Biggest Little Paper in the Southwest FREE Our 16th Year! August 2012 - When bison roamed New Mexico, page 34 - Creative Circle Media Solutions
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
exposure Local author’s case for
cannabis, page 24
From flotsam to folk
art, page 32
When bison roamed
New Mexico, page 34
Biggest Little Paper in the Southwest FREE Our 16th Year! • August 2012
2 AUGUST 2012 www.desertexposure.com
www.SmithRealEstate.com Call or Click Today!
(575) 538-5373 or 1-800-234-0307
505 W. College Avenue • PO Box 1290 • Silver City, NM 88062
Quality People, Quality Service for over 40 years!
CUTE AND CLEAN! 3 BR 1 Bath home in Tyrone has had ALL BRICK SILVER HEIGHTS HOME on Juniper St. 3 BR, A VISION IN SOUTHWEST STYLE – Roomy open floor
plenty of TLC. Nicely xeriscaped front yard, extra storage 2 BA, large lot and lots of extra storage/workshop area. Nice plan with lots of Southwest flavor – Authentic tile floors & stucco, wooden
building and attached garage. Carpeted LR and bedrooms. fireplace in living room. Just re-painted and priced to sell at beams and doors, fireplace, big windows to take in the beautiful views, large
Lovely view to the north. Priced to sell at only $112,000. See it soon! $139,500. MLS #29073 Call Becky Smith ext 11 double garage – quality construction throughout. A great buy at $359,500.
Call Becky Smith ext 11 MLS # 29070 Call for an appointment! Becky Smith ext 11
GREAT HOME! GREAT AREA! Lovely brick home, just
minutes from the golf course and downtown. 3 BR 1 1/2 bath AUTHENTIC ADOBE HOME on 338 acres in the Mimbres
IMMACULATE, well maintained, 3 BD, 2 BA home. Newer
on 1 ac. Country kitchen w/breakfast bar opens to dining Valley. Secluded and private end of the road location. Set
water heater, all new paint, new carpet in 2 BD & closets, 2 yr
area w/French doors out to covered patio. Walk in closets in up for horses and cattle. Large living room, eat in kitchen
old roof w/asphalt shingles, dbl pane windows w/sunblock
bedrooms. Private office with access to great backyard with and lots and lots of room! Tile and brick floors throughout.
screens, Pergo floor in 1 BD, strg shed, outside fountains,
fruit trees and garden area. Lots more to see – take a look! This is a must see property! $975,000 #28960 Call Nancy Kavanagh ext 17
minimum care landscaping, new insulated garage door and much more!
MLS #29125 $225,000 Call Nancy Kavanagh ext 17
$222,500 MLS #28239 Call Judy Ward 575-388-7830
Cellular Connection
Forget the rest, now we're twice the best!
Two locations to serve you even better!
veri on wireless
Authorized Retailer
816 N. Hudson Hwy. 180 E
575-534-4636 575-574-2293
On the corner of across from Walmart
College & Hudson in Silver City, NM
in Silver City, NM ¡Se hable Español!
Still locally owned and operated,
where you always receive
exceptional knowledge, customer
service & Verizon Wireless products.
Stop in either location for
information on our new
SHAREEverything™
Plan
Open: Mon-Fri 9-5:30 • Sat 9-4
DESERT EXPOSURE AUGUST 2012 3
SLEEP EXPRESSIONS: THE ART OF GREAT SLEEP!
LIMITED TIME ONLY! LIMITED TIME ONLY! LIMITED TIME ONLY! LIMITED TIME ONLY! LIMITED TIME ONLY! LIMITED TIME ONLY! LIMITED TIME ONLY!
LIMITED TIME ONLY! LIMITED TIME ONLY! LIMITED TIME ONLY! LIMITED TIME ONLY! LIMITED TIME ONLY! LIMITED TIME ONLY! LIMITED TIME ONLY!
Special
Purchase
Twin Mattresses
starting at
Hanover Bradford Camden Dresden
Pillow Top Firm Pillow Top Euro Top
$
399 Queen Set
$
479 Queen Set
$
549 Queen Set
$
599 Queen Set
Twin Set ..............$249 Twin Set ..............$329 Twin Set ..............$399 Twin Set ..............$499
Full Set ................$349 Full Set ................$429 Full Set ................$499 Full Set ................$549
King Set ..............$529 King Set ..............$649 King Set ..............$749 King Set ..............$799
FREE FREE
D SEEL TI V- U
ER
FREE
DELIVERY! P !Y ! DE M
R L IO
VVER
AYL !
HOME FURNITURE
APPLIANCES & CARPETING
207 South Bullard Street
Family owned and operated in Historic Downtown Silver City Since 1937
OPEN: MON- FRI 9 AM - 6 PM FREE DELIVERY
SAT 10 AM - 5 PM 538-3767
In-Store Financing with approval ©DE
4 AUGUST 2012 www.desertexposure.com
Experts in Southwest Real Estate
5 offices in New Mexico: Lots of updates on this well Lg 2b/2ba on 2 fenced acres in Pride of ownership shows!
Paul Ciano, QB Las Cruces, Silver City, maintained home w/ lg Mimbres. $128,900. Newer 3b/2ba with open
Realtor of the year 2010 Deming, Alamagordo, Tularosa backyard. MLS 29127. MLS 29189. floorplan. Move-in ready!
pjciano@gmail.com Call Paul. Call Lucy. $95,000. MLS 28554. Call Dan.
575-313-5919
Gary Edwards, QB
garybbedwards@gmail.com
575-590-4458
Cassie Carver Dominguez
cassiedrealtor@gmail.com
575-313-0308
2b/2ba near Lake Roberts. Country living on Southwest Style Beauty on Priced to sell! Home on great
Lucy Tully Sapillo Creek runs thru this 3.5ac on outskirts of 10ac in Gila. Custom interior lot in Bayard! Amazing views.
lucytully.realtor@gmail.com property. MLS 29291. Bayard. $49,500. MLS 28921. w/ open floor plan. $319,000. $42,000. MLS 28509.
575-654-5546 Call Paul Call Helene MLS 28820. Call Lucy. Call Helene.
Daniel D. Cook
dcookrealtor@gmail.com
575-590-7773
H.G. “Larry” Polanco
hgpolanco@gmail.com
575-313-3821
Helene Perrault Holguin As low as $500 could move Choose your lot, Cute Mimbres bungalow, close Well cared for Indian Hills
hholguin4@gmail.com you in to this 3b/2ba Tyrone or buy all 3 of these city lots. to Mimbres River, w/ barn, home on almost an acre w/
575-313-6799 home. $113,000. Call Dan MLS 28651. corral & storage bldg. views! $167,000. MLS 29063.
Call Cassie MLS 29168. Call Paul Call Gary.
Now offering Property Management Services!
