January/February 2011
Mind Your Business
A Publication of the Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation
WHAT’S INSIDE: LACDC
1, 2, 3
SBDC
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CHAMBER
5, 6, 7
MAINSTREET 8, 9 LAMVB
10, 11
FAN Club
Fun And Networking Clubs are held the 3rd Wednesdays of the month 5:30 pm to 7:00 p.m. * January 19th Trinity Natural Health * February 16 KRSN
SMSI Recognized
Strategic Management Solutions, Inc. (SMSI) has built an outstanding reputation for client-focused performance and for delivering results that enable clients to meet commitments and milestones. Story on Page 4
LACDC News
NM502 Project
Proposed cross-section of NM502 between airport road and the County line
On January 11th and 12th, Los Alamos County and their consultants will hold a series of sessions to get input for the NM502 (Trinity Drive) Corridor Study from business and affected property owners. Watch for information about details from the Chamber. To give our readers a bit of context, MYB spoke with County project manager Betsy Lucido: MYB: What are the overall goals of the NM502 Project? Are there specific goals relating to business community or property owner interests?
Lucido: The purpose of the project is developing and producing a Transportation Corridor Plan (TCSP) for the 4.2 mile stretch of NM502, also known as East Road and Trinity Drive, from the County line to Diamond Drive. The final report and recommendation of the plan must include considerations that ensure the safety and comfort of every user: Pedestrian, bicyclist, local and regional rider, low speed vehicle and conventional motorist. The improved street, as proposed in the TCSP, would result in an efficient transportation corridor that also supports social and economic vitality in Los Alamos. MYB: How would the candidate alternatives that came from the Transportation Board affect access to businesses? How would they affect traffic throughput, and the time it
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takes to travel from one end of town to the other? Lucido: The Transportation Board recommended forwarding a design option that consisting of 2 travel lanes, a landscaped median, and roundabouts at intersections. An alternative option proposes that existing signals remain but all new controlled intersections be roundabouts. Both of these options address many of the goals cited by business owners at the first stakeholder meeting. Specifically, business owners requested improved aesthetics, safer access to businesses, and improved pedestrian access to businesses. The landscaped median would require out of direction travel. For example, turning left out of business would require a right turn and then a left turn at a roundabout. The roundabouts would be spaced to minimize out of direction travel. If signalized intersections remain, then motorists would u-turn. The time to travel from the County line to Diamond Drive at existing conditions is about 9 minutes. With the roundabout option, the travel time is about 8 minutes and 30 seconds. The travel time with the option that includes a mix of signals and roundabouts is a little more than 8 and a half minutes. MYB: A key concern expressed in prior meetings was the connections between Trinity and Central and how to improve overall circulation in the downtown through those connections. How is this being addressed? Lucido:
At the stakeholder meetings back in September Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation
NM502 Project - continued
business owners expressed frustration with both vehicle and pedestrian circulation on and to Trinity Dr. The design option recommended by the Transportation Board considers both of these concerns. Motorists at side street intersections experience D and E levels of service onto Trinity Drive. The levels of service for through traffic are A and B. This means that the street currently works very well for automobiles moving from end to end of the corridor, but not well for traffic entering Trinity off of side streets. It is interesting that approximately 2/3 of the motor traffic on Trinity is destination traffic, even though the street is designed for through traffic. Business owners also noted that pedestrians have major difficulties crossing Trinity. In addition, the pedestrian environment does little to invite pedestrians or transit riders. The two travel lanes provide room for safe and inviting pedestrian facilities, bike lanes, and transit stops. Roundabouts at intersections would allow side street traffic to safely and efficiently enter Trinity Drive. Roundabouts could be constructed at intersections that do not meet warrants for traffic signals and that would provide additional pedestrian crossings. Traffic