September/October 2010
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
Chamber Networking Let’s face it - sometimes it gets lonely running your own business. You might think that your problems are unique, or that no one else cares about your creative solution to something that’s been bothering you. One benefit of chamber membership is that we make it possible for you to meet other people who are in the same proverbial boat. We let you know about the time and place, and all you have to do is make the time.
Chamber Coffees and FAN Clubs are generally held once a month, and are mostly social gatherings where people have a chance to introduce themselves and tell others about their work. The projectoriented committee meetings like the Golf Tournament or Chamberfest Committees also bring people together for a few meetings prior to events, while groups like the MainStreet Futures committee and the Arts and Cultural District steering committee meet monthly on longer-term, big picture items. The committee meetings are by no means as dull and boring as the name would indicate - the committees are made up of people who, like you, just want to get the job done.
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by Katy Korkos
And when we just need a little bit more information on complicated topics, we’ll get together for a Discovery Dialog. In recent months we’ve had Discovery Dialogs around the topics of Los Alamos National Laboratory’s environmental permit and concerning the federal health care legislation that goes into effect this fall.
FAN Club
We’re listening - many of the items we have advocated for have come out of the conversations people have had at those informal get-togethers. Whether we’re talking to the lab about contract or procurement issues, to the Association of Commerce and Industry (the chamber of chambers in New Mexico) about pending legislation that affects businesses or to the County about street design or retail expansion, we need to hear from you.
The Next FAN Club October 20 Aspen Ridge Lodge 5:30 pm to 7:00 p.m.
Senator Tom Udall will join us at
Chamber Coffee
our Chamber Coffee at 10:30 a.m. on September 7th at Fuller Lodge. Senator Udall and his staff will be available from 10:30 to 11 a.m. to meet and greet the Los Alamos business community.
September 7 Fuller Lodge Special Guest- Sen. Udall 10:30 am to 11:00 a.m.
LACDC News Cultural Plan Work to Begin
Proposals are due soon in response to a request for proposal for consultant services to facilitate creation of the staterequired cultural plan to define the district and guide its future. The plan will address elements such as the physical boundary, identity, goals, and strategies to be pursued in the development of the district. Public involvement will also be key as the cultural plan will be proposed for adoption by the county as a subelement of the downtown plan. A portion of downtown Los Alamos was designated a New Mexico Arts and Culture District by the state of New Mexico in 2009. It’s one of five in the state and the focus is to share the unique creative heritage of Los Alamos with residents and visitors. The development of the Los Alamos Creative Culture District is intended to serve as a catalyst for supporting restaurant, retail, service, and hospitality businesses within the downtown area. A great deal of information about this initiative
Proposed Creative Cultural District Boundary from Knecht to Oppenheimer
An Update on....
Creative Culture District is available on the web at laccd.blogspot.com The cultural plan work is being guided by a steering committee composed of representatives from the Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation, the Los Alamos Arts Council, the Los Alamos Historical Society, Los Alamos County, the Los Alamos
Public Library, the Historical Districts Advisory Board, Bradbury Science Museum, and interested property owners and businesses. Los Alamos MainStreet is the organizer of the initiative. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact LACCD Coordinator Emiley Bainbridge at 505661-4805 or (emiley@losalamos.org)
Candidate Forum
The Los Alamos Chamber and the Los Alamos Monitor will be hosting a County Council candidate economic issues forum on Thursday, October 14th. Networking time begins at 5:30 pm and the forum will begin promptly at 6:00 pm. All candidates have indicated that they will participate in the forum, which will be held at room 203A at Los Alamos Research Park, 4200 West Jemez Road. A committee of members including David Jolly of Metzgers, Keven Todd of the Monitor, Denise Lane of the Hill Diner & RE/MAX, Dave Fox of CB Fox, and Chamber Executive Director Kevin Holsapple are working on the planning of the forum and on question selection. Submission of suggested questions is invited and can be provided by filling out the form at www.losalamoschamber.com/candidate-forum. The forum will be fast-paced with responses to questions limited to 90 seconds per candidate and the total time allotted for the forum is about 90 minutes.
