Tell the profiteers “NO! Not this time.â€
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All posts by mjh
Venus and Mars in the morning sky
The Sky This Week, 2015 October 27 – November 3 — Naval Oceanography Portal
The bright planets are now confined to the morning sky where you’ll find Venus and Jupiter dominating the view before sunrise. The two planets had a spectacular conjunction on the 26th, and while Venus draws away from the giant planet the pair will remain a beautiful sight to the naked eye. If you look carefully you’ll see the much fainter ruddy glow of Mars just below the brighter pair. Over the course of the week Venus will close in on the red planet, and early risers on the 3rd will see them less than a degree apart. This sight will be worth getting up early for; just remember that it will be best seen at around 5:00 am Standard Time!
The Sky This Week, 2015 October 27 – November 3 — Naval Oceanography Portal
Halloween is known as a "cross-quarter day"
The Sky This Week, 2015 October 27 – November 3 — Naval Oceanography Portal
Since it occurs about mid-way between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice, Halloween is known as a “cross-quarter day” that was celebrated widely in Europe before the influence of Christianity took hold. This early observance was known as Samhain and was celebrated as a harvest festival marking the boundary between the days of light and the nights of winter’s darkness. It was also thought to be a time when the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead drew closest, so a large part of the celebration included honoring ancestors and others who had passed into the underworld. When Christianity swept northern Europe the festival was incorporated into the feats of All Saints’ Day, which traditionally fell on November 1st. Carving a Jack O’ Lantern is a part of the tradition, imitating illuminated gourds and turnips lit to welcome the spirits of the dead to enter a home and partake of food and drink.
The Sky This Week, 2015 October 27 – November 3 — Naval Oceanography Portal
Leaf-falling Moon 10/27
Technically full after midnight, watch for it 10/26 and 10/28, too.
The Sky This Week, 2015 October 20 – 27 — Naval Oceanography Portal
The Moon waxes in the evening sky this week, wending her way through the autumnal constellations as she makes her way eastward along the ecliptic. Full Moon occurs on the 27th at 8:05 an Eastern Daylight Time. October’s Full Moon is popularly called the Hunter’s Moon, and it shares almost the same horizon geometry as September’s Harvest Moon. In far northern latitudes this causes successive moonrises to occur at about the same time on the nights around the full phase, and this “extra” light gave hunters a little more time to pursue game across the stubble of the harvested fields. Some Native Americans referred to it as the Leaf-falling Moon or the Nut Moon. Because the autumn sky is filled with mostly dim, ill-defined constellation patterns Luna’s journey this week is a lonely one; there are no bright objects along her path to meet with.
The Sky This Week, 2015 October 20 – 27 — Naval Oceanography Portal
Acoma Pueblo Sky City
Albuquerque Journal | Acoma families inhabit Sky City live a lifestyle that’s millennia old, and share the ancient story of the pueblo with visitors By Glen Rosales / Journal Staff Writer, Sunday, October 25th, 2015 at 12:02am
Sitting high atop a mesa, commanding a view of the surrounding countryside, Acoma Pueblo has been a bastion for the Native Americans of the area for hundreds of years.
In fact, it’s the oldest continuously inhabited community in the United States, dating back to about 100 A.D., with some of the current adobe dwellings more than 400 years old.
And it’s also one of the most accessible of the pueblos as Acoma not only encourages visitors, but makes it an easy endeavor with guided tours, acomaskycity.org, said Melvin Juanico, group tour director for the pueblo.
Watch for Venus and Jupiter in the morning sky 10/25-26, Venus & Mars 11/3
The Sky This Week, 2015 October 20 – 27 — Naval Oceanography Portal
The main planetary action occurs in the pre-dawn sky with dazzling Venus, bright Jupiter, and a rather subdued ruddy Mars interacting over the next few weeks. You’ll have no trouble watching Venus close in on Jupiter this week. The two planets will be closest together on the mornings of the 25th and 26th when they will be separated by just over one degree. After that Venus will set her sights on Mars, passing the red planet on November 3rd. It’s well worth rising before the Sun to watch this celestial dance through the end of October while we’re still on Daylight Time. After November 1st everything will occur an hour earlier as we return to Standard Time!
