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fromtheeditor: At times the problems of our community, state, nation and world seem so huge that they look to be impossible or improbable for a single person to do anything about.

In this issue you will find stories about some remarkable people from our community who don’t believe that. They’re not the first from this area to figure prominently in positive action that has changed the community or the world, nor will they be the last.

But they’re a good reminder of the endless possibilities of service.

Heather Eberhard is on the cover. For her fifth-grade project, she went online to research facts about recycling and created a video for a contest that her Northeast science and social studies teacher presented to her students.

She became the national elementary school winner of the 2011 Igniting Creative Energy Challenge for her recycling project.

Heather doesn’t talk much about her award, instead she puts her effort into collecting recycled items and brainstorming about how to expand the project.

Veterinarian of the year Dr. Manuel Garcia has dedicated his work and his life to helping animals. Meanwhile Stan and Linda Burgett have dedicated their lives to sharing the message of hope that they found in Easter’s Passion Play and now share this story with audiences all over the world.

Trudy and Joel Farrell are busier now than when they had full time jobs.

Both have found great joy in taking on roles in mentoring others and helping the people of the area.

Farmington’s Mayor Tommy Roberts does not hesitate to acknowledge the impact volunteers have on our community. “Farmington and San Juan County are known statewide for services, programs, projects, and facilities that offer extraordinary quality of life opportunities for residents and visitors. Those opportunities are the direct result of a dedicated and visionary volunteer base, and Joel and Trudy Farrell are great examples of the kind of people comprising that base.”

Every story in the magazine features someone who was inspired to help others.

We hope they inspire you, and we all should memorize this quote from anthropologist Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Cindy Cowan Thiele

Follow us on

@MajesticMediaUS

majesticmediaUSA

publisher Don Vaughan managing editor Cindy Cowan Thiele staff photographer Tony Bennett, Josh Bishop designers Suzanne Thurman, Jennifer Hargrove,

Michael Billie

MAGAZINE

writers

Celebrating the Lifestyle, Community and Culture of the Four Corners Vol. 5, No.2 ©2013 by Majestic Media.

Majestic Living is a quarterly publication.

Our next issue will publish in May..

Material herein may not be reprinted without expressed written consent of the publisher. If you receive a copy that is torn or damaged call 505.516.1230.

Cover photo Comments 6 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2013

Debra Mayeux, Lauren Duff, Margaret Cheasebro Ron Price, Sherri Grona and Vicky Ramakka sales staff

DeYan Valdez, Shelly Acosta, Aimee Velasquez, Caitlin Mars, Felix Chacon For advertising information

Call 505.516.1230 Photos by Tony Bennett and Josh Bishop

Majestic Living welcomes story ideas and comments from readers.

E-mail story ideas and comments to editor@majesticmediausa.com.

SPRING 2013 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 7

contributors DeBRa mayeUx, of Farmington, is an awardwinning journalist with recognitions from the associated Press of new mexico and colorado and the new mexico Press association and the colorado Broadcast association. She has covered stories throughout the Southwest and in mexico and Jordan, where she interviewed diplomats and the royal family. after nearly 20 years in the business, she recently opened her own freelance writing and media business. mayeux enjoys the outdoors, reading and spending time with her family. She is the coordinator of Farmington Walk and Roll, a Safe Routes to School organization. She is married to David mayeux and they have three children: nick, alexander and Peter.

LaURen DUFF is a recent graduate of the gaylord college of Journalism and mass communication at the University of oklahoma. She received her bachelor’s degree in print journalism with a minor in international studies. While in college, Duff was a reporter at the university newspaper, the oklahoma Daily, and interned in Washington D.c. as a communications intern at the national Petrochemical and Refiners association. originally from Dallas, Texas, she moved to Farmington days after graduating college and has fallen in love with the area. Duff enjoys traveling, writing, and cheering on her alma mater. BoomeR SooneR!

maRgaReT cHeaSeBRo has been a freelance writer for over 30 years. Her articles have appeared in many magazines across the country. She was a correspondent for the albuquerque Journal and worked for several local newspapers. She has four published books of children’s puppet scripts. a former elementary school counselor, she is a Reiki master and practices several alternative healing techniques. She enjoys playing table ennis. She and her husband live near aztec.

Ron PRice owns and operates Productive outcomes, inc. He offers a variety of services including dispute resolution, adoption home study investigations, and workplace training. Ron also provides marriage education and enhancement to couples planning marriage or who wish to remain happily married. Ron is happily married to maridell Price, a Registered nurse at the San Juan Regional medical center. They have been married 30 years. Ron has a Ba in Sociology from the University of Rhode island, and a master’s Degree in counseling from the University of new mexico.

SHeRRi gRona owns and operates artemis grant consulting, LLc, in Bloomfield. artemis grants specializes in grant identification, development and management with an emphasis on nonprofit organizations. grona is a motivated professional with extensive experience in the media and a proven commitment to community and regional development. With a strong drive to give back to the community, grona coaches youth soccer, as well as serving on the Bloomfield youth Soccer League board of directors. She also is a charter member of the gateway city civitan club.

Vicky Ramakka is retired from San Juan college where she directed programs and taught teacher education courses. Vicky and her husband reside north of aztec, where she does free-lance technical writing. Vicky says she meets the most fascinating people in the Four corners area, and finds them always willing to share their expertise during interviews. She enjoys photographing the flora and fauna that reside in her ‘back yard’ which she considers any place within a mile walk. She is on the Board of Directors of the aztec museum and volunteers with the citizens’ steering committee to raise funds for a new animal shelter.

Tony BenneTT grew up in Farmington.

He received his bachelor’s degree in photography from Brooks institute. He owned and operated a commercial photography studio in Dallas for over 20 years. He was also team photographer for the Dallas cowboys for 10 years. now back in Farmington, Tony wants to bring his many years of photo experience to photographing families, weddings, events, portraits, and more, to his hometown………and Ski ! He teaches at San Juan college.

JoSH BiSHoP is a recent graduate of San Juan college with an associates degree in Digital media arts and Design.

He currently works at majestic media as a video producer and photographer.

Majestic Living Magazine is online!

Log on to www.majesticlivingusa.com and click on the cover to access an online digital version of our magazine!

8 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2013

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springfeatures: 12

Leadership and communication

When Steve Begay, 37, was growing up in Shiprock, N.M., and Cove, Ariz., he never thought about a career in the U.S. Postal Service.

By Margaret Cheasebro

20 28

Reduce, reuse and recycle

Ever since Heather Eberhard became the national elementary school winner of the 2011 Igniting Creative Energy Challenge for her recycling project, “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Plastic Bottles,” she’s been full of ideas for how to expand recycling.

A Passion for People

Stan Burgett often asks the rhetorical and tongue-in-cheek question: “Can anything good come out of Iowa?” Well, at least in one particular case the answer would be a resounding “Yes!”

By Ron Price

36

By Margaret Cheasebro

Local candy shop goes global

Frank Crail has a story that is drenched in success. As the founder of the candy-producer, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Crail has turned a simple idea into a chocolaty paradise that has grown internationally.

By Lauren Duff

42

From burgers to bakery

Flipping burgers and frying French fries at a local McDonalds during high school is how James Mirabal marks the beginning of his cooking career. He said working at this fast food giant helped him prepare and cook food quickly and efficiently.

Years later, Mirabal has mastered the culinary ar ts with unique twists of flavors and recently opened up his own cafe.

By Lauren Duff 10 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2013

48

52

Stannard’s colorful journey

Dead juniper trees appeared to be animated and dancing, when Liz Stannard first began studying ar t 25 years ago.

The trees were her inspiration and she always drew them in black and white.

The symphony of life

Turned away in his youth by a piano teacher who said the instrument wasn’t for him, this Farmington man would not give up his desire to tickle the ivories.

By Debra Mayeux

By Debra Mayeux

56

Living independently

The leadership for the San Juan Center for Independence intimately understands the needs of the disabled community. Executive Director Branda Parker and Chief Financial Officer Tim Carver are themselves disabled. This gives them a unique perspective on how to best serve their consumers, Parker said recently.

60

‘No better job in the world’

This year alone, more than 8,000 dogs and cats will be euthanized in San Juan County.

A local veterinarian, along with his colleagues, has made it his mission to reduce this number and ensure that animals reBy Sherri Grona ceive the care and love they need and deserve.

By Sherri Grona

64

A passion for writing

Fiction often mimics life, as authors share the stories they know with their readers. This is almost always the case for local author Rebecca Talley, who has written and published two children’s books, four novels and a how-to-write book.

By Debra Mayeux

68

Giving back, mentoring forward

74

Stage and screen

On most Thursdays you’ll find Trudy Farrell working at Three Rivers Women’s Collective; on a weekday you might see Joel Farrell heading out of town with a van load of cats and dogs; then again on a summer evening you’re likely to find Joel and Trudy greeting visitors at the Anasazi outdoor amphitheater. Yes, there’s a pattern here – helping make their community a better place to live.

Since she was young, Merritt Glover has enjoyed being in front of the cameras or standing on stage under the spotlight. From having a minor role in a movie directed by Sam Shepard at the age of 7, to scoring a speaking part on the hit television show, Breaking Bad, 21 years later, Glover has never given up her dream of acting.

By Vicky Ramakka

By Lauren Duff

IN THIS ISSUE

6 From the Editor

78 Coolest Things SPRING 2013 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 11

Begay exceeds expectations as Farmington Postmaster Story by Margaret Cheasebro Photos by Tony Bennett

Postal Service.

Today he is the Farmington postmaster, the first American Indian to ever hold that position here. He’s also the city’s youngest postmaster.

When Steve Begay, 37, was growing up 12 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2013

“He’s very young, and he’s very driven,”

in Shiprock, N.M., and Cove, Ariz., he

said Ramona Clevinger, acting supervisor

never thought about a career in the U.S.

at the Farmington post office. “He has ex-

cellent leadership skills. I can see him

manager of Post Office Operations, sta-

moving ahead in this business. He steps

tioned in Albuquerque. He selected Begay

right up to the plate and keeps us running

for the job with approval from the district

smoothly. I respect him as a coworker and

office in Phoenix.

as my new boss. Everything that he does, he has a really good purpose for it.”

“Steve had been acting as the Farmington postmaster for about a year, off and on,” Flores said. “He has been exceeding

Exceeds expectations Begay’s supervisor is Michael Flores,

expectations.”

Begay officially became postmaster on

SPRING 2013 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 13

Dec. 29, 2012. Farmington is identified as a

Farmington’s postmaster. “He got a lot of

post office continues to maintain its high per-

level 22 post office, based on a variety of

that from being in the Marines.”

forming position among post offices of its

factors such as the number of routes and personnel, and its window and bulk mailing operation.

Flores called the Farmington post office

He called Begay’s advancement unusually fast.

“I’ve been doing this 31 years,” Smith said

size in the western area, a spot it has consistently maintained over the last three years.

Farmington has 25 carrier routes and 53

to provide contrast. “I did not make a level

employees. Workers manually process mail

“the most successful similarly sized office

22 post office until I was in my 25th or 26th

trucked from Albuquerque and send it to 11

based on our performance reviews in the

year.”

associate post offices: Bloomfield, Aztec,

state of New Mexico. It’s one of the top 10

Begay’s technical and communication savvy

Flora Vista, Navajo Dam, Blanco, Newcomb,

in the western area, which includes everything

helped to fuel his meteoric rise. Not only

Sanostee, Shiprock, Waterflow, Fruitland and

from Colorado west, excluding California."

could he spot where the problems were and

Kirtland.

fix them, Smith said, but he could look at Begins as letter carrier Begay joined the postal service in January 1999 as a letter carrier while he lived in

Begay focuses on providing good customer

technical reports and determine what caused

service, which includes getting the carriers

machine misfeeds or other problems.

back to the post office by 5 p.m.

“While technical knowledge is important,”

“That means all the mail is delivered be-

Gilbert, Ariz. He and his wife, Gayla, and

added Smith, “the ability to communicate the

tween 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,” Begay said. “My

their three children, moved to Farmington in

company’s vision and be a leader for change

next goal is to get the carriers back in by 4

2005, where Begay continued as a mail man.

is more important. Steve has solid communi-

p.m.”

He became a supervisor in 2008 and four

cation skills.”

Strong work ethic

years later took the job as postmaster.

“I think his strongest asset is leadership,” said Billy Smith, who preceded Begay as

14 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2013

High performing post office Under Begay’s leadership, the Farmington

His strong work ethic came early in life.

His father died before he was 1 year old,

and during his first five years Begay lived with his grandparents in Cove, about an hour’s drive south of Shiprock. There, he learned to

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speak fluent Navajo.

When he lived with his mother in Shiprock to attend school, he spoke no English.

