Feb-Mar 2012 Essence

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Essence of Los Alamos and White Rock February/March 2012, Volume 6 Issue 2

Living Well in Los Alamos Helping Others • Alternative for Healing • Arts Volunteers Honored • Keys to Financial Wellness

the Essence Essence Interview with Jackie & Brian Hurshman

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Embracing Exercise; Improving Quality of Life ........................................... 6 Living Well Helping Others ........ 8 Assets in Action Honors Volunteers.......................... 10 Warm Hearts: A Sense of Community .......................................12 Alternatives for Healing ........... 13 Financial Wellness...............................15 Calendar of Events

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

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Participating CommunityMatters Chamber Members

Editor’s Note Welcome to the Essence, a bi-monthly publication, created to inform and remind us of what’s special about living in Los Alamos and White Rock.

Assets in Action Bennett’s Jewelry Blue Windo Bistro

In this issue of the Essence

Bob’s Bodacious BBQ

You will discover a theme for ’Living Well’.

Living well not only means our physical, but also financial, spiritual and emotional health as well as feeling a connection to the community, our environment, friends or family. It is about quality of life.

CB FOX & CB FOX Kidz Central Avenue Grill Don Taylors Photography Enchanted Paradise Spa Family YMCA

Quality of life may be defined as subjective well-being. Even people who have difficult life circumstances can maintain a reasonable quality of life. As humans we adapt to our circumstances and adjust life expectations to lie within the realm of what we believe to be possible.

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

There are ways to measure quality of life, and consequently living well. But if we are retrospective, we should know it intuitively. Simply put, the best way of approaching quality of life is to determine how happy we are.

To expand on this idea, these articles are designed to educate, inspire and illuminate ways to improve your qualify of life and means to live well.

Los Alamos County Environment Servies

• • • • • • •

Los Alamos County Library Mesa Public Library Los Alamos Family Council Los Alamos Farmers’ Market Los Alamos Fitness Center Los Alamos Heart Council Los Alamos Historical Museum

Ponder alternatives for emotional and physical healing Financial wellness – local options CommunityMatters interview with Brian Hurshman Local artists pass on skills and nurture community ties Asset in Action awards recognize ordinary folks helping others live well Embracing fitness Firefighters respond to those in need

Living well also means being kind to others. Please take the time to ‘pass it on’ and bring joy to someone’s life without expecting anything in return.

Los Alamos Medical Center Los Alamos National Bank New York Life Mandy Marksteiner

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

North Road Inn Pajarito Environmental Education Center Pajarito Greenhouse Pajarito Mountain Ski Area Pet Pangaea The Finishing Touch United Way UNM Graduate Program UPEX Waddell & Reed

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Note: The Essence is one feature of the Chamber of Commerce initiative called CommunityMatters. CommunityMatters participants (listed on the left) are supporters of a multitude of local activities and services. Your support of these participants provides everyone the opportunity to give back. Taxes paid on purchases flow to our local government help fund fire, police, cultural, recreational and infrastructure services and facilities that provide a foundation for our community.

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CommunityMatters

A Community That Can Change the World Essence Interview: Jackie & Brian Hurshman Essence: Tell us about your history with Los Alamos Brian Hurshman: I came here as an Lab intern in 1989 doing technical illustration work. I had grown up in the Kansas City area where my Dad was a college professor.

I had limited exposure to the Southwest before that so this was very different and I was a young bachelor starting my career. I worked at the Lab for awhile, left and commuted to work at Santa Fe for14 years, and now I have my own graphic design business here, Sparkplug Studios. I’d say it took about five years to transition from KC seeming like my home to Los Alamos taking that place in my feelings.

Jackie Hurshman: I’m a life-long Los Alamos resident ... third generation born and raised. My grandfather Fred Hohner was here with the Atomic Energy Commission in the early days of the town and my Dad graduated from high school here in 1950. My Dad Darrell is better known to many locals as “Bosco” Hohner. He and my Mom Trudy made their life right here. A lot of people leave and come back ... I didn’t feel the need to do that and I’ve worked in the financial organization at the Lab since the late 80’s.

Essence: One of the long-time “raps” on Los Alamos has been that it’s a tough place for early career young people. What was your experience with that?

Hurshmans: Well it worked out great for us. We met here, got married, started our family .... There are some limitations, but we never felt like they were a big deal for us. It really depends on what you are looking for. I think we were more focused on all of the things that are the positives and that we like about the place. We can think of quite a few couple friends who, like us, met here and have started their family here.

Essence: How unusual do you think it is to be a life-long resident?

Jackie Hurshman: We know a lot of people here from the generation I grew up with.

Quite a few of them are people who left for awhile before settling here. A real common denominator is family and kids. For the most part that is a big part of all of our lives here.

Hurshmans: Family and kids are big for us. Our daughter Kelsee is a high schooler and our son Tanner is a mid-schooler. For us, kids have drawn us into being involved in the community. For Jackie, the Barranca School Advisory Council was a great experience ...

I learned so much I wouldn’t have known and I really felt heard. Sports were another opportunity. Brian was able to get involved with the Los Alamos Hockey Association Board as well as with coaching youth soccer. We’ve encountered some great examples we’ve observed of people to emulate ...

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Tim Wehner who was instrumental in getting LAHA together and his son Craig who gives selflessly as a coach are two that come immediately to mind.