speeds would be controlled, allowing safe access to and from businesses for all travel modes. In addition, the plan is considering an additional north - south connection between Central and Trinity to access the Trinity Site development. MYB: What can an individual business or property owner do to learn more and to discuss any concerns they may have? Lucido: Meetings with directly affected property owners and businesses are being planned for January 11th. A second stakeholder meeting for all business owners and representatives in the community is scheduled on January 12. Five formal presentations are planned on the 12th: 7-8am; 11am-12pm; 12-1pm; 4-5pm; and 5-6pm. The consultants will also be available in between the formal meetings for questions and to hear concerns and suggestions. The meetings will be in the Public Works Conference Room, 2101 Trinity Dr, Suite A2 (in between Jemez Physical Therapy and Foot and Ankle Associates Inc). We will be reporting to the County Council at their meeting on January 25 and we will request Council direction about a preferred alternative for high level analysis. I invite and encourage all business owners to attend these meetings. There is a project page on the County website at http:// www.losalamosnm.us/projects/publicworks/Pages/ NM502TrinityDriveCorridorStudy.aspx that has alot of information about the study. In addition, you can send me comments and questions at betsy.lucido@lacnm.us. January/February 2011
Chamber Members Get Unique Access To Legislators
This past year has seen politicians turn toward small business and the Chamber for input. All three of our representatives in Washington have come to town or sent their staffs, and some of those visits were exclusively to hear from business people- Senator Tom Udall visited with us in September, and Senator Bingaman’s staff, including health care reform expert Andrew Black, has visited Los Alamos several times. Black has given two briefings on health care legislation to the Chamber. Congressman Ben Ray Lujan has been seen visiting Chamber members in Los Alamos regularly. He has lots of local ties, both business and family. On the state level, Rep. Jeannette Wallace attends nearly every Chamber function, from ribbon cuttings to FAN Clubs, and every meeting in between. Jeannette was re-elected in November, bucking a state and national trend to vote out incumbents. Lieutenant Gov. elect John Sanchez visited on Thursday, November 18, representing the transition team for Governorelect Susana Martinez. The Lt. Gov-elect spent the night at the Best Western Hilltop House, enjoyed breakfast at Ruby K’s while meeting with county officials, toured SMSI and met with nearly 40 chamber members for a listening session. Sanchez heard from Chamber members from the retail, real estate, building contractor, environmental contracting, education and non-profit sectors. Sanchez invited us all to visit him in the Roundhouse once the new governor is inaugurated.
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UNMLA Small Business Development Center SBDC Welcomes Don Wright
SMSI - 2010 Success Client
Prior to being hired as the Director of the UNM Los Alamos SBDC, Don worked at the Tennessee SBDC in Knoxville as a Sr. Counselor for three years. Clients there included several large and small restaurants, glass, metal and plastic manufacturers and various retail and service businesses. He taught two start-up classes a week and a “How to Write a Business Plan” workshop monthly.
Strategic Management Solutions, Inc. (SMSI) was founded in Los Alamos in 2000 and has grown to more than 60 employees providing a wide range of services including project management and controls support; environmental, safety, and health and regulatory compliance; quality assurance and quality control; engineering support; nuclear facility operation and safety; safeguards and security; and waste management.
Prior to moving to Tennessee, Don was the Director/ Counselor of the NW Ohio SBDC for over 16 years. He started the SBDC in the 6 county-area and it developed into one of the most active centers in the state. The area was influenced considerably by the automobile industry and clients included many manufacturing plants in metal, plastic and other areas. The center was located in a regional shopping area and there was a lot of activity in the retail industry.
Implicit in SMSI’s commitment to their employees is a sense of responsibility to the communities where they work and live. They strongly believe in corporate citizenship and that they can make a difference. As a company and as individuals, they participate in community activities and offer time and talents to local organizations that strive to improve the quality of life and education.