“I was teased by the kids,” he said. “They all spoke English. It was hard for me to make that transition to speak English, but it worked out.”

He lived in a rough Shiprock neighborhood.

“I made up my mind at a very young age that when I grew up I didn’t want to fall into the kind of lifestyle around me,” he said.

Worked on grandparents’ farm

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During summer vacations and school breaks, Begay and his older brother and sister returned to Cove to live with his grandparents,

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who had a farm and a ranch.

“I did a lot of sheep herding,” he said. “We

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were busy all year round – chopping wood, hauling water.”

As a young child, he remembers watching his great-great-grandfather, a traditional Navajo, praying every morning with corn pollen. He died when Begay was 5 or 6 years old.

“He used to tell us, ‘When you’re running to

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Behind in housework?

pray.’”

Grandfather was father figure His main father figure was his grandfather.

Once a uranium miner, he died of cancer when Begay was 18 and in the Marines.

“My grandpa was fit,” Begay said. “He was a really tall Navajo man, over six feet. He had big muscled arms. I’m grateful that he was in my life, but he was very stern in his upbringing.

I remember one year in Cove it didn’t rain much. We didn’t have irrigation. The farm just relied on rain. I was very young then, between 5 and 7 years old. All day we filled up fivegallon buckets out of a hose from a mountain

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spring and took it to the field to water the corn and melons. The whole family did it – myself, my grandpa, my grandma, my brother, my aunts and uncles.”

To get money for school clothes, in the summer they hoed pinto bean fields in Dove Creek, Colo.

“It was sunup to sundown,” Begay said. “In two weeks we earned enough to pay for all our clothes.”

When I was your age…

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places like Disneyland, his children ask him what he did on school holidays.

“I spent my spring breaks at my grandparents’ sheep camp shearing sheep,” he tells them. “Not electric shears, but scissors. We held the sheep down and sheared them.”

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wouldn’t let me relax.”

Begay and Gayla encourage their children to excel in school. They’re all involved in sports and do well academically. Two or three times a year, he takes them to Cove to help them develop a deep appreciation for the reservation and the culture.

Begay was an athlete When Begay was a student, he participated in football and wrestling. In the fall of 1992, during his senior year, he was named first team all district for tight end. He credits his coaches for molding his character.

“They set you up to be successful,” he recalls.

When he sees his wrestling coach, Keith Weiss, and his football coaches, Melvin Bell

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and Phil Valdez, today, he remembers what important mentors they were for him.

Though he applied himself in sports, he didn’t take academics seriously.

“I was not a stellar student at

don’t want you to take that job.”

Shiprock High School,” he said.

“I just went through the system.

Applies at the post office

Getting out of Shiprock was the

After thinking it over, he real-

only thing I was thinking of.”

ized she was right. A fellow Heath

So he joined the Marines in

employee encouraged Begay to

July 1993, after graduating

think about careers with a better

from high school.

chance of advancement, such as

As part of his military service,

the U.S. Postal Service. So Begay

Begay guarded a Marine base in

walked into a Phoenix post office

Bosnia in 1996 to make sure

and applied for a job. He passed

no one attacked reconnaissance

a written test, and in January

planes sent up to take pictures.

1999 he began his postal service

While in Bosnia he kept in constant contact

lems kept him from taking required fire acad-

with Gayla through letters, which he still has.

emy courses. That put a stop to his firefighter

He’s grateful the postal service let servicemen

aspirations. When three policemen were shot

send letters free from a war zone.

in a six-month period in the Phoenix area, Gayla urged him not to be a cop.

Moves to Phoenix

career.

He worked hard, accepting every opportunity to work overtime.

“My wife was great with it,” he said. “She understood. We lived in a small apartment

“I don’t want to be a widow,” she told

the first few years. We knew we had to move

After leaving the Marines in 1997, he

him. “I know you. You’re not going to back

because we wanted a suburban lifestyle, and

moved to the Phoenix area, where he’d met

down. You’re going to run in there. You’re

we wanted our kids to attend good schools."

Gayla in 1995 through friends while she at-

going to try to fix it. You’re wired that way. I

In 2000, they bought a house in a nice

tended Arizona State University. It was love at first sight for both of them. They married in the summer of 1997.

Gayla attended Kirtland Central High School and grew up in Nenahnezad, but they didn’t know each other as students.

Begay found full time work in Tempe with Heath Consultants, a company that subcontracted with major gas companies to do such jobs as locate pipelines and gas leaks and survey water lines.

When he missed military camaraderie, he joined the reserves in Phoenix as part of a Marine engineer detachment. There, he met police officers and fire fighters who recognized his potential and encouraged him to become a cop or fireman.

Contemplates fire, police careers Intrigued by the emphasis on staying fit and thinking on his feet, Begay applied for work in both careers. He took college classes needed for either job, but scheduling probSPRING 2013 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 17

neighborhood in Gilbert.

Begay’s supervisor encouraged him to consider applying for a management position.

Takes business classes To prepare himself for management, he took business classes at Mesa Community College and boned up on English and math skills in an Arizona State University program for veterans.

When the opportunity to move to Farmington as a mail carrier presented itself, the Begays came here. Postmasters recognized his abilities and provided him with supervisory training while he still was officially a mail carrier.

In 2008, under then postmaster Max Moreland, he began supervising the mail processing operation, which involved unloading mail trucks that arrived early in the morning from Albuquerque.

Moreland arranged for Begay to train as a supervisor at the national postal training center in Oklahoma. He also gave Begay on-the-job

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supervisor training.

When Billy Smith became Farmington postmaster in October 2009, he started training Begay on the delivery side, supervising city mail carriers.

Leaves Begay in charge In 2012, Smith was frequently called to other post offices to help them solve problems, and he left Begay in charge in Farmington.

“Last year, Farmington ended up being the number one rated office in level 22 on the delivery side in the Arizona/New Mexico District,” Smith said. “Steve accomplished that whenever I was out of the office for seven or eight months.”

Smith became Las Cruces Post Master in July 2012, and Begay officially took over as Farmington postmaster in December.

“Steve’s track record speaks for itself,” Flores said. “The office continues to perform well.

His commitment to be the best operations and service manager will take him far.”

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so pleased that “at 16 I grew my own beard.”

Though he was greatly affected by the presentation, Stan recalls, “I had no idea that I would spend the rest of my life sharing the message of hope that I found in that Easter pageant.”

Stan stayed involved with the church pas-

Burgett’s share message of hope with the world Story by Ron Price Photos by Tony Bennett Stan Burgett often asks the rhetorical and tongue-in-cheek question: “Can anything good come out of Iowa?” Well, at least in one particular case the answer would be a resounding “Yes!” 20 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2013

Church and ministry have been a part of

sion play for six or seven years and was

Stan’s life for as far back as he can remember,

“grateful for the opportunity to reach the

having grown up in Des Moines, Iowa, as a PK

neighborhood.” He goes on to say, “Little did

or Preacher’s Kid. He recalls “when I was 15

I know the neighborhood would one day ex-

or 16 a man approached my dad and asked if

pand to be the world.”

he could put on an Easter Pageant at the church to help celebrate Easter.”

Despite his young age, Stan was recruited to play the part of Jesus.

“They had to glue a beard on me to make me look more the part.” He remembers being

Stan is convinced that God knew the direction that his life would be taking and that he would not be able to do it alone. It just so happens that a young lady named Linda Earles chanced to visit a church in Des Moines where Stan was serving as the youth pastor.

SPRING 2013 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 21

Linda remembers, “as soon as I saw him I knew I was going to marry him.” She went so far as to declare her intentions to her mother who dismissed it as just silly talk. Yet two years later Stan and Linda were married and

Her kind of cooking Along with her contributions to

guest on Foodie Friday on KICD AM

theirs has truly been a whirlwind – or make that whirl-

PPMI, Linda has also branched out

1240, which broadcasts in Iowa,

wind romance. Now in their 31st year together as hus-

on her own as an author of cook-

along with hosting a cooking segment

band and wife, the Burgetts spend a large percentage of

books that have gained a fair share

on the Passion Radio Network called

their lives together. When they are not travelling they can

of notoriety. Her blog is posted

“Fast Food Fridays” which broadcasts

be found at KPCL radio where they co-host their local

www.mykindofcooking.com contains

from Farmington to parts of Col-

radio program “The Cross Connection” live from noon

numerous recipes and cooking tips.

orado, New Mexico, Arizona, and

to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday on Passion Radio 95.7FM. Stan and Linda moved to the Denver, Colo., area in

“I write cookbooks. Which means I eat, breathe, and dream about food!

Utah.

Her passion for cooking and writ-

I love to create recipes that are

ing cookbooks is directly related to

1984 and had a dream of putting on the Passion Play on

quick and easy using just a few ingre-

her travels across the United States

a larger scale than they had experienced in Iowa.

dients,” Linda said.

and around the world as Director of

“We sent out 280 well designed packets to pastors hoping to build interest in joining the effort,” Linda said.

To their great surprise and disappointment, they re-

She has seven cookbooks in print

Operations for Passion Play Min-

and more on the way. Linda has a

istries International. Her love for

regular feature on the Country

different cultures and cuisines makes

ceived zero responses from pastors or churches. They

Cooking segment of the Living the

every single trip an adventure.

were, however, contacted by someone at a local Chris-

Country Life television show on the

tian radio station, KBWI, who was interested in the min-

RFD-TV channel. She also is a regular

istry. Stan and Linda will always be grateful that “they

22 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2013

“As I travel, I collect recipes and unique ideas,” Linda said.

helped us take the message to the Christian community and we got our start.”

In 1993, Gary Knight was visiting from Las Vegas, Nev., and watched a performance of the Passion Play of Denver. He was excited about the possibility of recreating the play in “Sin City.” This year will mark the 17th year that the play has been performed in Las Vegas. For eight of those years the venue was the Riviera Hotel and Casino.

By 1998, the Passion Play had grown to be quite successful in Denver in terms of number of cast members and numbers of folks in attendance. Stan was troubled, however, that “while we had succeeded in bringing several denominations together for the production, our cast was all white.” It was Stan and Linda’s prayer that “we could make it cross-racial as well.”

So in 1998, they accepted an invitation to come check out Farmington for a new assignment as youth and music pastor at Mesa

SPRING 2013 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 23

View Baptist Church and as a possible third location for the play. Stan and Linda laugh when they remember their first exposure to the area and asking each other “who would live here?”

What helped to make the decision for them to move was a comment from Zane Leslie, a board member at Mesa View who suggested that this might be an opportunity to reach the Navajo Nation in a powerful and impactful way.

Zane probably wouldn’t refer to himself as a prophet, but his words came to be true.

Shortly after putting on the first presentation in McGee Park in August of 1998, Stan and Linda assembled a team of cast members from Denver, Las Vegas and Farmington and headed off to their next city – Capetown, South Africa. Though they presently reside in Aztec, much of their time is spent flying to locations that now include India, Malaysia, Mexico, and Central America. And the Burgetts

24 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2013

are so pleased to say the list includes the Navajo Nation in Shiprock. Each year the play is performed in San Juan County in English, Spanish and Navajo versions. A new feature will be added at the Farmington Civic Center this year. A live orchestra will provide the musical backdrop as opposed to

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PPMI receives numerous requests to visit new countries as potential host sites.

“Each time we put on the play in a new country we have the potential to expand globally as representatives from other countries come to observe the presentation,” Linda said.

As a case in point, the play is set to begin

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in Costa Rica this year for the first time and already people from five other nations are on the guest list. Stan and Linda appreciate the fact that “what we do can be replicated anywhere. God brings people together to

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take it where He wants it to go.”

To Stan and Linda, the Passion Play is not just a ministry; it has become their life.

The couple loves taking the play to new places, but the greatest part is handing it off to the next generation of leaders.

They have many wonderful memories of watching people who were in the play as children step up and take leadership roles both on and off the stage.

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What makes this so meaningful for them is that “with key young leaders it takes the play beyond us. It doesn’t die when we do,”

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The Passion Play has touched thousands of people. That goes for those who come to see the play as well as for those who are in the cast. Some of the latter are even more have resulted from couples meeting each other as part of the production.

One such local couple is Dave and Laura Hannegarne, each of whom has been in the play three times. They have a deep and obvious appreciation for Stan and Linda. Stan was the officiating minister for their wedding.

“There is something special about being around someone who has true vision, and Stan definitely has vision,” Laura said.

She likens Stan to “the Energizer Bunny,” noting his ability to travel the world and balance all that he does.

Both Dave and Laura appreciate how Stan and Linda are a team. Each is their own person, but they work together so well according to Dave and Laura.