The Sky This Week, 2015 October 20 – 27 — Naval Oceanography Portal
The majority of New Mexicans wants wolves in the wild.
Demand that Governor Martinez appoint at least one person to the Game Commission who doesn’t make a living off of public lands and killing our wildlife. (There will be 3 vacancies at the end of 2015.)
Albuquerque Journal | Wolves are necessary for ecological health By Sharman Apt Russell / Writers On The Range
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has also made it clear that it will continue to thwart wolf reintroduction in New Mexico, even though the reintroduction is mandated by federal law and supported by a majority of citizens.
Albuquerque Journal | Wolves are necessary for ecological health
Supermoon eclipse coming Sept. 27: 1982-2015- 2033
I’ll be 78 for the next one.
a rare celestial event: a supermoon coinciding with a total lunar eclipse.
Both phenomena create intriguing displays high in the sky, but the last time the two happened together was more than 30 years ago.
“That’s rare because it’s something an entire generation may not have seen,” Noah Petro, deputy project scientist for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center told NASA. The last time the two stellar events combined was in 1982, and NASA experts predict the next one won’t occur until 2033.
Supermoon eclipse coming Sept. 27: How rare is the celestial treat?
New Mexico’s top 10 national and state parks | Travel | The Guardian
Nice one-page article with photos. We haven’t seen all of these, but most.
New Mexico’s top 10 national and state parks | Travel | The Guardian Mary Caperton Morton
New Mexico lives up to its nickname – the Land of Enchantment – with glittering deserts, vast underground caverns, gem-rich mountains and hundreds of years of human history
New Mexico’s top 10 national and state parks | Travel | The Guardian
Time for new Game Commissioners – Letters to the editor | Albuquerque Journal
My letter was just one of several objecting to the Game Commission.
Time to get some new commissioners
THE NEW MEXICO Game Commission is charged with managing wildlife for all of us. Recent decisions show there is no representation for those of us who think wildlife, including the top predators, should be protected from slaughter. We are the majority yet completely unrepresented on the commission.
The terms of three of the commissioners expire on Dec. 31. All New Mexicans who believe wildlife has a right to more than a brutal death should implore Gov. Susana Martinez to appoint at least one commissioner to represent the majority.
MARK JUSTICE HINTON
Albuquerque
Elizabeth “Beth†Atkinson Ryan [attorney, oil and gas, hunter, NRA] – 2015
Robert Espinoza, Sr. [hunter, NRA] – 2015
Paul M. Kienzle III [attorney, hunter] – 2015
August’s Full Moon is known as the Corn Moon, Grain Moon, or Sturgeon Moon
Full Moon occurs on the 29th at 2:35 pm Eastern Daylight Time. August’s Full Moon is popularly known as the Corn Moon, Grain Moon, or Sturgeon Moon. If you like corn-on-the-cob or caviar, this Moon’s for you! – from http://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/tours-events/sky-this-week/the-sky-this-week-2015-august-25-september-1
Three NM Game Commissioners’ terms are up 12/31/15 — they need to be replaced
Note that the terms of 3 of these commissioners expire at the end of 2015. Their replacements will serve 4 years (2019). Lean hard on Governor Martinez to appoint new people to replace them, at least one representing those of us who hate the slaughter and butchering of public wildlife on public lands for private profit.
Notice the current representation:
Elizabeth “Beth” Atkinson Ryan [attorney, oil and gas, hunter, NRA] – 2015
Robert Espinoza, Sr. [hunter, NRA] – 2015
Paul M. Kienzle III [attorney, hunter] – 2015
William “Bill†Montoya [actual wildlife management training] – 2017
Ralph Ramos [hunter, guide] – 2018
Bob Ricklefs [rancher] – 2018
Thomas “Dick†Salopek [hunter, NRA] – 2017
New Mexico State Game Commissioners
Paul M. Kienzle III [attorney, hunter]
Chairman
P.O. Box 587
Albuquerque, NM 87103-0587
paul@kienzlelaw.com
Paul Kienzle is an attorney in Albuquerque. He hunts and fishes on public and private lands and is committed to protecting people’s right to do so. He enjoys shooting sports. He is passionate about New Mexico’s constitutional right to keep and bear arms for lawful hunting and recreation purposes. He is interested in putting more youth, adults and first-time hunters in the field. He was educated at Duke University and the University of Illinois College of Law. The New Mexico Senate confirmed his appointment Feb. 25, 2013. Kienzle represents Game Commission District Five. His term expires Dec. 31, 2015.