Essence: Tell us about Beta Sigma Phi, Jackie Jackie Hurshman: It is an international sorority that I’m involved with that has several chapters locally, and I’d guess about 50 members. Here in Los Alamos we work on youth scholarships and charitable projects. Sombrillo has been a special project. Melba Lee at the Youth Activity Center introduced me to Beta Sigma Phi. Charlotte McQuinlan has been an inspiration to observe in my involvement there. It is a good example that people working together can get good things done.

Essence: Bryan, I know you’ve gotten involved in the Historic Sculpture Committee.

Brian Hurshman: Once I took the plunge and started my own business here, it really opened up an opportunity to get involved in community things ... both because I have way more time that I don’t spend driving but also because I was getting more connected with local people. Through my involvement at the Chamber of Commerce, I was invited to part of the Historic Sculpture Committee. I really enjoyed the experience and the people.

I especially enjoyed getting to know Nancy Bartlit.

Essence: How do you describe Los Alamos to friends from other places?

Hurshmans: It takes a lot of imagination to describe the spectacular physical setting and landscape ... we almost never do it justice. This is a community that can change the world. It is full of interesting and capable people. Our community is a great place to raise kids. We work together ... the fires were tests that our community stood up to well.

The people who notice the positive changes in the community the most are often people who come here infrequently.

“It’s hard to see how much positive change there is when you’re here every day.”

Essence February/March 2012

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the Essence Suzette Fox Editor

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The Frolic

Embrace Fitness and Improve the Quality of your Life

By Kent Pegg We are so fortunate to live in an area with such great options for healthy activities. From the great outdoors and its trails and mountains to indoor workout facilities with their weights and classes, there are endless opportunities and something for everyone.

The people in Los Alamos are the healthiest and fittest group of individuals I have ever had the opportunity to be around. Young or old, thin or muscled, fitness is a part of the lifestyle here in our community. And even those who may not want to be competitive bodybuilders or tri-athletes are involved in this culture of fitness.

Just look around and you’ll see people enjoying health and fitness. Whether they are striving to improve their competitive athletic performance, continue their regular exercise programs, lose weight, rehab injuries, or overcome physical challenges, Los Alamos is embracing a healthy lifestyle.

The one thing that all these individuals have in common is a strong commitment to bettering themselves and improving the quality of their lives. I can’t begin to tell you how rewarding it is to see people every day who are serious about their health and work hard to realize their goals.

If you are part of the fitness craze in Los Alamos, good for you! Keep up the hard work and don’t look back. If you haven’t yet joined in, now is as good a time as any to start. One of the hardest parts of anyone’s workout program is getting it started. We all know the benefits of regular exercise but for many getting started can be the most difficult step to take.

Not having enough time, not having enough exercise knowledge, and not having enough energy are three of the most common cases people give as to why they never get going on an exercise program.

First, you can make time to exercise if you want to. I know it’s difficult to add one more thing into your already busy lives, but this is just too important to neglect. We make time for going to the coffee shop, for watching television, and for many other things that just aren’t as important to our lives.

Start gradually. Take a walk in the evening. Add in a bike ride on the weekend. Get to the gym a couple times. Soon, you’ll realize that if you try you can fit it into your schedule.

Once you’ve made some type of activity part of your life, increase the number of exercise events you perform each week. Go to the gym and lift weights three times a week, walk with your family or dog most nights, and increase your outdoor activity on the weekends.

You’ll be very surprised how quickly you can go from a sedentary lifestyle to a healthy and fit lifestyle. All you have to do is get started.

Second, if you don’t feel you have the exercise knowledge to put together a safe and

productive exercise program, get some help. Perhaps you know someone involved in health and fitness that can help. If not, find a professional that can help you get started. Often all someone needs is a properly designed exercise program. It can be that simple to get you up and on your way to a safe and effective exercise program that will get you the results you desire.

Third, if you think you don’t have the energy for an exercise program, think again. Many people mistakenly think that exercise will take energy away from them and make them more fatigued. That’s wrong. In reality, exercise will give you more energy. The increase in strength and endurance will help you have more energy in all aspects of your life. It may sound strange, but exercising will give you more energy than you ever had before.

If you don’t believe me, ask someone who exercises regularly or better yet, try it yourself and see. I know you’ll be amazed at how you feel and how much it makes you want to stick with a regular exercise routine.

The bottom line is to do what it takes to get started and get started now. You’ll soon see all the health and fitness benefits that have been awaiting you. So join in on the fitness craze that’s happening in Los Alamos. All the benefits of a healthy lifestyle are just around the corner.

Kent Pegg is a certified personal trainer and the owner of the Los Alamos Fitness Center. If you have any questions about the information in this article you can call him at 662-5232.

Edible Essence Blue Window’s New York Style Cheesecake 1 cup graham cracker crumbs 2 ½ Tbsp. unsalted butter 1 ½ Tbsp. sugar 2 ½ lbs. cream cheese, softened 1 ½ cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract 3 Tbsp. flour 5 eggs 2 egg yolks ½ cup sour cream

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter bottom of 9” spring form pan. In bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, butter, and sugar, and mix well.

Press into bottom of pan. Bake until golden brown, approx. 8 minutes. Set aside to cool. When completely cool, butter sides of pan.