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Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation
Trinity Redevelopment Proposals
Five responses were recently received by Los Alamos County from developers expressing interest in leasing of the fifteen acre Trinity redevelopment site. The County’s Trinity Advisory Committee has undertaken review of the proposals and is charged with developing recommendations for next steps. Chamber Executive Director Kevin Holsapple is a member of the advisory committee. “I think the key as we evaluate the proposals is to stay true to our aims for pursuing the Trinity redevelopment. Increasing operating revenue to Los Alamos Public Schools in return for use of their land, increasing our residents’ ability to shop for more of what they need right here in our community, and realizing a development that contributes to the vitality of the larger downtown area, not just the redevelopment area, are key goals that I remain focused on.” Proposals: Regency Centers, a national developer of retail centers, would seek to bring a grocery and general merchandise anchor integrated with preplanned pads for additional smaller retail and restaurant, and sites for potential townhome and office/hotel development. The development potential presented was approx. 135,000 s.f. of retail space, pad footprint of about 20,000 s.f. for canyon rim townhomes, and a pad footprint of about 15,000 s.f. labeled hotel/ office. Maximum allowable building height by code is 45 feet. Regency has demonstrated capacity to self-finance their involvement in the project.
September/October 2010
Rendering from the Lockard proposal
North American Development Group, a national developer of retail centers, would anchor the development with an 110,000 sq. ft. Smith’s Grocery, pharmacy and general merchandise store. An additional 50,000 s.f would house multi-tenant retail, restaurant, a full service financial institution and a quick-serve restaurant with a drive thru. The proposal includes discussion of an anticipated partnership with Smith’s, the owner of the Mari-Mac Center to re-tenant the existing Smith’s space at MariMac with complementary tenancies. LRC Development Company of Akron, OH provided a letter proposing a joint venture with the County, but containing no details about the nature of the development they would propose. Lockard Companies, a national developer of retail centers and mixeduse developments envisions a 40,000 s.f. grocery anchored development together with a 16,000 s.f. pharmacy/general merchandise store,
and a 20,000 “junior anchor”. Total retail and restaurant would be about 137,000 s.f. Lockard also expresses interest in the adjacent three acre A-11 parcel for hotel development. Lockard is proposing a joint venture deal structure with the County. Atomic City DevCo LLC, an entity formed primarily by Branch Commercial Realty Advisors of Santa Fe, proposes the densest development potential of the group. An initial phase of development would include an 100,000 s.f. Kroger Marketplace grocery, pharmacy, and general merchandise store, an additional 75,000 s.f. of smaller retail, and 90,000 s.f. of office/medical office. Additionally, 380,000 s.f. of multifamily residential (340 units) are proposed in the first phase spread across the Trinity Redevelopment parcel and two additional parcels to the East. Their proposal is for the County to form a Public Development Authority to develop the property that would engage Atomic City DevCo LLC as the master developer.
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UNMLA Small Business Development Center
Fall Workshops at the Small Business Center (unless otherwise noted)
September
October
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Information Session for CRS Taxpayers
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Electronic Wage Reporting
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Board Recruitment
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Developing a Fundraising Plan
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Developing Your Staff
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Contracting 101 - PTAP
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Prospect Research 101
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Social Media Marketing
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Effectively using the features of Chamber Membership
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HR Basics for Small Business Owners
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Introduction to QuickBooks
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Intermediate QuickBooks
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. FREE Speakers: Reps from Tax & Revenue 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. FREE Speaker: Rubina Cohen, Firefly of Santa Fe 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Fee: $25.00 Speaker: Brian Korzec, KORrelations
1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. FREE Speaker: Jessica Haynie, Three Stones Consulting
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Basic Bookkeeping
1p.m. – 4 p.m. Fee: $50.00 Two-part series meeting over two days with three hour sessions per day. Speaker: Karen Simpson, Northern NM College Instructor/Owner of DQ in Espanola
Patrick Sullivan, LACDC
Business Development Director for the past several years departed LACDC in early August after accepting a financial management position at the Lab.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my seven years with LACDC,” said Patrick. “I have learned so much from everyone I’ve worked with over the years and I hope to remain in touch with in the future. I have always felt and will continue to feel that LACDC is a vital part of the success that Los Alamos has experienced in the past and can achieve in the future. I hope to have the opportunity to be helpful and supportive of LACDC initiatives going forward as a community member. While I’ll be sad to leave my friends and colleagues, I am looking forward to new challenges and opportunities.”