Call Paul (575)388-1449
1001 Pope Street, Silver City, NM • 575-388-1788 • www.garlandrealestatesilvercity.com
Looking For A Great
Low Impact Cardio Workout?
Group or private one-on-one spin classes
Now available at Billy Casper Wellness Center
taught by certified instructor Michele Bryan.
10 group classes offered Monday-Friday
Contact Michele for information and to schedule an
appointment—575-538-4805.
AFPA Certified Trainer, AFPA Certified Nutrition & Wellness Consultant, AFPA Certified Group Fitness Instructor
Also offering personal training
and nutritional counseling.
Available at
Billy Casper Wellness Center
300 16th Street Silver City, New Mexico
DESERT EXPOSURE AUGUST 2012 5
Contents Publisher & Editor
David A. Fryxell
(575) 538-4374 • editor@desertexposure.com
6 Editor’s Notebook • Rx for Change 38 The Starry Dome • Sagittarius, the Archer
Now it’s time to get down to the business of insuring New What to watch in the skies this month. By Bert Stevens Creative Director &
Mexicans’ health. By David A. Fryxell Silver City Advertising Sales
39 Body, Mind & Spirit • To “E.R.R.” Is Humane Lisa D. Fryxell
7 Letters A three-part formula. By Bina Breitner (575) 538-4374 • ads@desertexposure.com
Our readers write.
41 Body, Mind & Spirit • Echinacea vs. Colds Advertising Sales
10 Desert Diary Does it help? Plus Hispanics’ risk from air pollution. Silver City:
Wedding bells, backwards nails and more reader tales. EarthTalk, from E—The Environmental Magazine Ilene Wignall
(575) 313-0002, ilenew@desertexposure.com
12 Tumbleweeds • A Growing Difference 43 Body, Mind & Spirit • The Gift of Forgiveness Las Cruces/Mesilla:
Preferred Produce near Columbus aims to be a different The best gift you’ll ever give yourself. By Gaye Rock Kristi Dunn
kind of grower. By Marjorie Lilly (575) 956-7552, kristi@desertexposure.com
46 Body, Mind & Spirit • Weekly Events Deming:
13 Tumbleweeds • Ghost of a Chance? Grant County support groups, classes and more. Marjorie Lilly
Is high-tech ghost town developer Pegasus Global Holdings (575) 544-3559, marjorie@desertexposure.com
for real? Plus the Top 10. By David A. Fryxell 47 Henry Lightcap’s Journal • Walkabouts
Wisdom from Walden and walkabouts. By Henry Lightcap Web Designer
14 Tumbleweeds • Police Cruizers David Cortner
Ex-Chicago cops turn in their badges for small-town car-club 48 Ramblin’ Outdoors • Foraging in the Backyard
fun. By Pat Young The feast all around you. By Larry Lightner Events & Social Media
Courtney F. Graziano
16 Southwest Gardener • Gardening for the Ages 49 Talking Horses • Soft Eyes
Sage advice for keeping in the gardening game after that When a laser focus is counter-productive. By Scott Thomson Columnists
AARP card arrives. By Vivian Savitt Henry Lightcap, Larry Lightner, Marjorie Lilly,
50 Red or Green? • Dining Guide Vivian Savitt, Bert Stevens,
18 Arts Exposure • Heady Stuff Restaurant guide for Southwest New Mexico. Scott Thomson
Sculptor Tim Read found his muse with steel and giant
heads. By Donna Clayton Walter 52 Red or Green? • Everything’s Ducky Again P.O. Box 191
Silver City’s Tre Rosat Café reopens. By Peggy Platonos Silver City, NM 88062
21 Arts Exposure • Art Scene (575) 538-4374 • fax (575) 534-4134
Latest area art happenings. 54 Red or Green? • Table Talk www.desertexposure.com
Restaurant news.
23 Arts Exposure • Gallery Guide
Where to enjoy art in our area. 56 40 Days & 40 Nights
Complete area events guide for August and early September.
24 The Literary Life • Going to Pot
In a new book, Mimbres author Doug Fine argues for taking 58 The To-Do List
the crime out of cannabis. By Donna Clayton Walter Don’t-miss events this month. Desert Exposure is published monthly and distrib-
uted free of charge at establishments throughout
26 Trends • Doomsday Scenarios 61 Pet Talk • Human Treats, Pet Poison Southwestern New Mexico. Vol. XVI, number 8,
Meet three of your neighbors who think the end is near— What not to feed your dog or cat. By Angela Clendenin August 2012. Mail subscriptions are $18 for 6 is-
and who plan to be prepared. By Larry Lightner sues, $35 for 12 issues. Single copies by mail $4.
62 Continental Divide • Father of the Bride All contents copyright © 2012 Continental Divide
29 Animal Welfare• Led to Slaughter It’s not as easy as just looking dashing in a tux, you know. Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of
Slaughterhouses are looking to resume butchering horses, By David A. Fryxell this publication may be reproduced without writ-
including here in New Mexico. By Laurie Ford ten permission. All rights to material by outside
About the cover: Tim Read’s contributors revert to the author. Views expressed
32 Creative Pursuits • Garden of Earthly Delights large metal sculpture, “Unti- in articles, advertisements, graphics and/or photos
Gila artist Bill Kaderly turns wood and rocks into fanciful tled,” is on display in front of appearing in Desert Exposure do not necessarily
folk-art creations. By Rebecca Fitch his house. The custom-made reflect the views of the editors or advertisers.
scaffolding is a new direc- Desert Exposure is not responsible for unsolic-
34 Southwest Wildlife • American Icon tion the artist is taking to add ited submissions of articles or artwork. Submis-
The plains bison, famed in the Great Plains, also roamed depth and a feeling of move- sions by mail must include a self-addressed
early New Mexico. By Jay W. Sharp ment to his large sculptured stamped envelope for reply or return. It will be
heads. For more about Read, assumed that all submissions, including e-mail let-
37 Borderlines • Politicians and Police see this issue’s Arts Exposure ters, are intended for publication. All submissions,
The area’s other presidential election, plus the law in Palo- section. (Photo at left by including letters to the editor, may be edited for
mas. By Marjorie Lilly Donna Clayton Walter) length, style and content.
Sonoma YANKEE CANDLE®
LAVENDER’S America’s Best Loved Candle
Newest Fall
Fragrances
SEASON’S
BLESSINGS
TREEHOUSE
Lighting~Home Accents~Gifts
MEMORIES
575-388-1226
New Pieces 910 N. Hudson
APPLE
PUMPKIN
HARVEST
WELCOME
are here! Silver City, NM
Mon-Fri 10-5 • Sat 10-2
6 AUGUST 2012 www.desertexposure.com
Editor’s Notebook • David A . Fryxell
New Rx for Change
The Supreme Court has ruled. Now it’s time to get down to
Location the business of insuring New Mexicans’ health.