Increase oven temperature to 500 degrees. In large bowl, mix cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until light and creamy. Add flour, then eggs and yolks one at a time. Mix just until blended after each addition. Add sour cream and mix until blended. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 12 minutes.

Reduce oven temperature to 200 degrees and bake one hour more. Cool on wire rack. Refrigerate overnight. Top with raspberry puree.

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Los Alamos Farmers Market Winter market schedule Jan. 12th Feb.9th March 8th April 12th Fuller Lodge 8:30 – 12:30 http://lamainstreet.com/farmersmarket.htm or talacook@windstream.net

Main Street event

February Events

Jazz Night with the Jan McDonald Trio Saturday, Feb. 11

6:30 p.m., $15 per person

Dinner reservations required.

Valentine’s Day Dinner Tuesday, Feb. 14, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

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www.losalamoshistory.org 505-662-6272

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INSIGHT

Living Well Includes Helping Others HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTIONS FROM WIKIHOW: BE KIND – Kindness as an attitude is infectious. When you’re willing to share your kindness, others will be inspired by your example and think about doing something as kind themselves. Fan that flame by being kind to everyone.

BE THOUGHTFUL – How many times do you wish someone could have been more thoughtful before they did or said something? Try to be an example for others.

• Put someone else first. If you get to the grocery store check-out line at the same time as someone else, you can decide to smile and wave them through first.

• When you’re stuck in traffic and the last thing you want to do is let a car get in front of you, just remember that somebody else let you in and repay that favor.

MANNERS – Manners aren’t dead, they’ve just been forgotten in many ways. Yet,

By Carol A. Clark Living well means many things to many people but it’s universally agreed that helping others is an important element to feeding one’s soul. That principal was very well demonstrated last month when several Los Alamos firefighters participated in selfless acts of kindness.

The firefighters from Los Alamos Fire Department Station 3 in White Rock took it upon themselves following December’s severe winter storm to shovel snow from the driveways and sidewalks of homes in which elderly residents and others in need reside.

“That’s the thing about this community and our fire department,” Fire Marshal Brian Nickerson said. “Our firefighters saw that people needed help and they responded – it’s just the right thing to do.”

County Council Chair Sharon Stover praised the firefighters for their actions.

“We commend and appreciate these firefighters not only that they thought about the fact that people might need help but that they also cared about these people and went out and helped them,” Stover said. “It’s people like these individuals in the Los Alamos Fire Department who make this such a special community in which to live.”

Capt. Gerard Coriz of B Shift at Station 3 was among those firefighters. He explained that this is just something they do.

“Other shifts did the same thing,” Coriz said. “We got our crews together and brought our tools and removed the ice and snow that had built up around doorways and driveways to make it safe for the residents. That’s why we’re here – for the community and for the lab.”

These firefighters can serve as inspiration for others who would like to include helping others in their efforts to live well. People don’t need to wait for someone else to instigate a day or week of celebrations to practice acts of kindness; they can put them into action at any time, according to wikihow.com.

By doing kind acts for others, you’re helping to create kindness-aware communities that value generosity of spirit and action and kindness toward others as essential parts of a healthy community.

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manners are the bedrock of courteous and kind relations and their use is an indication of respect for others.

• Hold doors open for others, hold an umbrella over someone in the rain and be on time for everyone you’ve promised to meet.

• Say thank you whenever anyone does something for you, be grateful and let them know it.

GIVE COMPLIMENTS – Surprise your neighbor by praising her outfit. Tell your boss how truly clever she is and mean it. Tell your assistant how dedicated he is and mean it. Praise a subordinate who’s stayed late or done something extra on the job. Notice those things.

WRITE A NOTE BY HAND – to a friend, family member or coworker telling them how much you appreciate them.

THANK THE PEOPLE – Think of all the local people who quietly make a difference to your community that you’ll never know but who serve and protect you day after day.

• Send a card to the police station or fire department – letting them know how much you appreciate their service to the community.

• Pop over to your neighbor’s house with a freshly baked cake. Yes, your neighbors are an important part of your community and they make a difference just by being about.

Acknowledge their importance and role in your life.

• Send a note of thanks to someone at the county who you’ve noticed has made a difference.

VOLUNTEER – Offer helping hands. Do you ever see homeless people and feel overwhelmed by your inability to make a difference? Even if you can’t save them all, you can do a lot with one small act. Buy a pair of gloves or dig up an old blanket and give them to someone who’s living on the cold streets or to an organization that serves the homeless.

CHEER UP THE LONELY – Lonely people are everywhere, in all walks of life and of all ages. Helping lonely people to feel wanted is a hugely rewarding random act of kindness.

WRITE A LETTER TO A STRANGER – It only takes a few minutes to write and a letter can make someone’s day. Send it to a soldier, kids in juvenile detention center or elderly people.

CLEAN UP THE COMMUNITY – Without being asked, the next time you see someone littering, don’t just shake your head, pick up the litter and throw it away, and while you’re at it, look around the street for any other trash that needs to be removed. If you take a walk, take a bag along so you can collect the trash that would otherwise just make you unhappy – and know that you’re doing a random act of kindness for the people who will come after you.