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. FREE Speaker: Jacquelyn Mirabal, Social Security
1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. FREE Speaker: Jessica Haynie, Three Stones Consulting 1:00 p.m. - 4 p.m. Fee: $25.00 Speaker: Elaine Palin, Procurement and Technical Assistance Program 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. Fee: $25.00 Speaker: Rubina Cohen, Firefly of Santa Fe
1:00 p.m. - 4 p.m. Fee: $25.00 Speaker: Katy Korkos, Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Fee: $25.00 Speaker: Karen Stewart, Stone Associates
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Fee: $50.00 UNM-LA, Room 412 Speaker: Karen Simpson, Northern NM College Instructor/Owner of DQ in Espanola 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Fee: $50.00 UNM-LA, Room 412 Speaker: Karen Simpson, Northern NM College Instructor/Owner of DQ in Espanola
$25 workshops are FREE to Chamber members if you register at www.losalamoschamber.com
LACDC has a search in progress to fill the position opening created by Patrick’s departure. 4
Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation
Chamber Business Spotlight
Who’s New at The Chamber?
Did you know that you can get wholesale janitorial supplies closer to home than Santa Fe and Albuquerque? That we have two gymnastics clubs in town now? And that many of the laboratory contractors we thought were gone are actually back and doing business with LANS? Here’s who’s new: Los Alamos School of Gymnastics - A long-time, well established school, with tons of classes and great instructors. Chamber membership will give them greater visibility and searchability on the web. Terranear - An environmental remediation and compliance contractor, located in the Research Park. One of the reasons they have joined the Chamber is to take advantage of the NationJob services in recruiting. They have more than 15 years experience in the field. Navarro Research and Engineering - The name Navarro might be a familiar one to local people. They specialize in providing environmental quality and safety along with nuclear, national defense and energy services to the DOE and NNSA. Navarro is also a lab contractor. PB Americas - May be familiar to many of you as the former Parsons Brinkerhoff. The firm provides strategic consulting, planning, engineering, and program and construction management services to both public and private sector clients. It is a global company with LANL contracts. Performance Maintenance Inc. - A small Espanola-based company who saw a need and created a business around that need. The Quintanas started out as a janitorial and building maintenance company but quickly realized that the nearest wholesale janitorial supply company was in Albuquerque, so they started their own. Their warehouse is open 8 to 5 on weekdays, and they also do free delivery. Merrill Lynch - Representative Antonio Lopez has joined the Chamber, primarily for the opportunity to use the conference room here to hold financial planning seminars. Hollywood Roofing - Owned by Greg Gonzales, who has more than 24 years roofing experience. He joined the Chamber because he likes doing business in this part of the state, and wouldn’t mind having a few more clients up here. Greg has put up a coupon for $250 off your next roofing job. It is up on LA Deals and you can link to it on his traffic catcher page.
September/October 2010
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Chamber News Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament Benefiting the United Way of Northern New Mexico
Friday, September 17th
$90 Registration fee Per player (only $60 for golf course members) is 100% tax deductible and includes golf fee, cart, Ruby K’s breakfast, shrimp cocktail and guacamole/chip appetizers, lunch from Private Chef, Jarda Belmonte. Plus, fabulous door prizes! For more information contact Suzette Fox (505) 661-4844 or suzette@losalamos.org sign up at FyiLa.com under Events
Los Alamos County Golf Course 8:15 am- Registration and Pictures 9:00 am- Shotgun Start Teams of 4- Scramble Format Katy's Corner - Community Job Board
If you have not already done so, please visit the new Community Job Board on the web at www.fyiLA.com (click on the “Job Board” menu item). A large number of the jobs available in the community are already posted and more are being added all of the time.
