Los AlamosGivesChristkindlmarket Comes to Town

Santa Paws Helps ShelterShopping for Moms-to-Be

LANL Shows Its GenerosityHoliday Baking

Essencethe

of Los Alamos and White Rock December 2012/January 2013, Volume 7 Issue 1

2 the Essence December 2012 /January 2013 www.ReadTheEssence.com

the Essence

Suzette Fox, Katy KorkosEditor, Ads Coordinator

Katy Korkos, Blake JacksonContent Editors

FYILA.comYour best local resource for news,

events, business directory and more.

visit.losalamos.comOnline visitor guide to Los Alamos

locate.losalamos.comOnline relocation guide

losalamoschamber.comChamber of Commerce

Essence Interview with Kristy Ortega ....................5Christkindlmarket Comes to LA ................................7Santa Paws Helps Shelter ..............................................9Community Assets Awards ......................................................9Laura Loy Comes Home .............................................. 13Christmas Cookies ............................................................. 15Christmas Shopping for Mom-to-Be .............. 17LANL Shows Its Generosity ..................................... 18Calendar of EventsLocal Happenings in Your Town .........................................................18-19

3the Essence December 2012 /January 2013www.losalamoschamber.com

Editor’s NoteParticipatingCommunityMattersChamber Members

A.D.A.P.T & RescueBob’s Bodacious BBQ Bilingual Montessori SchoolBlue Window Bistro Pajarito Brew PubCB FOX & CB FOX KidzLos Almaos County GovernmentLos Alamos Co-Op MarketDance Arts Los AlamosDel Norte Credit UnionDon Taylor’s Photography Los Alamos Family Council Los Alamos MainStreet Farmers’ MarketFamily Strengths Network Family YMCAThe Finishing TouchLos Alamos Historical Society & Museum High Mesa Institutes -- The HiveHampton Inn & SuitesJuvenile Justice Advisory Board - LA Kiwanis ClubLos Alamos County Environmental ServicesLos Alamos Fitness CenterLos Alamos Heart Council, Inc. Los Alamos Medical CenterLos Alamos National Bank Lorraine Hartway, CPA, LLC Mesa Public LibraryMedical Assoc. of Northern New MexicoNorth Road Inn Pajarito Environmental Education Center Little Forest PlayschoolPajarito Mountain Ski Area TOTH Episcopal ChurchUNM Graduate ProgramUNM-Los AlamosUnited Way of Northern New MexicoWaddell & Reed Karen Wray Fine Art

CommunityMatters is an annual program of the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce which is designed to strengthen the ties between our members and the community. The most visible feature of CommunityMatters is this publication you’re holding in your hands or reading online, The Essence of Los Alamos and White Rock. We publish the Essence six times each year, thanks to the generous sponsorship of all the businesses and organizations listed on the left. Each issue is arranged around a theme, and this issue’s theme is Giving.

What’s the best gift you can possibly give some-one? It’s the one that shows you’ve acknowl-edged him for who he really is and paid atten-tion to what she really loves. The perfect gift starts with listening.

We took an informal survey, just to get you start-ed on that quest for the perfect gift, and what we heard rang true. As we compiled this issue of the Essence, everyone we talked to had the same

wishes for the season- love, peace, good health and the comfort of a compassionate community. Those lofty goals might be hard to achieve in the next few weeks, but we also heard some more down-to earth suggestions:

For a healthy family- you could get a ski pass to Pajarito Mountain, memberships to Los Alamos Fitness, the Y or Curves, a pool punch card to the Aquatic CenterFor a good night’s sleep- there are state-of-the art mattresses at CB Fox, and brand new bedding of all sorts, or you could treat the insomniac to a night in one of Los Alamos’ quiet hotels or B & B’sFor a clean house- hire a cleaning service such as Atomic City Cleaning to give your home a serious once-over.

In this issue we look at: G the many ways Lab employees contribute to the community and the regionG a time-tested and beloved way to bring people together around cookiesG what we all can do to help our most productive members of society, pregnant women, to have

an easier timeG what shoppers really wantG and check out our CommunityMatters interview to see what motivates someone to come back

to the home town

Thank your local businessperson for the time they’ve taken away from their families to bring you those gathering places and cafes, those unique gifts, those invaluable services.

Katy KorkosMember services, Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce

On the cover: LANL Laces program, encourages LANL employees to make a monetary donation to buy new shoes for elementary school aged students in Northern New Mexico.

4 the Essence December 2012 /January 2013 www.ReadTheEssence.com

505.662.3678

2127 North Road in Los Alamos

The North Road Inn is the perfect location to headquarter your day trips. They may span

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Serving Los Alamos for over 10 years.

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Bilingual Montessori School

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115 Longview Drive 505-672-1800bms.general@gmail.com

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5the Essence December 2012 /January 2013www.losalamoschamber.com

Essence interview with Kristy Ortega

CommunityMatters

Kristy Ortega is a third generation Los Alamosan who currently leads the United Way of Northern New Mexico. Kristy lives in Los Alamos with her husband Chris, step-daughters Jordyn & Meagan, and daughter Olivia.

Essence: Tell us about your history with Los Alamos, Kristy. How did that shape

what you do today?Kristy Ortega: I’ve lived in Los Alamos pretty much all my life. My family has a lot

of history here. My grandmother, Patricia Graves, was a teacher and my grandfather, Jim Keane, was police chief for 20 years in the early days of the community. Both of my parents graduated from Los Alamos High School (LAHS). I went to Aspen school when Mrs. Pongratz was principal and I graduated from LAHS as well. With family members involved in occupations that were community-minded, giving back was important. We also went through times when our family needed help and this was a very giving com-munity when we needed it.

During high school, I worked as an intern at Los Alamos Commerce & Development Corporation (LACDC). After graduation, I was hired to be what I thought of as an “office gopher”. LACDC is involved in so many things in the community and it gave me an op-portunity to jump in and get involved as well. Meeting so many people and being part of organizing community events put the community in a deeper light for me and gave me the opportunity to work my way into being in charge of events and promotions for Los Alamos MainStreet - part of LACDC. I was in charge of parades and organizing events that in-volve lots of people throughout the community working together to pull them off. This also gave me the opportunity to connect with and learn about other MainStreet communities around the state. These other small towns also work hard to be the best communities they can be ... that got me thinking about the bigger picture and building broader networks outside of our community.

I also got involved with Kiwanis at that time ... I approached Morrie Pongratz about getting involved with announcing at the parades and he agreed to do so if I would give Kiwanis a try. He is still doing a fantastic job to this day volunteering to announce Main-Street parades and I’ve come to be very involved and appreciate Kiwanis and other service clubs as important parts of the community and giving environment.