SHOWER A COWORKER WITH KINDNESS – Finish off something for them so they can go home early for their child’s birthday party. If your coworker has had a terrible day, buy them some flowers or give them a warm hug to help them feel better. Take freshly baked muffins or cookies in to work and share them with your coworkers, staff and others.

SHARE A LITTLE WEALTH – Surprise someone completely by paying for something they were expecting to pay for such as the coffee and cake for the table next to yours at the local cafe. Pay for the movie tickets of the people in the line behind you. Pay for the parking for the car next to yours if it’s allowed to stop them from getting a ticket.

FORGIVE SOMEBODY – You’ll be amazed at the ripple effect an ounce of forgiveness can have in your life and in the lives of others. Unburden yourself of the past and think kind thoughts again about that person.

EXPECT NOTHING – The greatest act of kindness is the one that is freely given and you don’t expect anything in return. The thing about kindness is that it has its own rewards and will improve your sense of well-being and happiness; what more could you possibly want?

Essence February/March 2012

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Thank you LANL Employees and LANS, LLC for your generosity during Campaign 2012 &'$ *+ $ 6 $" : . 4 /!""!-4 !* & % % "'!& 0 $"%%$" % '$ + ;9 %& " +

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Your generous contributions enables United Way to improve lives and create lasting changes through the United Way Community Action Fund.

GIVE LOCAL. SEE RESULTS. www.UnitedWayNNM.org

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Essential Person Assets in Action Awards Honor Volunteers

By Lynn Strauss January 7th was an evening to honor and recognize doers of good deeds with words of praise for helping others live well. Assets in Action Executive Director Bernadette Lauritzen announced the nominations for 45 individuals, businesses and organizations, and gave the top honoree awards -- the two Directors’ Choice awards and the Spirit of the West award.

Assets in Action is a program of the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce that uses the Search Institute’s “40 Developmental Assets” approach to educate and engage the community around the common goal to influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible adults.

Gene Mortensen was awarded the highest honor with the “Spirit of the West” award.

Known as the “Voice of the Toppers,” Mortensen has been announcing high school sports and broadcasting Topper games for more than 30 years. His nomination from Gillian Sutton said, “…He tirelessly follows the high school teams around the state to bring Los Alamos the play-by-play of our high school sports. He does football, girls and boys basketball, soccer, baseball, softball and even volleyball. His broadcasting skills are amazing and at each game, he knows all the players names (on the opposing team also) and highlights their strengths.”

In addition to broadcasting high school sporting events, Gene has volunteered with PAC 8, the Los Alamos Little League, the YMCA and United Way, and he has coached baseball, basketball, and soccer.

“I was an athlete in high school but also involved in speech competitions,” says Mortensen.

“Primarily I was the class clown, so I took the opportunity to combine my love of sports and my skills in speech.”

Mortensen came to Los Alamos in 1968. He organized and supervised the first T-Ball league in town, and even wrote the original rules. He emceed Little League Opening Day’s ceremonies through the ‘70s and 2008 through 2010. In the 1970s he also served on the Little League board of directors. In the 1980s he was the announcer for PAC 8 high school basketball games, including organizing and supervising the 7th Grade Basketball league season and tournament in 1980. He is the emcee for United Way Youth events. His greatest honor, Mortensen says, was being inducted into New Mexico Broadcaster’s Hall of Fame in 2010.

Dan Gandee – Director’s Choice, adult award Dan Gandee was serving in the Marines in Beirut, Lebanon, when terrorists bombed the Marine barracks in 1983 and killed 299 servicemen. He had to dig through rubble to return their remains to the U.S. Since then he has served as a Marine Security Guard at U.S. Embassies in Paris, Beijing, China; Oslo, Buenos Aires, Honduras, and Pakistan.

He has received special commendations from American Ambassadors and Detachment Commanders for exemplary performance, dedication and skills at American Embassies in France, Norway, Honduras, and Pakistan.

Dan returned to the U.S. in 1988 and has been disabled from chronic pain (neck and knee injuries, degenerative spine, fibromyalgia) as well as Combat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In spite of that, he has demonstrated that he can overcome the physical and emotional pains and continue to be of service to others. But this time, he is helping other vets as they return from combat.

Dan says the local network of American Legion vets know about his history and background, and often they bring someone over and introduce them. Another avenue for meeting vets is of course the Veteran’s Administration in Santa Fe. Dan also works with the Federally-funded “Wounded Warrior” program, which provides funding for basic supplies, uniforms, clothing, and financial assistance to service people who’ve been wounded in service.

Dan has been volunteering with vets for more than 10 years, both here and in Washington state, where he was living prior to coming to Los Alamos three years ago.

“My goal is to help vets on an emotional level, and physically and financially where I can,” he says. In addition to providing a shoulder to cry on, a sympathetic ear and advice, Dan often shares his own resources to help vets adjust and decompress. He estimates he has assisted about 50 vets in the past 10 years.

“Whenever I meet these guys I make sure to say ‘Welcome home,’” he says. “I try to encourage any vet I meet. Even just words of thanks can help.”

Jin Park – Director’s Choice, student award LAPS School Superintendent Dr. Gene Schmidt nominated High School senior Jin Park saying, “…Mr. Park is a very important asset to our community -- a skilled musician, a fine student, and a very special person who cares deeply about the environment….”