Chamber member businesses with 25 or fewer employees, as well as all member non-profit organizations, can post their job openings for free on this site by emailing their job ad to chamber@losalamos.com. Having as complete a set of job listings for the community available in one place as possible will benefit job seekers, “trailing spouses”, students, and people seeking new opportunities.
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The Chamber has teamed with national job site NationJob and sponsors Los Alamos County, Los Alamos National Bank, COMPA Industries, and Merrick & Company to establish the site. Sponsorship by larger employers helps to provide the free service for small businesses and not-forprofits and includes sponsorship recognition and unlimited local job listings. Additional sponsors are needed ... contact Katy Korkos, 661-4816 or chamber@losalamos.com for information. A feature of the job board is the ability for anyone to set up a periodic, free, confidential email alert of available jobs in the community. The alert can be customized to filter for specific interests. NationJob has been in the electronic recruiting business since 1988 and syndicates their job postings to more than 40 other job sites. There are more than one million subcribed searches active by individuals using their free email alert service. Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation
Welcome New Members!
Business Name Los Alamos School of Gymnastics Merrill Lunch Navarro Research & Engineering PB Americas Performance Maintenance Inc.
September
Contact Name Loui Janecky Antonio Lopez Laura Sparks Myron Koop Eric Quintana
Type of Business Club/non-profit Financial Engineering Engineering Janitorial Service
Chamber Member Anniversaries
Business Name
Date Joined
Animal Clinic of Los Alamos Brownell’s Hallmark Shop Buffalo Thunder Resort Dance Arts Los Alamos DECA/BPA DeNuke Services Enchanted Trek Travel Fabulous 50’s Diner Family YMCA Growth Unlimited Harp of the Spirit, The Holiday Inn Express at Entrada Homewood Suites/Buffalo Thunder Resort J & L Storage Vans Little Forest Playschool Los Alamos Heart Council, Inc. Los Alamos Home Improvement Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation Mary Deal Realty North Central Regional Transit District North Road Inn Pac-8 Ponderosa Montessori School, Inc. SMPC Architects SOC Veenis Graphics White Rock Baptist Church
September/October 2010
Phone 505-662-9523 505-982-6516 505-663-5381 505-577-7243 505-747-2466
1998 1978 2008 2001 1987 2009 2008 2008 1988 2009 2006 2009 2005 1986 2006 2008 1988 2007 1978 2008 2006 2000 2008 2001 2004 2009 1995
October
Business Name
Date Joined
ACFL Non-Profit Best Western Hilltop House Hotel Bill’s Computers & Radio Shack BNC Nutrition BUILD New Mexico Community Bank Curves for Women De Colores Energy Solutions First National Bank of Santa Fe Hill Stompers, The Holman’s, Inc. It’s All About You J.J. Wechsler JonTom Appliance Repair LA Mesa Law Firm Lewis Muir Los Alamos Arts Council Los Alamos Historical Society Los Alamos Medical Care Clinic Los Alamos National Bank Los Alamos Technical Associates Metzger Stores Morgan Stanley Neptune & Company Netuschil Development Patrick Coriz, DDS State Farm Agency The Jemez Agency TRK Management Washington Safety Management Solutions White Rock Science
1984 1986 1990 2009 2001 1978 2007 2007 2004 1978 2007 2009 2009 1978 2009 2008 1984 1995 1978 1983 1968 1978 1978 1999 1997 1978 1999 2005 1968 1978 1992 1999
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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
September 17th - Golf Tournament to benefit United Way Los Alamos Golf Course
Do you LOVE golf? Then make sure you sign up to play. Go to fyiLA.com/events to register! Players are treated to a round of golf, golf cart, drink ticket, Ruby K’s breakfast, a delicious lunch by local, private chef, Jarda Belmonte and a chance at many giveaways. Would you like to be a sponsor? The higher levels of sponsorship include a team of four players for free. Contact Suzette Fox at 661-4844 or email suzette@losalamos.org
Trick or Treat on MainStreet - Friday, October 29th
Save the Date - Don’t miss the best community event and a safe place to trick or treat from 5pm - 7 pm! Los Alamos MainStreet is in the works planning a fun, exciting and entertaining “Halloweekend”. If you would like to be a sponsor, or be involved, contact Suzette Fox (see above)
MainStreet Small Project Grants
We have started another round of grants for the 2010-2011 calendar year! The goal of the Small Project Grants is to ensure downtown vitality. If you have an event or promotion that is in the downtown area and you need help financially, you could be granted up to $1,000 matching funds. Previous grant recipients have been Ruby K’s Yum Run, Pumpkin Glow, Festival of Chocolate, Family Festival, Farmer’s Market, PEEC Earth Day, Empty Bowls and YMCA Firecracker Run. Contact Suzette Fox for details to apply 661-4844.