I
n the wake of this summer’s Supreme Court mandate (which the Court has now realized is re-
decision upholding the Affordable Care Act ally a tax) that everybody buy health insurance or
(ACA), Merri Rudd, a former Bernalillo County pay a penalty. To be fair to insurance companies,
probate judge, wrote an eye-opening editorial in though, you simply can’t force them to take every-
413 N. Arizona, Silver City, NM the Albuquerque Journal. At least it would be eye- body regardless of health without forcing healthy
opening for anyone in the comfortable bosom of uninsured people into the pool as well. The “man-
575-534-1600 employer-sponsored health care or who’s reached date” was originally proposed as a free-market al-
the promised land of Medicare. Rudd’s experience ternative by the conservative Heritage Foundation,
sounds all too familiar for those of us scrounging embraced by Republicans including presidential
for coverage in what “Obamacare” opponents call nominee Sen. Bob Dole, and enacted in Massachu-
the “marketplace.” As she discovered, “market- setts by then-Gov. Mitt Romney.
The Doorsmith
place” describes private health insurance in the Still, we get it, conservatives have changed their
real world much the way a Little League game re- minds on this much like they have on protecting
sembles Roman gladiatorial arenas. the environment and other principles once held
Complete Door Replacement and Repair Service Rudd recounts her shock at being unable to pur- dear by the GOP. But what else, specifically, makes
chase health insurance from two of the state’s larg- them so mad that the ACA must be repealed entire-
• General Repairs
est insurers, Presbyterian and Lovelace, when her ly (and, ideally, deleted from the history books by
• Locks coverage from the term-limited judgeship ran out. a Koch Industries-funded time machine)? Here’s
• Screens She describes herself as “a non-smoking 57-year- what else the ACA does:
old woman who is 5 feet, 6 inches tall, weighs 128 • Allows young adults under age 26 to get cov-
• Security Grills
pounds, has never used illegal drugs, eats a low-fat ered on their parents’ policies.
• Weather Stripping diet, takes no daily prescription medicines, walks • Expands Medicaid to give health coverage
• Grand Portals three to five miles daily, attends yoga classes to people up to 133% of the federal poverty level
weekly, hikes and dances.” Her only medical is- ($30,657 for a family of four in 2012). According
• Custom Doors
sue is a genetic predisposition to high cholesterol. to the Kaiser Family Foundation, New Mexico has
• Free Estimates She also was rear-ended in a car accident in 2009, about 200,000 people who lack health insurance
causing a back injury that fully resolved without and fall below that 133% guideline.
R Tyler Webb surgery or prescription drugs. • Gives tax credits to families
575-313-6402 Both insurers nonetheless between 100% and 400% of the
cited “history of back injury” Contact us! poverty level ($92,200 for a fami-
as grounds for rejecting her. PO Box 191 ly of four) to purchase insurance
Presbyterian also dinged her for Silver City, NM 88062 through state exchanges.
cholesterol and “height/weight telephone (575) 538-4374 • Increases Medicare taxes by
21st Annual guidelines”—despite the fact fax (575) 534-4134 0.9% on earnings over $200,000
Run to Copper Country Car Show that Rudd’s BMI of 20.7 puts her
smack in the middle of “normal.”
email:
editor@desertexposure.com
for individuals and $250,000 for
joint filers, along with a 3.8% in-
Registration Fri. Aug. 17, 2-8 p.m. letters@desertexposure.com
Neither insurer asked about ex- crease on unearned (i.e. invest-
at the Host Motel, Holiday Inn Express, Hwy. 180 E. ercise or diet. ads@desertexposure.com ment) income for high-income
Registration Sat. Aug. 18, 8 a.m. to noon We’ve ranted before (Editor’s households.
at Gough Park, Silver City Notebook, October 2009) about • Shrinks the Medicare
the plight of the uninsured and uninsurable in “doughnut hole.”
Cars 1975 & earlier, America. If you lost your job, would you be able • Requires businesses with 50 or more employ-
entry fee $35 includes to get health insurance? Rudd’s experience should ees to offer health insurance or pay a penalty.
T-shirt & dash plaque make you think twice. If you got hurt in an acci- We’d love to hear Heather Wilson or Rep. Steve
Oldies music, raffles, vendors, dent through no fault of your own, might that inju- Pearce (who recently voted a 33rd time for repeal
ry make you uninsurable—even if you’re OK now? of the ACA) spell out which of these provisions
free health screenings,
The upholding of the ACA puts these ques- they find so odious, rather than the generic fulmi-
special events
tions into sharper focus, because the post-ruling nating about “Obamacare” we’ll surely hear until
coppercountrycruizers.com ranting on the “repeal” side specifically threatens November: “Your 24-year-old kid should go with-
to take away the one hope for millions of Ameri- out health insurance like everybody else!” “The
More info at 575-388-3468 Paid for by Silver City Lodger’s Tax
cans like Rudd: As of Jan. 1, 2014, insurance com- Medicare doughnut hole is a good thing—seniors
panies won’t be able to deny coverage to people have too dang much disposable income as it is.”
with pre-existing conditions or others whom their “The rich guys who are footing the bill for my cam-
underwriting peculiarities deem too risky. Buying paign don’t want to pay a penny more in taxes.”
individual health insurance—currently a byzantine Such straight talk would be refreshing, but unlike-
process you have to puzzle out yourself—will also ly to win them re-election.
become more straightforward with the establish-
I
ment of state insurance exchanges. (Think about nstead, Pearce continues to parrot claims about
it: You can hardly turn on the TV without seeing a the ACA that have already been exposed as lies
gecko or a basso-voiced spokesman hawking car and distortions. In a recent op-ed defending his
insurance. When’s the last time you saw an ad for latest pointless repeal vote, he repeated the notion
health insurance?) that the health-care law will impose $4,700 in new
So when somebody starts an ill-informed dia- taxes per family, mostly on those making less than
tribe about the urgent need to overturn Obam- $120,000 a year. You may also hear that the ACA
acare, you’ll pardon those of us who must buy our raises taxes by $500 billion or $800 billion, depend-
own health insurance for having to suppress an ing on who’s doing the distorting.
urge to punch that somebody in the nose. An independent analysis by USA Today last
month concluded, “only a small percentage of
W
e wish “Obamacare” opponents would Americans will pay more” because of the ACA.
be specific about what parts of the ACA “Fewer than 10% of the nation’s 40 million tax fil-
they don’t like. Of course, they loathe the ers are likely to pay more.” The nonpartisan Tax
A class ring from Conner Fine Jewelers is something special. Policy Center agrees: “The
Silver High, Cobre High, Cliff High, Reserve High, bulk of the taxes are aimed at
Lordsburg High and Deming High.
corporations at high-income
Your Life BARBARA DUFFY folks.” GOP claims that aver-
Your Ring Associate Broker age Americans will pay more
Your Way! have been debunked by inde-
Office: 575-388-1921 ext. 23 Cell: 575-574-2041 pendent fact-checking web-
Conner Fine Jewelers Toll Free: 800-368-5632 Fax: 575-388-2480
email: barbaraduffy2@gmail.com
sites including Politifact.com
and Factcheck.org (“dishon-
Diamonds • Fine Watches • Fine Gifts
est nonsense”).