But that was just the beginning. His love for the environment lead him to organize a seedball project under the supervision of County Open Space Specialist Craig Martin, as his Eagle Scout project, and as fate would have it, at a time when it was sorely needed.

“An Eagle Scout project demonstrates leadership,” he says, thinking about why he put the seed ball project together. “When I was a kid I wanted it to be something I’d be really proud of, so I knew it would be a big event that brings people together.”

As it turned out, the Las Conchas Fire hit and the need for seed balls to re-grow a forest was never greater.

Just like in 2000, the seed balls were once again distributed through the Volunteer Task Force, under Craig Martin’s direction. More than 600 volunteers participated, creating 100,000 seed balls in one afternoon.

“With the fire 11 years ago, no one would have expected it would happen again,” says Park. “It was four times the size of the Cerro Grande fire. People were just waiting for an opportunity to help rebuild. More than 150,000 acres burned. It was hard to comprehend what to do in the face of that. People really latched on to that.”

“When I realized that it would take 1,000 service hours to do make the needed 100,000 seed balls... the numbers seemed so big,” he explains. “I begged people for money and did everything I could to get people there.”

The event was Aug. 20 in four locations. Park told everyone he knew, and put it on his Facebook page, posted flyers around town and posted a banner over the overpass, got an article in the Monitor, and an interview on KRSN to get the word out that volunteers could help. Reportedly, an email asking co-workers at LANL to volunteer went as far as 12 forwards.

“This showed me how a body of people can do so much when working in concert, like the whole is equal to more than the sum of the parts,” Park says. “Everyone was so happy that day. Everyone loved being with other people doing the same thing, they all care so deeply about their environment and loved seeing others doing the same.”

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Arts & Culture Quilters’ Night Out Nicole Dunn, an award-winning fiber artist and owner of Dunn Quilting, is helping quilters (and people who have always wanted to try quilting) finish a special quilt by providing step-by-step guidance and materials through every stage of their project.

She invites people to join her individual quilting classes or her new Block of the Month Club.

The Block of the Month Club has a distinct ‘girls night out’ feel.

You receive the pattern and fabric for a single section of a quilt every month. Then you’ll get together with other quilters to learn new quilting techniques, and socialize over drinks and refreshments.

By the end of the year you’ll be ready to put it all together. To join, call Nicole at 505-662-0829

www.artonthehill-losalamos.com. www.mandymarksteiner.com

Warm Hearts = Sense of Community

By Mandy Marksteiner

Living well for many local artists include ways to get together to pass on their skills and nurture community ties.

The knitters and quilters of today are not who you think of: they’re not the white haired, bespectacled lady with the shawl around her shoulders and the cat on her lap, who sits in her doily-covered parlor. Today’s stitchers are hip and young, urban or rural, connected on line, making helmet liners for soldiers and veterans. And they’re getting together to share tips on child-rearing or surviving cancer, on caring for aging parents or baking gluten-free.

“After I had my first child I spent a lot of time on the Internet, searching for inspiration. But I missed having human interactions,” said Katie Brousseau, the owner of Warm Hearts Yarn in White Rock. “Moms, especially, can feel very isolated. So much of what happens in our lives is ‘virtual.’ It’s nice to have something tangible to do with tangible results. I feel that I am tech savvy, but at the end of the day, it’s nice to see what I’ve done with my hands.”

Before the store became Warm Hearts Yarn, it was Crop Around the Corner. There Brousseau consigned her handmade knit and crocheted items. She quickly expanded her section of the store and brought in yarn. Eventually, Katie picked up the lease and turned the space into Warm Hearts Yarn.

Brousseau learned how to knit from her grandmother. She knows that it’s possible to learn how to make any craft by watching a webinar or how to video online, but it’s more fun to learn from someone else.

The store has between fifteen and twenty vendors who sell their own handmade items as well as vintage and repurposed creative green crafts.

Sellers can choose between consigning individual pieces or renting a booth. With consignment, sellers get 75% of the sales. When sellers rent a booth (for $50 or $100, depending on the size) they keep 100% of the sales.

She offers classes and individual instruction in addition to providing a space where people can get together informally.

“It has been personally fulfilling for me to have a creative outlet and have a chance to interact with adults and teach,” said Brousseau. “I love having a sense of community.”

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Photo Contest We are always looking for new photos.

Currently at our MainStreet facebook page, we are having a photo contest for best picture of downtown.

Go to www.facebook.com/losalamosmainstreet Winner will receive $30 in chamber checks and have the photo printed right here in the Essence.

Essence February/March 2012

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Alternatives for Physical & Emotional Healing Have you ever cut your thumb? Chances are the cut healed itself without much effort on your part.

That’s because there is something in each part of the body that is constantly working to heal itself. Bobbie Hall (a Certified Natural Health Practitioner, Master Herbalist and Naturopathic Doctor) and Merry McIntyre (a chiropractor) work together at Trinity Natural Health Center to help their patients rediscover their bodies’ natural healing abilities.

Instead of writing out prescriptions, Dr. Hall recommends dietary supplements, herbs, homeopathic remedies and lifestyle changes.

“The problem with taking pharmaceutical drugs is that they treat symptoms, but don’t take care of the root cause,” said Hall. “More often than not, they just cause more symptoms.”

