana Monnar. After college he worked both at Village Arts and worked in the schools for two years. In 2010, he purchased Village Arts and became the Executive Director at Fuller Lodge Art Center. “The Art Center comes to life every summer,” he said. “That’s the best part. With all the classes there are so many things going on. I love seeing the kids and seeing the art that they produce. At the end of the summer we show it all at the Summer Art Showcase.” http://www.fullerlodgeartcenter.com/

Having fun with science During the school year, Gordon McDonough and Liz Martineau, Science Educators at the Bradbury Science Museum, drive their van to schools within 90 minutes of Los Alamos where they visit at least four classes and present hands-on and highly engaging programs, like “Discover the Elemental Earth” (which includes their travelling rock museum), “Discover Our Place in the Universe,” and “Strengthen Your Powers of Observation.” These participatory science programs focus on physics and chemistry. Right now their program, “Investigate Invisible Forces,” involves powerful magnets. In the summertime, the Bradbury offers “Summer Adventures in Science.” In years past, activities have included rockets, astronomy, and an inventor workshop. Visit their website to ﬁnd out more about this summer’s programming. McDonough and Martineau have both been working at the Bradbury since the summer of 2005. http://www.lanl.gov/museum/events

Informal Educators Group got together at the CoffeeHouse Café to coordinate their summer plans. They’re going to advertise together and make sure that they don’t have too much overlap in their activities. Every Tuesday this summer behind Fuller Lodge there will be a free hour-long story and activity.

See www.fyila.com for more summertime youth activities www.losalamoschamber.com

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Teen Progams Give Back By Carol A. Clark Four local teenagers are involved in Los Alamos Youth Mobilizers. They poll other teens on hot topics and present their ﬁndings to relevant organizations. “I’ve been in the program since I was a sophomore. I’m a senior now and it’s a really great way for teens to get involved in this community and make it better for other teens,” said Los Alamos High School student Miles Gurule, 17. “That’s our goal. Youth Mobilizers takes issues such as drug abuse, last year we surveyed teens about their drug use and discovered a lot of them started using drugs in middle school so we started a prevention program in the elementary schools.” Los Alamos High School students Sarah Park, Cydney Remelius and Daniel McCurdy also are members of the Youth Mobilizers program. The team partners with adult leaders in a collaborative process to learn to build their skills and capacities as decision makers, problem solvers, advocates and leaders. “Youth Mobilizers gives me good job experience and I get to be actively involved with the youth of the community,” said Park, 17. “On a regular basis we email community leaders, write reports and conduct surveys of our peers. I have been working in the program for over a year and I love it.” Amy Jo Rosenbaum, 24, is the Youth Mobilizer coordinator. “This year we worked on many projects including the Youth Food Project in which we are working with Los Alamos Middle School and the Adventure Program at the Family YMCA to create a community garden,” Rosenbaum said. “For National Sleep Awareness Week, our teens conducted a survey on sleep deprivation. In their program, ‘Time with a Topper,’ they went to the elementary and middle schools to talk about high school. For me the best thing is working with the teens – they are highly motivated and make every day a fun day.” The Los Alamos Juvenile Justice Advisory Board (JJAB) funds Youth Mobilizers, which is administered through the Family YMCA. JJAB is a non-proﬁt organization created in 2004 through a joint effort of the Los Alamos School Board and the Los Alamos County Council. Its focus is prevention and intervention initiatives for youth. “Our strength is really our collaborative efforts – working together with community partners and youth to identify emerging issues and gaps in services,” said JJAB Co-Coordinator Kristine Coblentz. “We’re responsive in creating new programs and supporting existing programs and also in leveraging existing resources.” Coblentz and Co-Coordinator Sharon Marinuzzi are young mothers with children so they share one fulltime position. “This allows us the time we need to take care of our kids,” Coblentz said. Municipal Judge Alan Kirk is chairman of the JJAB board and longtime youth advocate Morrie Pongratz is vice chair. Los Alamos Youth Leadership (LAYL) is another JJAB program. LAYL is an annual program for high school students, whicht runs from August to April. Teens learn how to build relationships