William “Bill†Montoya [actual wildlife management training]
Vice-Chairman
125 Little Creek Hills Road
Alto, NM 88312-9503
Home: (575) 336-2533
Cell: (505) 412-0290
billmontoya@hotmail.com
Bill Montoya is a former director of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. He worked for the Department for 28 years, overseeing conservation and game management before taking over the director’s position. He is also the former president of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. He holds a degree in wildlife management from New Mexico State University. The New Mexico Senate confirmed his appointment Feb. 25, 2013. Montoya represents Game Commission District 1. The district is composed of Curry, De Baca, Roosevelt, Chaves, Lincoln, Otero, Eddy and Lea counties. His term expires Dec. 31, 2017.
Robert Espinoza, Sr. [hunter, NRA]
P.O. Box 6792
Farmington, NM 87499
Work: (505) 324-8208
robert_nmgf@live.com
Robert Espinoza Sr. a resident of Farmington for more than 50 years, owns and operates a metal fabricating and construction business in Farmington along with his two sons, Tiger and Benny. He formerly served as President/Executive Director of United Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife New Mexico, and is active in several other sportsmen’s and conservation organizations, including the Mule Deer Foundation, National Rifle Association, Wild Sheep Foundation, Sportsmen and Landowners Coalition, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Safari Club International. A lifelong avid sportsman, he devotes most of his time and efforts to promoting our hunting and fishing heritage in New Mexico and enhancing the habitat for New Mexico’s wildlife, with a big focus on promoting youth actives and opportunities. The New Mexico Senate confirmed his appointment Feb. 25, 2013. Espinoza represents Game Commission District 3. The district is composed of San Juan, McKinley, Cibola, Valencia, Sandoval, Los Alamos and Rio Arriba counties. His term ends Dec. 31, 2015.
Ralph Ramos [hunter, guide]
Las Cruces
Home: (575) 526-1314
ralphramos@comcast.net
Ralph Ramos, a native of Hurley in Grant County, is a Middle School Principal in Las Cruces, having served that community and Las Cruces Public Schools for 18 years. He has taught Agriscience and served as advisor to the local Future Farmers of America chapter for eight years before moving into administration. He holds a BS and MA in Agricultural Education from NMSU. He is a lifelong professional sportsman and guide and has hunted throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and South Africa as he is currently serving as a hunting industry pro staff member. His passion is educating the public through articles and videography, as well as presenting elk and turkey calling seminars for Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and other organizations. He is a member of: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, National Rifle Association, Mesilla Valley Sportsman’s Alliance. Ramos is one of two commissioners appointed at-large. His term expires with the close of the 2014 legislative session. His term expires Dec. 31, 2018.
Bob Ricklefs [rancher]
Cimarron
(575) 376-1123
bob.ricklefs@gmail.com
Robert Ricklefs has been ranch superintendent at Philmont Scout Ranch in northern New Mexico since 1981. He is in charge of wildlife management, livestock, agriculture, water rights, timber management and range management. He is a member of the Colfax regional water planning committee and is a founding member of the Cimarron Watershed Alliance. He contributed to the first black bear study in New Mexico and has been a cooperator in other New Mexico bear and cougar studies. He is a past member of the New Mexico Bureau of Land Management Advisory Council and currently serves as a board member with the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from the University of Wyoming. Ricklefs represents Game Commission District 4. In his personal time, he enjoys camping with family and grandchildren. His term expires Dec. 31, 2018.