Finding the root cause of illness is the unifying goal at Trinity Natural Health. “For example, with hormonal imbalances, the cause is usually the liver or endocrine system,” Hall said. “So rather than try to override the hormones, I will treat the liver and the glands and the hormones will then correct themselves.”

In many cases the patient’s diet is the culprit; their bodies are simply depleted of the nutrients necessary to stay healthy. Hall can find out what specific vitamins and minerals her patients are deficient in or what specific allergies they may have using a noninvasive computerized health assessment.

“People come to me all the time for weight loss,” said Hall.

“I can help you lose weight, but you have to change your beliefs and behaviors if you’re going to keep the weight off.”

Unhealthy habits like overeating, over-drinking, and over-working are hard to break. Hall and McIntyre give people the tools that empower Bobbie Hall & Merry McIntyre them to change their habits and their lives.

Providing Emotional Support “During any form of healing, emotions are so important, because emotions drive everything in our lives.” said Hall. “That’s why we have a combination of physical and emotional therapy in our office.”

Merry McIntyre is a chiropractor that also offers emotional therapy.

“I teach people to how to feel and be authentic with what they’re feeling,” said McIntyre.

“The problem is that most people don’t want to deal with uncomfortable feelings and so they stuff them or pretend they are not there.”

According to Dr. McIntyre, e-motions (energy in motion) are magnetic energy and carry an energetic “charge.” The emotions that are repressed are always some form of fear. If this energy isn’t released, it can and eventually will cause physical symptoms, such as tight back muscles, a weakened immune system or auto-immune disease.

Have you ever felt physically uncomfortable when you recall a childhood memory? Many times, when strong emotions come up, you’re reacting to an uncomfortable feeling from the past that needs to be addressed.

According to Dr. McIntyre, our internal wiring is based on core beliefs that are passed on generationally in family systems. Core beliefs are lies, such as “I am bad,” “I hate myself,” “I am not enough,” or “I am alone.” Dealing with and clearing the repressed emotions will erase the core belief.

“When I tell my clients about what Merry does, they will sometimes get defensive, because they don’t want to have to deal with their emotions,” said Hall. “I tell them that it’s not a confession session. She identifies the emotion through kinesiology leaving you feeling like a burden has been lifted. You’re able to think more clearly. You’re focused and at peace.”

This new state of mind allows you to respond to the events in your life rather than react to them. “It is of utmost importance to discern the difference between a reaction and a response,” said McIntyre. “A reaction is knee-jerk, unconscious behavior from the past that fuels and feeds the problem. A response is conscious, is present moment, it restores choice, it focuses on a solution, and enables problems to be resolved.”

“Most people are focused on what is going on outside of them, regretting the past and/ or worried about the future, stressed and rushing around. We turn the focus inside. To find out who we truly are is like an archeological dig,” said Merry. “The people that I see take

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responsibility for their lives. We’re partners in a process. The intention is to help them live in the present moment, creatively, joyfully, passionately, compassionately and feeling connected and free.”

Trinity Natural Health Center is located at 464 Central Avenue, Suite 5. Call 505-6622222 or visit www.trinity-nhc.com

Using hypnotherapy to bring about positive change & healing Lisa Smole started practicing hypnotherapy in early 2011 and opened the doors of Creative Clinical Hypnotherapy in November 2011.

“A series of health issues led me to hypnotherapy,” said Smole. “It helped me so profoundly in so many areas of my life that I decided to check it out as a career. The more I learned the more it became a passion. I feel fortunate to do something that I feel passionately about as a career.”

There are many uses for hypnotherapy. Smole is trained to use hypnosis to change and positively affect people’s lives – mentally, emotionally and physically.

Reaching goals When you make a resolution to improve your life, break a habit, or lose weight, that decision is made in your conscious mind, where your will and volition lie.

The subconscious is what drives our behavior, emotions and experiences.

Hypnotherapy makes it possible to relax the boundary (called the Critical Factor) between the conscious mind and the subconscious mind.

Most of our subconscious programming has already occurred before the Critical Factor has been established, around the age of seven.

In order to meet our goals the conscious and subconscious minds need to match. When this subconscious programming is in opposition to our conscious goals and desires, our willpower is not enough for us to resolve our problems.

Smole begins with a 20-60 minute free consultation where she finds out what her clients want to achieve through hypnosis and the history of the problem. She tailors her treatment approach based on that conversation.

In addition to her in-person sessions she creates custom hypnotherapy CDs. “I spend more time on the CD’s than I do in sessions,” said Smole. “I want it to fit the person. I use language that they like, and imagery that they like and use ideas that they like.”

Medical experiences and increased athletic performance As a certified medical support clinical hypnotherapist, Smole has 500 hours of hypnotherapy training, with 100 hours of training in accelerated healing and pain control.

Scientific evidence shows that using hypnotherapy can improve patients’ experiences during standard medical and dental healthcare. She said, “I want to help people have ideal dental and medical experiences - free from worry, anxiety and fear.”

Smole can also help with athletic performance. Athletes routinely set goals to increase their performance, calm, and stamina. Grueling workout sessions, expensive supplements, fancy equipment and conscious determination can make a difference. But according to Smole (who is a martial arts instructor at the YMCA), real improvement needs to begin at a deeper level. She offers help to eliminate hidden beliefs or attitudes that hinder growth and improvement.