with family and friends, increase their confidence, learn relationship strategies, participate in outdoor team challenges and create projects that benefit the community. Alexander Castille is a LAYL participant. He recently presented a distracted driving talk to the JJAB board. “Teenagers often feel as though their voice is insignificant amongst the more influential adults in a community,” Castille said. “It is important that teenagers such as myself make their ideas known so that when our generation comes to power, the path to our success is easily traversed. The experience gained now is only beneficial in that it will allow young adults to feel a sense of importance, while the adults are given hope that the future of the community is in good hands.” Kelly Kramer, 17, is a senior at Los Alamos High School who has served on the JJAB board for one year. Kramer spoke at JJAB’s board retreat, served on its teen panel and participated in strategic planning. “I love the programs that JJAB sponsors – they are there to make the community better and to improve the lives of people who are struggling and I think that is an amazing goal for any program,” Kramer said. Kramer will attend New Mexico Tech in the fall and intends to major in mechanical engineering and minor in aerospace. “My ultimate goal is a PhD in mechanical engineering,” Kramer said. Envision Your Future is a JJAB sponsored program for young men aged 14-19. It helps them make better decisions and to clarify their dreams and values. Envision Your Future also helps participants define and overcome challenges, identify personal assets and design a personal blueprint for success. Participants set attainable short and long term goals and identify people and resources to accomplish their goals, Coblentz said. They learn to develop positive attitudes, the courage to change, and trust that they can be successful. Teen Center Director Michelangelo Lobato teaches Envision Your Future at the Teen Center. The program is administered by the Family Strengths Network. “JJAB also provides support for the Saturday School program at Los Alamos High School,” Coblentz said. “This very successful program is a LAHS initiative begun by Vice Principal Cheryl Milgrim. Students have the opportunity to attend Saturday School to receive additional tutoring, make up academic assignments or make up attendance. Students can also be assigned to Saturday School by administration for discipline reasons. This program helps students to improve grades, attendance and to graduate on time.” Among the diverse group of 26 community members serving on the JJAB board are First District Court Judge Michael Vigil, Los Alamos County Councilor Mike Wismer, Chief Juvenile Probation Officer Tommy Rodriguez, Magistrate Judge Pat Casados, School Board Member David Foster, Los Alamos High School Principal Sandra Warnock, Counselor Georgina Williams, Police Chief Wayne Torpy, High School student Jessie Howze, Key Club President Sky Korber and Public Health Nurse Megan Pfeffer.

Municipal Court Judge Alan Kirk, chair of the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board with Board Co-Coordinator Kristine Coblentz and Co-Coordinator Sharon Marinuzzi. Photo by Carol A. Clark

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Los Alamos County Library System

Online 24/7... www.losalamosnm.us/library White Rock Branch Library 133 Longview Dr.

Mesa Public Library 2400 Central Ave.