Eventually, I was approached by the Hilltop House Hotel to get involved in their sales and marketing ... that is where I learned that I am not a salesman ... but I gained exposure to how people perceive our community from the outside. That is valuable perspective. When I left that job I went to work at LANL in an administrative role for several years.

More valuable perspective. Working at the Lab was a very different culture than I had experienced before. I was so close to the town I knew well, but I was part of a distinctly different culture when I went to work. I was surprised at how hard I had to work at staying in touch and staying involved with my community. That was a bit of a revelation that helps remind me that it may not be easy for a lot of our citizens to know how to be involved.

Essence: How did you come to take the United Way position?Kristy Ortega: Well, I heard that the United Way position had opened up. It was a

job that appealed to me. I felt like so many of my experiences contributed to this appeal. A great many aspects of the position were things that I enjoy doing and was involved in as a volunteer. This was a position where I could get paid for doing things I like to do. At the same time, I figured it was a long shot. I didn’t have any United Way system experience and I had never been Executive Director of anything. I was impressed by the people who I interviewed with ... they were intense about United Way! During the second interview, I started thinking that they were really interested in me ... they were keying in on the same things I thought important ... my variety of experiences and perspectives with our commu-nity. That gave me confidence that this position could be a great fit for me.

All the same, it is a challenging role in a challenging time. It isn’t easy to ask for money. There are so many needs, big and small and there are more things happening that are deserving of support than there are resources. We are also a regional United Way with distinctly different needs in different parts of the region ... it is important to understand that. I see a key part of our job as getting people to understand the needs and trust United Way to understand them as well.

Essence: How do you describe the essence of our community to someone who is not familiar with us?

Kristy Ortega: There are so many positive aspects to talk about. I was with my two year-old daughter at the Co-op Market earlier this year and she likes watching and ask-ing about the pictures that come on the monitor by the check-out where the Chamber features the things that are happening in town. She is fascinated that all of those things are happening right here. It has been great discovering all the things there are for kids ... golfing together, library programs like “Music & Movement”, and Fuller Lodge Art Center programs and classes for kids. Los Alamos has a great setting, great schools, a safe com-munity, interesting people and great community events.

VALUE OF GIVING

6 the Essence December 2012 /January 2013 www.ReadTheEssence.com

LosAlamosJJAB.com Los Alamos Juvenile Justice Advisory Board

Visit LosAlamosJJAB.comfor youth and their families including:

! New Youth Resource Advocate Program

! Los Alamos Youth Food Project

! Youth Leadership Programs

! Connection to counseling and services

! How to get involved

Leadership | Prevention | Intervention | Academic Support | Family/Parenting Support

What�s

Family Council is celebrating 50 years of making a di!erence in

the lives of Los Alamos

Los Alamos Family Council

505 -662 -3264

For a full range of

mental health and

substance abuse issues.

Counseling for children, teens, adults, couples

and families.

Check out these NEW Featureson the County’s website!

Open Forum: Review information on current topics, projects or issues, then weigh in with your opinion!

Sunshine Page: Click on the on the home page for easy access to view documents that the County has begun posting to its webpage!

www.losalamosnm.us

Dance Arts Los Alamos presents the ballet

Hansel & Gretel

Winterfest Weekend

Friday December 7 at 7 p.m.

Sat. & Sun. December 8 & 9 at 2 p.m.

DUANE SMITH AUDITORIUM

$15.00 Adults $10 Children & under 4 FREE

A playful & spirited version of the beloved fairytale

Winterfest Winterfest LOS ALAMOS MAINSTREET PRESENTS

2012

HOLIDAY LIGHTS PARADE

Complete schedule at www.lamainstreet.com

Dec 8th | 6PM | Central Avenue

7the Essence December 2012 /January 2013www.losalamoschamber.com

The Frolic

Christkindlmarket – bringing a German tradition to Los AlamosWho doesn’t want to make a difference? Many people work to provide their communities

with beneficial and positive impacts. With the season of giving fast approaching, the enthusi-asm to offer that one special present that touches an entire area is heightened.

Zachary Bouck and Blair Braden are organizing a Christkindlmarket during MainStreet’s WinterFest. Christkindlmarket is a holiday market but with embellishments. The German-style event not only features vendors selling everything from arts and crafts to clothing but also Glühwein, a hot spiced wine, and German food including bratwurst and lebkuchen, a Christ-mas cookie. The market is held outdoors and features holiday lights and music.

This first ever Los Alamos Christkindlmarket local event will be held from 5-9 p.m. Dec. 8 in the downtown area at Central Park Square parking lot at 15th and 20th street before and after the light parade.

Braden grew up in Los Alamos and graduated from Los Alamos High School. Although he moved to Denver to start a financial advisory company, Denver Wealth Management, Braden said he was interested in getting it into his hometown.

He added he had experienced Christkindlmarkets in Germany wanted to bring the event out west.

There are a multitude of benefits that the community can stand to reap from the event. First,

it’s a chance to scratch off a few items on shopping lists; second, it adds to the WinterFest festivities; and third it helps give a boost to local businesses.

Braden said the market offers a good opportunity to businesses by giving them “a little bit more accessibility and drive more business their way, too.”

He added the event will help shed light on businesses that are well known but also others that are not so well known.

“[It does] not just introduce the products to the community but the people behind the prod-ucts,” Braden said.

Growing up in Los Alamos, Braden said it would make him sad to see businesses come and go so to come back and offer a helping hand “definitely makes me proud to do that.”

But he said, “What make me the most proud is to give them another opportunity to show-case their goods and increase their customer loyalty in their Los Alamos customer base.”

There are currently 15 vendors registered for the event and Braden said the hope is to feature 25.

If anyone is interested in a booth, Braden encourages them to give him a call at 720-496-2321 or 505-690-0481. There is no cost to register; each vendor only needs to donate a good or service worth $10 to $20 that can be raffled as a door prize.

Assets In Action will highlight good deeds performed throughout the community at its 4th annual Assets In Ac-tion Community Awards ceremony on January 5th, 2013.

The Community Assets Awards honor those unsung heroes, people who are not looking for praise or attention, but just do good things for the community because they enjoy doing them. Those recognized in the past have made contributions locally, nationally and even internationally to improve the lives of people or their community.

Do you know someone who should be nominated? Think of those who have made an impression, or who have said or done a kind thing. It could be the person who brought cookies to your door when you moved to Los Ala-mos, the friend that goes out of their way to be there for you or a person that volunteers.

Gene Schmidt, Superintendent of Los Alamos Public Schools has made numerous nominations. “Los Alamos is a very remarkable community with a deeply embedded, unselfish spirit of volunteerism. I marvel at the capacity of our residents to find ways to assist their neighbors. When I see these gifts so unselfishly given, I am reminded of the goodness in people who humbly, without thought of receiving thanks, go through their lives practicing random acts of kindness. In some small way, these acts of kindness need to be celebrated. I take great pleasure in shining a light on these incredible people as no good deed should go unnoticed. I would strongly encourage community members to join with me in looking for the good in people and celebrating it through a nomination for the Assets in Action Community Awards,” says Schmidt.