Pastor Keith Berryman, of First Baptist Church in Farmington, is a huge supporter of the Passion Play Ministry. While he knows it is not the work of just one man, he very much appreciates that “Stan is so personable, so loving, so Christ like.”

Pastor Keith also appreciates that even after being involved in the ministry for so many years “Stan maintains a genuine awe for what God has done through him and Linda, and he never seems to get tired of it.”

Janelle Leslie has been an active member of the Passion Play of the Four Corners from its inception. She knows how busy Stan and Linda can be, but she has observed that “they are never too busy to minister to someone in need.” Janelle has often been on the receiving end of visits from Linda where she “loves to drop off cookies and hugs.”

She is also impressed that “they are willing to step out in faith, regardless of the risk, to do whatever needs to be done to accomplish what they believe God wants them to do.”

26 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2013

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recycling project, “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Plastic Bottles,” she’s been full of ideas for how to expand recycling.

She’s now a seventh grader at Hermosa Middle School. She was a fifth grader at Northeast Elementary when she won the award.

Her winning video project focused on the large number of discarded plastic water and other bottles that littered the lawn and filled garbage cans outside the soccer complex and how that trash could be recycled.

As a direct result of her project, the city of Farmington has placed eight recycle bins at the soccer complex. The city will put eight bins at ball fields at the sports complex near La Plata Highway this March.

Farmington City Manager Rob Mayes, left, congratulates Eberhard on her hard work and dedication to a successful recycling project in March of 2012.

Heather and mom empty bins Since going to Washington, D.C., for the United States Energy Efficiency Forum June 15 and 16, 2011, Heather and her mom, Tina Eberhard, have been emptying recycling bins at the soccer complex as needed during soccer season. They take the trash

Reduce, reuse and recycle

to the recycling substation at 101 S. Spruce St. Someday, Heather would like to expand her project to sports complexes in other nearby New Mexico towns, but now she’s focusing on Farmington.

What prevents her project from growing faster is the lack of any local place that pays for recycled bottles.

“I wish we could get money for the bottles,” Heather said. “Then we could give the money to buy more recycling bins. Whatever’s left over we could give to Farmington Clean and Beautiful, because they got grants to buy the recycling bins.”

The metal three-foot tall bins have a small round opening at the top just big enough for a bottle but not large enough to encourage trash dumping.

“It works well,” Tina said. “We don’t find a lot of trash in them.”

Fifth grade project

Heather Eberhard proof one person can make a difference

Heather created her video for a contest that her Northeast science and social studies teacher Michelle Sanders presented to her students.

“She said we could do a video or a model or something,” Heather

Story by Margaret Cheasebro Photos by Tony Bennett

said. “I chose to do a video because I knew we had bottles everywhere. I used my dad’s big pile of magazines to cut out faces and clothes. I taped them on the bottles to make four puppets. Then

Ever since Heather Eberhard became the national elementary school winner of the 2011 Igniting Creative Energy Challenge for her

I taped chopsticks to the back of the bottles so we could hold them up and move them around.”

SPRING 2013 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 29

She went online to research facts about

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recycling. Her video featured four friends.

“Three of them recycle, and one of them doesn’t,” Heather explained. “The other three are trying to get him to recycle. So they’re giving a whole bunch of facts about recycling and telling him how important it is. In the end, he does start recycling.”

Not enthusiastic at first

I’m ready to help when you’re ready to start healing.

When Heather first learned about the school project, she wasn’t enthusiastic.

“My reaction was, ‘Do I really have to do this?’” she recalled. “But after I started doing it, I came home and wrote an entire script in one-and-a-half days. I figured out it was fun.”

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Shooting the video became a family project.

Her mom handled the camera. Her younger brother, Josh, her dad, Eric, and Heather manned the puppets.

When she finished the project she told her family she wanted to win the state prize, which included a solar backpack.

“I don’t think I knew about the trip,” Heather said. “I wanted the back pack.”

Talks to mayor and city manager At the end of Heather’s video, the puppets talked about starting a recycling project at the soccer complex.

When Tina asked her daughter if she wanted to do that, Heather said yes.

So Tina called the city of Farmington and set up a meeting for Heather with City Man-

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ager Rob Mayes and Mayor Tommy Roberts.

“It scared me at first,” Heather said. “I was freaking out. What if I don’t know what to say? But Mom said, ‘Just tell them about your project.’”

Her maternal grandfather, who lives in Kansas, gave her practical advice.

“He told her to act normal and talk to them like she was talking to him, because they’re just people,” Tina explained.

City manager impressed “She was an impressive, outstanding young lady,” Mayes said. “It’s not typical for a child

tonnage was 1,098. In 2010 it climbed to

When Heather explained her recycling

1664. It reached 1,945 tons in 2011 and

ideas to Debbie, Debbie wrote requests for

1,916 tons in 2012.

16 recycle bins as part of two New Mexico

that age to come in, particularly with a for-

“The city of Farmington has been on the

mal appointment and a well-prepared pres-

leading edge of recycling since four or five

year 2012 and one for 2013. Combined, the

entation and good rational evidence behind

years ago when the city began curbside

two requests brought in $5,662, enough to

her idea. She didn’t tell us what we ought to

recycling,” Mayes said. “We’ve funded the

Clean and Beautiful grants, one for fiscal

purchase all 16 bins. The first eight went to

be doing. She shared her vision, sought our

recycling center out at the landfill. Heather’s

the soccer complex. The next eight are going

support and maintained personal

project fit beautifully into that venue.”

to the sports complex.

responsibility to carry out her idea. That’s

People who want a recycle bin at their

“I’m going to try to write requests again

exactly what she’s done. All I did was point

house may call Waste Management at

for more recycle bins,” Debbie said.

her in the right direction and hook her up

505.327.6284.

“Heather and I would like to take another

“It’s included in the base cost of trash

eight bins out to the sports complex. Right

coordinator. Her job is to look for ways to

recycling,” Mayes said. “People are paying

now there’s just one bin per baseball field.

improve the beautification and appearance

for it, so they might as well do it, but they

We’d like to have some at the tennis courts

of Farmington. They struck up a great rela-

have to request a bin.”

and additional bins at the sports complex

with Debbie Homer, our Clean and Beautiful

itself.”

tionship and worked together to get the grants to buy the recycling receptacles that we’ve placed at a variety of our ball fields.”

People are using the recycle bins in Farm-

Awesome young lady “I think Heather is an awesome young lady,” said Debbie Homer, Farmington Clean

ington. Figures provided by Waste

and Beautiful specialist with the city’s Parks,

Management show that in 2009 recycling

Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department.

Mom gets winning news on cell phone The Eberhards were in Phoenix for spring break when Tina got a call on her cell phone

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from someone who said, “We have some ex-

‘Me?’ They gave me a big boarding pass,”

citing news for you.”

she said.

“I almost told them, ‘I’m not interested,’

The two-foot by four-foot cardboard pass

because I thought it was a telemarketer,”

represented the trip she’d won to

Tina related.

Washington, D.C.

The call came from Igniting Creative En-

“My mom started joking around with me,”

ergy Challenge personnel, telling her that

Heather said. “She told me, ‘You’re going to

Heather was the national elementary school

have to take this on the plane. It’s going to

winner. She had to keep the news a secret

be your carry-on.’”

from Heather, who didn’t find out until she attended a Northeast assembly on April 28, 2011.

“I kept asking my teacher, ‘What is this

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people to Washington, D.C. Tina accompanied Heather. Her maternal grandparents,

said, ‘You'll see.’”

Bob and Marie Sperling, of Kansas, went too.

“My parents said they weren’t going to

Manager Mayes and Farmington Schools

miss out on something like that,” Tina said.

Superintendent Janel Ryan were both at the

“They flew in and met us in Washington,

assembly.

D.C.”

“Then they called my name, and I went,

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The prize covered the expenses of two

assembly about?’” Heather recalled. “She Heather thought it was strange that City

DeNae’s

Going to Washington, D.C.

Heather visited with two senators there.

She remembers the meeting with Ben Ray

“She said, ‘No. I met with our mayor and

“It had some smart talk in it but not a whole

Lujan best, because he was so interested and

city manager, so I’ve already done that,’” Tina

bunch. There was one part in it when my

helpful.

recalled with a laugh.

brother dropped the puppet off the counter

"He was late for a meeting, and the

Her fearlessness didn’t stop there. Former

and put it back up and a place when I said my

secretary said I might not have much time with

U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., spoke at

line wrong or something. They told me if

him," Heather recalled. "I went in there, and

the energy conference in Washington, D.C.

parents did it, it would be perfect. They knew

instead of five minutes talking to him, it ended up like 30 minutes or an hour."

Tina added, "She told him that ultimately she wanted to do the recycling project and then be featured on Friends for Change, which

Tina recalled, “My mom wanted to take a

it was done by a kid because it had those mis-

picture of Heather with Bingaman when he was

takes in it, and they said it was very creative.”

done speaking, but she couldn’t get her camera out in time."

As he was leaving the room, Heather told

At the video’s end, all four puppets jumped into the recycling bin to recycle themselves.

That seemed like a natural thing for Heather

is on the Disney Channel, because they

him, “Come back. My grandma wants a

to do, because she remembers her family

feature kids who do that type of stuff. Ben

picture.” He came back.

recycling since she was 6 or 7 years old.

Ray Lujan said, ‘I know somebody who works for Disney.’ He called his assistant in and said,

“She was amazing through everything,” Tina said.

‘Let’s try to contact them.’ Nothing ever came of it, but he really encouraged her to continue on.”

Lujan asked Heather if she was scared or nervous to talk with U.S. senators.

became very easy,” Tina said. “We definitely became more aware of what was going into

Creative project

the landfill.”

Contest personnel told Heather her project was creative and had a couple of mistakes,

Not scared to talk to senators

“When they started curbside recycling, it

which convinced them it was a kid created project.

Recalling what they said, Heather explained,

Always a good student Though Heather has always been a good student, the recycling project was the first one that really excited her.

SPRING 2013 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 33

“I don’t like science fair, but I liked this,” Heather said.

She’s not sure what she wants to do with her life, but she’s leaning toward being a veterinarian or nurse. What’s on her mind these days is how to expand her recycling project.

“We can save up the bottles from the recycle bins and keep them in the garage until we go to Albuquerque and get like a whole bunch of money for the bottles,” Heather brainstormed.

“We could say, ‘Could you send a dump truck or something for the bottles we have?’”

Unfortunately, the closest place Debbie Homer knows of that pays for plastic bottles is in California.

“It would be wonderful if we could find somebody to buy the bottles, because we could expand very quickly if we could sell them and turn that cash into buying recycling bins,” Tina said.

Waste Management interested Todd Noe, Waste Management District Manager

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of Four Corners Hauling in Farmington, has expressed interest in Heather’s project.

“We greatly value and appreciate the recycling enthusiasm of Heather and her family in our Farmington community,” he said. “Her passion, combined with Waste Management’s recycling goals can only help further advance the city of Farmington’s commitment to increase recycling participation by area residents and business.

Waste Management will certainly work closer with Heather, the city of Farmington, and Farmington Clean and Beautiful to come up with creative ways to increase community recycling locations and continue Heather’s wonderful and committed

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work in the community.”

Remains humble In spite of her national award, Heather doesn’t talk much about it. She puts her effort into collecting recycled items and brainstorming about how to expand the project.

“I was going around telling everybody about her prize,” Tina said, “but she didn’t tell anybody.

She was very humble about the whole thing.”

SPRING 2013 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 35

Local

Durango’s Rocky Mountain Chocolate factory now has 320 stores

goes global

Story by Lauren Duff Photos by Josh Bishop Frank Crail has a story that is drenched in success. As the founder of the candy-producer, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Crail has turned a simple idea into a chocolaty paradise that has grown internationally.

Some 32 years ago, Crail and his family moved from San Diego, Calif., to the small,

SPRING 2013 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 37

Victorian-style town of Durango, Colo. There, he wanted to open up a business, and he began talking with residents to see where there was a demand. “I actually went up and down Main Street and talked to the merchants about what Durango needed. The consensus was a car wash, but one person mentioned a candy shop,” Crail explained.

Because of Durango’s tourism, Crail thought a candy shop would be the perfect business to accommodate the area, and during Memorial Weekend of 1981 the doors of the first Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory store opened on Main Avenue. “I think over a period, the locals

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thought we put out a good thing,” Crail said.

“Plus, everyone likes chocolate.”

Velvety fudge and the Bear, a paw-size cluster of nuts, chocolate and caramel, were two of the original products at the store, as well as chocolates that were originally made in San Diego at Seely Candy Company. Crail ended up hiring the “master candy maker” Everett Seely, who moved to Durango upon retirement to help Crail and his employees learn how to become chocolatiers. “We were hand-dipping chocolates in a little rented area,” Crail said.