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Los Alamos Youth Food Project Planting the Seeds of Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility The first seeds of the Los Alamos Youth Food Project (LAYFP), a Juvenile Justice Advisory Green Team member and eighth grader Emily Hopkins has enjoyed working on all Board (JJAB) youth initiative, were planted in the spring of last year by an application to the aspects of the project including planning, work parties and fundraising. “I am looking forward State Farm Youth Advisory Board. to the building of the green house and getting to plant with the community,” Hopkins said. Today, those ideas have taken root and are growing strong with the support and nurturing Argo is thrilled to see people purchasing the colored worms and shovel drawings made collaboration of multiple entities. The visionary essence of this funding is that the grant itself for the youth fundraiser. “I am so appreciative of the Co-op and the role they are taking. I was awarded to our local youth by a national panel of youth. The State Farm Youth Advisory encourage everyone to purchase a picture and add their name to the growing wall of comBoard brings youth together from across the United States to choose what projects to fund; munity support.” The fundraiser has produced over $600 to support activities. that national panel of youth believed in the LAYFP, and decided to give the youth of our town The Green Team, which is co-sponsored by the Y, Pajarito Environmental Education Cena chance to engage in planting a community garden, building a greenhouse, and learning ter, and the Co-op, is a school-based extension of the Y Earth Service Corps. It too is to grow their own food. supported by a separate regional grant from State Farm Recent club meetings have involved Upon receiving the grant in September of 2011, JJAB brought collaborators together to groups of eighth graders singing and giggling as they re-write song lyrics for upcoming flash decide how to best facilitate the project. JJAB contracted with The Family YMCA to coordinate mobs, and as they draw images of their dream gardens. Their pictures and ideas are posted and administrate LAYFP funding and activities, and invited partner organizations such as the on the LAYFP blog (layouthfoodproject.wordpress.com ) and on the Los Alamos Youth Food Los Alamos Public Schools, the Chamber of Commerce Assets in Action Program, Los Alamos Project Facebook page. Co-operative Market, and Pajarito Environmental Education Center The venture has taken root in numerous local partners. Kiwanis to come together to move forward. are offering LAYFP outreach through their school-based clubs. Their “Numerous organizations and individuals have come together K-Club kids planted seedlings at Barranca Elementary School, to support the Los Alamos Youth Food Project,” says Argo, LAYFP and LAMS Builder’s Club students worked with the Green Team Project Coordinator. “This strengthens our community through to organize a LAYFP Pep Rally for the entire LAMS student body. critical education surrounding food, water resources and Kiwanis member Don Casperson has donated countless hours to sustainable skill-sharing.” mentoring these clubs and furthering outreach activities, as well as The focus of all State Farm Youth Advisory Board grants is to personally ordering seeds and supplies. support youth initiatives, youth leadership, and youth development. The Chamisa Elementary Cheetahs recently joined the LAYFP. Since September 2011 Los Alamos Middle School students have Through a partnership with the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce planned and initiated work parties, presentations and activities with Assets in Action Program, facilitated by Assets Coordinator Berthe support of Stephanie Krantz, Los Alamos Middle School (LAMS) nadette Lauritzen, the Chamisa Student Council planted cilantro teacher and LAYFP Service Learning Coordinator. and parsley. The kindergarten, first and second grade classes have Seventh grader Gabriela Vallejos is excited about building a garden volunteered to water the seedlings. The seedlings are under and harvesting the food. She has been helping develop a marketing fluorescent bulbs in a grow lab until harvest and delivery to chefs plan to spread the word as part of a Service Learning class at LAMS. of the Betty Ehart Senior Center. When asked what she enjoys most about the project, she said, “I like Beginning in May, the LAYFP will have a table at our local how it brings the community together.” Farmer’s Market. Gardeners looking to shop local for youth-grown Krantz has been working with teachers to share and implement seedlings can come by the LAYFP stand. Market Manager Cindy garden curriculum among classrooms and grade levels. These – Sylvan Argo Talamantes, through her work with the MainStreet program, will teachers are supporting the mission of the LAYFP to engage, inspire LAYFP Project Coordinator provide the LAYFP this critical monthly opportunity to spread the and empower all our youth through classes, projects, environmental word about project status, solicit donations of supplies and share clubs, and out-of-school activities to address sustainable food and opportunities for interested community members. resources. PEEC is hosting seedlings and outreach activities through the The LAMS Service Learning class has also worked with the Los use of their greenhouse, as well as through the development and Alamos Co-operative Market to explore some of the tastier aspects of LAYFP. The Co-op implementation of school-based, garden-focused energy resource curriculum. has facilitated taste-testings with students. They are also working with the Y to install a hoopThere are a number of summer programs where the youth of Los Alamos can engage more house at the Co-op through joint funds and fundraising efforts. fully in LAYFP gardening activities. Summer programs at the Y such as iCARE Adventures or Youth members of LAMS Green Team and the LAHS Environmental Club dreamt up the iCARE Camp (for 5-11 year olds) and the Y Earth Service Corps (for youth ages 11-17) will idea of having a greenhouse placed at the Co-op to support education and outreach; now have weekly opportunities to engage with the garden site and related activities. More inforthanks to some creative fundraising, this youthful idea is becoming a reality. mation on these programs can be found on the Y’s website www.laymca.org. “People can help support this [greenhouse] project by purchasing a worm and/or spade Volunteers for any of the projects connected to the LAYFP are asked to call Sylvan Argo in dirt at the Los Alamos Co-op,” explains Sandra West, Outreach Coordinator for the Market. at 662-3100. Argo can also coordinate any donation of supplies or funds for the projects at “The greenhouse will support many community groups from the LAYFP to the Wildlife Center hand; donations can also be made through the Y’s website. to the Environmental Clubs and more. Anyone who purchases a worm and/or spade in dirt This piece was collaboratively written by partners of the Los Alamos Youth Food Project, then can put their name on the item (optional) and post it on our fundraiser wall.” The worms with special thanks to Bernadette Lauritzen, Stephanie Krantz, Sandra West, Diana Martiand spades have been crafted and colored by LAMS students during Green Team weekly nez, and Sylvan Argo. meetings.

“This strengthens our community through critical education surrounding food, water resources and sustainable skill-sharing.”