In both Tennessee and, particularly, in Ohio, his client base consisted of about 60% existing business and 40% start-up. A specialty was using cash flow forecasts to assist clients in finding real costs for capital in both a start-up or expansion mode. The information was also used to help develop loan packages for banks and private investors. In the private sector, Don owned and operated a printing franchise in downtown Portland, Oregon for several years after working for a division of a medium-sized corporation based in Detroit. He served as Human Resources Director for the Division with 21 plants spread across the U.S. and he handled all contract negotiations for the plants as well as EEOC compliance and professional development. The last several years with the corporation included assignments as Plant Manager for medium to small plants consisting of 120 to 450 employees. Responsibilities as Plant Manager included full P & L responsibility, sales, marketing, production and human resource management. Plant assignments were in Allentown, PA, Fort Wayne, IN, Portland, OR, and Seattle, WA. Education includes a BS in Education and Psychology from Pittsburg State University and Certified Business Analyst status in Ohio and Tennessee.
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SMSI has built an outstanding reputation for clientfocused performance and for delivering results that enable clients to meet commitments and milestones.
Founder Lee Bernstein first visited with the Los Alamos SBDC in 2000. Early work involved identifying local resources and referrals in Los Alamos. Later work involved addressing challenges in one of SMSI’s key customer’s procurement practices that were a barrier to growth of the company. When asked about SMSI’s involvement with the Los Alamos SBDC, President Paul Terp said: “The SBDC has been helpful to the success of our business. As a small business we have to take advantage of advice and resources that can help us to improve. Not only have I taken away new ideas and assistance with problem solving, but I am always reminded that we are not in it alone … there are people who are there to help support the future success of our business.” In 2006, SMSI was instrumental in the formation of the New Mexico chapter of the Energy, Technology and Environmental Business Association (ETEBA). The mission of ETEBA is to present a unified voice of its members to federal, state and local government agencies. SMSI is currently working on to bring an ETEBA convention, which is typically attended by more than 600 professionals, to New Mexico. More information can be found at the company’s Website: http://smsi.us. For information or to register for SBDC workshops, visit www.losalamoschamber.com
Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation
Chamber Business Spotlight
From your local
Cruiser’s Custom Embroidery
Agent Owner: Tracy Kitts Located At 1789 Central Ave. Suite 4 Los Alamos, NM 87544 (505)661-2554 sos@sos-nm.com
Mike Luna, of Cruiser’s Custom Embroidery, is the backbone of small community
business making the best of things and doing the best in any venue. Luna, formerly the owner of Home Run Pizza, has embarked on a new career creating art through embroidery and bringing smiles to faces throughout the community. Luna’s artful handiwork is done with the help of an Amaya XT commercial machine, which according to Luna, whose capabilities are more than you can imagine. The machine is built for large orders and sews 15,000 stitches per minute. “It’s not your mama’s Bernina!” Luna said. Luna started with simple orders and has quickly evolved his work with detail to rival a master. The business specializes in Corvettes and custom hot rods which can take the proud owner’s vehicle from the driveway to the winter jacket. Cruiser’s also works with large and small orders for corporate and team logos and special events to simple stitching to highlight your business or organization. Luna is a successful businessman because of his work ethic and his love for the community, demonstrated by his many hours of volunteer work.
x x x
x x x x x x
Services We Offer
Digital Scanning Archiving Various Document Production
Products We Offer Copiers Printers Multifunction Fax Machines Wide Format Engineering Machines
“I love living in a small town and having the opportunity to work with people that I have known for many years,” said Luna. “Friends and neighbors are the mainstay of local business in any community and I will rarely make a purchase out of town that I can find locally.” Luna knows that if he can work with schools, churches, and sports teams that his business will not only survive, but flourish. He recently summed up his thoughts as both a business owner and community supporter. “Buy locally if you can!”
January/February 2011
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Chamber News Chamber members get noticed! One of many Chamber benefits is the visibility provided by the several websites that our members are listed on. This includes the on-line Visitor Guide (visit.losalamos.com), the Local’s Guide (fyiLA.com), the Chamber website, the relocation guide, and other sites. Each month, every member receives an automated report of how many web visitors are seeing and interacting with their online directory information. An example:
Tim e
Pe riod
Co
ver ed
• Exposures of the member’s name to website visitors for both the past month and the year-to-date • Click-thrus to the members detailed information • Click-thrus to any coupons that the member placed in their record • Click thrus to the map associated with the member’s record
Comparative averages for all Chamber members during the last full calendar year
Want to know more, or want to be sure your member information is optimized? Contact Member Services Coordinator Katy Korkos, 661-4816, katyk@losalamos.org
Go to fyiLA.com for information as to what’s happening about town 6
Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation
Business Name Cruiser’s Custom Embroidery Farm Bureau Financial Services Johnny Boards, LLC Peerless Professional Cleaning Real Estate Associates
January
Welcome New Members!