Randy Paulek was one of the original candy makers when the store first opened. He began working at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory 30 years ago and is still there, teaching young candy makers how to perfect the original recipe. “He represents a historical link to the factory and carries on the tradition,” said Ed Dudley, senior vice president in sales and marketing.

Eventually the local Durango chocolate shop expanded to Breckenridge, Colo., and

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then Aspen, Colo. As more and more Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stores opened around the area, Crail decided in 1984 to build a manufacturing plant on the outskirts of Durango. “We had to keep up with the growth,” he said. “We expanded the factory as the store system began to expand.”

Inside the factory

front of customers.

On average, the plant produces around

The 53,000-square-foot plant stands on

300 different items. Some of the more

the side of a mountain and is graced with a

unique items include cheese cake caramel

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory sign that

apples, peanut butter buckets, Ancho Chile

has chocolate pouring from a copper kettle.

truffles, Café au Lait truffles, and white

Inside, the sweet aroma lingers throughout

chocolate macadamia toffee.

the factory as the 200 employees smile and laugh while boxing up chocolate pretzels,

Franchising the business

hand-dipping almond clusters, or pouring golden caramel from a copper kettle onto a

Once the manufacturing plant was built,

granite-surfaced table. “When cooking things

franchising was the next step Crail took to

in a copper kettle the temperature remains

grow his business. Locations such as Park

consistent and the granite surface helps

City, Colo.; Colorado Springs; Vail, Colo.;

everything gradually cool down,” Dudley

and Mammoth Lake, Calif.; were some of the

explained about the candy-making process.

first franchises to open.

“What is unique is half of all the products

“We made sure to have successful fran-

are made in the stores and half are made

chises, and over a period of time it ma-

here in this factory,” Dudley said. The

tured,” Crail said. “We tried to put out good

hand-dipped chocolate strawberries, bananas

chocolates and good franchises and, over 32

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and caramel apples sprinkled with nuts and

years, we built one of the best chocolate

assorted candies are all made in the stores in

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that Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is the largest chocolate business in the country.

With more than 350 stores in the United States, Canada, United Arab Emirates, and Japan, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory has become a chocolate and confectionary giant. Opening up a store in China is the next business venture which Crail said he would like to see happen.

Within the factory, there is a training shop that helps franchisees learn how to cook the recipes and sell the products.

“Anyone can open up a franchise if they want to,” Dudley said. “It doesn’t matter how much experience they have, we will teach them everything they need to know.”

Continuing the tradition The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory has a certain flair that makes it different from other chocolate stores in the country,

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Crail explained. From the uniquely flavored chocolates to locations in airports and historical areas that attract tourists, the company tries to reach out to everyone. “I think we make fine quality chocolates that are hand-made by caring people,” he said.

“We also have a great name.”

Now in every store, customers can see the gooey caramel apples and chocolate dipped strawberries being made, and can stare at the Bear clusters and assorted chocolates that line the glass shelves, leaving them wide-eyed with rumbling stomachs “When you take it at a day at a time, you sort of don’t see those changes. I never thought of what it was going to be or become,” Crail said about the business.

Crail and his family now live in Boise,

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across the globe.

From

to

Career in cooking was irresistible for James Mirabal Story by Lauren Duff Photos by Josh Bishop Flipping burgers and frying French fries at a local McDonalds during high school is how James Mirabal marks the beginning of his cooking career. He said working at this fast food giant helped him prepare and cook food quickly and efficiently. Years later, Mirabal has mastered the culinary arts with 42 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2013

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Mirabal attended high school in Farmington,

cooking. “Culinary is a lot like teaching music and learning about Beethoven or Mozart, it always goes back to the classics,” Mirabal explained.

When he completed culinary school, Mirabal wandered to the East Coast where he tasted different cuisines. “I tried to discover America,” he said, and he also worked in fine dining restaurants in Connecticut and New York City, eventually moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, where he found himself cooking at the restaurant Katz 21. “Working there opened my eyes to cooking high end cuisine with a personalized touch in a timely fashion.”

Mirabal was able to pick up Cajun, German, and Tex-Mex cooking techniques while working in Corpus Christi, which helped develop his comfort food cooking style and is reflected in his kolaches, quiches, pies and cobblers.

“I guess my food is a cross section of America rolled into the heart of a New Mexico chef,” Mirabal explained, admitting that Southwestern cuisine is what is near and dear to his heart.

A healthy lifestyle is also important to Mirabal. “I am for people making healthy decisions for themselves and being knowledgeable about the food that is going into their bodies.”

Although he is a health advocate, Mirabal doesn’t believe in regulating how a person should eat. “When you get into the territory of making people eat a certain way, you’re taking away liberty and freedom, but you are also limiting the experiences of what the world has to offer,” he said.

After venturing to the East Coast, cooking at fine dining steak houses, and honing his craft in Texas, Mirabal moved back to Farmington and

began to work as the banquet chef at the Courtyard By Marriott, where he fell in love with the catering manager, Erin, now his wife of 10 years.

Erin said her husband won her over on the third date, when he cooked grilled lobster with macaroni and cheese risotto and asparagus. “He always concentrates on the flavors. It is really about the taste and taking it to an extreme,” she said about his expertise at being a chef.

Mirabal added that a good chef is also judged on the soup recipes they concoct, which is a skill he has perfected over the years. “The philosophy of my soup is you start with a main focus ingredient then cook it and puree it in a good stock then add cream and season it.”

After working as a banquet chef, Mirabal started a business called Fond Organics, which was a produce distribution service. “I dovetailed that with a personal chef service and used that to produce healthy, organic dinners for people,” he explained, adding that he only uses the freshest ingredients in his recipes.

Even though Mirabal can easily prepare fancy feasts, his simplest food is what is often cherished by the public, such as his sticky cinnamon rolls topped with frosting that he baked at the local Farmer’s Market for four years. “People always asked when we were going to open up our own bakery when they tasted the cinnamon rolls,” Erin explained.

And the Mirabals did just that. In December 2012, the Brown Bag Bakery opened at the intersection of West Aztec Boulevard and Oliver Drive in Aztec. “I wanted to offer Aztec residents something different and I wanted to be there for the weary traveler and people coming in from Durango,” he said. “I always had a soft spot in my heart for Aztec.”

Flaky croissants, steaming chicken pot pies, and cookies the sizes of pies are a few of the treats customers can devour at the Brown Bag Bakery. The green chili rolls are also a popular purchase, as well as the chicken fried steak.

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“I like to give my chefs the artistic license, but use the same governing philoso-

phy, which is simple, bold flavors that are

Mirabal said about the bakery’s food. He

healthy and don’t add any extra fats,”

tries to also keep his menu vague so they “have the freedom to explore new flavors.”

Erin said she is also involved with the business by baking the cakes and decorating the interior of the building so the customers feel welcomed.

Aside from the baking the irresistible treats, the company also offers a catering business that serves an array of events, including corporate breakfasts and wedding receptions.

In the future, Mirabal hopes the Brown Bag Bakery will become a landmark in the area. “We have some consistency that people will expect, but they will be blown away by something that they never have heard of.”

Mirabal hopes eventually to expand his business to other parts of the Four Corners Area, but, more importantly, he will continue to spend time with his family and wake up every morning and go to work in an environment that he loves, where his creativity can soar.

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Janet McHaley Burns, another Farmington artist.

Learning and teaching about how miraculous art can be Story by Debra Mayeux Photos by Tony Bennett

This selfless love for art led Stannard to become involved with the Farmington Downtown Association to promote quarterly Art Walks and to begin the endeavor of a People’s Choice Art Exhibit, featuring works from across the Four Corners Region to show in downtown businesses March 25 through April 12.

Dead juniper trees appeared to be animated and dancing, when Liz Stannard first began studying art 25 years ago. The trees were her inspiration and she always drew them in black and white.

Since that time, Stannard has grown in talent, wisdom and design. “It’s been a natural progression since then,” she said.

Everything she created was in black, white and shades of gray. “I was afraid of color,” Stannard said. That all changed one day when she was sitting at a stoplight – red entered her work. “I figured out what red was about, and then I moved on.”

Stannard has long been a sought after artist in Farmington’s crowd of hidden but well-known talents. She is respected by her colleagues and has a way of promoting all art with a passion.

“I see Liz as being very selfless in her promotion of art.

She doesn’t promote herself, she is promoting art,” said 48 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2013

The idea was borrowed from Rick DeVos, of Grand Rapids, Mich. DeVos does an annual 19-day art event in the fall to bring art enthusiasts into Downtown Grand Rapids.

Churches, restaurants, businesses, museums and galleries become art venues and some 50,000 people visit the area and vote on their favorite works.

Stannard wants the same enthusiasm to build for the local People’s Choice event, which she said could be like the Grand Rapids show, but scaled down to 45 artists, 15 businesses and whatever the population allows to come out and vote on works by local artists.

Also scaled down from the Michigan prize of $200,000, the Farmington People’s Choice has raised enough funds to give the favorite work a $1,000 prize followed by a $750 prize for second, a $500 prize for third and $250 given for two honorable mentions. There also will be a student category with 20 pieces and a $250 prize.

SPRING 2013 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 49

Stannard opened the event up to artists living within a 100-mile radius of Farmington, and she did not place limitations on the entries to make it a juried show. Artists instead had to pay a $25 entry fee to have their work shown, and Stannard decided she would not showcase her own work because she served on the committee.

“Liz is very open to bringing new artists, who have not been a part of the community, into the community,” McHaley Burns said.

“The art community is not closed. It is open.”

This is a result of the work Stannard has done to promote art in the community.

Stannard began promoting art in 2002, when she helped develop a cooperative gallery in Aztec. She went on to help develop shows at the Teasyatwho Gallery, also in Aztec. This partnership ended in 2006, and she set her sights on Farmington and struck up a deal with the owners of the now-closed Andrea Kristina’s Bookstore and Kafé to show art.

50 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2013

“She has been generous with her time and energy. She has worked selflessly to promote downtown,” McHaley Burns said.

This is because, to Stannard, art is not just something she does – it has been her teacher, her journey and her livelihood.

She has done all types of works from giant praying mantises on yellow backgrounds to bright red traffic lights, and her latest work that deals with people being willingly trapped by technology. Her portrait project was one of the most poignant, leaving Stannard with a long line of people hiring her to paint them.

Stannard began the portrait journey with a simple philosophy. “I wanted to believe all of us are equal,” she said. “On some level spiritually – we are.”

She created a grid and began placing people on the squares. This process allowed Stannard to make people equal.

As she photographed her subjects and painted their portraits on the grid, she began making the grid smaller and smaller. After she

lost her husband to illness, the grid was 4/10 of inch. Then, she plotted out the people and they appeared “very digital,” Stannard explained. “After I did four or five of them, life had become overwhelming.”

Stannard said she learned from the process and the canvas became her teacher, letting her know to take one step at a time until she could cope with the loss. “Art can be miraculous – if you listen to it, spend time with it, it’s going to tell you something, a truth,” she explained. “I became an art preacher.”

And the natural progression began again for Stannard. She not only preached with her art, but has been preaching about art for nearly a decade. Her hope is to continue to promote art and teach the community to love and appreciate it so that art will have a place in the region for many years to come.

“She has a bigger vision for what she would like Farmington to be,” McHaley Burns said of Stannard. “She is an awesome artist. She is very talented and that gives her credibility.”

The away, Pickering met a touring pianist who planted the seed of inspiration in his musical soul.

of life

Wladimir Kochanski, a Texas-born pianist who changed his name and toured the U.S. as the People’s Pianist, came to

Prodigy or not, Pickering has mad piano skills Story by Debra Mayeux Photos by Tony Bennett

Sheldon Pickering began playing the piano at the age of 6, with his mother encouraging lessons after she noticed he might have some talent. The child, however,

a piano teacher who said the instrument wasn’t for him, this Farmington man would not give up his desire to tickle the ivories.

from the audience to sit on his lap and perform a classical work.

“I remember he got really sweaty,”

did not like to read music. He played by ear

Pickering said. “He used my little finger to

and made up his own tunes. Most piano

help him play this amazing song. It might

instructors frowned at this rebellion, and the

have been fate that he chose me.”

first to try and train young Pickering advised the family to stop wasting their time.

Turned away in his youth by

Farmington. He picked a young Pickering

Pickering, however, would not give up. “I really had a passion for it,” he said.

Today, at the age of 31, he is Farmington’s premier pianist.

While his first music teacher turned him

Pickering’s mother began the search for a new piano teacher, and she found Catherine McElroy. “With her, all my fears and cares subsided. She was really a friend and she really cared.”