The House of Diamonds The same goes for GOP
401 N. Bullard St. | P.O. Box 999 | Silver City, New Mexico 88062 | 575-538-2012 | 575-388-2025
Southwest New Mexico’s Finest Jewelry and Gift Store charges that the ACA is a
DESERT EXPOSURE AUGUST 2012 7
“job-killer,” which FactCheck.org characterizes as
“bogus” and “hooey.”
The truth is, as Sen. Jeff Bingaman has pointed
US ranks behind those countries with “socialized
medicine.” Perhaps the nearly $800,000 McConnell
received in donations from the healthcare industry
Secrets of the Seat
out, New Mexico stands to gain more from the last year is the only number he cares about. An un-mounted seminar for horseback riders
ACA than almost any other state. With an unin- The ACA is far from perfect, and could certain-
sured rate of about 24%, New Mexico has recently ly benefit from bipartisan tweaking if that weren’t Improve your riding seat
ranked second or third in the nation in percentage an impossible fantasy in this hyperpartisan era.
of population lacking health coverage. “We’ve had
chronically high uninsured rates for years,” Bing
But if you already have health insurance—wheth-
er it’s the cushy plan US senators like McConnell
Jodie Knight
aman notes, “and because of the health-care law enjoy, or coverage through your employer riddled jknight@aznex.net • 575-535-4208
we are finally going to be able to tackle that intrac- with co-pays, or even care through the VA—you Call to set up a seminar or get info on future seminars.
table problem.” simply can’t understand the importance of this
The state will also receive billions of dollars to legislation.
expand Medicaid—an estimated $6 billion between Now that the Supreme Court has ruled, it’s time
2014 and 2020, while the state will have to pony up to put the partisan bickering behind us and move
an extra $500 million during that span. New Mexico forward. New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez needs
Voices for Children estimates that the economic to act promptly to meet the deadlines for expand-
spinoff of that extra $6 billion (new jobs in health- ing Medicaid coverage and establishing a health-in-
care, for example) will likely generate enough extra surance exchange. She should eschew the lawless
taxes to cover the state’s $500 million contribution. foot-dragging of GOP colleagues such as Texas’
It’s hard to see how this is a bad thing. Gov. Rick Perry and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.
(Imagine their outrage if Democratic governors
I
n an interview on Fox News, GOP Senate Ma- similarly said they intended to ignore the settled
jority Leader Mitch McConnell insisted that law of the land.)
covering 30 million uninsured Americans is You’re entitled to disagree, of course. But if
“not the issue.” Senator, tell that to New Mexicans you’ve never tried to buy your own health insur-
like Merri Rudd, who can’t get health insurance. ance, those of us who have are entitled to say you
McConnell went on: “The question is how can don’t know what you’re talking about. k
you go step by step to improve the American
health care system. It is already the finest health
care system in the world.” David A. Fryxell is editor of Desert
No, Senator, it’s not—not even close, even for Exposure.
those who can afford healthcare. In measures rang-
ing from life expectancy to infant mortality, the
Letters
Parking and Dancing
Our readers write.
Paving Paradise looked like before. We’d have ONLY parking
R
egarding your editorial “Parking Wars” in the spaces if everyone had your attitude. It’s because
June 2012 Desert Exposure: I know you’re of people fixing up buildings “too far gone” that the
old enough to remember the song lyrics downtown is so popular that we perceive the need
from “Big Yellow Taxi” by Counting Crows sung by for more parking spaces.
Joni Mitchell: “Don’t it always seem to go/ That you Gail Stanford and Herbie Marsden
don’t know what you got til it’s gone./ They paved Silver City
paradise, and put up a parking lot.” But you’ve for-
gotten them. When our little company bought the Editor’s note: Thanks for the thoughtful and
Isaac’s building (then the Corner Café building), specific letter. I’m afraid, though, that you’re taking
people laughed at us for buying a building that was a very small part of this editorial—which mostly
“simply too far gone.” When Tre Rosat bought the argued for paving and signage—and blowing it
old bookstore, people smirked—it was “simply too way out of proportion. I specifically wrote, “We’re
far gone.” Ask Art and Conversation what their not advocating a 21st-century urban renewal or In the House or In the Barn…
Frumpy Fox
building looked like before they rehabbed it. Or Un ‘malling,’” and wouldn’t dream of advocating de-
Mundo, or Fire Cloud Traders, or the Murray Ho- molishing any building like the ones you mention. LLC
tel, or almost any other building downtown. Indeed, the very same editorial specifically cele-
We love our quirky little town. We don’t see brated the Murray Hotel opening, and in this issue Petsitting
buildings that are too far gone, we see opportuni- we cover the return of Tre Rosat. Free Consultation • Insured • Bonded
ties, and so does the occasional energetic, vision-
ary person who will bring them back to life. This
In our pages, too, we have consistently featured
Silver City’s historic buildings—most recently in
MEMBER
Frumpy Fox LLC
town has already lost too many historic adobes to
the wrecking ball because they were empty “too
Pep Parotti’s “Some Things Gone By” (May). Ironi-
cally, that story notes that a three-story landmark
575-313-0690
long” or “simply too far gone.” Spend some time house was demolished to make room for the Clif- www.frumpyfox.com • Silver City, NM
on Bullard and Broadway and Texas and Yankie
Streets and ask the people what their buildings LETTERS continued on next page
Friday, August 3rd
Street Dance 7-10pm, with The
Roadrunners, Children’s Activities, Festival Bash on Broadway, August 17
Welcome back WNMU students
with a community block party
Friday, September 7th
Taste of Downtown, Tickets $15,
Free Street Dance to kick-off Pickamania! PICKAMANIA! September 7-9
Free music festival in Gough Park
by Mimbres Region Arts Council
Ad paid by Town of Silver City Lodger's Tax
8 AUGUST 2012 www.desertexposure.com
A Letter to Readers I’ve visited with local celebs such as Bob
Diven, Carrie Hamblen, David Salcido and
from Writer Jeff Berg Julienne Hadfield. All were candid and great to
W ell, it had to happen sooner or later. My work with.