The ceremony to honor those nominated will take place on January 5th. Tickets are just $10 and are available by calling Bernadette Lauritzen at 505-661-4846.

Representatives from America’s Promise Alliance will be on hand to formally recognize the community as one of their 100 BEST Communities for Young People. Los Alamos County received the designation in September, with plans to celebrate throughout the year.

Community Assets Awards

MAKE A NOMINATION!Nomination forms can be found at www.AssetsInAction.info or

www.losalamoschamber.com/assets-in-action-community-awards.htm. Mail nominations by Dec. 17 to Assets In Action, 77 Isleta Dr., Los Alamos, NM 87544.

8 the Essence December 2012 /January 2013 www.ReadTheEssence.com

Your Community Shop

Souvenirs * Gifts * Cards Science Toys * Books

Los Alamos Historical Museum Shop1050 Bathtub Row, just north of Fuller Lodge

Open Every Day. Free Admissionwww.losalamoshistory.org

505-662-6272

Empowering Families

Building Community

Now O!ering

�� Fun Family Programs

�� Parenting Programs

�� Teen Programs

�� LEGO Club

�� Infant/Toddler Programs

�� Toy Lending Library

�� Family Resource Center Library

Family Strengths Network

www.lafsn.org 1990 Diamond Drive

(the Pueblo Complex) Los Alamos, NM 87544

(505) 662 -4515

TRINITY ON THE HILL

EPISCOPAL CHURCH

welcomes you!

JOIN US FOR OUR

CHRISTMAS SERVICES

Christmas Eve 5:00 p.m. Family Service with pageant

Christmas Eve 8:00 p.m. Choral Eucharist

Christmas Day 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist

located at the corner of Trinity & Diamond Drives

662-5107 www.latoth.org

Visit Los Alamos

and Enjoy a Luxurious

Stay at the Hampton

Phone: 505-672-3838

Fax: 505-672-0111

9the Essence December 2012 /January 2013www.losalamoschamber.com

Santa Paws Helps Friends of the Shelter

Cyndi Wells of Pet Pangaea has always loved animals. Shortly after moving to Los Alamos, she quickly became a Los Alamos Friends of the Shelter (FOS) member. She is, ironically, an asthmatic who is allergic to cats and dogs, so she cannot spend time volunteering at the shelter.

Instead, Cyndi focuses on fundraising for local humane groups and helping out special needs humane cases throughout New Mexico. She designed the Shelter Alumni Calendar for Friends of the Shelter for the first few years and happily provides a venue for its sales every year at Pet Pangaea.

She thought everyone would enjoy photos of their pet with Santa. This annual Santa Paws event has steadily grown and, in its 8th year, is expected to raise over $1000 for FOS.

Cyndi adds, “Santa Paws is so much fun for everyone! We get all kinds of pets participating- not just dogs. Even some bearded dragons have shown up! Participants receive a digital photo that they can do with as they wish. Many make their photo into their holiday card sent to friends and family. The fact that every dollar goes to Friends of the Shelter just adds to the holiday spirit.”

The Pet Pangaea counter also always has a donation jar for a worthy pet cause on it, whether it be for a humane organization or a local pet who needs help with veterinary bills.

Cyndi hasn’t seen any television in a while because she spends her nights reading rescue groups’ Facebook postings to see where she can help. This results in money, food, and comfortable beds getting to pets in need all over New Mexico!

LA Veterinarians give backThe Animal Clinic of Los Alamos is

dedicated to educating the Los Alamos community about responsible pet owner-ship. Vets and staff can often be found at many community events offering informa-tion and sharing knowledge about ways to keep pets safe and they are always will-ing to talk about concerns with an animal or provide literature such as hiking with dogs or poisonous plants in the area that need to be avoided.

Dr. Bob Fuselier’s interest in animal be-havior medicine has led to him teaching countless elementary-aged children how to avoid being bitten by dog.

In his animal education classes he teaches youth proper ways to approach and interact with a new dog to help avoid the possibility of an attack.

Being a doctor of veterinary medicine attracts a unique kind of person. Providing medical care for animals requires a spe-cial insight to look beyond the obvious.

Unlike treating humans, animals can-not answer a battery of questions and respond to what their needs are. With its six veterinarians, the Animal Clinic of Los Alamos team has over 120 years of com-bined experience and has always tried to find the best care possible for its animal clients.

The Animal Clinic of Los Alamos has been dedicated to helping better the life of Los Alamos’ animal population since its inception.

Adopting a pet from an animal shelter is a great way to help animals in need while at the same time find a devoted pet companion.

Of course, caring for a new pet also comes with some serious responsibilities and providing food and shelter for the new animal is just the beginning.

Just like humans, proper medical care is required to ensure a long and healthy life for pets. The Animal Clinic of Los Ala-mos has been offering a free initial exam for shelter-adopted pets for the last 25 years.

During the exam, the owner can learn about the health of their new companion and discuss concerns with a veterinarian. During this consultation, the doctor can help council the new owner on subjects like diet and training.

This initial visit helps establish a health baseline for the new pet to ensure that it and the new owner have the longest and happiest friendship possible.

The Animal Clinic of Los Alamos also gives back to the animal community by supporting the local shelter. In addition to the obvious symbiosis of providing medical care for animals waiting to find homes, the clinic provides support to the shelter throughout the year.

Vets at the Animal Clinic of Los Alamos can be found volunteering their services for the Dog Jog, an annual event held to support Los Alamos’ local shelter. At the Dog Jog, ACLA offers the opportunity for owners to have their dogs microchipped at a discounted price.

Mircrochips allow dogs to be identi-fied regardless of how far they may have strayed from their owners. Locally, one owner was able to reunite with his dogs that had made it all the way to Denver.

The Animal Clinic of Los Alamos is Lo-cated at 127 B Eastgate Dr., Los Alamos NM. Find out more info at aclapets.com

Dr. Dan Dessauer and Dr. Bob Fuselier; co-owners

of the Animal Clinic of Los Alamos

10 the Essence December 2012 /January 2013 www.ReadTheEssence.com

NEW YEAR NEW YOU

NEW US

Y Express Opening Soon!

Central Park Square

THE FAMILY YMCA

662-3100 www.laymca.org

Large Group Exercise Room Expanded Class Offerings

TRX Suspension Training Classes Cardio and Functional Training Room

featuring Octane®/FreeMotion® Cardio

Hoist Strength Training Equipment FreeMotion® Functional Trainers

FreeMotion® Vibration Trainer Free-weight Area

TRUE Stretching Cage

FREE! All you need is your library card barcode!