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Essence April/May 2012

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Business

Starting Young By Mandy Marksteiner Have you ever wanted to turn your hobbies or activities into a real business? Since 1985, over 245 teenagers have received grants of up to $400 to start a business over the summer. Last year the grant recipients included a dance instructor, a photographer and a weaver. Young people also used grant money to launch businesses offering services like grocery delivery, pet sitting and yard work. The Youth Business Grant Program (YBGP) in Los Alamos is a summer program that encourages young people to open and run their own business. In some cases, it’s an opportunity to make money over the summer doing something you love. It can also be the first step to a lifelong career. Craig Wehner, owner of Los Alamos Landscaping and More, is a Youth Business Grant success story. His full-service landscaping company provides lawn maintenance and residential and commercial landscaping design. He continues to grow his business by adding more services, like commercial fencing and architectural steel. Wehner started the company when he was fourteen. Back then he was hired to mow lawns, pick up after dogs, and rake leaves. He applied for a Youth Business Grant through the Small Business and Development Center and received $200. He used the money to buy a weed eater at Metzgers and a motor for his lawn mower. He continued to work through high school that way. Occasionally a friend would help him. When he learned how to drive he bought a car and trailer to haul his equipment. After high school, his business wasn’t growing fast enough, so he got a job as an auto mechanic. He invested a lot of the money that he earned on the job back into his landscaping company, purchasing more equipment and paying more employees. In 1998, he incorporated his company and in 2001-2002 he was able to leave his auto mechanic day job and devote himself full time to his company. He said, “It can be a scary transition to leave a steady income and paycheck and have to learn to deal with cash flow issues. But it’s been good. We’ve had enough cash flow to pay employees and still have money left over to put in the bank.” Wehner has tried to give back to the Youth Business Grant program by speaking with

The Wehners, owners of Los Alam os Landscaping and More. recipients, visiting with them, and offering encouragement and advice. His advice for entrepreneurs at any age is, “Find something that you really enjoy doing, because you’re going to have to spend much more time doing it that you would at a regular job. Especially at the beginning when you’re building up sweat equity.” Wehner also recommends putting time aside to make sure that your company is in compliance with government regulations. “Get involved with an attorney to make sure that you’re always improving this part of your business. There is no handbook out there to help you.” Local resources that have been helpful to Wehner as he built up Los Alamos Landscaping include the Small Business Development Center, local accountant Jim Dinkle, and Los Alamos National Bank. Wehner said, “LANB has been helpful over the years. They have an understanding of what it’s like to do business.” “Los Alamos can be a difﬁcult environment,” said Wehner, who grew up in Los Alamos, “but there are a lot of people who want to spend locally and lots of people who want to see businesses succeed here.”

For help with starting, growing and improving your business, check out the “Tools for Business Success” at www.labizinfo.com

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In Honor of the New Mexico Centennial 1912-2012, the Los Alamos Historical Society and Los Alamos County Library System have collaborated in creating an exhibition and related programs entitled: 100 Years of Los Alamos People and Places: Community Connections A Community Connections Book was created from community members’ writings whose theme is the exploration of people and events which helped to shape the Los Alamos community and how people envision the future of the County and town. The following are an excerpt of submissions from a few elementary school age children. We thought they were important to include in this issue of The Essence.

Living in Los Alamos

A Small Town

by Rose Click I’ve lived in Los Alamos since my family and I moved here when I was six months old, but in the 12½ years I have lived here, I have certain memories that stand out more than others. Many of these memories stand out because they show what a tiny, geeky town Los Alamos really is. One of these memories is when my mom (a musician by passion and profession) put on a musical in her church, called H. M. S. Pinafore. As you can imagine, it took place on a ship, with most of the characters being sailors. In rehearsals, when they were having a hard time hitting the notes and coming in at the right time, my mom would joke, “It’s not rocket science, guys,” and with ﬁve out of the seven sailors having PhDs in hard sciences, they would answer, “That’s why we can’t get it!” With a population of about 18, 000 total, I have many memories of going to some “big” event like a fair or a show and knowing half of the people there. You can walk into Starbucks or Smith’s at almost any time of the day and you are likely to see at least three people you know. I have fond memories of going to concerts at Ashley Pond on Friday evenings in the summer months and knowing one of every ten people. All in all, I love living in quiet, small, brainy Los Alamos. Though I often complain about almost nothing being open on Sundays, about not having access to activities that I would have access to in a larger city, about how focused the community tends to be on grades more than anything else, I still love living here. I think it has been, and is, a great place to grow up, and I am proud to celebrate 100 years of statehood.

by Katya Skurikhin I have lived in Los Alamos for 12 years, which is all my life. Los Alamos is not a big town that was meant for tourists. Even though visitors coming to see your town are exciting, I like the peace and quiet here. Small towns have their advantages. Downtown is not so far away from anybody and buses run all day for free to take you around. Although Los Alamos does not have a mall or any big stores, it has all that we need. Stores like Smith’s, CB Fox, and Starbucks are pleasing to me. Summer in Los Alamos is hot and dry while winter in Los Alamos is also dry. Because of this climate, summer can result in wildﬁres. In a span of ten years, Los Alamos citizens were forced to evacuate twice for fear of the town burning down. When there are no wildﬁres, Los Alamos is a great place to be. My favorite time of the year to be in Los Alamos is summer because there are many things to do and it is warm. During this time, I often go to the outside pool with my friends and walk downtown to grab some Starbucks. In the winter, people can go skiing on our ski hill and sled on our various hills. Tourists can come and visit our famous museum that contains bombs. If you think Los Alamos is a boring town, think again! You should get to know the town better and start having fun. Los Alamos is in fact the town “where discoveries are made”. So make a discovery today and enjoy the peace and quiet of Los Alamos.