MainStreet Curb Appeal Grants
The next round of grants are now available through the kindness of Los Alamos County. The County has designated the boundaries of the downtown district to receive these grants. Curb appeal is huge in regard to making a first impression with your customers. Grants will award up to $500, matching funds. Applications are evaluated by a volunteer panel. Criteria is based on curb appeal impact, creativity and leveraged monies. Contact Bryan Farmer at 505-661-4862 or email: BryanF@losalamos.org
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Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation
Halloweekend - Trick or Treat on MainStreet! As darkness falls on Los Alamos on October 29th, Los Alamos downtown will be over taken with grizzly ghouls and creatures crawling in the search of candy. Last year, Trick or Treat on MainStreet saw an estimated 2000 people flock to downtown Los Alamos. Get involved - be a sponsor and/or participating business. Make your location memorable. Give it a little thought and creavity so the attendees have a reason to come back to visit you at a later date. This is prime marketing time for the Holiday season. The main thing is that you just get involved with this community event and benefit from the magnitude of people you will be able to reach. If you have any questions or are just looking for ideas, please feel free to contact MainStreet Manager, Suzette Fox at 505-661-4844 or email suzette@losalamos.org
WinterFest Weekend December 3-5th Save the first weekend in December for WinterFest. If you are a newcomer to the area, WinterFest is an event designed to attract folks to our downtown celebration with the Holiday Lights Parade and other fun activities taking place. If you are interested in sitting in on the committee, please contact Suzette Fox at 661-4844 or email suzette@losalamos.org
September/October 2010
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LAMVB News Calendar of Events September 2010
October 2010
1 2 3,4 4 6 9 9 9 10 10,11 11 11 11 16 17 17,18 17-19 17-19 18 23 23 23 24-26 24 25 25 25-26 27 9 28 30 30
1,2 2 3 4 7 7 8 8,9 9 14 14 15 17 21 23 23 25 28 28 29,30 29 30 30
Nightwalk at Bandelier Outdoor Farmers’ Market - Mesa Library Parking lot Valles Caldera – The Milky Way/Surroundings Tour Slugfest Golf Tournament Valles Caldera – Guided Hike: South Banco Bonito Poetry Gathering Valles Caldera – Guided Hike: Canon de Valle Outdoor Farmers’ Market - Mesa Library Parking lot Valles Caldera – The Milky Way/Tour Theater Performance – Seussical Southern Rockies Natural Bodybuilding Competition Hike and Mountain Bike Pajarito Mountain Family Strengths Network HOME TOUR Outdoor Farmers’ Market - Mesa Library Parking lot Golf Tournament to benefit United Way Theater Performance - Seussical Valles Caldera – Biking/Hiking/Tours Valles Caldera – Banco Bonito Mountain Biking Seniors Arts and Crafts Fair - Silver Threads-Market Outdoor Farmers’ Market - Mesa Library Parking lot Authors Speak: Shirley Raye Redmond Valles Caldera – Guided Hike: Hidden Valley Theater Performance – Seussical Twilight Mountain Bike Ride on the Caldera Fall Festival - Ullr Fest Primitive Camouflage Workshop on the Caldera Valles Caldera – Banco Bonito Mtn Equestrian Trails Photo Adventure on the Caldera Valles Caldera – Guided Hike: Canon de Valle Valles Caldera – Guided Hike: Return of the Beaver Valles Caldera – Guided Hike: Rincon de los Soldados Outdoor Farmers’ Market - Mesa Library Parking lot