662-8253

Three New Online Databases! Available 24/7 @

www.losalamosnm.us/library

11the Essence December 2012 /January 2013www.losalamoschamber.com

Essential Person

By Carol A. ClarkLos Alamos resident Laura Loy recently returned home after living overseas for several

years. She first moved to Los Alamos at the age of seven and went through elementary, middle school and high school in Los Alamos before heading west to attend college in California.

Despite Loy’s extensive travels, she expressed joy at being able to return to the town she loves with her husband and a seven-year-old child of her own.

“There is nothing like coming home to Los Alamos,” Loy said.Loy moved as a child with her family to Los Alamos from Austin, Texas.“We lived a short time on North Mesa before settling in White Rock, which is where I

lived until I graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1992,” she said.After graduation, she traveled and lived extensively overseas – most recently spending

eight years living and working in Japan.“I cherish all the opportunities and experiences I’ve had abroad, but there’s still nothing

like coming home to Los Alamos,” Loy said. “I am the wife of a recently-retired Army colonel, mother to a 7 year old and stepmother to three grown kids who live in San Diego. I have always enjoyed learning foreign languages and have a keen interest in traveling, so it’s hard even for me to believe that I didn’t step foot out of this country until I was 22 (unless you count Tijuana.)”

Loy’s professional background is in business and marketing. After pursuing her Master’s in International Business at UCSD, she worked for several years for the large online travel company Cheaptickets Inc. in Honolulu.

“That was a great way to start my career,” she said. “Since then, I have mostly worked for smaller organizations and start-ups. Most recently I headed up the marketing department at the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan.”

Since moving back to Los Alamos, Loy said that she has enjoyed getting involved with the local Chamber of Commerce.

“As a partner in Casa de Luz Apartments, which is a member of the Chamber, I am get-

ting to know many members of the local business community through Chamber activities.”She also has joined the Rotary Club of Los Alamos and together with several other indi-

viduals, is helping start a satellite club, which will meet in the evenings.The club’s first project will be aimed at educating 4th and 5th graders about the dangers

of tobacco use and how to make positive decisions regarding their health, Loy said.Another organization with which she hopes to become more closely involved is the Driv-

ing Force – a group of spouses of foreign nationals who have come to Los Alamos to work at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

“I have spent many years abroad as the spouse of a foreign national myself, so I can understand how challenging it can be to find one’s way in another country. I think there is a lot we as a community can do to help them feel welcome here,” she said.

Professionally, Loy has started a small consulting business to help small to mid-sized com-panies and non-profit organizations to develop innovative and effective marketing strategies. It is what she has done for most of my career, and what she is passionate about, Loy said, adding that she hopes to be able to work with more local businesses as time goes on.

Loy explained how she describes Los Alamos to people who live elsewhere.“I think my friends in other places may be tired of hearing me rave about Los Alamos!”

she said. “I mostly tell them about the great outdoor activities we have right in our backyard, as I love to ski, hike and camp. I also tell them about the family-friendly atmosphere and all the things there are to do for kids. We expect to have a lot of visitors here, and we’re trying to convince a few to move here, too.”

In describing her favorite thing about Los Alamos, Loy said it’s the charm of small-town living.

“I love to shop local, and it’s great to be greeted by name when going into one of my favorite shops or restaurants,” she said. “And the mountains. Every time I pull out of my drive-way to head toward town, the mountains loom above me and I think how lucky my family and I are to live here. I just wish it would snow!”

Laura LoyComes Home to Los Alamos

12 the Essence December 2012 /January 2013 www.ReadTheEssence.com

Call 662-5232 or visit www.losalamosfitness.com

New Year New YOU! New Member Special Get a Program Design and a Metabolic Rate Test for only $100 (a $130 value)! Sign up for this offer within one week of starting your membership and get started on the road

to health & fitness! (Not valid for current members)

FREE classes & infrared sauna use with every

membership!

Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC)Open T-F 12-4, Sat 10-13540 Orange Street, 662-0460www.PajaritoEEC.org

Give the Gift of Nature this Holiday Season with PEEC Summer Camp gift certificates Gift memberships Animal adoptions Honor or memorial donations Our lovely gift shopWonderful Winter Programs Holiday Eco Crafts for kids, snowshoes and hikes, Backcountry Film Festival, the Underground Life of the Forest, and more at www.PajaritoEEC.org

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Karen Wray Fine ArtGallery & Studio1475 Central, Suite 125Los Alamos

Great Art, Great Artists, Great Classes!

Open: Tues-Fri 12-6,Open: Tues-Fri 12-6,Sat 10-3, Sun 12-3

Closed Mon

www.karenwrayfineart.com660-6382

Chamisa by the MailboxKaren E. Wray

13the Essence December 2012 /January 2013www.losalamoschamber.com

‘Tit Gateauxadapted from Florence Gravois, Vacherie, LA from A Bonfire Christmas

1 stick of butter*1 ! c sugar3 eggs3 tsp vanilla**1 t baking powder per cup of flourpinch of salt3 ! to 4 c of flour

Cream butter and sugar. Add beaten eggs and vanilla. Gradually beat in baking powder, salt and flour and mix well. Roll dough into a large, rough ball and place covered in a refrigerator over night.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll dough to " inch on a floured surface. Use a cookie cutter to cut into shapes (round is traditional). Bake 5-10 minutes or until lightly brown (undercooked cookies will not have as much flavor).

*for a softer cookie, use 4 T of Crisco and ! stick of butter**can use 2 tsp vanilla and 1 tsp almond extract

Gingerbread CookiesFrom Julia Child The Way to Cook

Timing note. The dough needs at least a day to cure before using.

For 30 small shapes or a 20 inch giant.

6 ounces unsalted butter2/3 c dark brown sugar2/3 c granulated sugar2 large eggs1 ! tsp ground cardamom1 ! tsp ground ginger1 ! tsp ground cinnamon1 ! tsp ground cumin! tsp ground cloves! tsp ground nutmeg" tsp salt" tsp pepper11 tsp double-acting baking powder2-2 ! cups all-purpose flour2-2 ! cups rye flour

Cream the butter sugars. When soft and fluffy, beat in the eggs, then the spices, seasonings, baking powder, and enough of the white and rye flours to make a firm dough. Wrap and chill 24 hours.Preheat the oven to 35o degrees. Roll the dough to " inch thick. Bake in the middle level (or the upper and lower middle levels) of the preheated oven. Bake about 15 minutes or until dry and firm to the touch. Cool on a rack.