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Essence April/May 2012

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April 2012

Events

May 2012

2 Children’s Earth Day Art Show at Mesa Public Library 10 am to 6 pm A showing of Children’s Earth Day Art will be held at Mesa Public Library during the month of April.

1 Quiet, Gentle Walk with PEEC 9:30 am to 11:30 am The emphasis will be on a quiet savoring of what the surroundings have to offer. Speed is not of the essence.

3 Quiet, Gentle Walk with PEEC 9:30 am to 11:30 am The emphasis

3 Mesa Public Library 2012 FREE Film Series - Chungking Express

will be on a quiet savoring of what the surroundings have to offer. Speed is not of the essence.

(NR) 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm Mesa Public Library.

5 Mesa Public Library 2012 FREE Film Series - The Snapper 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm Mesa Public Library. Rated R

6 Fuller Lodge Art Center Art Opening Reception - Rhythm and Rhyme exhibit. 5 pm to 7 pm Extract the poetry in art. Visually bring us the nursery rhymes, haikus, love sonnets and epic adventures that lie within. Use poets as inspiration and collaboration, or work as your own poet.

7 Opening Reception for Bound Under the Inﬂuence: Book Arts by S. Vilmain Mesa Public Library. 2 pm to 4 pm. Suzanne Vilmain presents books, editions, letterpress works on paper and souvenirs, collected and made. Exhibit runs until 4/29/12.

10 Historical Lecture: Los Alamos Then and Now 7:30 pm to 9 pm Fuller Lodge. In conjunction with Earth Day, ecologist Terry Foxx will explore the ecological history of Los Alamos, from the 1880s onward.

12 Winter Farmers Market at Fuller Lodge 8:30 am to 12 pm Eat healthy - food from local farmers and ranchers.

13 Opera Alta presents Petra and Jay 7 pm to 9 pm Crossroads Bible Church. A sci-ﬁ musical set 1000 years in the future when humans face their most difﬁcult challenge.

3 LAAC Brown Bag Performance 12 pm to 1:30 pm Fuller Lodge Santa Fe Pro Musica ﬂutists Carol Redman and Alaina Diehl will perform a ﬂute concert. 3 J. Robert Oppenheimer, 1904-1967 A photographic exhibit, “J. Robert Oppenheimer, 1904-1967: 10 am to 6 pm. A photographic exhibit “Photographs from his life” will be displayed in the upstairs gallery at the Mesa Public Library for the month of May 2012. 4, 11, 18 Los Alamos Little Theatre Presents Cowboy Poet 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm Los Alamos Little Theater. A C & W musical. Play runs through May 19.

5, 12, 19 Los Alamos Little Theatre Presents Cowboy Poet 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm Los Alamos Little Theater. A C & W musical. Play runs through May 19.

5 Spring Arts and Crafts Fair 9 am to 4 pm Fuller Lodge Lawn. This outdoor fair is one of the ﬁrst fairs of the season and will feature over 130 artists. 8 Historical Lecture: New Mexico’s Struggle for Statehood 7:30 pm to 9 pm Fuller Lodge. In celebration of the New Mexico Centennial, Professor Richard Melzer will use political cartoons to delve into New Mexico’s image prior to statehood and the state’s struggle to become #47.

11 Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament beneﬁting United Way

14 Opera Alta presents Petra and Jay 2 pm to 4 pm

of Northern New Mexico. 12 pm to 6 pm . Black Mesa Golf Course

17 Quiet, Gentle Walk with PEEC 9:30 am to 11:30 am The emphasis

11-13 15th Annual Kite Festival at White Rock Overlook Park Friday

will be on a quiet savoring of what the surroundings have to offer. Speed is not of the essence.

6 pm – 10 pm. Saturday and Sunday 11 am to 5 pm

18 Rachel Carson: A Chautauqua Performance at Betty Ehart Senior Center 7 pm to 8:30 pm PEEC’s Earth Day talk will be a chautauqua performance by Ann Beyke. Ann will be portraying Rachel Carson, whose work made environmentalism an integral part of our lives.

21 Earth Day Festival at Pajarito Environmental Education Center 10 am to 2 pm. Community groups will show their earth-friendly products and practices, and provide information about our environment on the Pajarito Plateau.