Creative Clinical Hypnotherapy is located at 127 Eastgate Drive, Suite 212-I. Call 505500-4031 or visit www.creativeclinicalhypnotherapy.com.

Essence February/March 2012

Lisa Smole

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Business

Financial Wellness: Local Options

Zach Engraph share his financial philosophies during a seminar at the Los Alamos Chamber of Comerce.

By Lynn Strauss For most people, the thought of planning for retirement or a child’s education is overwhelming. Aside from socking away income, how do you best make it grow? Where can you get advice? And who can you trust?

There are different types of services available locally. Any advisor should educate you, and help you understand your finances. Always ask for an advisor’s credentials. (See http://www.sec.gov/investor/pubs/invadvisers.htm for a start on this.)

Seminars Seminars are a great way to start learning about the financial world. They’re accessible to beginners, and often even entertaining.

Zach Engraff is a financial planner with New York Life with an office in Denver. He offers free educational seminars twice a month at the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce.

“My over-arching philosophy is education,” he says. “I want to educate people about the options available. My goal is to help my clients retire with two buckets of money – one a tax-free bucket of money, and one a taxable bucket of money. This diversification is extremely important for minimizing people’s taxes in retirement.””

Engraff is a registered investment advisor, and a Life Underwriters Training Counsel Fellow with 10 years experience. He has been offering his workshops in Los Alamos for 7 years.

“I try to give people an understanding of why they put their money in the places where they do. The workshop is called the Macro Asset Perspective, and it helps people get the bigger picture understanding.”

Engraff says his goal is to help people gain an understanding of the retirement options at LANL. “There’s not one ‘best’ option. I really stress that they’re all just tools. It’s important to find the best tool for what you’re trying to accomplish.”

Ben Bouman of LPL Financial located at Del Norte Credit Union offers seminars on retirement planning, wills and trusts, and 529 education funding quarterly.

A 529 plan has gained the support of the state of New Mexico. The Education Plan is a 529 college savings plan sponsored by the state, with tools to teach your kids about planning and saving for college, along with online calculators for parents.

is slated February through April at the Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church. Facilitator David Carr says the class will include watching David Ramsey’s video talks and discussing it as a group.

“Ramsey talks about how he had hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt and how he got out of that,” says Carr. “He offers a manageable program, using baby steps.”

The course will include 13 classes, mostly focused on budgeting and cash flow, and getting out of debt, but also including planning for college and retirement, and real estate investments.

“There’s a spiritual aspect to Ramsey’s philosophy,” says Carr. “He refers to the Bible for advice on how to handle money. He’s also very entertaining, too.”

Family Strengths Network often offers a course on “Going Debt-Free.”

One-on-one Advising Los Alamos National Bank has six investment officers, two in Los Alamos and four in Santa Fe, with a collective 100 years of experience. Bob Joseph and Eric Loucks are Investment Officers in the Los Alamos office.

“We take a different approach to working with our clients,” says Joseph. “Our job is to get to know our clients and build relationships, not necessarily try to sell anything.”

LANB’s services include retirement planning, portfolio review and management of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and college planning.

The bank offers a variety of platforms for these investments: 401(k) funds, 403(b) funds, 529 funds, fixed and variable annuities, insurance (life, disability, long term care), tax advantaged investments.

“The biggest need in this town is retirement

Financial Peace University leader David Ramsey offers classes around the country on financial planning issues from debt-management to investing. The third offering of this class

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Essence February/March 2012

“Our job is to get to know our clients and build relationships, not necessarily try to sell anything.”

-Bob Joseph

see Financial page 17 15

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FINANCIAL

from page 15

planning -- looking at all of the different types of plans that our clients have and combining them into one simple plan that will fit their needs and objectives,” he says.

Joseph suggests making sure the basics are covered first, and planning for retirement either through a company plan or with an individual retirement plan, then saving for college education. “It’s never too early to start,” he says.

“The biggest mistake in investing is making decisions based on what you hear on television or something that someone writes about,” says Joseph. “Everyone is different and has different needs and goals. There is no such thing as a ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to investing.”

Joseph suggests getting children interested in investing by showing them the different companies that make the toys or games that they are interested in like Microsoft (which makes the X box), or Nintendo (Wii), etc. “I used to go to the Middle School and talk to kids about the basics of investing. Kids would get interested when I’d talk about companies they know, like Disney and Mattel.”

Diane Chan, a Financial Advisor, CMFC, for Waddell & Reed provides comprehensive financial planning and investment services. She was born and raised in Los Alamos, so feels she “Having a solid understands the community.

“People here are really, really smart, and financial plan in consequently they tend to be ‘do-it-your-selfers,’ place can help she says. “The financial world continues to become increasingly complex, and while people people ride out here may be smart enough to figure it out, they the ups-andmay not have the time or the temperament to go it alone.“ downs of the Chan says what she does is help create a market more personalized investment plan, implement the plan, and then stick to the plan. She says, “I effectively.” always ask ‘What are the crucial issues to you?’”

Chan warns against being reactive instead -Diane Chan of proactive. “Especially when the global financial news is gloomy, as it has been in recent years, people can easily get caught up in the pessimism and start making investment decisions -- such as cashing out their portfolio - based on emotion rather than reason,” she says.

“Having a solid financial plan in place can help people ride out the ups-and-downs of the market more effectively.”