Who voted to leave
desire to leave Las Cruces has finally But behind all that and all of the kind and
been met and I have been released for bad wonderful people I’ve met in Las Cruces, places
behavior and am now living in Santa Fe. like Tiffany’s Greek Café, Happy Dog and Zef-
the Medicare Rx
When I first decided to try and make a “liv- firo’s Pizza, and a passion for the Chihuahuan
ing” through freelance writing, it was former Desert, I’ve never felt truly “at home” in Las
Desert Exposure editor/publisher Jay Glickman Cruces. That was for a number of reasons, and
who published one of my first articles, submitted recently, my discomfort with the city reached
"doughnut hole" open? blindly, since I liked the way the paper looked.
That piece was a satirical overview about those
who trashed people who left California to live
a pinnacle and it became time to attend to my
own inner spiritual needs in another place.
Santa Fe is not the ideal solution, and I have
elsewhere, which at the time included me. lived there before, and another move might be
I lived in beautiful Santa Cruz, Calif., for in the cards later on. But for now, I will remain
three lovely years before coming to Las Cruces a “don” of New Mexico and will continue to
in the spring of 2001. write for other publications and continue to
Steve Pearce DID!
Since then, I became a regular contributor write my book about movies made in New
to Desert Exposure, and was “promoted” to Mexico.
Senior Writer by editor/publisher David Fryxell Mr. Fryxell has hinted at a possible write-up
Paid for by the Grant County Democratic Party
a couple of years after he bought the paper from of the Santa Fe circus, aka the state legislature,
Visit: https://sites.google.com/site/nmcd2democraticvoices Glickman. in 2013, but if that doesn’t happen, I want to
I’ve had the good fortune of writing about sincerely thank all of the Desert Exposure loyal
most any topic or person that I pitched to Mr. readers, David and Lisa Fryxell, Donna Clayton
Burro Mountain
Fryxell, covering (or uncovering) everything from Walter, and all of the great people I have met
Las Cruces’ own naturists (nudists to those who and/or interviewed over the years.
don’t know their lingo) to a horrific day with an “To part is the lot of all mankind. The world
Horsemanship animal control officer.
I’ve been with the cops, the Border Patrol, the
is a scene of constant leave-taking, and the
hands that grasp in cordial greeting today,
Here to help you with your Equine needs! deaf community, writers, painters, sculptors, sex
toy sellers (again, Fryxell asked no questions),
are doomed ere long to unite for the last time,
when the quivering lips pronounce the word,
interviewed Santa Claus and “furries” (look ‘Farewell’”—R.M. Ballantyne
• Short-term or vacation boarding for your horse
it up!), been to prison (for real) several times, Of course it is not as meaningful as hu-
• On-site professional care • Twice a day feeding and met numerous other good folks. One of my man interaction, but feel free to email me at
• Daily cleaning of paddock • Covered shelter favorite artist pieces was an interview with Mari nedludd76@hotmail.com.
• Safe and secure private area for your horse Broenen, who has since relocated to Tucson, but Jeff Berg
whose work I was nearly speechless to define. Santa Fe
We’ll customize care for your horse!
LETTERS continued also people with secretarial skills (that means
Call or e-mail for individual consultation someone who understands how to file, type a busi-
575-313-3032 dana@aznex.net ness letter, and deal with state agencies). We need
ton Chevrolet building that’s now been lovingly maintenance skills as well, for plumbing and basic
renovated as the Hub. Apparently “paradise” is repairs. While we are an alternative community
sometimes in the eye of the beholder. interested in creating a healing environment and
WANTED
A Buyer for McKnight Canyon Retreat
As the editorial expressed, let’s hope that the lat-
est good news does indeed help make downtown
more popular. But sitting around waiting for the “oc-
casional energetic, visionary person” who has the
pursuing methods of gardening and horticulture
and alternative housing, we also have to comply
with state regulations regarding building codes.
Finally, living in a community with a lot of peo-
bottomless pockets to restore an old building is not ple with very different outlooks can be a challenge.
exactly a sound downtown development strategy. We would welcome a few hardy younger souls
willing to try such an experiment, but contact us
The Cost of Community first (we’re on the Intentional Communities web-
A
s chairperson of the board of directors, I site). Arrange a visit, meet people, and take your
must comment on Patricia Pawlicki’s state- time making the commitment.
ment of City of the Sun being a “cheap” Maya Nolastname
place to stay (Southwest Gardener, July). Yes, and Via email
no. If you are a desert-hardy individual who can
live off the grid (think of the cost of solar power— Fantastic Footwork
T
a mini-setup is at least $1,000 unless you can find hanks for the fantastic article on contra
Energy and space efficient 3 year old cabin and used equipment). Then there is a $1,500 member- dancing in your recent issue (“Fun with
workshop in the tall Ponderosa Pines of the upper ship development fee required in order to be as- Footwork,” July). The writer captured all the
Mimbres Valley. Radiant in-floor heating, Yoga signed a homesite should one be available. Then history, joy, growth and fun of contra dancing, and
there is the cost of a propane tank, unless you put the photos added to that. I forwarded a link to the
studio, 2.833 acres and the forest is just up the
in enough solar to really be off the grid. Also, there article to the national Country Dance and Song So-
road. MLS#29294 $199,000 is the cost of a Sun-Mar or other state-approved ciety (in Massachusetts) to show them that great
"Your personal connection to Southwest New Mexico"
composting toilet plus the effective microorgan- things are possible, even in small, distant places
Cissy McAndrew isms to help it along. There is a monthly lot fee for like Las Cruces.
Associate, EcoBroker®
& GREEN Realtor
maintenance. And your water bill and, if on the Merri Rudd
(c) 575-538-1337 414 N. Bullard grid, your electric bill, etc. Albuquerque k
(o) 800-827-9198
Silver City, NM 88061 City of the Sun’s purpose is to build an alterna-
cissy@ MimbresRealty.com • www.SilverCityTour.com tive community. “Community” means that individ-
uals ideally should want to live here at least part Let us hear from you! Write Desert Exposure
©DE
of the time and be young enough, strong enough Letters, PO Box 191, Silver City, NM 88062,
fax 534-4134 or email letters@desertexposure.
and intelligent enough to really assist with the com. Letters are subject to editing for style and
THE BIKEWORKS
many things that must be done to maintain our length (maximum 500 words, please), and
community. For example, we need trainees for must be in response to content that has ap-
our environmentally approved wastewater lagoon peared in our pages. Deadline for the next issue
a community bicycle workshop that uses effective microorganisms. We also need is the 18th of the month.
people with bookkeeping and treasurer skills, and
Affordable Used Bikes For Sale
A Better Chimney
Do It Yourself Repairs, Parts Available
Earn-A-Bike, Weekly Bike Rides
$25 can put a kid on a bike. Serving Southwest NM and Southeastern Arizona
Please consider a tax-deductible donation to help keep our wheels rolling! We are the only AUTHORIZED DEALER for
Join our Mobile Bike Repair Workshop at the
Mimbres Farmers' Market on Thurs., Aug. 9
pellet stoves
in the area
The Bike Works Shop • 815 E. 10th St. • 388-1444 www.abetterchimneynm.com
Th: 3pm-7pm • F: 6pm-8pm Not All Stoves are
Created Equal, Stoves • Sales • Service • GB98 Lic. # 033328
Sa: 10am-2pm-RIDE, 2pm-7pm • Su: 5pm-8pm Choose Wisely! 1800 US Hwy 180 E., Silver City • 575-534-2657 ©DE
DESERT EXPOSURE AUGUST 2012 9
Anniversary Salebration
Join us in celebrating 8 years in Silver City and 4 years in Deming
Receive 20% off your purchase.