19 The Jemez Mountain Trail Runs races (half Marathon, 50km, and 50m) take place in the scenic Jemez Mountains in Northern New Mexico. 5 am to 9 am

24 Authors Speak Series presents Frances Levine, PhD 7 pm to 8:30 pm Mesa Public Library. In her talk, Dr. Levine tells the fascinating story of Doña Teresa Aguilera y Roche, the wife of Santa Fe’s colonial governor Don Bernardo López de Mendizábal, early residents of the Palace of the Governors.

22 3rd Annual Great Conversations at Los Alamos High School 2 pm to 4:30 pm. Choose from several conversations with an expert and enjoy an afternoon getting to know more about an interest.

22 Party for PEEC 5 pm to 7 pm Best Western Hilltop House. Join the Pajarito Environmental Education Center for this beneﬁt dinner to support the Nature Center. 26 Authors Speak Series: Kathy Barco & Valerie Nye 7 pm to 8:30 pm Mesa Public Library. Co-authors of a compilation of essays, titled “True Stories of Censorship Battles in America’s Libraries” will speak of their experiences and share some of the stories from their book.

28 Fabulous Fifties Family Sock Hop at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Parish Hall 6 pm to 10 pm “Elvis” will be the MC and will award prizes for contests (bubble gum blowing, jitterbug, hula hoops) and door prizes.

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Community Calendar, searchable business directory, full event details, more events, and contact information at fyiLA.com

Essence April/May 2012

Leadership Giving Circle Members United Way would like to thank all of its 1,378 donors who participated in the 2012 Campaign. Loretta Garcia & Jimmy Leal Terrance & Bernadine Goldman William Hamilton Joseph & Karla Hickey Gene K. Ealy Jr. Jane Lloyd Lockhart Family Kevin K. McTaggart Kevin J. Miller Jonathan E Morgan Pat Nakagawa David A. Pimentel Larry Quinlan Dory & Bob Ryan Carolynn Scherer & Joel Katz Susan Seestrom & Chris Morris Gregory & Delaina Van Soest Carol Suich Joe Sullivan Carroll Thomson Cheryl Wampler Scott & Joy Dee White Douglas J. Wokoun Pat Yeamans Jerry & Nicole Young

Alexis De Tocqueville Society $10,000+ 12 Anonymous Donors Matt Bement Eric & Kathy Bjorklund Timothy Burns Thomas Dufresne Randy & Laura Erickson Barbara Evans Patricia Fasel Gauss Family Wes & Crystal Hicks Larry & Andrea Hill Mary & Robert Hockaday Ray A Krause Yvonne Krause Jerri McTaggart Nathan & Daniela Moody Meiring Nortier Raymond & JoAnn Sartor Joe Schmidt & Lisa Roig Stanley Simmonds Brad Simmons John Singleton David Palmer Smitherman Michael & Nancy Strevell Mr & Mrs Mike Weaver William & Maria Wolfe

Emerald $2,500 -$4,999

Diamond $5,000 -$9,999 20 Anonymous Donors Ian & Amy Albright Larry & Debbie Baca Rendell Carver Sylvia L. Cassil William & Lynne Casson Sam Clegg Jill & Paul Cook Jerry & Lore Ethridge Jeffrey A. Favorite Bryan L Fearey & Maureen A Connolly Eric & Pat Ferm Dan & Trudy Gabel

19 Anonymous Donors Gerald M.Antos Walter C. Barkley & Allison S. Majure Steve & Margo Batha Alison Beckman John & Nancy Bliss Holmann Brand John & Carla Breiner Tom Burr & Lynn Finnegan Kirk Christensen Michael and Lynn Cline Don & Connie Cobb Justin Crapps Andrew Dattelbaum Michael Delano Beth Dermer Robert Ecke Kevin & Sandra Finn R. Alyn Ford Dennis & Opal Lee Gill

Larry Goen Yvonne, Joseph, Alicia & Antonio Gonzales Betsy & Jerry Grindstaff Steve & Barb Hanson Ann Hayes & Patrick Soran Kriste & Neil Henson Edward & Deanne Idar David & Terry Izraelevitz Christopher & Nicole Jeffery Josh Simpson John & Brenda Joyce CFCA George & Chandra Marsden Allen & Theresa McPherson Aaron & Anne Menefee Tome & Jean Merson Jeff Miller Kristin Omberg & Scott Miller Cheryl & Morris Pongratz William Priedhorsky Bernice Williams Donna & Joe Richardson Maria & Paul Rightley John Sarrao Eric Schmierer Larry & Robyn Schultz Ann & Rober Shafer Carol Slaughter Kurt & Jo Beth Steinhaus Peggy Taff Kristine Terrones Fred & Mary Thronas PJ Timmerman Jake Turin & Susan Mack TJ & Kay Ulrich Eugene Wagner family Gary Wall Terry Wallace & Michelle Hall Yongqiang Wang Kip Wentz Andy & Judy White Cathy Wilson