Royal Icing: Glace RoyaleFrom Julia Child The Way to Cook

For about 1 ! cups1 eggs white (can use egg white substitute)" tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice2 cups sifted confectioners sugar, plus more if neededFood coloring (gel works best especially for red)

Beat the egg white, lemon juice, and 2 cups of the confectioners sugar for 2 minutes or more, until the mixture forms stiff peak—“makes the beak,” as cooks say. If it doesn’t beak, and you feel you have really given it reasonable time, beat in more sugar by sprinkles.Place spoonfuls of the icing in small bowls. Leave one as is for white, and add drops of food coloring to the others. Can ice the cookies using knives or cake decorating tips and bags.May be made ahead of time but do not let it dry out—transfer to a small bowl, then cover with a slightly dampened paper towel and plastic wrap.

Edible Essence

A Merry DayBy Nicole Kliebert

Cookie rage. It’s a real thing. It is the type of rage only caffeine, comfort food and an absence of cookies can solve.

Every year before Christmas, the females of my family do a cookie bake. With nearly a dozen types and hun-dreds of glorious cookies, I think it’s exciting. For those of us who live for CookieBake, it is always on our mind. We take cookie decorating classes, try new recipes and search for decorating ideas. I live for cookie bake; I cher-ish every second of it. For others, they like cookie bake. They begin cookie bake happy, but it ends in rage. One cousin and I threaten them with an Easter cookie bake. That never ends well.

CookieBake is one of my favorite days of the year. It is the one day of the year that I have the philosophy “the messier kitchen, the better.” It feels so good to spill flour and not clean it immediately. It is nice to not put vanilla away as soon I measure it. That glob of icing that magically appears on the table, no worries; it can be cleaned later.

When baking many cookies, there are bound to be mistakes. For instance, the dough wasn’t rolled thin enough, the shape didn’t turn out, the cookie cracked or frosting error. In our mind, the mistake cookies (or any other cookies too pretty to leave uneaten) have no fat, calories or sugar. Trans-lation -- the looser the clothes, the more comfortable I feel by the end of the process.

My family learned a few things about CookieBake. It is best to arrive at the cookie bake with a few baked cookies. This way the decorating can begin immediately and it will reduce the urge to frost warm cookies.

About four years ago, we discovered the source of cookie rage. Those non-cookie bake lovers felt like they do not have good creative juices and an all day creativity affair was too much for them to handle. They felt defeat. To help them, we, the lovers of CookieBake, enrolled them in the dough making force. They roll the dough, cut it into shapes and bake them. We give them more “shaped” cookies which are easier to decorate than the round ones.

To combat cookie rage, savory dishes and dips are ideal to bring to CookieBake. As an added bonus, the break from sugar allows for more cookie eating. Of course blaring local Christmas music and drinking strong coffee will always help to get the creative juices flowing and reduce a bit of cookie rage.

Try out my favorite cookie and icing recipe. The icing will harden so you can stack the cookies for storage.

14 the Essence December 2012 /January 2013 www.ReadTheEssence.com

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/Good Things1735 Central, Los Alamos. 662.2864.

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15the Essence December 2012 /January 2013www.losalamoschamber.com

By Kelly DolejsiImagine you have a friend who is about to have a baby. You tell her she’s glowing; she

thinks about the dark “mask of pregnancy” browning her upper lip. You tell her she looks beautiful; she pictures the strange patterns of veins and whatever-it-is that’s encircling her belly button. Every time she turns around, she seems to scrape her belly along something -- car doors, tables, the kitchen sink, a turtle tank. She’s been pregnant for 7 or 8 months, months full of heartburn, backaches, endless fatigue, and a googolplex of anxieties about the pregnancy and her future baby’s health. You tell her it’s all going to be fine; she smiles and wonders if labor is really as bad as her mother says.

You want to give her something special to celebrate this amazing and, to be honest, really challenging time in her life. What does she want?

In American culture, we tend to focus all our joy and our gift-giving on the baby. But often, the baby itself is enough of a gift. Why not look for something that celebrates the work the woman has been doing for all these months, and all the changes she goes through as she transitions to motherhood?

Why not give her something to make it a little easier or at least more pleasant?Sometimes, all it takes is a chai tea or decaf latte. A gift card to Hot Rocks Java Cafe

(4200 W Jemez Rd, Suite 203, 663-5282) or The CoffeeHouse Cafe, Home of The Coffee Booth (723 Central Ave., www.thecoffeebooth.com, 662-2233) might offer her a few decadent minutes in a week otherwise full of seemingly futile stretches to relieve her round ligament pain.

Of course, if you are really concerned about her ligaments, a trip to see Greg Barthell of Sunrise Therapeutics (190 Central Park Square, #111, 661-4835) would also make a wonderful gift.

Los Alamos resident Becky Rutherford, whose second child is due at the end of Decem-ber, agrees. “In your last month of pregnancy you are exhausted and sore most of the time. A prenatal massage is a great way to pamper any pregnant woman, and a gift that will surely be appreciated!”

Barthell is trained in many kinds of massage, including prenatal, and can make anybody, even a pregnant lady, comfortable. One precious hour on the massage table -- or in the chair, if she prefers not to lie flat -- and who knows? She might even get a full night’s sleep.

Speaking of night, something about the stars and the moon used to be romantic. Now, it seems to make gestating babies push their beloved dinky feet into your fertile friend’s ribs. To help bring some semblance of courtship back into her life, consider footing the bill for her to have an evening out with her partner. Blue Window Bistro (813 Central Avenue, 662-6305) has lovely little nooks for couples, great entrees, and often live music as well. Bandelier Grill (11 Sherwood Avenue, 672-4083) is White Rock’s delicious se-cret. She might have to take an extra Tums afterward, but she will appreciate an evening with just the two of them, especially if she is, or is planning to be, a stay-at-home-mom. If they have an older child or children, maybe you could even offer to babysit.

While not exactly an amorous setting, Family Strengths Network (1990 Diamond Drive,www.lafsn.org, 662-4515) is probably one of the best organizations for mothers on the Hill, and it’s likely your gravid friend will agree.

“I’d appreciate that,” said Claire Sanders, White Rock resident and mother of two young children. “I think it would also be particularly nice for a new mom who wasn’t aware of the community resources.”

FSN has a toy-lending library and a fantastic play area that includes Legos, slides, doll strollers, puzzles, a pretend-kitchen, a real kitchen, and scads of other toys to keep little ones occupied while mom melds with one of FSN’s perfect couches and, if she’s up to it, carries on adult conversations with other parents.

Memberships are available at different levels, and all come with benefits such as dis-counted or free classes, and deals on different events, such as Gingerbread House Build-ing and Zoo-to-You.

Then again, some moms-to-be might need the obvious stuff: baby clothes, baby blan-kets, baby diapers, cradles, changing tables, car seats. The “kidz” department at CB Fox (1735 Central Avenue, www.cbfox.com, 662-2864) has many, many, far-too-irresistible options. You can find sweet little onesies, velvety pajamas, soft-soled shoes, and cuddly, infant-safe toys, all right downtown.