Contact Name Phone Mike Luna 505-672-4089 Isaac Martinez Ruben Garcia 505-254-1147 Jack Worel 505-662-7194 Jeanette Metzger-Thorp 505-690-1199
Chamber Member Anniversaries
Business Name
Arthur Montoya, Jr, DDS Atomic City Tours by Buffalo Tours Awareness Enterprises, LLC Brown Dogs PR Central Avenue Grill Karen Wray Fine Art KORrelations Institute, LLC Laboratory Retiree Group, Inc. Los Alamos Co-Op Market Los Alamos Family Council Los Alamos MainStreet Los Alamos Medical Center Los Alamos Meeting & Visitor Bureau Los Alamos Research Park Lou Santoro State Farm Insurance Mi Casita Mexican Food Restaurant Miles & Kendricks PC Patti’s Painting & Interior Perspectives Ron Brown Realty Spectra Gases Unitarian Church of Los Alamos United Blood Services UNM-LA SBDC UPEX White Rock Tourist Information Center
January/February 2011
Type of Business Apparel Insurance Marketing/Distribution Cleaning Real Estate
Date Joined 1991 1985 2009 2010 1990 2009 2010 2009 2007 2004 2008 1997 2008 2008 2004 2010 1997 2007 1990 2002 2009 2002 2008 1999 2002
February
Business Name
Date Joined
Bandelier National Monument 2004 CaJaP Creations 2009 Canyon Village Apartments 2001 Dugan’s Travels 2006 Edward Jones Investments, Isaac Lucero 2007 Energy Employees Resource Center 2005 Hill Diner 1987 Joseph Matthews DDS PC 1992 LANL Foundation 1998 Merrick & Company 2006 New York Life 2006 Project Management Institute 2002 Regional Development Corporation 2002 Rocky Mountain Business Systems 1996 RPM Automotive 1995 Santa Claran Hotel Casino 2008 Smith Wealth Management/LPL Financial 2010 United Church of Los Alamos 2009 Wells Fargo c/o Smith’s Supermarket 1997
CONGRATULATIONS TO: Atomic City Tours by Buffalo Tours - 26 years Hill Diner - 24 years Central Avenue Grill - 21 years Ron Brown Realty - 21 years Arthur Montoya, Jr, DDS - 20 Years
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MainStreet News & Events
For more information on the MainStreet Program please contact: Suzette Fox Phone: 505.661.4844 E-mail: suzette@losalamos.org www.LAmainstreet.com
Community Asset Awards
Assets In Action is sponsoring the second annual Community Asset Awards. Tickets for the January 8th Gushing Gala are ten dollars and include a dessert filled evening at the Best Western Hilltop House Hotel. The event, sponsored by the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board and the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce, will honor those who do good deeds locally and throughout the world. One recipient will receive the Spirit of the West Award in memory of former County Councilor Jim West. Tickets can be reserved by calling 661-4846.