Ruby $1,500 -$2,499 30 Anonymous Donors David J. Alexander

Eli & Ellen Ben-Naim Alison Dorries & John Berg Gary F Blauert Douglas Bowen Debbie Braden John & D’Ann Bretzke Carol Burns Allen Camp Mary Campbell Robert Roback & Becky Coel-Roback Stephen & Keeley Costigan Aaron & Jennifer Couture Don & Judy Crocker Alison Dorries Andrew Erickson & Maribeth Englert Harry Ettinger June & Craig Martin Fran & Ray Flesner James & Vera Gallagher Scott & Anna Gibbs John & Deborah Gill Grunau Family Gloria Gilmore-House Francis & Patricia Harlow Chad Lauritzen Bruce & Anne Legler Pablo Lujan David Lyons Marvin & Leslie Maestas Carolyn Mangeng & Dale Spall David & Mitzi Mann Emily & Owen McLaughlin Linda Meincke Donald E. Mietz David Moore Vimala Rangachary Evelyn & David Mullen David A. O’Brien Robert F Parker Mark Petersen Dan & Judy Prono Al & Sheri Purdue Don & Barbara Rej Richard & Angela Renneke Ricketts Family Rieke Family Robey Family Jennifer M Rudnick

John & Connie Russell Kevin & Kelly Saeger Daniel Shevitz Dennis & Virginia Simonds Mary Ann Stroud David Swingle Kenneth & Kimberly Thomas Robert & Michelle Thomsen Walter Tuzel Jacqueline Veauthier Douglas & Christine Wilson Carolyn & David Zerkle

Sapphire $1,000 -$1,499 51 Anonymous Donors Ray and Joan Alcouffe Dann Alison Xylar Asay-Davis Jonathan, Carrie & Atencio family Stephen Becker Jeanette Bennion George & Joyce Berzins Elizabeth Bluhm & family Paul Bradley Brodnax Family Linda & Dave Carver Liz Cavasos David Chamberlin Christine Chandler Cathy A. Chapman William & Palmira Clodius Becky S. Cordova Juan C. Corpion Greg & Andrea Cunningham Harriet Dodder Daniel & Andria Duran Bill & Kathy Enloe Joel & Becky Farnham Gina Fisk Paul Fletcher Collette & Gerald Fordham Suzanne Frary David Fry Fuehne & Trellue Family Anita M. Gallegos Kris & Darryl Gardner Victor Gavron Pruit Ginsberg G. Glass

Robert Gibson & Lori Heimdahl Gibson Tony & Alison Grieggs Thad Hahn Sheryl Bailey Heath Leon & Rosalie Heller David Hollowell Glenn Banks & Jackie Hurtle Jeffrey Johnson Darci Johnson Randy Kasik Thomas K. & Bev Keenan Laura Kelly Cliff Kirkland D, L, & N Lattin Samuel R. Loftin Bob & Jackie MacFarlane Kathleen Maley Robert & Lucy Malone Johnnie Martinez David & Susan Martinez Cathe McClard Tracy McFarland Charles McMillan Thomas McNaughton Janet Mercer-Smith Liz Miller Art & Marilyn Montoya Derrick Montoya Ronalie & Joel Moss Nancy Jo Nicholas Young He Nilsen Jose A. Olivares P. Andrew & Evita Ortega Anna Parks Randy & Anna Parks C. Plesko Kathy Prestridge & Ben Sims Joan & Stan Primak Charles R. Quick, Jr. James J. Rhyne Fred & Susan Roach Kersti Rock Randall Ryti & Wendy Swanson Scott & Lori Schilling Donna G. Schroeder Sharon Seitz Ronald Selvage

Richard & Antoinette Shefﬁeld Charles & Billie Shull Walter Stark John T. Steinberg Mike Steinzig & Dara McKinney Charles & Janet Tallman Vicki & David Telles in Honor of Trey David & Vicki Telles David F. & Heather M. Teter Chris & Denise Thronas Turner family Daniel T. Varley Mike Westfall Paul P. Whalen Paul C. White Orbry Wright John L. Yarnell Cindy Zoldi-Sood

Associate Level $500-$999 Thank you to the 255 Associate Givers. We apologize if your name is left out. Acknowledgements are as of the ﬁnal publication date. Please notify United Way of changes.