If you want something more customized, you can ask Nicole Dunn at Dunn Quilting and Chairworks (3801-A Arkansas Ave., www.dunnquilting.com, 662-0829) to help you design a one-of-a-kind baby quilt.

BusinessWhat Moms-to-Be

Really Want

What kind of gifts do you like to receive?“I like books, music and videos”“ I like something useful- tools are great”¹<PM�TI[\�\PQVO�1�VMML�Q[�[WUM\PQVO�\PI\�R][\�[Q\[�WV�Ua�[PMTN��Q\¼[�OW\\I�JM�something useful”“I like jewelry!”“ I love lotions and pretty smelling soaps”“ I would love a housecleaning service”“ A massage would be my favorite gift”¹5a�NI\PMZ�IVL�1�][ML�\W�\ZILM�KPIZQ\IJTM�LWVI\QWV[��PM¼L�OQ^M�����QV�Ua�VIUM�\W�4)�+IZM[��IVL�1¼L�OQ^M�����QV�PQ[�VIUM�\W�0IJQ\I\�NWZ�0]UIVQ\a��\PI\�ZMITTa�UILM�both of us feel good”¹?PI\�1¼L�ZMITTa�TQSM�Q[�JM\\MZ�KWUU]VQKI\QWV[��UWZM�PMIZ\NMT\�KWV^MZ[I\QWV[��1¼L�TQSM�UWZM�OQ^QVO�PMIZ\[�º¹1�TQSM�XPa[QKIT�OQN\[��ZMIT�XZM[MV\[��VQKMTa�_ZIXXML�º¹1�TQSM�PIVLUILM�OQN\[�NZWU�Ua�KPQTLZMV��M^MV�\PW]OP�Ua�KPQTLZMV�IZM�OZW_V��\PI\¼[�_PI\�UMIV[�\PM�UW[\�º

If someone gave you Chamber checks, where would you spend them?¹1N�1�PIL�+PIUJMZ�KPMKS[�1¼L�\ISM�\PMU�\W�.]TTMZ�4WLOM�)Z\�+MV\MZ�IVL�OM\�[WUM\PQVO�PIVLUILM��1�UQOP\�OM\�[WUM�KIZL[�UILM�Ja�I�TWKIT�IZ\Q[\º¹5IaJM�1�KW]TL�\ISM�I�NZQMVL�W]\�\W�T]VKP�I\�*T]M�?QVLW_�WZ�:]Ja�3¼[���WZ�R][\�OW�OM\�I�UQTS[PISM�I\�,IVQMT¼[�+INu�0IIOMV�,Ib[º¹1¼L�\ISM�Ua�+PIUJMZ�KPMKS�\W�8M\�8IVOIMI�IVL�J]a�I�KI\VQX�\Wa�NWZ�Ua�WTL�KI\��Q\�makes her feel like a spring kitten”¹7WP��IZ\�[]XXTQM[�NZWU�>QTTIOM�)Z\[�WV�,8�:WIL��AW]�KIV�VM^MZ�PI^M�\WW�UIVa�IZ\�[]XXTQM[�º�¹1�TW^M�\W�SVQ\��1¼L�XZWJIJTa�OM\�[WUM�_WWT�NZWU�?IZU�0MIZ\[�AIZVº¹5M\bOMZ¼[�QV�?PQ\M�:WKS�Q[�Ua�NI^WZQ\M�XTIKM�\W�[PWX��1�UQOP\�OM\�OIZLMV�[]XXTQM[��WZ�PWUM�Å �̀]X�[\]NN��WZ�I�VM_�\PMZUWUM\MZ�WZ�JQZL�[MML��7Z�I�JQZL�NMMLMZ��7Z�JQKaKTM�QVVMZ�\]JM[�º�

16 the Essence December 2012 /January 2013 www.ReadTheEssence.com

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17the Essence December 2012 /January 2013www.losalamoschamber.com

Note: To build on Los Alamos National Laboratory’s long-standing relationship with its neighbors, Los Alamos National Security, LLC developed a Community Commitment Plan that dedicates more than $3 million per year to investments in education, economic development, and community giving. The Community Programs Office has oversight of the LANS Community Commitment Plan and manages the employee giving campaigns and drives. Kurt Steinhaus is Director of the Community Programs Office. Debbi Wer-sonick is the program lead for LANL employee giving campaigns.

The Season of Giving isn’t just the theme for the current employee giving campaign and drives at Los Alamos National Laboratory. This is just one of the four seasons that LANL employees, retirees and Los Alamos National Security, LLC participate in to im-prove the quality of lives in our Northern New Mexico community.

A Time for ReflectionThe holiday season is a time to reflect on moments that made the past year special.

And because all of us are often quite busy with our day-to-day routines – deadlines to meet, chores to get done, school and other activities - we have little time to communicate the accomplishments, milestones and the heart-warming stories about the lives that our work touches. So, as the year comes to an end, the Community Programs Office shares some of the stories of our employees’ and managers’ generosity that touched our hearts.

Wreaths Across AmericaPartnering with LANS

and SOC Los Alamos, the Laboratory’s security guard force, the Labora-tory participates in the annual Wreaths Across America project. Wreaths Across America, is a non-profit organization found-ed by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. At cemeteries across the country volunteers simul-taneously place wreaths on the graves of fallen soldiers. For the past four years, more than $20,000 in sponsorships and dona-

tions from LANL employees/subcontract personnel and Los Alamos National Security, LLC have helped sponsor wreaths for the Santa Fe National Cemetery and the Carlsbad cemetery. Hundreds of Los Alamos employees also participate in the nationwide wreath-laying ceremony.

As far as one can see are white headstones – almost as if aligned in military forma-tion. Volunteers scurry through the grounds, placing a wreath at each gravesite. One scene particularly stood out from the crowd of volunteers: at each grave that he placed a wreath, the volunteer knelt down to read the inscription on headstone, carefully laid his wreath, then stood quietly in a moment of silence, and ended his tribute with a salute to the soldier buried there.

Employee Giving CampaignLANL partners with the United Way of Northern New Mexico and United Way of

Santa Fe County annually to conduct an employee giving campaign. Over the last seven years, employee donations and the LANS commitment to match these donations dollar-for-dollar up to $1 million, have increased by 270 percent.

Paying It Forward was the theme of the recent campaign and is born out of the concept that involves doing something good in response to a good deed done for you. When you pay it forward, you repay the kindness by doing something nice for someone else. At press time, we don’t have the final totals for the campaign, but our employees have again paid it forward and pledged almost $2 million (plus, the $1 million from LANS) to improve the quality of life for our neighbors, friends and families.