(Some exclusions apply).
Only the HIGHEST
quality brands!
and
more!
We’ll do whatever it takes to make you a customer for life!
705 E. Pine St. 1300 Silver Heights Blvd.
Deming, NM 88030 Silver City, NM 88061
(575) 546-2602 (575) 388-3109
Home Furnishings and Sleep Shop
Open M-F 9-6, Sat 9-5, Closed Sun
• Free Delivery • 12 Months Interest- Free Financing (OAC)
www.thefurnituregalleryinc.com ©DE
10 AUGUST 2012 www.desertexposure.com
Desert Diary ing. She would reach into her nail pouch, pull out a
nail and either toss it over her shoulder or nail it in.
Wedding Bells & Backwards Nails “Judy, figuring this was worth looking into,
asked, ‘Why are you throwing those nails away?’
“Lori explained, ‘When I pull a nail out of my
Plus dating in the Fifties, paraprosdokians and giant steps. pouch, about half of them have the head on the
wrong end and I throw them away.’
“Judy got completely upset and yelled, ‘You mo-
D
early beloved… Having recently survived A. Guess. Pay close attention—and, yes, it matters ron! Those nails aren’t defective! They’re for the
a wedding in the family ourselves, we can that this is in Canada: other side of the house!’”
certainly relate to the family tensions in this “Several guys from Peterborough, Ontario,
tale by TeresaO—and can’t resist opening with it: dressed up their truck with a guy tied to the roof. The Blonde or brunette, redhead or balding, your
“Jennifer’s wedding day was fast approach- driver and passengers put on Moose Head costumes. jokes are welcome at Desert Diary. Send to
ing. Nothing could dampen her excitement—not “As they drove down the main street of Peter- diary@desertexposure.com.
even her parents’ nasty divorce. Her mother had borough they nearly caused about six accidents.
T
found the PERFECT dress to wear, and would be “They were charged with public mischief and hose happy days… There’s simply no way
the best-dressed mother-of-the-bride ever! A week having open beer in a vehicle. Peterborough cops to do justice to this joke from Farmor, the
later, however, Jennifer was horrified to learn that have no sense of humor.” Swedish Grandma, without risking offend-
her father’s new, young wife had bought the exact ing somebody. So if that somebody is you, please
same dress as her mother. Jennifer asked her fa- Speaking of moose, Jess Hossinaround in jump to the next entry. And remember that it really
ther’s new wife to exchange it, but she refused. Arenas Valley sends along this Norwegian joke isn’t as off-color as it seems, folks. After all, the set-
“‘Absolutely not! I look like a million bucks in (which of course Norwegians can decide is really ting is the 1950s:
this dress, and I’m wearing it,’ she replied. about the Swedes): “It was a hot Saturday evening in the summer
“Jennifer told her mother, who graciously said, “Ole and Sven get a pilot to fly them to Canada of 1957 and Fred had a date with Peggy Sue. He ar-
‘Never mind, sweetheart. I’ll get another dress. Af- to hunt moose and they bag six. As Ole and Sven rived at her house and rang the bell. ‘Oh, come on
ter all, it’s your special day.’ start loading the plane for the return trip, the pilot in!’ Peggy Sue’s mother said as she welcomed Fred
“A few days later, they went shopping, and did find says, ‘The plane can only take four of those.’ in. ‘Have a seat in the living room. Would you like
another gorgeous dress for her mother. When they “The two lads object strongly. ‘Last year ve shot something to drink? Lemonade? Iced tea?’
stopped for lunch, Jennifer asked her mother, ‘Aren’t six, and the pilot let us put dem all on board! He “‘Iced tea, please,’ Fred said.
you going to return the other dress? You really don’t had the same plane as yours.’ “Mom brought the iced tea. ‘So, what are you
have another occasion where you could wear it.’ “Reluctantly, the pilot gives in and all six moose and Peggy planning to do tonight?’ she asked.
“Her mother just smiled and replied, ‘Of course are loaded. However, even with full power, the “‘Oh, probably catch a movie, and then maybe
I do, dear. I’m wearing it to the rehearsal dinner the little plane can’t handle the load and down it goes grab a bite to eat at the malt shop, maybe take a
night BEFORE the wedding.’” and crashes in the middle of nowhere. walk on the beach...’
“A few moments later, climbing out of the “‘Peggy likes to screw, you know,’ Mom in-
A
merican sportsmen… Turning to more wreckage, Ole asks Sven, ‘Any idea vere ve are?’ formed him.
manly pursuits, we pass along this brief “Says Sven, ‘I t’ink ve’re pretty close to vere ve “‘Uh... really?’ Fred replied, with raised eye-
hunting yarn (sort of) from Judge Hazard crashed last year.’” brows.
“‘Oh, yes!’ the mother continued. ‘When she
Then there’s this fishing story from Alettera- goes out with her friends, that’s all they do!’
tion: “‘Is that so?’ asked Fred, incredulous.
“Long before GPS was invented, two gents “‘Yes,’ said the mother. ‘As a matter of fact, she’d
fished regularly at Elephant Butte Reservoir. On screw all night if we let her!’
one outing, the largemouth bass were so unbeliev- “‘Well, thanks for the tip,’ Fred said, as he began
ably rampant, the two quickly caught their limits. thinking about alternate plans for the evening.
They then resorted to catch and release to prolong “A moment later, Peggy Sue came down the
the excitement for several hours. stairs looking pretty as a picture wearing a pink
“As night was coming on, they decided to head blouse and full circle skirt, and with her hair tied
back to the rental dock. ‘But first,’ Ben said, ‘we back in a bouncy ponytail. She greeted Fred.
need to be able to find this hole again, so I’m gonna “‘Have fun, kids!’ the mother said as they left.
mark an X on the bottom of the boat.’ “Half an hour later, a completely disheveled
“‘You dummy,’ Jerry replied. ‘What good will that Peggy Sue burst into the house and slammed the
do? Suppose we don’t get the same boat next time.’” front door behind her.
“‘The Twist, Mom!’ she angrily yelled at her
P
ersons of the blonde persuasion… It’s mother. ‘The damned dance is called the Twist!’”