Under McElroy’s direction, Pickering came into his own on the piano. By the time he SPRING 2013 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 53

was 13, Kochanski returned to Farmington and asked the young pianist to perform for him.

Then he invited Pickering to attend a few master classes. In a year Pickering began performing locally in restaurants and theaters.

His first gig was playing piano during dinner at the now-closed Brass Apple restaurant each Friday and at the Riverwalk each Saturday.

“This really expanded my playing,” Pickering said. He started out as a classically trained pianist and had maybe three performance songs in his repertoire. Playing for the restaurant crowd, he needed to develop an ambiance for diners. “It was a learning laboratory.”

who could improve the sound with other in-

Pickering soon discovered the Great Stan-

because Pickering likes to keep things fresh

struments. Sheldon and Friends became a quasi Big Band group that has offers to play gigs almost every weekend.

The group is made up of Pickering, Rusty

and the new arrival Tanner. Connor enjoys he also knows that it is his job to take center

“It’s magical and amazing to play with Sheldon and be associated with him on that level,”

stage.

Connor announced proudly that he plays

Simkins said. He has never heard Pickering

piano just as good as his dad, but that he re-

make a mistake; because he is one of the most

ally wants to play Rusty’s drum. He climbed in

talented musicians Simkins has ever heard.

“He’s literally a prodigy.”

As a group, the men rarely rehearse,

him is interesting. We rarely play a song the

he also had to keep the music interesting. “I

same way twice,” Simkins said.

skill, and also picked up a few musician friends

couple has three children: Jada, 5, Connor, 4,

derson and Darryn Kamae.

tra, Henry Mancini and Harry Connick Jr., but

Throughout the years, he developed his

Pickering is married to Mandi, and the

spending time with Sheldon and the band, but

with a lot of improvisation. “Performing with

taught me to improvise,” he said.

Pickering said. “This is all for fun.”

Simkins, Dave Ortiz, Jeff Body, Delbert An-

dards and fell in love with the sounds of Sina-

had to do something with the songs, so this

“Our family is all very important to us,”

Sheldon and Friends chooses to perform every other weekend, so the members can work their full-time day jobs and still have time with their families.

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his dad’s lap and began drinking a nearby glass of water, before announcing to Pickering: “Hey Dad, I want to be your best buddy.”

Pickering assured the child that he was and took out time for a quick snuggle and a kiss on the forehead. “Someone told me once that you’re going to have your kids your whole life, but they’re only going to be small for a little while,” he said.

That is why Pickering spends quality time with his family in between performing and running a full-service cleaning business. He and Mandi purchased On the Spot Cleaning in 2009 from Josh and Amy Atencio. It was a small carpet cleaning company.

“I was tired of working in the car industry,” Pickering said, adding he was ready to give up on his studies to become a counselor. “Sometimes I think I can do more good being a counselor by not being a counselor.”

He began to focus on the business by taking cleaning jobs any time he could get them. He also sought advice from his Great-Uncle Bill Wells, who founded Clean Sweep Janitorial.

“Uncle Bill gave me some great advice and a lot of help,” Pickering said.

Then, he began receiving offers to clean up new home constructions, banks, offices, and even medical facilities. “I always enjoyed cleaning. If I was stressed as a teenager, I would clean. I would scrub the counters,” Pickering said.

On the Spot, however, took cleaning a step further than dusting, mopping and sweeping.

Pickering trained his employees to respect the

54 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2013

environment in which they work. “Every client

closest friends.

relationship is a sacred trust,” he said, adding

Pickering can be seen playing weekends at

that this philosophy envelopes the rest of his

St. Clair’s Winery and Bistro and at various local

life – from dealing with his family and

venues. He also has had gigs as far away as

co-musicians, to the people who enjoy his

Artesia and Phoenix, and his performances are

performances.

always done for the love of his craft. “Music has

When he first started performing gigs,

immense power. You can play something sad

Pickering didn’t have a lot of equipment and

and see the mood change,” he said. “People

his keyboard wasn’t up to par. Local musician

love to see live music. It’s fun to see the

Robin Woodard would loan him her keyboard

excitement.”

and equipment. “Now when young musicians

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He also gives back to the community that has supported his musical journey by performing

button,” he said.

“Sometimes life is like a really great CD you

benefit concerts as well as an annual Christmas

are listening to. It may be exciting, but you have

show, where the ticket price is a can of food,

to hit the pause button,” Pickering said.

and all the goodies are given to the food bank.

He can “pause” everything else in his life,

“He’s an exceptional person for what he

and sit down at home to the piano, which can

does for people. He has a lot of compassion,”

be the entire orchestra, and enjoy the

Simkins said of Pickering, who also is one of his

symphony of his life.

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Center’s leadership intimately aware of clients’ needs

for such a transplant that he was diagnosed with

Story by Sherri Grona Photos by Tony Bennett

Carver went on to say that he is alive today

hyperparathyroidism. In short, hyperparathyroidism causes increased calcium and phosphate levels in the body resulting in damage to bone. In his case, both of Carver’s legs had to be amputated in 1989. because of the generosity of a Farmington family that participated in the organ donor program. In 1994, he

The leadership for the San Juan Center for Independence intimately understands the needs of the disabled community. Executive Director Branda Parker

underwent a kidney transplant that allowed him to lead the active life he does today.

“After the transplant, I had more energy and more

and Chief Financial Officer Tim Carver are themselves

free time,” he said. “I felt more normal. I felt like a

disabled. This gives them a unique perspective on how

new person.”

to best serve their consumers, Parker said recently.

The San Juan Center for Independence is “a

With his new-found energy, Carver wanted to do more and, at the suggestion of a college adviser,

community based non-profit agency that was

sought a position on the Center for Independence’s

established by people with disabilities for people with

board of directors. Carver joined the board in the

disabilities,” according to the organization’s website.

mid 1990s and then became the agencies CFO in

This aspect of the center is one of the many things

2004.

that make it unique compared to other area non-profits. The staff and volunteer board who serve the disabled consumers, must be disabled themselves,

“I thought I could do more good for the center in that position,” he said.

With an operating budget of $4.1 million in 2012,

Carver explained. Specifically, 51 percent of the

the center provides a variety of cross-disability

board and 51 percent of the staff must be disabled.

services, including independent living skills training,

Parker’s disability resulted from a 2008

advocacy, small-interest loans and personal care

work-related accident that caused thoracic outlet

options. Cross-disability means that all disability types

syndrome. Thoracic outlet syndrome is a rare

are serviced by the center.

condition that involves pain in the neck and shoulder,

“We serve anyone with a disability who comes

numbness and tingling of the fingers, and a weak grip.

through the door,” he said. “We offer one-stop

The condition affects Parker's right arm making it dif-

shopping for resources and referrals and that makes

ficult for her to lift things or to perform activities

us unique.”

such as cleaning her house.

Some of the center’s offerings focus on providing

In 1986, doctors diagnosed Carver, then 25, with

assistance to those with traumatic brain injuries, devel-

end stage renal disease. In order to stay alive, Carver

opmental disabilities and physical impairments. It’s this

underwent dialysis three times each week while

cross-disability focus that also makes the organization

awaiting a kidney transplant. It was while preparing

unique. Many similar agencies serve only one or two SPRING 2013 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 57

disabilities, Carver explained.

Parker, who grew up in San Juan County, and her brothers were raised by a mother who knew the importance of giving back.

“Our mother was always taking care of people,” she said, adding that her mother was her inspiration to earn her degree in social work.

It was her mother’s example that led Parker to want to do more for the center. Nearly, one year ago she moved into the position of executive director.

She had been working with the organization for several years in various capacities – traumatic brain injury assistance, independent living specialist, and nursing home transitionist – when she decided to apply for the promotion.

“I was worried about the consumers and the staff,” she said. “I didn’t want someone to come in who didn’t know the heart and soul of the center and change everything.”

Parker said she misses working with the consumers one-on-one, but now she can advocate for them on a higher level.

Parker said she is very proud of her staff and the level of professionalism they bring to the consumers.

“For a lot of them, it’s not even about the job,” she said. “It’s about helping the consumer.”

More than anything, the desire to see their consumers living independent lives is what drives the staff at the center, Parker added.

“The center belongs to our consumers. We work for them,” Parker said.

“We give them a place where they can come and feel like they are home.”

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‘No

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better job in the world’ neuter. During the conversation, his English

Veterinarian of the Year by the New Mexico

Bulldogs – 8-month-old Gertie and

Veterinarian Medicine Association, Garcia’s

18-month-old Moses – romped on the floor

first taste of being a vet came under the

and climbed in and out of the vet’s lap.

guidance of Dr. Lloyd Lillywhite.

“My dad said I should be a professional and the first example he gave was a veterinarian. I still remember where I was.

That’s how profound it was,” Garcia recalled. He got his first experience in his future career by cleaning stalls for Dr. Lillywhite.

Garcia, a native New Mexican, graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1991. He served briefly in the Navy before receiving his undergraduate degree at New Mexico Tech in Socorro. He went on to attend a cooperative program between Oregon and Washington state universities and received his doctor of veterinarian medicine degree in 2000. He worked at Valley Veterinarian Clinic in Farmington and then Montana Veterinary Specialist and General Care in Helena, Mont. Garcia joined San Juan Veterinarian Hospital in 2004 and became a partner in the practice in 2008. He is licensed in dentistry, surgery and medicine.

“There’s no better job in the world, as far as I’m concerned. This is what I’m meant to do,” Garcia said. “I find solace in pets and their owners. In all the craziness that goes on – the abnormal things that happen every day – there’s a peace that I have when I’m with clients and patients. There’s a belonging, and that’s where I need to be.”

Several years ago Garcia became involved in the movement to construct a larger animal shelter in Farmington. The current animal shelter, located near the city’s waste water treatment plant, is more than 30 years old. With no room for expansion, it contains a total of 54 animal enclosures – not enough to handle the volume even of the daily intake. Additionally, none of the

Both dogs have cardiac abnormalities.

“Who better to take care of them,” Garcia said as he loved on the two. “Our lives revolve around them.”

His love and compassion for animals is what drives Garcia and his commitment to see more animals in the county spayed and

Garcia’s passion is improving the lives of pets Story by Sherri Grona Photos by Josh Bishop

neutered. Every dog and cat should be cared for, have a loving home, a fully belly and the medical attention it needs. That is just not a possible reality under the current situation, he said.

The failure to spay and neuter is one of the main reasons for this, and the resulting overpopulation is why so many animals have to be killed, he explained.

This year alone, more than 8,000 dogs

“It means that a dog or a cat is colder

and cats will be euthanized in San Juan

than it should be; hungrier than it should be;

County. A local veterinarian, along with his

and isn’t loved as it should be. Never mind

colleagues, has made it his mission to reduce

that it’s not getting the medical care that it

this number and ensure that animals receive

needs,” Garcia said. “At the hospital, I see

the care and love they need and deserve.

people who love their animals and want the

According to the San Juan Animal League, 73 percent of the animals admitted to area animal shelter will be killed. Nationally, the

best for their pets, but I also see the worst.

That’s heartbreaking.”

Garcia added that animals, especially

Humane Society of the United States

pets, deserve better from the people and

estimates that animal shelters care for 6 to 8

communities charged with their care.

million dogs and cats every year in the

“They wake up every day and they love

United States. Of that number approximately

you,” he said. “They don’t have that choice.

3 to 4 million are euthanized. Although the

That’s who they are.”

overall numbers have decreased from a high

When he was young, Garcia wanted to be

of 12 to 20 million euthanized annually in

a pipe fitter in the oil and gas industry.

the 1970s, Dr. Manuel Garcia said more

However, a not so gentle nudge from his dad

work is needed.

took him in a different direction. Today he is

Garcia recently sat down for an interview at his home to discuss the issues of pet overpopulation and the need to spay and

a veterinarian recognized for his commitment to the welfare of animals in San Juan County and throughout New Mexico. Recently named

SPRING 2013 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 61

the daily intake. Additionally, none of the

like him.”

dog kennels meet Humane Society of the

“I put the information in a spreadsheet

Dr. Garcia agreed. “What we’re providing

and sent it to her. I thought I was done,” he

United States regulations for space required

them with is something to eat, a place to get

said. However, he soon found himself sitting

per dog, and several dogs must be kept in

out of the weather and a chance to find a

on a committee and providing input as the

each kennel, according to the city’s website

loving home.”

city of Farmington built and equipped the

on the project.

The groundbreaking for the new building,

Even though the new building will improve the sheltering situation, it doesn’t necessarily

new auxiliary facility.