Thank You for Living United

Top Workplace Financial Contributors $1,000,000 and above Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos National Security, LLC

$5,000 to $9,999 Las Clinicas Del Norte Los Alamos Medical Center - Cornerstone Company

$50,000 to $999,999 Los Alamos National Bank - Cornerstone Company

$2,500 to $4,999 Espanola Hospital Presbyterian National Securities Technologies Neptune & Company, Inc. - Cornerstone Company Rio Grande Sun - Cornerstone Company

$10,000 to $49,000 SOC - Los Alamos - Cornerstone Company Live United Supporters Carol A. Clark Margaret Ellis Bernadette Gallegos Kevin Holsapple Tim Ickes – website volunteer Lisa Inkret MacDoodle’s, Rob Lamb Sharon Ory Paper Tiger, Robert Rodriguez Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Irene Powell Southwest Ofﬁce Solutions, Inc., Tracy Maddox Keven Todd, Los Alamos Monitor Jason Waterbury, LANB Johnnie Martinez, LANL CPO Giving Team Leader Dr. Kurt Steinhaus, LANL Director of Com. Programs Debra Wersonick, LANL Community Programs

Rio Grande Sun The Hill Diner KZRM FM 96.1 Chama KDCE AM 950 Espanola

United Way Youth Team Events Taste the Sky Sponsors Lynn Ballew, Fabulous 50’s Diner LACDC, sound system Los Alamos County Los Alamos Airport, Peter Soderquist Local pilots Hot Air Balloon Embraceable Blue by Daniel Meyers, DDS, MS Los Alamos County Recreation Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos Los Alamos Color Guard

In-Kind Donors Blue Window Bistro - Campaign Kick-off Decadent Table KRSN AM 1490 Los Alamos Monitor

Atomic City Regatta Track Sponsor Drs. Lahiri & Mesibov LLC

Boat Sponsors Hope Fellowship Stephani Johnson Marroquin Family Donna Schroeder Rio Grande Sun

Dr. Eugene & Wendy Schmidt Sparky the Los Alamos Fire Dog and Fire Dept friends Sharon Stover Gillian Sutton LAPD Chief Wayne Torpy

Hamburger Nite at The Hill Diner

Hamburger Nite Supporters Jill Cook, auctioneer Gene Mortensen, announcer Dr. Ben Neal & Family KRSN AM 1490 Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce

Sponsors Denise Lane and Family The Hill Diner Intermech, an EMCOR Company Jaquez Drywall Co. Stephani Johnson Morrie and Cheryl Pongratz Rio Grande Sun, Bob Trapp Dr. Eugene & Wendy Schmidt Donna Schroeder Self Help, Inc. The Family YMCA Hamburger Nite Celebrity Waiters Margaret Ellis Dr. Ben Neal

Harlem Ambassador Event Sponsors Del Norte Credit Union Rio Grande Sun Santa Claran Hotel & Casino Dog House Graphix Rio Arriba County DWI Prevention Council Valley Storm Team Roster Eddie Fields, Santa Claran Hotel & Casino

$1,000 to $2,499 Del Norte Credit Union - Cornerstone Company Los Alamos County Los Alamos Public Schools Los Alamos Technical Associates Pro2 Serve - Los Alamos Smith’s Food & Drug Center RE/MAX of Los Alamos - Cornerstone Company Valley National Bank Steve Griego, Espanola Tire Factory Cory Lewis, City Councilman Richard Martinez, Espanola H.S. Head Coach Tomas Martinez, Century Bank Lou Mattei, Rio Grande Sun Richie Mondragon, 2010 EVHS State Champion Jimi Montoya, Del Norte Credit Union Leo Montoya, Espanola Chief of Police Brenda Romero, Presbyterian Espanola Hospital Ray Romero Jr., 2009 EVHS Sundevil Stephen Salazar, Municipal Judge Oliver Torrez, My Sport Shack Robert B. Trapp, Rio Grande Sun Nestor Trujillo, Youth Basketball Coach Charles Williams, Santa Claran Hotel & Casino Chris Williams, Santa Claran Hotel & Casino Harlem Ambassador Event Volunteers Coordinators: Valerie Martinez & Robert B. Trapp Jerome Arellano Becky Cordova Mateo DeVargas

Victoria DeVargas Kevin Gallegos Levi Gurule Mathew Herrera Lisa Kato Jessica Madrid Lisa Markov Faith Martinez Joshua Martinez Thedra Martinez Alfredo Montoya Linda Padilla Anthony Rendon Lucy Rendon Samantha Rendon Bertha Sanchez Louise Sanchez

ABBA Golf Tournament Event ABBA Technologies, Inc.

United Way of Nother New Mexico, PO Box 539, Los Alamos New Mexico 87544 • 505.662.0800 • www.UnitedWayNNM.org

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Essence April/May 2012