Postcards from the edge… Readers continue to respond to our invitation been too long since we’ve had a blonde joke
P
to submit photos of themselves on vacation holding “the biggest little pa- in these pages, but here Old Grumps comes araprosdokians… Introducing a new cat-
per in the Southwest.” Keep ’em coming, folks—we promise we’ll get to to the rescue. As always, feel free to substitute the egory and introducing us to a new word, Ger-
them all! For starters, here are Gerald and Cerese Schultz of Tyrone, who hair hue of your choice in this yarn: aldH explains that “‘paraprosdokians’ are fig-
write: “We were visiting family members in Anchorage, Alaska. We flew “Two public-spirited blondes, Lori and Judy, ures of speech in which the latter part of a sentence
to Juneau to see some of the sights. This included a visit to the Menden- were doing some carpenter work on a Habitat for or phrase is surprising or unexpected.” Winston
hall Glacier, shown in the background of the photo.” Humanity House. Lori was nailing down house sid- Churchill loved them, apparently, and now so do we:
Better Sleep New Innerspring
Better Health Mattress Sets
• Innerspring mattress with foam encased
edge. Model: Marden Pillow top
$
39900
Queen Set
• 644 Pocket coil mattress with foam
encased edge. Model: Garland Firm
$
49900
Queen Set
• 884 Pocket coil mattress with foam edge
and 2 inch cool gel memory foam.
$
69900
Eco Memory Foam vs. Temperpedic EMF TEMP Model: Layton Plush Queen Set
Eco Memory Foam - Plant Based Formulation YES No
Extreme Open Cell Foam - dissapates body heat YES No
Superfast Recovery time (No quick sand feel) YES No
Temperature Neutral (from 65°- 95° room temp.) YES No
20 Year Warranty YES Yes
Made in the USA YES Yes
Technologically Superior YES No
* Ours is about half the price!* 1103 N. Hudson • Silver City, NM
Financing Available
Mon-Sat—9:30-5:30
Financing
Available 575-388-5555DESERT EXPOSURE AUGUST 2012 11
“The moral of the story? If you
ur H o m
o
try to please everyone, you might
Y
as well kiss your ass goodbye!”
Y
ou’re only as old as you
feel… Two tales about
e
smart-mouthed seniors,
the first from CharlesC:
“At the senior center today, I
failed a health and safety course
that was put on for us old fogies.
One of the questions was: ‘In the
event of a fire, what steps would
you take?’
“‘Freaking big ones’ was ap-
parently the wrong answer.”
Postcards from the edge… Next, from the far northern hemisphere And this from the Silver
we zoom to the far southern end of the globe. Here are Ralph and City Greek:
Nancy Gordon celebrating their 37th wedding anniversary on the “An older lady goes to the
Routeburn Track in New Zealand. She adds, “We left that copy bar on a cruise ship and orders
of Desert Exposure behind for others to read. Thousands walk the a Scotch with two drops of wa-
Your Voice!
Routeburn Track each year; maybe someone else from New Mexico ter. As the bartender gives her
will see it!” the drink she says, ‘I’m on this
Whether you’re headed for Alaska or Akela, snap a picture of cruise to celebrate my 80th
yourself holding Desert Exposure and send it to PO Box 191, Silver birthday and it’s today.’
Take
City, NM 88062, or diary@desertexposure.com. “The bartender says, ‘Well,
since it’s your birthday, I’ll buy you
a drink. In fact, this one is on me.’
“Where there’s a will, I want to be in it. “As the woman finishes her drink, the woman
the Survey!
“The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it’s to her right says, ‘I would like to buy you a drink,
still on my list. too.’
“Since light travels faster than sound, some peo- “The old woman says, ‘Thank you. Bartender, I
ple appear bright until you hear them speak. want a Scotch with two drops of water.’
“If I agreed with you, we’d both be wrong. “‘Coming up,’ says the bartender.
“We never really grow up, we only learn how to “As she finishes that drink, the man to her left
act in public. says, ‘I would like to buy you one, too.’
VISIT:
www.gcchc.org
“War does not determine who is right—only “The old woman says, ‘Thank you. Bartender,
who is left. I want another Scotch with two drops of water.’
“Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wis- “‘Coming right up,’ the bartender says. As he
dom is not putting it in a fruit salad. gives her the drink, he says, ‘Ma’am, I’m dying of
“They begin the evening news with ‘Good eve-
ning,’ then proceed to tell you why it isn’t.
“To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism.
curiosity. Why the Scotch with only two drops of
water?’
“The old woman replies, ‘Sonny, when you’re my
Click on the LOGO
To steal from many is research.
“Buses stop in bus stations. Trains stop in train
age, you’ve learned how to hold your liquor. Hold-
ing your water, however, is a whole other issue.’”
Prize Code: Flyer
stations. On my desk is a work station.
“I thought I wanted a career. Turns out I just One more on aging, from The Santa Claran:
(Grant County residents only)
wanted paychecks.
“In filling out an application, where it says, ‘In
case of emergency, notify:’ I put ‘DOCTOR.’
“Arthur is 90 years old. He has played golf every
day since his retirement 25 years ago. One day he
arrives home looking downcast.
Your opinion means
“I didn’t say it was your fault. I said I was blam-
ing you.”
“‘That’s it,’ he tells his wife. ‘I’m giving up golf.
My eyesight has got so bad. Once I’ve hit the ball, I Millions of $$$ for
Grant County
can’t see where it went.’
Now’s the chance to get in on the start of the “His wife sympathizes. As they sit down, she
paraprosdokian boom! Send your own submis- has a suggestion: ‘Why don’t you take my brother
sions to diary@desertexposure.com. with you, and give it one more try?’
“‘That’s no good,’ sighs Arthur. ‘Your brother is More info: 388-1198
A
matter of interpretation… Listen care- 103. He can’t help.’
fully and think twice might be the moral of “‘He may be 103,’ says the wife, ‘but his eyesight
this story sent our way by Beadlady: is perfect.’
“I was at the store late the other night and I “So the next day, Arthur heads off to the golf
was really tired. I may even have been the last cus- course with his brother-in-law. He tees up, takes an
tomer before the place closed. The cute girl at the
register said, ‘Strip down, facing me.’
almighty swing, and squints down the fairway. He
turns to the brother-in-law. ‘Did you see the ball?’ THUNDERSHIRTS ARE GREAT FOR:
“It didn’t dawn on me that she was talking about “‘Of course I did!’ says the brother-in-law. ‘I have • Fear of thunder/fireworks • Separation
the swiping of my debit card. perfect eyesight.’ anxiety • Travel anxiety • Crate training
“The good news is, bail is not nearly as expen- “‘Where did it go?’ asks Arthur. • Problem barking • Hyperactivity
sive as I thought it would be.” “‘Can’t remember.’” • Leash pulling • And more!