Committee Members Needed
We are gearing up for 2011 Events. We need your volunteering to make these events happen. Please consider one or more of the following committees to serve on:
ChamberFest - event held in June
Golf Tournament - event held in July
The Next Big Idea - event held in September
Please contact Suzette Fox at 505.661-4844 or email suzette@losalamos.org
MainStreet Grants Available
Curb Appeal Grants: Looking to aesthetically improve your business’ curb
appeal? Los Alamos MainStreet offers $500 matching grants to MainStreet businesses. If your organization is interested contact Bryan Farmer at 505.661.4862 or email BryanF@losalamos.org
Small Project Grants: Looking for extra money to advertise your event or
promotion in downtown Los Alamos? Up to $1,000 is offered per application. Contact Suzette Fox at 505.661.4844 or email suzette@losalamos.org
Los Alamos Creative Culture District
We are moving forward with the Los Alamos Creative Culture District (LACCD). Four sub-committees have been formed to help the firm, The Arts + Cultural Planning Group, prepare a recommendation report to County Council for our district. Public input is set for January 19th, 20th and 21st to speak to The Arts + Cultural Planning Group. If you are interested in talking with them, please let us know. Contact Emiley Bainbridge at 505.661.4805 or email emiley@losalamos.org
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Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation
A Conversation With.... North American Development Group North American Development Group (NADG) was selected by Los Alamos County as the developer for the Trinity redevelopment site. MYB spoke with Stephen Preston, Managing Partner, and Executive Director Jonathon Gesuale, who will be the project manager for the Los Alamos development and to ask questions of interest to the existing business community.
successful center has national, regional, and local businesses represented. The split between these can vary widely depending on the center, but we would not be surprised by a twenty to thirty percent mix of local businesses in the non-anchor space. Sound, established businesses that are seeking the kind of environment we will be looking to provide will hopefully want to talk to us about tenancy.
MYB: Now that the County has selected you as the developer to try to come to terms on a land lease, what is your process (major steps and timeline) from here to do so? Gesuale: Our development team is already in place, so we are ready to go. Over the next 90 days we would hope to have secured a lease commitment from our anchor tenant, Smith’s Food & Drug and have completed ground lease and development agreement negotiations with Los Alamos County. Once those are in place we’ll move ahead with detailed design, permitting, and getting a builder lined up. We would hope to break ground by late summer 2011 to give us a target opening date in Fall 2012 or early 2013.
MYB: Should businesses interested in learning more be contacting you at this point in the process? Gesuale: We are not actively soliciting contacts quite yet. That will come as we get farther into the process. However, I would invite any business who is interested in contacting us to do so. Inquiries about tenancy should be made with our leasing partner, Grubb & Ellis New Mexico (Bob Feinberg or Tom Jones, 505-880-7063, tomjones@nmrea.com). They can also contact me with leasing questions or other more general inquiries that they may have (jgesuale@nadgus.com).
MYB: Do you anticipate public input gathering activities over the next ninety days? Gesuale: We don’t have anything planned, but we are prepared to do that if the County indicates they want that. Smith’s is working on public information they will be putting out in their stores about what their “Smith’s Marketplace” format is and what their new store will be like. MYB: Will you be seeking to integrate the redevelopment of the Trinity property with the larger downtown? If so, how will you approach doing that? If not, why not? Gesuale: This was one of the requirements and criteria of the RFP process that led to our selection as developer. Our project needs to integrate well with the existing commercial area. The uses need to be complementary and it needs to be architecturally integrated. We will use results of our public input processes as well as the permitting processes to get to a plan for how best to accomplish this. We don’t want to be an island. MYB: What are characteristics of existing local businesses that might be a good fit for tenancy at the development? Gesuale: In our experience, the typical tenant mix in a
January/February 2011
MYB: What should existing businesses in the community know about NADG? What would existing businesses in other communities you have done developments in have to say about NADG? Gesuale: NADG is a privately held company that has been in business for more than thirty years. We are familyrun. We think that if you were to ask about us in other communities we are working in, words and phrases like “professional,” “prudent,” “honest,” “do what they say,” “looks to build relationships,” and “people are proud of what they’ve done here” are the kind of things you would be hearing a lot of. MYB: There is a concurrent discussion happening in the community about how to improve Trinity Drive. Do you see the alternatives that are being discussed as being compatible with your anticipated development? Gesuale: We have taken a look at the information on the County website, and what we understand so far is consistent with our aims. We’ll be interested in the same things that most businesses are interested in ... effective access and effective traffic flow are important. We were glad to see interest being expressed in improving the aesthetics of Trinity Drive. continued on page 11