The vet, who performs the surgeries on his

on Wednesday, Feb. 13, marked a milestone

address the overpopulation problem. This is

day off, approached several of his colleagues

for the project, which has been in the works

where increased spaying and neutering comes

and established a collective of doctors who

for more than seven years. The new 14,987-

in.

provide their services to the shelter Monday

square-foot shelter, located just off Browning

“The pet overpopulation problem in San

through Friday. The veterinarians associated

Parkway near the Farmington Multi-Opera-

Juan County is staggering. There are a lot of

with the spay \ neuter program performed

tional Center, will have the capacity to house

unwanted animals here,” Garcia said. “That’s

960 surgeries in 2012. They did this without

170 dogs, 130 cats and five exotic animals. It

the thing we grapple with as a community.

concern for competition and in the best

also will allow caretakers to increase the

How do we solve this problem? There’s not

interests of the animals.

holding period for the animals and, it is

an easy answer. That’s why we do what we do

hoped, improve the adoption opportunities.

– try to help reduce that population.”

Animal Shelter Advisory Committee

In 2004, the city’s former animal services

“We put everything aside and do the best we can to help out,” Garcia said.

He added that the creation of the

Member Betty Berry said she has enjoyed

supervisor approached Garcia and asked him

spay/neuter program has been his greatest

serving on the board with Dr. Garcia. “He’s a

to find out how much it would cost to set up

career achievement. Other achievements

vital source of information and above all, he

a surgical suite at the animal shelter to spay

include a recent reappointment to the New

loves animals. We’re lucky to have someone

and neuter strays before they were adopted.

Mexico Board of Veterinarian Medicine by Governor Susana Martinez, R-N.M. His initial appointment came in early 2012. This board is charged with overseeing the licensing process for veterinarians and facilities, as well as ensuring that both comply with state and federal laws and requirements. Garcia explained that the veterinarian medicine board also plays a key role in guiding animal-welfare related legislation.

What does the future hold?

Garcia isn’t sure.

“I take challenges as they come,” he said.

“Every day, I want to be a better husband, stepfather, grandfather and veterinarian than I was yesterday. By the very nature [of the job], I don’t think about long-term goals.

Because tomorrow when I show up I need to be who I need to be for that pet at that moment.

“I just want to practice medicine, and that’s what is at my core. My ultimate goal is to continue to do that and to try to do it well.”

62 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2013

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Rebecca Tally’s life is a real page-turner Story by Debra Mayeux Photos by Tony Bennett Fiction often mimics life, as authors share

Rebecca Talley, who has written and

world that is overrun by demonic forces pos-

published two children’s books, four novels

sessing humans who choose to do evil.

and a how-to-write book. All but one has to do with Talley’s real-life experiences.

The one story that strays from Talley’s

“I wanted to write a story about a girl who has a really bright aura, and make her aura bright because it is a reflection of her

real-life dramas is her newest book, which

life’s choices,” she said. “The choices we

she chose to self-publish for the Kindle.

make, make our life brighter or dim it.”

the stories they know with their readers. This

Aura is the story of a teenage girl whose pu-

is almost always the case for local author

rity gives her strength to battle demons, in a

Talley, a 49-year-old, stay-at-home mom also is a member of the Church of Jesus SPRING 2013 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 65

Christ of Latter-day Saints, and this has played a big role in her writing. Her first three novels featured LDS characters with the church in many ways coming and giving them strength in times of hardship.

Aura offers similar philosophy, with a supernatural twist. “I wanted it to be a paranormal fantasy of people fighting demons,” Talley said. She also places a heavy emphasis on purity. “Girls get this message – it’s not cool to be a virgin – I wanted to write a book that empowers girls; let them know it’s OK to wait.”

The on-line book was released in December for Kindle, but it also is available for the Nook and in print. It has received some good reviews online.

“Aura sucked me in from the first page.

The book is intense and well-written,” said Cami Checketts. “I loved that Crystal is innocent and makes a conscious choice to stay that way in the face of intense pressure. I

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would recommend Aura to young adults on up.”

C. Michelle Jefferies wrote, “I loved the

One thing, however, was clear: “The minute I held my son, I just wanted to hold him,” she said, adding that after spending seven years

classic good vs. evil in Aura. I loved that Crys-

with Jared she understands the public has many

tal made the conscious choice to be good in

misconceptions about Down Syndrome.

spite of feelings and doubts. I also loved the

“He can work the computer better than I

idea of demons possessing someone who had

can,” she explained. “He understands and he

made dark choices, or greedy bargains. The

processes things.”

book is clean and well handled in spite of the serious subject matter.”

The Upside of Down received multiple good reviews on Amazon, where Talley’s books are

Talley raised her 10 children to live clean

available for purchase. “Laugh out loud funny,

lives on a farm in Red Mesa, Colo., where she

poignant, educational, and touching – a great

spends her days cooking, cleaning and doing

reminder that the struggles of parenthood pro-

laundry.

duce some amazing upsides,” wrote R.

Her first book, Grasshopper Pie, was in-

Anderson, of Utah.

spired by Madolyn, 15, and Logan, 17, when

Valerie Steimley of Loxley, Ala., said the

they were young and playing a cooking came.

book was “a very interesting story which is

Talley had been scrubbing her bathroom floor,

heartwarming and inspiring.”

when she noticed the children with a green

Talley always shares a bit of inspiration in

creature that they wanted her to eat. “They

her novels. The first three – Heaven Scent,

were trying to feed me a live grasshopper,”

Altared Plans and The Upside of Down share

Talley said. She wrote the book and her

stories about her life and her faith. These

23-year-old daughter Angela illustrated it.

books were printed by LDS publishing

Talley’s eldest child is Clayton, 25, and he just made her and husband, Del, grandparents

companies.

The issues addressed in the books, however,

with the birth of baby Zaydree. There is An-

are far deeper, dealing with real-life issues,

gela, Rachel, 22; Olivia, 20; Logan and

thus reaching a broader audience than LDS

Madolyn, Savannah, 13; Noah, 12; Emma, 9,

readers.

and the baby Jared, 7, who was born with

Talley worked on Heaven Scent for four

Down Syndrome, and became the inspiration

years. It was her first novel, but she would not

for Talley’s The Upside of Down.

give up on it. Her plan was to become a writer

She said Jared has taught the entire family a

after she was through having children. “I kept

number of lessons about life and love, and Tal-

having kids,” she explained, so Tally had to

ley wanted to share those with her readers.

find time to write.

The Upside of Down is the story of a woman

In between running a full house, she has five

struggling to raise a large family and deal with

children in school and all of them are involved

a difficult mother. “She finds out she is preg-

in extracurricular activities – from cheerleading

nant again,” Talley said. When the child is born

to acting. “There’s lots going on, and I have to

he has Down Syndrome.

be able to multi-task,” Talley said.

The book delves into how a mother comes

Along with multi-tasking, she has to find

to terms with this diagnosis, when she thought

time to write. “I try to write an hour every

everything was fine while she was pregnant.

day,” she said. “If I’m on a deadline, I try to

Talley asked herself and her character “How

eke out more time.”

will I deal with this and still have other children who need me,” she explained.

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One lesson she has learned is “We find time

* Tally

80 SPRING 2013 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 67

Retirement more than a full-time job for Joel and Trudy Farrell

hoots gallery, Trudy schedules the artist members to cover morning and afternoon gallery shifts, heads the reception committee for Art Walks, and orients new members.

Trudy’s own creative work shines in one of the glass display cases. This author treasures a nature-inspired necklace fashioned by Trudy’s own hands.

Trudy’s art talents manifest themselves from finely fashioned jewelry, to

Story by Vicky Ramakka Photos by Tony Bennett

watercolors which brighten the gallery, to eye-catching tabletop displays in their home, to the broad paint strokes that recently gave a facelift to the In

On most Thursdays you’ll find Trudy Farrell work-

Cahoots’ storefront.

ing at Three Rivers Women’s Collective; on a weekday you might see Joel Farrell heading out of town with a van load of cats and

Art is fun-derful While interviewing her at the gallery; I listened in

dogs; then again on a summer evening you’re likely

on Trudy’s conversation with

to find Joel and Trudy greeting visitors at the

another artist as they strategized on how to make an

Anasazi outdoor amphitheater. Yes, there’s a pattern

upcoming workshop a positive

here – helping make their community a better place

experience for participants. For Trudy, art is “fun-

to live.

derful.” She wants to make it that way for everyone.

“We’re busier than when we were

It’s been five years since Trudy retired from teach-

working,” says Trudy. No rocking chairs for this cou-

ing part-time in the San Juan College art department.

ple. Joel reveals, “It was a little scary to retire, par-

Trudy shared her love of art with college students for

ticularly for people of my

15 years. She also taught art in the University of New

generation. Our work was our identity.” Now he

Mexico Farmington Center’s graduate program, as

lends his management skills to several local organiza-

well as the Art for Elementary Teachers courses, intro-

tions. Likewise, Trudy finds a number of outlets

ducing beginning teachers to techniques for enriching

where she can share her passion for art.

their own classrooms with color, shape and design.

As a member of the Festival of Trees Committee,

Trudy can’t recall just how art became her life’s

Trudy helps with special events and does the deco-

focus, but it always has been. Perhaps her talent is in-

rations for the civic

herent, as she describes an early childhood remem-

center lobby. “It lets me express my ‘arte’ side and

brance of a family gathering. “I drew a horse, and

help raise funds for Presbyterian Medical Services.

everyone was quite impressed. I’ve always enjoyed

All of the money raised comes back into our com-

working with my hands, and my sense of color is

munity – that’s the important part.”

great big,” she says, spreading arms wide and flashing

A cornerstone of the Three Rivers Women’s collective, TRWC, Trudy is surrounded by art. A mem-

her winning grin.

Trudy’s interest sharpened into a deep apprecia-

ber since its beginning, Trudy takes pride in its

tion of the role art plays in human history and culture

success. TRWC’s mission to foster, promote, edu-

through her Bachelor’s in Fine Arts degree from the

cate, and

University of New Mexico, and then preparing for an

encourage the creative artists of San Juan County is

art-related career with a Master’s in Art

perfectly in keeping with Trudy’s personal and pro-

Education, also from UNM.

fessional immersion in art.

In addition to taking her turn at TRWC’s In Ca-

This led to a job teaching art for grades kindergarten through twelve in the small SPRING 2013 | MAJESTIC LIVING |69

town of Magdalena. Children from the Alamo

current culture, religious expression, contem-

planning to honor the LLs, and Trudy is

reservation area also attended the Magdalena

porary design – all those aspects,” Trudy

helping to research the history of the group.

school, giving Trudy experience using art to

explains, wanting students to understand that

reach across cultures and languages. “It was

art is not just reading a book and drawing a

Trudy joins with TRWC’s active members in

an old mining town and cow town – a

picture.

expanding community involvement with art.

memorable experience for a young teacher,” Trudy recalls.

Trudy lauds San Juan College as another

While acknowledging the earlier artists,

TRWC entices many visitors to browse the In

advantage of the Farmington community. “It

Cahoots’ gallery during Art Walk evenings.

meant a lot to me, just the whole environ-

Members have donated original art works to

met Joel, who was working for the Bureau of

ment there. If I wasn’t teaching, I was taking

the Four Corners Humane Society’s Bits and

Land Management. They married and soon

workshops and classes,” she says. Trudy re-

Bites fundraiser. Trudy and other members

came their first child, Emily, then son Elliott.

mains involved as a member of the San Juan

connect the community to avenues of

When Joel received a transfer to Farmington,

College Fine Arts Committee.

creativity by teaching affordable workshops

It was on a trip to nearby Socorro that she

Trudy was delighted. “As a mom with

When Trudy began teaching at SJC, Kathy

on new techniques.

toddlers, I was impressed with so many parks

Walling was director of the college’s art

Next big milestone for Trudy and Joel is

in Farmington.” Trudy’s hiatus from teaching

gallery. Trudy acknowledges Walling as a

the BIG WEDDING. Daughter Emily is getting

ended when Elliott turned 4 and Trudy began

mentor. Walling invited Trudy to join the LLs

married in May in Fayetteville, Ark.

teaching at San Juan College.

– the Loose Ladies – meaning to loosen up Involvement Snowballs

“I loved seeing students click and gain

and enjoy painting. Started in the early ’70s,

confidence and find their abilities, to see

this group of artists determined to make time

how far they would come in a semester. I

to paint together once a week, calling

led Joel and Trudy to volunteer with the

wanted to share a depth of knowledge that

themselves the Loose Ladies. Trudy felt hon-

Anasazi Foundation which supports Sandstone

art and creativity expresses. Art history,

ored to be invited to join. Now, TRWC is

Productions at the outdoor amphitheatre on

It was Emily’s involvement with theater that

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the north side of Farmington. Emily is well

year and plunged into activities he never

known to Farmington’s theater community as

had time for when working. “I’ve had a very

stage manager, costume manager, and actress

rewarding and productive life with BLM. I

over several summer seasons. Trudy points

feel it’s important to give back to your

out the summer productions demonstrate a

community.�

noteworthy partnership between the city of

Joel walks his talk. He is president of the

Farmington and the Anasazi Foundation –

Anasazi Foundation, the San Juan Animal

resulting in excellent entertainment for the

League, and out-going president of the

community and out-of-town visitors alike.