Los Alamos National Bank Financial Advisors Eric Loucks (above) and Bob Joesph (right).

Carlene Patterson is a Certified Financial Planner at Ascension Financial has an office in Los Alamos on Thursdays, as well as a full-time Albuquerque office. Her approach is to establish a strong financial architecture including a strong foundation, tax diversification, portfolio diversification, and legacy planning.

Patterson grew up in Southern New Mexico and has owned businesses since 1987.

Ascension Financial Group offers comprehensive financial planning along with investment management.

“We work closely with our clients to help them define, quantify and prioritize their goals and to develop personalized plans that are updated as lifestyle and industry environments evolve,” says Patterson.

Diane Chan, Financial Advisor, CMFC, of Waddell & Reed (above) and Certified Financial Planner Carlene Patterson of Ascension Financial (left).

For a complete list of local banks and financial advisors in Los Alamos, see losalamoschamber.com.

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Events February 2012 2 Mesa Public Library 2012 FREE Film Series “Lives of Others” Rated R. 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm Mesa Public Library. Nominated for a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, this is also a first-rate thriller.

3 – 5 Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing on the Valles Caldera National Preserve 9 am to 5 pm. Choose from over 29 miles of

29 “Earth Now: American Photographers and the Environment” presented by PEEC. 7 pm to 8:30 pm. PEEC is very pleased to present a talk and booksigning by Katherine Ware, Exhibits and Photography Curator of the New Mexico Museum of Art, and author of Earth Now.

March 2012

groomed trails and 7 miles of un-groomed trails. No reservations required.

1 Mesa Public Library 2012 FREE Film Series “Water” Rated PG. 4 Guided Snowshoe Hikes on the Valles Caldera 11 am to 4 pm 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm Hidden Valley with winter adaptations.

3 Moonlight Trails Hiking on the Valles Caldera 6 pm to 11 pm Come 4 Moonlight Trails Hiking on the Valles Caldera 6 pm to 11 pm and enjoy a moonlight hike with Valles Caldera National Preserve.

Come and enjoy a moonlight hike with Valles Caldera National Preserve.

4 Moonlight Family Showshoe presented by PEEC 4:30 pm to 6 pm. Join the McDowell family for a family full moon snowshoe on the Sherwood Forest trail at Pajarito Mountain.

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

5 Los Alamos Centennial 100 Years Book: Open Mic Readings 10 The King’s Singers, presented by the Los Alamos Concert Association at Mesa Public Library 2 pm to 4 pm. Read aloud selections of your work at the Open Mike event. Ten-minute limit per person. You may read your book submission, another piece, or speak off the cuff.

9 Winter Farmers Market at Fuller Lodge 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Eat

at Duane Smith Auditorium. 7 pm to 9 pm. A British a cappella vocal ensemble.

13 Historical Lecture: “Los Alamos and the Cold War” at Fuller Lodge 7:30 pm to 9 pm. John Hopkins, Los Alamos historian and Cold Warrior, will tell about the role Los Alamos played in winning the Cold War.

healthy - food from local farmers and ranchers.

17 Empty Bowls Fundraiser at the Betty Ehart Senior Center.

10 – 12 Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing on the Valles Caldera National Preserve 9 am to 5 pm. Choose from over 29 miles of 17 St. Patrick’s Day Dinner at the Blue Window 5 pm to 9 pm. groomed trails and 7 miles of un-groomed trails. No reservations required

Entertainment by the Craig Martin Experience – reservations required.

10 – 12 Sleigh/ Wagon Rides on the Valles Caldera 9 am to 5 24 NAMI of Santa Fe presents “Minds Interrupted” at Duane pm. Horse-drawn sleigh or wagon rides offer visitors an hour long ride through the winter landscape.

10 – 12 K2 Women’s Weekend at Pajarito Mountain. All Weekend.

Smith Auditorium. 7 pm to 8:30 pm An evening of heart felt personal stories presented by 7 people from the Los Alamos area- both from the perspective of those with mental illness and their family members. Their shared stories provide an eye opening experience into the lives of those who are impacted by mental illness.

Breast cancer research fundraiser, spa, ski clinic.

11 Jazz Night at the Blue Window 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm Donna Smith will be on piano, Richard Snider on bass, and Jan McDonald on trumpet and flugelhorn.

14 Historical Lecture: “Los Alamos and the Manhattan Project” at Fuller Lodge 7:30 pm to 9 pm. History Professor James Hopkins, from Southern Methodist University, will talk about the role Los Alamos played in the Manhattan Project and its impact on New Mexico.

14 Valentine’s Day Dinner at Blue Window Bistro. Reservations required. 5-course dinner. A Special Prix Fixe Menu. Flower arrangements available to order for your table.

15 PEEC Class – “What’s that Bird in My Backyard?” 7 pm to 8:30 pm. At Pajarito Environmental Education Center.

17 – 20 Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing on the Valles Caldera National Preserve 9 am to 5 pm. Choose from over 29 miles of groomed trails and 7 miles of un-groomed trails. No reservations required.

21 Marketing & Promotions Fair 4 pm to 6 pm Call Chamber or visit www.fyila.com for more information

22 PEEC presents talk – “Status of Los Alamos Trails.” 7 pm to 8:30 pm. At Pajarito Environmental Education Center.

www.losalamoschamber.com

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

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