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LAMVB News Calendar of Events January 2011
February 2011
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Groomed Trails: Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the Valles Caldera
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Groomed Trails: Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the Valles Caldera
2,3
Sleigh/Wagon Rides on the Valles Caldera
4-6
2011 K2 Women’s Weekend at Pajarito Mountain
7-9
Groomed Trails: Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the Valles Caldera
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Stone Calendars and Solstice Markers
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Winter Trails Day on the Valles Caldera
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Winter Farmers Market @ Fuller Lodge
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Los Alamos Historical Society presents Bengt Carlson: Super Computers and Apple Wine
4-6
Groomed Trails: Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the Valles Caldera
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Winter Farmers Market @ Fuller Lodge
14-17 Groomed Trails: Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the Valles Caldera 15
Moonlight Skiing on the Valles Caldera
16,17 Sleigh/Wagon Rides on the Valles Caldera 21-23 Groomed Trails: Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the Valles Caldera 22
Pajarito Mountain presents Crazy Mother Meltdown
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Los Alamos Concert Association presents Sergei Babayan
11-13 Groomed Trails: Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the Valles Caldera 11-13 Sleigh/Wagon Rides on the Valles Caldera 18-21 Groomed Trails: Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the Valles Caldera 19
Moonlight Skiing on the Valles Caldera
25-27 Groomed Trails: Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the Valles Caldera 26,27 Sleigh/Wagon Rides on the Valles Caldera
28-30 Groomed Trails: Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the Valles Caldera 29,30 Sleigh/Wagon Rides on the Valles Caldera
Go to fyiLA.com for a complete and detailed list of events.
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Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation
The LAMVB, a program of the Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation, operates the Visitor Center in Los Alamos and the White Rock Tourist & Information Center (WRTIC). The LAMVB also produces and distributes advertising and marketing materials such as the Los Alamos Visitor Guide. We also maintain the online visitor guide at visit.losalamos.com.
Legislative Reception The annual Legislative Reception will be held at the new Santa Fe Convention Center on January 24, 2011 from 5:30-7:30pm, and will be an exciting event for the business community. The Legislative Reception is the largest gathering of chambers of commerce, lobbyists, businesspeople and legislators of the year. Some of the finest resturants in Santa Fe come and provide wonderful hors d’oeuvres, desserts and other tasty delights! This is a wonderful time to meet state officials and legislators. We encourage Chamber members and business owners to come and take advantage of the opportunity to lobby their legislators and market their businesses. You can promote your business interests, network with the business community, and enjoy some of the best food in Santa Fe! Tickets can be purchased through the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce Admission is $25 for the Legislative Reception. Hope to see you there!
Legislative Reception - Santa Fe, NM
Effervescence by Cindy Whiting
Don’t be surprised if you see us a little giddy at the Visitor Center. You know it’s amazing how quickly we can change from a “professional” person into a giggling teenager when a movie star walks into the visitor center. When it happens, our voices suddenly become very hushed, very low, and we look around as if we have the biggest secret in the world to share. Sometimes we even run toward the front door saying, “Where’d he go – I’m going after him – Do I look OK?” I know we should treat and greet each and every visitor with the same gracious and welcoming manner – but sometimes gracious and welcoming aren’t enough and we can become downright effervescent. January/February 2011
North American Development Group continuted from page 9
MYB: Is there anything else you would like to say or you think it is important for the Los Alamos County business community to know? Gesuale: Our goal is a project that integrates well and functions well as a part of the Los Alamos downtown and community. We are intent on producing a project that the entire community will all be proud of. We are very excited to part of the Los Alamos redevelopment and we look forward to building a functional and sustainable project that all parties will be very proud of.
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Halloweekend and WinterFest Weekend
Los Alamos is a GREAT place to raise kids (and dogs)!
Newsletter Managing Editor: Suzette Fox - 505.661.4844 email:suzette@losalamos.org Contributions by: Emiley Bainbridge, Suzette Fox, Kevin Holsapple, Katy Korkos, Claire Roybal, Cindy Whiting
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