Los Alamos Employees’ Scholarship Fund Since 1998, the

Los Alamos Em-ployees’ Scholar-ship Fund (LASEF) has awarded 700 scholarships be-cause of the gen-erous LANL em-ployee’s donations and the annual $250,000 LANS matching funds. That’s a $2.5 mil-lion investment in the dreams and fu-tures of outstanding

Northern New Mexico scholars!Jacob Leyba received a 2012 Senator Pete Domenici Endowed Scholarship and is

one of the 79 Northern New Mexico students sharing in $411,000 in scholarships. At first glance, Jacob is the typical Escalante High School graduating senior, excited about his upcoming enrollment at the University of New Mexico. Jacob is a truly amazing and special young man. In October 2010, while driving home from football practice, Jacob nearly lost his life in a traffic accident that left him with a broken back, the loss of his right arm, and a traumatic brain injury.

Jacob Leyba faced the possibility of never walking the same again or regaining his level of intelligence before the accident. But he refused to accept this; Jacob established a relationship with a physical therapist that changed his educational goals and decided his future career. Jacob is pursuing his dream to share his experience and help others facing recovery from traumatic injuries as a physical therapist. An additional unexpect-ed gift from the LANL Director’s Office to fund summer internships for Los Alamos Em-ployees’ Scholarship recipients gave Jacob an opportunity to increase his knowledge about sports medicine at the Laboratory’s Occupational Medicine organization and Wellness Center.

Tony Fox, Scholarship Program Officer for the LANL Foundation states, “Jacob is very deserving of a LAESF scholarship on many levels, not the least of which is his strong commitment to education. The fact that he’s overcome so much, and yet continues to keep his eyes focused on education is a strong testament this young man’s courage and determination.”

Vecinos Volunteer Program

“Vecinos,” the Spanish word for neighbors captures the spirit of the more than 3,000 LANL employee and retiree volunteers who give their time and talent to nonprofit organizations in our communities. Annually, LANS recognizes and rewards our out-standing volunteer by honoring their service and making a mone-tary donation to nonprofit organi-zations on their behalf. This year, LANS distributed $180,000 to organizations and recognized our top volunteers, who collec-tively logged more than 270,000 hours of service in one year.

see GIVING, page 19

At Los Alamos National Laboratory, the Season of Giving is Year-Round

Insight

Leyba

Stovall

18 the Essence December 2012 /January 2013 www.ReadTheEssence.com

EventsDecember 20121 thru Jan 5 Affordable Arts Show by Fuller Lodge Art Center

1 Children’s Christmas Bazaar at Trinity on the Hill Church 9 am to 12 pm TOTH’s 9th Annual Children’s Christmas Bazaar at Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church.

1 Kiwanis Fundraiser: Pancake Breakfast with Santa at Betty Ehart Senior Center 7 am to 12 pm Have breakfast with Santa!

2 PEEC presents Reptiles and Amphibians of New Mexico 2 pm to 3:30 pmScott Bulgrin, President of the New Mexico Herpetological Society, will give a presentation on New Mexico Reptiles and Amphibians.

5 PEEC presents Holiday Eco Crafts at PEEC 2 pm to 4 pm While parents get a break to shop locally (or in PEEC’s own gift shop), kids can make and wrap presents for everyone on their list out of natural and recycled materials.

5 LA Arts Council Brown Bag Performance Series at Fuller Lodge 12 pm to 1 pm Composer and pianist Frances Meier will perform.

5 Shop on the Corner Christmas Sale at Trinity on the Hill Church 8:30 am to 12:30 pm Affordable gifts, decoration, clothing, jewelry, toys, books, kitchen items and much more at thrift store prices.

5 Tech-Know-kids at the Community Building 2 pm to 4 pm Lego Robotics, Rocketry, GPS, GamingYouth ages 7-9 who love technology can join.

6 Mesa Public Library Free Film Series 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm New Series: Academy Award Winners! Come see A Separation.

G WinterFest Activities G7-9 WinterFest Weekend by Los Alamos MainStreet - All weekend Various locations. Multiple co-promoted events and activities throughout the entire weekend! Light Parade, Performances, Live Music, Good Cheer.

7-8 Los Alamos Creche Show at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

7 Hansel and Gretel ballet performance by Dance Arts Los Alamos at Duane Smith Auditorium 7 pm to 8:45 pm

8 Ashley Pond Tree Lighting 7 pm All of the trees around the pond will be beautifully lit for the holidays!

8 YMCA Half Marathan and Festive 5K 9 am

8-9 Los Alamos Geological Society Earth Treasure Show at Masonic Temple – Saturday 9 am to 5 pm Sunday 9 am to 4 pm Annual gem show. Admission is free. Snacks from the Legion Women’s Auxiliary as well as geodes, silent auctions, and several dealers with everything from jewelry to sand sculptures, to mineral specimens.

8 Kids talk with Santa at CB Fox from 11 am to 4 pm

8 Holiday Crafts for kids at Mesa Public Library from noon to 4 pm

8 Christkindlmarket at Central Park Square parking lot 5pm to 9pm

8 Fairy Tales and Fantasies Holiday Lights Parade on Central Avenue downtown 6 pm to 7 pm

8 Fuller Lodge Open House presented by the Los Alamos Arts Council 10 am to 3 pm Join us at Fuller Lodge for live dance and chorus performances; and posole, cookies and punch. Christmas wreaths and items from the Historical Museum will be for sale.

8 Holiday Prism Concert presented by the Los Alamos Community Winds at White Rock Baptist Church 7 pm to 9 pm

8-9 Hansel and Gretel ballet performance by Dance Arts Los Alamos at Duane Smith Auditorium 2 pm to 3:45 pm

9 North Pole Luminaria Walk at Posse Lodge and stables 5pm to 7pm

9 Mesa Public Library’s Authors Speak Series presents Chris Wilson and Jose Zelaya: Plazas of New Mexico 7 pm to 8:30 pm UNM Professor of Cultural Landscape Studies, Chris Wilson and book collaborator and architect Jose Zelaya.

9 North Pole Workshop & Luminaria Walk at North Mesa Posse Lodge and Stables Area 5 pm to 7 pm Dress warmly, wear your walking shoes, and enjoy the North Mesa stables lit up with luminarias and holiday lights. Afterwards, join us at the Posse Lodge for professional digital photographs with Santa and his elves, warm drinks, light refreshments, and a holiday craft.

9 Holiday half-marathon and Festive 5K starting at the Family YMCA 9 am to 12 pm Los Alamos YMCA Holiday Runs.

11 Vegetable Fermentation Shop with the Chef Class at Los Alamos Coop Market Learn how to ferment vegetables from Ray Joggerst and Teo Insogna. Using fermentation to make alcohol is only one of its many uses. Fermentation is also used to make yogurt, cheese, and bread. Only half a century ago, it was the common means of making pickles and sauerkraut.