Salmon Ruins Board of Directors. “If you are

Helping out for a few evening perform-

in the community and want to shape things,

ances was a natural thing for Joel and Trudy

you just have to get involved. There are

to do. Their involvement grew and they

many levels of involvement. Take the

began attending regular meetings. Next thing

opportunity to express your ideas, to see

they realized, Joel was president of the

that things are being done.�

Anasazi Foundation. “My skills as a manager with BLM helps,�

Not one to seek fanfare, but drawing on his great capacity for patience and

relates Joel, having spent 37 years working

persistence, Joel was instrumental in

for the Bureau of Land Management. He

completing a number of multi-year projects

spent the last 23 years as Assistant Field

for the betterment of the area. He is proud

Manager overseeing the Farmington Field

of shepherding land transfers allowing

Office, which encompasses more than two

community facilities be built on public lands.

million acres of public land. He retired last

When the Lybrook refinery turned into a

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SPRING 2013 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 71

blazing fireball across the highway from the

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elementary school, everybody knew something had to change. Joel focused BLM staff on finding a more suitable site for the school. Joel feels a real sense of satisfaction every time he drives to Albuquerque and passes the new school, now located well away from a hazardous site.

Throughout his career, Joel has hired and mentored many employees. He is especially supportive of the student intern program that provides

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door and learn the skills to become productive employees. The program offers a two-way benefit, to understand their needs, as well.�

He speaks fondly of one young woman who started as a wildlife biologist and now has a career

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Joel continues to receive satisfaction from his work, even though it’s volunteer work. “Most rewarding is my work with San Juan Animal League and with animal rescue,� Joel says, “I’m involved in an organization that is actively doing, and seeing the results.�

In addition to serving as president, Joel helps at the nine low-cost vaccination clinics sponsored through the year by the San Juan Animal League. “It provides a service to a lot of citizens who may otherwise [have to] forego help which their animals need.� Prior to each clinic, Trudy works behind the scenes, preparing vaccination certificates to be filled out at each clinic. Along with neighbors and friends, Trudy has probably assembled more than 20,000 certificates over the past six years, making sure they are ready for the many volunteers who help at the clinics.

Serenade to Cortez Joel is also involved with animal rescue efforts – way involved. Along with a small group of dedicated volunteers, he helps transport excess cats and dogs from Aztec and Farmington animal shelters to

72 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2013

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Glover’s been in the spotlight most of her life Story by Lauren Duff Since she was young, Merritt Glover has enjoyed being in front of the cameras or standing on stage under the spotlight. From

on plays and perform songs pretty much

At the age of 7, Glover auditioned for a

straight out of the womb,” Glover said with

minor role as a pioneer child in Silent

a chuckle.

Tongue, a film directed by Sam Shepard near

She would audition for the lead roles in

Roswell. River Phoenix, Alan Bates, and

her preschool Christmas pageants and per-

Richard Harris were a few of the lead actors

sistently beg her mom to allow her to go to

in the western.

Los Angeles and become a child star.

“When she asked to go to Hollywood, I

It wasn’t until 1997 when Glover and her family moved to Farmington that her acting

having a minor role in a movie directed by

always said you need to be a child first,”

Sam Shepard at the age of 7, to scoring a

said Sally Cammon, Glover’s mother.

speaking part on the hit television show,

Cammon recalled the first memory of her

enrolled in speech, debate, and theater,

Breaking Bad, 21 years later, Glover has

daughter acting was when she performed the

where she met the drama teacher David

never given up her dream of acting.

entire Secret Garden script in the gardens of

Huber. “He was incredible for us because he

Born and raised in Roswell, Glover has

a Santa Fe bed and breakfast. “We were just

pushed us to perform some pretty heavy mate-

always had a desire to entertain audiences of

blown away that this child was acting out the

rial that high schoolers don’t normally do,”

all sizes. “My parents said that I would put

entire script,” Cammon said.

Glover said, referring to the plays Thoreau

74 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2013

skills began to flourish.

She attended Farmington High School and

Images courtesy of American Movie Classics

and Blood Wedding by Spanish dramatist

Portland, Ore., because of the “big theater

cancer and becomes involved with the drug

Federico García Lorca. “(Huber) had a huge

scene” there. “I moved up there for three

trade to secure his family’s finances.

impact on my acting,” she admitted.

years and was in plays back to back. I per-

Attending the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque was the next chapter in Glover’s life. She received a full-ride schol-

Almost immediately, Glover moved back

formed in anything I could get my hands on,”

to Albuquerque to become part of this

she said.

unique television show, which became her

Acting on stage was her preference until

big break. “My hope was getting involved in

arship to attend the university, which en-

one afternoon Glover was watching the tele-

an agency so I could start auditioning,” she

abled her to focus on performing in theater

vision station AMC and the pilot episode of

said.

productions without worrying about getting

Breaking Bad appeared. “I thought this show

a side job to pay for her education. “It was

is going to revolutionize television and I

Glover was selected to be the stand-in for

an amazing theater program and I had great

moved out here at the wrong time,” she ex-

Breaking Bad’s lead actress, Anna Gunn, who

professor who helped prepare me for both

plained. “People haven’t really tried this

plays Skylar, Walter White’s wife. The stand-

film and television,” Glover said, who gradu-

script before,” Glover said about the show,

in’s role is to look similar to the lead char-

ated with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

which is about New Mexico chemistry teacher

acter and help set up camera angles and

Walter White, played by actor Bryan

lighting by marking where that lead character

Cranston, who is diagnosed with Stage 3

will be filmed. “I was a red head before

Realizing she wanted to try something different after graduation, Glover moved to

Moving to Albuquerque paid off, when

SPRING 2013 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 75

Images courtesy of American Movie Classics

and Blood Wedding by Spanish dramatist

Portland, Ore., because of the “big theater

cancer and becomes involved with the drug

Federico García Lorca. “(Huber) had a huge

scene” there. “I moved up there for three

trade to secure his family’s finances.

impact on my acting,” she admitted.

years and was in plays back to back. I

Attending the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque was the next chapter in Glover’s life. She received a full-ride schol-

Almost immediately, Glover moved back

performed in anything I could get my hands

to Albuquerque to become part of this

on,” she said.

unique television show, which became her

Acting on stage was her preference until

big break. “My hope was getting involved in

arship to attend the university, which en-

one afternoon Glover was watching the tele-

an agency so I could start auditioning,” she

abled her to focus on performing in theater

vision station AMC and the pilot episode of

said.

productions without worrying about getting

Breaking Bad appeared. “I thought this show

a side job to pay for her education. “It was

is going to revolutionize television and I

Glover was selected to be the stand-in for

an amazing theater program and I had great

moved out here at the wrong time,” she

Breaking Bad’s lead actress, Anna Gunn, who

professor who helped prepare me for both

explained. “People haven’t really tried this

plays Skylar, Walter White’s wife. The stand-

film and television,” Glover said, who

script before,” Glover said about the show,

in’s role is to look similar to the lead char-

graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

which is about New Mexico chemistry teacher

acter and help set up camera angles and

Walter White, played by actor Bryan

lighting by marking where that lead character

Cranston, who is diagnosed with Stage 3

will be filmed. “I was a red head before

Realizing she wanted to try something different after graduation, Glover moved to

Moving to Albuquerque paid off, when

SPRING 2013 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 75

Breaking Bad, and they asked if I would die my hair blonde to look like Skylar White,” Glover said, who has been with the show for almost two years now.

“Working as a stand-in has helped me by watching these incredible actors do what they do.

Anna Gunn and Bryan Cranston are two of the nicest people ever and honing my craft by watching them is one of the best parts,” Glover explained.

She also met “the love of her life” while working on the set.

Because of her dedication to improve her acting skills, Glover recently scored a speaking part as a car wash customer in an episode of Breaking Bad’s last season.

“It is a little unreal,” Cammon said about Glover’s speaking part on the show. “I think she is the bravest person in the world to stick it out and make it happen.”

The last eight episodes of Breaking Bad are being filmed now, Glover said, who hopes to continue auditioning in New Mexico and Los Angeles once the show has ended. “I want to be working full-time in this industry in whatever capacity that means,” she said, referring to working on sets and continuing to learn and grow.

“I think the next logical step is to go to Los Angeles,” Cammon said. “Merritt and I went out there in October of last year to visit Anna Gunn and she had an audition when we were there. That to me shows where the activity is really happening.”

Glover loves being a storyteller because “it shows the human condition and what it’s like to be on this crazy planet of ours,” she explained. “I’m so happy to say I work for Breaking Bad because they do it right. This is what television should be.”

Glover said she is not a “self-made woman” and it takes much support from family and friends to continue acting. “There are hard days when you don’t get the audition when you thought you did great, and everyone has been there for me during every single moment,” she explained.

“You need a good head on your shoulders and I have that because of all the people around me.

That is really humbling and something I have a lot of appreciation for.”

76 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2013

Located on the Northwest corner of Dustin Avenue and Piñon Hills Boulevard in Farmington, New Mexico 3LQRQ+LOOV&KXUFK FRP

M L

Coolest Things A tech savvy spring

1

We cannot run from it, we can’t ignore it, and it’s not going to go away, so we might as well enjoy the fact that we live in a technology driven world. Advances in technology have altered pretty much everything we do. Granted, digital age has brought with it some work, privacy and educational issues, but it also given us some conveniences and products that make our lives easier. From the extremely helpful to the ridiculous, technology has given retailers lots of new ways for us to spend our money. Below are some of the new gadgets for spring that will either have you shaking your head in disgust or make you think “Ooh that’s cool, I wish I’d thought of it.”

3

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2

1

down in the gutter

Lii 330 www.irobot.com Each spring we all struggle to find a way to get rid of a season full leaves, sticks and other debris out of the gutters around our home. This is the first tool we’ve found that might actually make that job easier. The New iRobot Looj 330 Gutter Cleaning Robot blasts away leaves, dirt and clogs while brushing gutters clean. Featuring a high-velocity, four-stage auger and the new CLEAN mode, Looj travels down your gutter on its own, sensing and adapting to debris in order to provide the most effective cleaning.

2

more than just a caffeine rush

4

tangled in cords

Car charger www.gifts.com

Igrill www.igrillinc.com

RoboReel Power Cord www.Roboreel.com

This is one powerful cup of java! Actually, it’s a clever design for a power inverter. The shape fits conveniently into your car’s cup holder.

With Father’s Day coming up, this is a musthave for the commuter or road tripper. The inverter can power three devices at once. This triple espresso has 2 AC outlets for laptops, DVD players, phone chargers, camera chargers, etc., and one USB power port for iPods, MP3 players and cell phones. Simply plug it into your DC car outlet (18” cord) and get your power fix.

It’s almost grilling time and chances are some of last year’s outdoor cooking tools are lost or moved into the kitchen. This item is a redonkulous mix of techno geek and grilling magic.

This remote meat thermometer lets you watch a movie in the house and monitor the temperature of your grilling creation, all at the same time, and you can monitor the temperature of something in the oven without having to open the oven. It includes a touch interface: Bluetooth enabled up to 200 feet, stand-alone thermometer and customized temperature alarms.

Apple and Android devices pair well and apps can be downloaded at the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

The winding up of extension cords is something that most of us probably don’t give a lot of thought to – we loop them on the ground, spool them around our forearm, or perhaps use a spring-activated or hand-cranked winder.

If you’re someone who spends a lot of time putting cords away, however, you might want to make the job safer and easier. The 15-amp RoboReel comes with a user-replaceable 50foot (15.24-meter) 12-gauge electrical cord and can be set on any flat surface, or hung on a wall or ceiling using optional mounts. Additionally, it won’t wind as long as the cord is in use, and will stop winding if the cord is obstructed – such as, say, by being wrapped around someone’s ankle.

Price: $49.95 Price: $299.99

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grill master’s dream

Price: $79

Price: $270

78 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2013

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typing on air

6

your own reality show

Celluon MAGIC CUBE Virtual Keyboard www.bhphotovideo.com

Looxci 2 wearable video camera www. looxcie.com or www.amazon.com

The MAGIC CUBE Virtual Keyboard from Celluon is a startling fresh alternative to using a standard keyboard and mouse with your mobile device or computer. The MAGIC CUBE projects a laser onto a flat opaque surface to provide you with a virtual keyboard. You can type on top of the surface of your desk and you can also use the MAGIC CUBE as a mouse.