Valles Caldera – The Milky Way/Surroundings Tour Ruby K’s Yum Run Valles Caldera – Guided Hike: An Island in an Ocean of Grass Valles Caldera – Guided Hike: South Banco Bonito Valles Caldera - Artist Aspens and Sunset Tour Outdoor Farmers’ Market - Mesa Library Pkg lot Valles Caldera - Lights, Camera, Caldera! Tour Valles Caldera – The Milky Way/Surroundings Tour Pajarito Trail Fest Run Poetry Gathering Outdoor Farmers’ Market - Mesa Library Pkg lot Opening Art Reception - Through the Lens and Beyond! Los Alamos Concert Association presents Julie Albers and Orion Weiss Outdoor Farmers’ Market - Mesa Library Pkg lot Fall Arts and Crafts Fair Los Alamos Heart Council Health Fair Scarecrow Contest in downtown Los Alamos Outdoor Farmers’ Market - Mesa Library Pkg lot Authors Speak Series - Mark Dunn Halloweekend Trick or Treat on MainStreet Pumpkin Carving Party Pumpkin Glow
Happy Halloween!
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.
Coupon/Welcome Book The Los Alamos Commerce & Development Corporation is continuing with coupon/ welcome books and wants to thank you for your participation. Thousands of welcome books have been distributed to visitors, students, newcomers, and groups in the Los Alamos Area. We are continually trying to improve this program and would love to hear any feedback you may have.
If you would like to be a volunteer, contact Cindy Whiting, volunteer coordinator, at 661-4815 or email cindy@losalamos.org
Printing of the coupon/welcome book is ongoing so if you would like to have your organization participate or to change your coupon call Claire. If you have not yet seen the coupon book and are interested in finding out what it is or have feedback on how to improveit, call Claire Roybal at 661.4836.
Farewell to Chelo Rojas Chelo Rojas has been with the Commerce and Development Corporation for nearly ten years, in the position of Visitor Center Manager. During that time she has formed close ties with many people in the tourism industry, and with the volunteers and staff who have worked with her. Her many tasks will be reassigned in the coming weeks. If you have been working with Chelo on any projects and would like to know how to follow up on those projects, contact Katy Korkos at 661-4816 and she will direct you to the proper person. September/October 2010
Volunteer Spotlight - Mandira Roy Chowdhury Efficient, exact, detailed, eager – that’s Mandira, our new volunteer at the Visitor’s Center. Mandira is originally from India. Extremely ambitious, Mandira earned her law degree in India and continued postgraduate studies at UK Southampton in International Commercial Arbitration. She has moved here with her husband who is a post doc scientist working at the lab. Her most outstanding feature is her vocal ability. In school, she was frequently the first chosen to do “recitations” on the radio until 10th grade. She was the captain of the debating team and loves to sing. So it should follow, she will be a great mouthpiece here at the visitor center in showing and showing off Los Alamos. Mandira identified the LACDC as a place to start some roots and build some relationships. She is anxious to get her feet wet in the community.
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STEM Student Day - Building the world’s largest Fractal Triangle
Mindflex Game
The Next Big Idea Event & Fair & Rodeo Parade 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
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage
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LOS ALAMOS, NM
Permit No. 152
P.O.BOX 460 LOS ALAMOS, NM 87544