Elizabeth Atkinson Ryan [attorney, oil and gas, hunter, NRA]
PO Box 1612
Roswell, NM 88202-1612
(575)291-7606
bethryanlawyer@gmail.com
An experienced oil, gas and energy attorney, Elizabeth “Beth†Atkinson Ryan focuses her practice in the areas of oil and gas title examination, regulatory, transactional, and everyday operational matters. Partnering with Joel M. Carson III, they created the law firm of Carson Ryan LLC in January 2014 after Ryan’s own firm, Ryan Law Firm, P.C. expanded at an extraordinary pace in 2012 and 2013. Appointed by Governor Susana Martinez in 2011, Beth just completed four years of service as a member of the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board (EIB). She is a member of the Board of Directors of the New Mexico Landman’s Association and is a Trustee of the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation. She is an active member of Safari Club International (SCI) and the local SENM SCI Chapter, National Rifle Association (NRA), and a voting member of the Chaves County DWI Planning Council, a subcommittee of the Chaves County Commission. Beth also serves on the Board of Directors of Lovelace Regional Hospital in Roswell. She has had a passion since a young age for hunting and outdoor adventure. Beth is a summa cum laude graduate of Lubbock Christian University with a B.A. in Humanities with an emphasis in pre-law and a minor in Biblical studies. She received her J.D. cum laude from Texas Tech University School of Law in 2006. Ryan is one of two commissioners appointed at-large. Her term expires Dec. 31, 2015.
Thomas “Dick†Salopek [hunter, NRA]
975 Holcomb Road
Las Cruces, NM 88007
Work: (575) 526-5946
Fax: (575) 526-0867
DickSalopek@hotmail.com
Dick Salopek of Las Cruces is a third-generation pecan farmer in the Mesilla Valley. He is an avid hunter, bowhunter and outdoorsman. He is co-owner of Tom Salopek Farms, Western Blend, Salopek 4-MP and Robledo Pecan Sorting. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Dona Ana County Planning & Zoning Commission, the New Mexico Pecan Grower’s Association, and is treasurer of the Dona Ana County Farm Bureau. Salopek has been on the Board of Councilors at Citizens Bank. He is also a member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the National Rifle Association. He holds a B.A. in Agronomy and Soil Science from New Mexico State University. Salopek represents Game Commission District 2. The district is composed of Catron, Socorro, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Sierra and Doña Ana counties. His term ends Dec. 31, 2017.
Clipped from: http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/commission/meet-the-commissioners/
Recall the fall of Scott Bidegain, the cowardly NM Game Commissioner, just over a year ago
With luck, we’ll be rid of all the self-serving fools on the New Mexico Game Commission. With that in mind, recall the fall of Scott Bidegain, who pocketed a wad of cash for setting up the slaughter of a cornered cougar by even-more-loathsome turds from Texas and Oklahoma. The noble Bidegain had previously participated in the sport of kings: coyote slaughtering. What a fine New Mexican!
Each of the current commissioners is of the same ilk and could be brought down by their own cruelty. Let us pray.
Game Commission leader resigns after cougar killing
By Staci Matlock, The New MexicanState Game Commission chairman Scott Bidegain, who state conservation officers a week ago accused of helping four other men illegally kill a cougar on his family’s ranch near Tucumcari, resigned over the weekend. …
Cited along with Bidegain was Larry H. Webb of Newkirk; Billy G. Ivy of Canyon, Texas; Chad W. Hassell of Childress, Texas; and Jason E. Roselius of Oklahoma City. Roselius was cited for killing a cougar without a valid license. It is unclear whether the men shot the cougar or their dogs cornered and killed the cougar.
NM Game Commission
It’s time for a clean slate at the New Mexico Game Commission. All of these people should go. Their successors should include someone from a city, someone who enjoys hiking without killing. Instead, we have hunters, guides, ranchers, people in oil, people whose livelihood and pleasure derive from exploiting public land for profit.
New Mexico State Game Commissioners, from left:
Alexa Sandoval, Director
Bob Ricklefs,
Thomas “Dick†Salopek,
Paul M. Kienzle III, Chairman,
William “Bill†Montoya, Vice Chairman,
Elizabeth Atkinson Ryan,
Ralph Ramos, and
Robert Espinoza, Sr.listen during their meeting at the Santa Fe Community College in Santa Fe, N.M. Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015. The New Mexico Game Commission has approved new hunting limits for bears and cougars around the state despite the protests of environmental groups. (Clyde Mueller/Santa Fe New Mexican via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
Believe me, I’d love to indulge in Wanted posters of these folks and coy references to hunting them down, but I won’t indulge in the violence they endorse. I wish them peaceful lives out of public “service.” If I see one of them, I will flip him or her off. If I have mustard at hand, I will throw it on them. A better man would stand and stare and shake his head at their shame.
Flash mob, anyone?