12 PEEC presents Update: Post Las Conchas Fire Trail Rehabilitation at PEEC 7 pm to 8 pm Many trails in the Los Alamos area took a beating during post-fire floods in the summer of 2011. It wasn’t a pretty picture in February 2012 when PEEC offered a program on the status of the trail network. But this past summer, about 22 miles of those trails were rebuilt, rerouted, improved, or stabilized by contractors, local boy and girl scout groups, and volunteers.

13 Winter Farmers Market 8:30 am to 12 pm at Fuller Lodge Eat healthy - food from local farmers and ranchers. Order your holiday meats and arrange pick up dates and times.

15 Celtic Christmas Showdown at Crossroads Bible Church

15,16 Skate with Santa and His Elves at the Los Alamos County Ice Rink Saturday 4 pm to 6 pm; Sunday 3 pm to 5 pm Santa always takes time during his busy schedule to visit the ice rink.

20 Winter Farmers Market 8:30 am to 12 pm at Fuller Lodge Eat healthy - food from local farmers and ranchers. Order your holiday meats and arrange pick up dates and times.24 Luminaria Skate at the Los Alamos County Ice Rink 5 pm to 7 pm Quiet holiday music, luminarias and holiday lights. Enjoy the holiday evening skating with family and friends.

31 Say “Aloha” to 2012 at the Los Alamos County Ice Rink 8 pm to 10:30 pm Family fun New Year’s event welcome in 2013. Break out the Hawaiian shirts, surfing tunes and skate with the tiki torches.

19the Essence December 2012 /January 2013www.losalamoschamber.com

JANUARY 20138 Los Alamos National Bank-sponsored lecture series. “Jews in Theory” 7:30 pm to 9 pm Dr. Jack Shlachter will share stories about the laboratory’s Theoretical Division in 1945, with its disproportionate number of Jewish leaders. Fuller Lodge. Free and open to the public.

10 Backcountry Film Festival presented by PEEC at Reel Deal Theater 7 pm to 8:30 pm. Part 1, The Science tells about scientific research into climate change being conducted on the Valles Caldera National Preserve as well as the geology, the geologic forces that formed the Caldera super volcano (with 3 D animations of eruptions), the current hydrology within the Caldera and the effects of fire in the region.

12 Underground Life of the Forest presented by PEEC 10 am to 12 pm Come to PEEC to learn about life in complex soil ecosystems from Leslie Dendy. This informative and interesting class will look at pocket gopher teeth, earthworm hearts, and a cricket gizzard, and use microscopes to see the tiniest organisms that live underground. Learn about how our lives depend on bacteria and fungi, what ants are good for, and who lives in all those holes!

13 PEEC presents East Fork Trail Snowshoe at Valles Caldera National Preserve 9:30 am to 3 pm Join experienced outdoorsman and Los Alamos Mountaineer Michael Altherr for a winter snowshoe on the East Fork Trail.

17 PEEC Collaborative Restoration of the Jemez Mountains at PEEC 7 pm to 8:00 pm Anne Bradley, the Forest Conservation Program Manager for The Nature Conservancy will talk about the Conservancy’s collaborative forest restoration and conservation projects in the Jemez Mountains.

22 Using Obsidian to Learn About the Past at the Valles Caldera presented by PEEC 7 pm to 8 pm This talk is an introduction to archaeological obsidian analyses and an overview of current projects underway at the VCNP. This will be an opportunity to examine many examples of obsidian nodules and actual artifacts, including forest fires specimens. Bring your curiosity and your questions!

31 PEEC Author Talk: In Search of Dominguez & Escalante at PEEC 7 pm to 8 pm Photographers and authors, Siegfried Halus and Greg Mac Gregor will speak about their book, In Search of Dominguez & Escalante which looks at the 1776 expedition of Francisco Atanasio Dominguez and Silvestre Velez de Escalante.

Community Calendar, searchable business directory, full event details, more events, and

contact information at fyiLA.com

Mesa Public Library WinterFest Reception

Mesa Public Library will offer a lively Sunday afternoon of events as part of the downtown WinterFest Celebration on December 9th. A brand new exhibition The Plazas of New Mexico will open in conjunction with a talk by the author of the book of the same title, Chris Wilson of the University of New Mexico. The ‘Authors Speak’ is at 1:30 pm.

The Plazas of New Mexico documents the rich heritage of New Mex-ico’s public plazas, and the everyday life and community celebrations that help sustain them. The Opening reception is at 2:30 in the upstairs gallery.

Welcome Reception for our new Library Manager Steven Thomas

Welcome new library manager, Steven Thomas to Los Alamos. Steven and his wife Lisa Caldwell, also a librarian, come to our community from Fayetteville, Arkansas. Thomas reflected on the unique qualities Los Ala-mos has to offer, “It is a WOW! Both Lisa and I love the arts and New Mexico and this area have outstanding offerings in art, music, film and more. To be part of this stunningly beautiful place, to have access to hik-ing and scenery, as well as a great job-well, what more could I ask for? We are just thrilled to be here!”

Reception is from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm.

This year’s recognition took on a very special meaning for our most “seasoned” out-standing LANL retiree volunteers, Virginia Stovall, who at 102 years old, served 1,470 hours at Rosemont assisted Living where she resides. Virginia’s presence (with her son) at the recognition ceremony — she received a Top Volunteer Award — was an inspiration to all of our volunteers. By the smile on her face it was obvious that Virginia was honored to accept her well-deserved award.

LANL LacesLANL Laces, a year-round

program, encourages LANL employees to make a mon-etary donation to buy new shoes for elementary school age students in Northern New Mexico. The Community Programs Office coordinates with area schools to host field trips for approximately 400 students to meet at a local shoe stores to be fitted for a new pair of shoes. Partnered with a LANL volunteer, the bright-eyed, enthusiastic kids pick out their favorite pair of shoes. The excitement of wear-ing their new shoes out of the store is measured by the huge smiles on each of their faces!

Holiday Food and Gift DriveAnnually, LANL partners with northern New Mexico nonprofit organizations, New

Mexico Children, Youth, and Families and New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Service departments to make the holidays a little brighter for more than 1,000 Northern New Mexico children and senior citizens. LANL employees enjoy selecting a holiday gift tag with the name and holiday gift wish, and then shopping for the perfect gift to be distrib-uted in time for Christmas.

As you can see, LANS and LANL gives back to our communities throughout all the seasons of the year! And, as you go about your last minute holiday preparations and searching for the perfect gifts for family and friends, take a moment to remember and give ‘thanks’ for the LANS commitment to Northern New Mexico and the gifts of time, talent, and dollars that LANL employees and retirees give to make a difference in the lives of Jacob Leyba, our fallen soldiers, nonprofit organizations, and all of our neighbors.

GIVING, from page 17

20 the Essence December 2012 /January 2013 www.ReadTheEssence.com

9:00am – 5:00pm | 109 Central Park Square, Los Alamos | 661.4815