The cube is powered by a Lithium-Polymer battery and comes with a mini-USB to USB cable for recharging it from your computer. It works with the iPad, iPhone 4, mobile devices running Android 2, 2.1, or 2.2 as well as any device that supports Bluetooth 2.0 or greater, such as a desktop or notebook computer.

Looxcie 2 is perfect for sharing your life with your friends and family while you are on the go. The small, wearable camera continuously shoots video while hooked to your ear and even doubles as a Bluetooth headset – all while weighing less than an ounce and measuring three inches long. Its free smartphone app makes it quick and easy to share your clips with anyone. You can capture up to five hours of video and create and save hundreds of instant clips from this video to the internal flash storage.

Price: $168

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7

“purr”sonalized entrance

Microchip cat door www.sureflap.com or www.amazon,com SureFlap cat doors recognize the ID chip already implanted in your cat, allowing access to your pet and making unwanted visitors a thing of the past.

Your home becomes a secure environment for your pet, with no worry about stray cats or other critters coming into your home. It’s battery powered and compatible with most common microchips.

Price: $130 and up.

8

never stop moving

Fitbit flex www.fitbit.com/flex The Fitbit Flex is a stylish rubber wristband with a concealed sensor in many colors. The brains of this wearable tech tracks the number of daily steps you’ve taken, calories you’ve burned, and even records your sleeping patterns. It’s waterproof, meaning you can wear it in the shower, take it swimming, or fearlessly run in a rainstorm. It integrates and shares data with RunKeeper, MyFitnessPal, and other existing fitness apps. This means the data you’ve already collected isn’t lost – in fact, it’s put to a richer, more goal-oriented use. Fitbit’s Web and smartphone app, the Flex has 5 LEDs that display the progress to your goal. The app itself can also send you motivational text messages when you’re approaching your goal.

Price: $99.95

SPRING 2013 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 79

Tally to do whatever we most want to do,” she explained – that for her is writing.

She managed to complete Heaven Scent

her second novel - Altared Plans.

The book was loosely based on Talley’s ro-

Talley believes she receives these types of reviews because of practice. She reads and

mance with Del. “I took all of his old girl-

writes every day. “It takes time and effort

and even find a publisher for the story of a

friends and rolled them into one, so I could

and you have to be willing to put that in,”

teenage girl’s loss of a parent and siblings in

say all the things I wanted to say to the real

Talley said, adding she has not only joined a

a tragic accident and how the teen heals

person, but said to them in character” she

writing group, she has served on the direc-

through faith and support from friends. She

smiled. Another reality was the way she met

tor’s board of an international writer’s organ-

also manages to teach her father a few life

her future mother-in-law. “I met her dressed

ization.

lessons, bringing him to a place of faith and

as a clown.”

understanding.

“I loved the way the book deals with forgiveness. The story expresses how difficult it

So how does a mother of 12 children with

Anna del C. Dye, an award-winning author

a husband and family to care for find time to

from Utah, said Altared Plans was “great writ-

write? Talley said she sneaks it in throughout

ing and a great story.”

the day. Sometimes she writes between loads

is to forgive, but also how vital it is for our

Cheryl Solis of Minnesota agreed, saying

own happiness. This is a story of forgiveness,

she “thoroughly enjoyed” the book. “I wasn't

children sometimes even offer to babysit

peace, hope and healing. I would suggest this

really sure what to expect when I bought this

their little sisters and brothers so she can

book to anyone wanting to read an uplifting

book for my Kindle. I liked the description

write.

and inspiring book,” Ashley Harris wrote in a

of the book and thought I'd give it a try. …

review of Heaven Scent.

I found myself laughing along and enjoying

she encourages others to try out their passion as

the escape from my own reality for short

well. “Whatever dream you have, go for it,” she

time.”

said. “If you can dream it, you can do it.”

Once jumping the hurdle of being published, Talley was ready to write and submit

80 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2013

of laundry or while doing chores. Her older

Talley writes and is never discouraged, and

Farrell larger population centers. Joel estimates he has transported at least 200 animals since he retired.

He has done runs to Del Norte, Colo., to Cres-

We’re Always

Accepting New Patients Same Day Appointments Too!

cent Junction, Utah, and to Albuquerque. He meets other rescue workers at the designated location and transfers cages of cats and dogs for the rest of their ride to Denver, Colorado Springs or Salt Lake City, where no-kill animal groups find welcoming homes for them.

“One of my first trips was taking a load of seven cats to Cortez. One was a Siamese that serenaded me all the way, but that’s OK to put up with, if they’re getting new homes.” Joel’s patience shines through again.

Last year, Trudy and Joel celebrated their 30th anniversary. They enjoy traveling and have visited China, Slovakia, Italy and Spain over the past four years. Joel enjoys planning their trips, but perhaps didn’t expect to spend so much time in cathedrals, museums and galleries while in Italy,

Farmington Community Health Center Most insurance accepted including Medicaid & Medicare.

A sliding fee based on income is available to uninsured patients.

Family Medicine • Pediatrics • Dental • Behavioral Health

indulging Trudy’s intent to experience Europe’s art 1001-D West Broadway • Farmington, NM • 327-4796 • www.pms-inc.org and architecture that she studied for a lifetime.

Yes, Joel is a patient man.

Joel did not leave his skills and interests at the office when he retired. “A goal of being in a foundation is taking on the role of mentoring others to take leadership roles. There comes a point where other people need to take up the reins, too.”

Farmington’s Mayor Tommy Roberts does not hesitate to acknowledge the effect volunteers have on our community. “Farmington and San Juan *Actual patients of Dr. Herman County are known statewide for services, programs, projects, and facilities that offer extraordinary Because Dr. Herman helped them get these quality of life opportunities for residents and visiwide smiles without taking out teeth! tors. Those opportunities are the direct result of a dedicated and visionary volunteer base, and One call to our office will answer all of your questions!

Joel and Trudy Farrell are great examples of the 505.564.9000 | 1.800.4Braces kind of people who comprise that base.”

So what would Trudy be doing if she weren’t volunteering? “I’d be home making art work of my own. My heart is in art.” And what about Joel?

“I’ll still be volunteering five years from now. You need to grow and try different things.”

WHY ARE ALL OF THESE PEOPLE SMILING?

Call for current promotions!

SPRING 2013 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 81

ADVERTISERS DIRECTORy Animas Credit Union........................72 2101 E. 20th St. 3850 E. Main St. Farmington, N.M. 505-326-7701 405 W. Broadway Inside Farmer’s Market Bloomfield, N.M. www.animascu.com Ashley Furniture HomeStore...........27 5200 E. Main Street Farmington, N.M. 505-516-1030 www.ashleyfurniture.com Basin Home Health .........................26 200 N. Orchard Avenue Farmington, N.M. 505-325-8231 www.basinhomehealth.com Beehive Homes...............................19 400 & 404 N. Locke Farmington, N.M. 508 N. Airport Dr. Farmington, N.M. 505-427-3794 Big Brothers & Big Sisters of San Juan County .........................17 505-326-1508 Budget Blinds ...................................2 825 N. Sullivan Farmington, N.M. 505-324-2008 Cascade Bottled Water & Coffee Service.......................71, 76 214 S. Fairview Farmington, N.M. 505-325-1859 City of Farmington..........................63 Great Lakes Airlines Farmington, N.M. 1-800-554-5111 www.flygreatlakes.com ConocoPhillips ..................................9 www.conocophillips.com DeNae’s Boutique.....................32, 67 3030 E. Main Farmington, N.M. 505-326-6025 Desert Hills Dental Care ....................5 2525 E. 30th St. Farmington, N.M. 505-327-4863 866-327-4863 www.deserthillsdental.com Directory Plus.................................73 162 Stewart Street Durango, C.O. 970-259-6500 www.directoryplus.com

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Millennium Insurance......................40 2700 Farmington Ave., Building A Farmington, N.M. 505-325-1849 www.millnm.com

Edward Jones/Marcia F. Phillips.......26 4801 N. Butler Ave., Suite 7101 Farmington, N.M. 505-326-7200 www.edwardjones.com

Metal Depot ....................................14 505-564-8077 www.metaldepots.com

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Farmington, N.M. 505-325-1214

82 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2013

Natalie’s for Her, Him, Home ...........83 4301 Largo, Suite H Farmington, N.M. www.nataliesonline.com Nearly Famous Totally Glamorous ...25 2501 E. 20th St., Suite 4 Hutton Plaza Farmington, N.M. 505-325-8360 505-325-6266 Next Level Home Audio & Video......41 1510 E. 20th St., Suite A Farmington, N.M. 505-327-NEXT www.327NEXT.com Northern Edge Casino.....................35 2752 Navajo Route N36 Fruitland, N.M. 505-960-7000 Parker’s Inc. Office Products ...........50 714-C W. Main St. Farmington, N.M. 505-325-8852 www.parkersinc.com Partners Assisted Living ...........15, 45 313 N. Locke Ave. Farmington, N.M. 505-325-9600 www.partnerassistedliving.com Pelle Laser Spa...........................4, 66 5920 E. Main St., Suite B Farmington, N.M. 505-326-1623 www.pellespa.com

R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating ..........70 Farmington, N.M. 505-327-7755 www.rabielplumbing.com Reliance Medical Group...................24 3451 N. Butler Ave. Farmington, N.M. 505-566-1915 www.reliancemedicalgroup.com ReMax of Farmington........................3 108 N. Orchard Farmington, N.M. 505-327-4777 www.remax.com Reliance Medical Group...................24 3451 N. Butler Avenue Farmington, N.M. 505-566-1915 1409 West Aztec Blvd.

Aztec, N.M. 505-334-1772 www.reliancemedicalgroup.com Sage Family Practice.......................34 3751 N. Butler Ave. Suite 115 Farmington, N.M. 505-324-1240 San Juan Nurseries .........................31 800 E. 20th St. Farmington, N.M. 505-326-0358 www.sanjuannurseries.com San Juan Oncology..........................39 735 W. Animas Street Farmington, N.M. 505-564-6850 San Juan Regional Medical Center ...47 630 West Maple Street Farmington, N.M. 505-609-6300 San Juan United Way .......................71 505-326-1195 www.sjunitedway.org

Pinon Hills Community Church.........77 5101 N. Dustin Avenue Farmington, N.M. 505-325-4541 www.PinonHillsChurch.com

Sewing Studio & Vacuum Shoppe....44 405 W. Broadway Farmington, N.M. 505-325-2688 www.vacuumshoppe.com www.sewingstudio.net

Presbyterian Medical Services............. ..........................................16, 40, 81 Farmington Community Health Center 1001 W. Broadway Farmington, N.M. 505-327-4796 www.pms-inc.org

Signature Salon ..............................16 1521 Main Avenue Durango, C.O. Salon 970-247-7769 Med Spa 970-259-9311 www.signaturedurango.com

Quality Appliance............................25 522 E. Broadway Farmington, N.M. 505-327-6271

SILK................................................51 5150 College Blvd., Suite 204 Farmington, N.M. 505-326-3501 www.silkabb.com

Jack O. Smalley, DDS........................46 1700 North Butler Farmington, N.M. 505-327-3331 www.smile42day.com Southwest Obstetrics and Gynecology. .......................................................33 622 W. Maple St., Suite 1 Farmington, N.M. 505-325-4898 Spotless Solutions ..........................55 505-326-4755 www.spotlesssolutions.com Sunglass.........................................72 602 W. Main Street 5950 E. Main Street Farmington, N.M. 505-327-9677 www.sunglassfarmington.com Sundance Dental Care.................6 & 7 Locations in Farmington, Bloomfield, Kirtland & Gallup 505-407-0087 www.sundancesmile.com Techna Glass Auto Glass..................55 1795 E. 20th St. Farmington, N.M. 505-326-6545 www.technaglass.com Treadworks.....................................18 4227 E. Main St. Farmington, N.M. 505-327-0286 4215 Hwy. 64 Kirtland, N.M. 505-598-1055 www.treadworks.com Webb Toyota...................................84 3911 E. Main Farmington, N.M. 505-325-1911 X-Ray Associates of New Mexico.....59 1750 East 30th Street Farmington, N.M. 505-327-0123 www.xranm.com Ziems Ford ...............................15, 45 5700 E. Main Farmington, N.M. 505-325-8826

YOU CAN’T STOP AN IDEA WHOSE TIME HAS COME.

THE RADICALLY NEW AVALON A game changer in the art of making cars, and an exciting new landmark for the future of driving as we know it.

Search: “avalon let’s go places” Prototype shown with options. ©2013 Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

See Your Toyota Dealer:

Webb Toyota • 3911 E. Main, Farmington • (505) 325-1911