The gentle pressure has a dramatic
L D
ife lessons… Speaking of morals, this story early beloved II… Finally, we opened calming effect on dogs with 80% of
from Ned Ludd serves up plenty of wisdom: with a joke about a wedding, so we’ll go out the dogs showing improvement
“An old man, a boy and a donkey were go- the same way—sort of. This one’s from Pop making medication unnecessary.
ing to town. The boy rode on the donkey and the Hayes:
old man walked. As they went along they passed “When I was younger I hated going to weddings.
some people who remarked, ‘What a shame the old It seemed that all of my aunts and the grandmo-
man is walking and the boy is riding.’ therly types used to come up to me, poke me in the
We haveThundershirts for cats, too.
Great to relieve anxiety associated with
“The man and boy thought maybe the critics ribs and cackle, telling me, ‘YOU’RE NEXT!’
grooming, car travel, vet visits, and more.
were right, so they changed positions. “They stopped that nonsense after I started do-
“Later they passed some people who remarked, ing the same thing to them at funerals.” k Ask for our Valet service
for daycare and boarding.
NOW OFFERING
‘What a shame. He makes that little boy walk.’ So
Leave your dog while you check him in. Then we’ll bring
Saturday Daycare
they then decided they’d both walk!
your dog into the facility by way of the exercise yards. Reservations required
“Soon they passed some more people, who re- Send your favorite anecdotes, jokes, puns and
marked, ‘They’re really stupid to walk when they tall tales to Desert Diary, PO Box 191, Silver The place to go in Silver City for your cat’s and dog’s
City, NM 88062, fax (575) 534-4134 or email
have a decent donkey to ride.’ So they both rode diary@desertexposure.com. The best submis- boarding, grooming, dietary and training needs.
the donkey. sion each month gets a brand-new Desert
“Finally, they passed some people who shamed Exposure mouse pad, 11745 HWY 180 E
scientifically proven to 3 miles east of Silver City
them by saying, ‘How awful to put such a load on a
G
poor donkey.’ The boy and man figured they were take the strain out of 575-388-4101
emailing jokes to Desert
probably right, so they decide to carry the donkey. Diary. 1-888-388-4101
“As they crossed the bridge, they lost their grip
on the animal and he fell into the river and drowned. www.misamigospetcare.com12 AUGUST 2012 www.desertexposure.com
Tumbleweeds •Marjorie Lilly and Las Cruces. Stong approached Silver City au-
thorities and they rebuffed him in the name of pro-
A Growing Difference tecting Grant County growers. “We support this. I
don’t have a problem with it,” says Stong.
Stong is a firm believer in using local produce as
Paying workers a “living wage,” Preferred Produce near Columbus much as possible. He says this concept will solve
two major problems in the US: poor nutrition and
aims to be a different kind of grower. unemployment.
Preferred Produce sells at the farmers market
in Las Cruces and at two farmers markets in El
Paso. They also sell at Peppers Supermarket in
Deming and to high-end restaurants in Las Cruces.
S
tong’s business philosophy might be summed
up in his statement: “I think everything in so-
ciety has a function. The function of business
is to make jobs, not to make a profit. If we make a
profit, we make a profit.”
He also believes wholeheartedly in local pro-
duction for agriculture. He was a USDA consul-
tant for six years in Taiwan, where “no farm was
Y
Preferred ou can see the greenhouse in the distance ragon), squash and cantaloupes. allowed to have more than 200 acres, and they
Produce’s from the highway just south of the Border Pa- The place is lush and almost jungle-like, despite all sell locally,” Stong says. “The average farmer
greenhouses trol checkpoint near Columbus. It looks like the “evaporation pads” on the wall and some big [there] makes more money than someone who
near Colum- several greenhouses. There are 10 rounded roofs, fans blowing on the opposite wall. All water is re- works in the city.”
bus. (Courtesy which are the separate “bays” of one greenhouse, cycled. He has an impressive list of university degrees:
photo) and another greenhouse under construction. This is certified fully organic produce. Pre- one in economics from George Washington Uni-
The gate is about five minutes from the high- ferred Produce uses no pesticides or herbicides. versity, a master’s in soil and water science at the
way over a dirt road through flat, scrubby land. Very long yellow strips of flypaper are stuck to the University of California at Riverside, and a PhD in
Matthew Stong comes out in a truck to personally posts. The workers push “sulphur rocks” into the agriculture and biosystem engineering from the
open the gate. soil to kill russet mite eggs. University of Arizona.
I had heard that Stong, the owner/manager/de- “The russet mite almost killed everything in the He has worked at projects in developing coun-
signer of Preferred Produce, pays “living wages.” greenhouse last November,” says Stong. He says tries such as Nigeria and Mexico, and has done
The average wage for a non-supervisory worker they have no crop insurance. “You have to have financial projections and planning for develop-
at the company is about $12.50, he says. In New a minimum ing countries
Mexico most greenhouse workers get the mini- acreage in or- for the World
mum wage of $7.25. der to do it. Bank.
There are 12 paid workers right now, plus 5 I’m one acre.”
O
Stong family members who are working without The work- ne em-
pay for the time being. (Stong’s wife, children, fa- ers need to ployee
ther and mother-in-law all live learn quite a at Pre-
for now in office spaces in the lot about plant ferred Pro-
greenhouse.) When the second care, including duce, Oscar
“I love the job. I’m greenhouse is finished in the identification Sandoval, is
fall, the company should have of pests. Part about to go to
doing something 17 paid workers. Stong also in- of the care of NMSU in the
tends to put into place a profit- the vines of fall with an in-
different all the sharing plan, possibly before cherry and terest in arche-
the end of the year. grape toma- ology. He has
time. I love getting Stong is striving to create a toes is learn- worked for a
worker-friendly environment. ing to clip Owner-manager Matthew Stong has degrees in economics, soil and year, and the
up in the morning.” Compared to the usual atmo- them to a cord water science, and agriculture and biosystem engineering. (Photo generous sal-
sphere at food processors in so they won’t by Marjorie Lilly) ary he’s getting
southwest New Mexico, where flop over too is helping pay
I have worked, it’s as if the Preferred Produce much and to utility bills at
workplace has arrived in a spaceship with new at- “let them down,” or lean gently to one side, when his home in Columbus, buy new clothes for him-
titudes and rules. At those local food processors, they get too tall. self, his mother and his little sister, and support his
the management structure is entirely top-down. Stong is aware that greenhouse workers in education. He’s getting a $1,500 scholarship from
Stong asked his employees what hours they Mexico and Texas use stilts to pick cherry toma- Preferred Produce.
wanted to work, and they decided it should be toes, a practice he considers too dangerous. That’s James Carroll, who lives in Deming, has worked
from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., when the coolest tempera- why he doesn’t let the plants grow too high. He’s in construction in 42 states and Australia, but loves
tures are. considering using a kind of pulley cord originally Preferred Produce. “I’ve gotten way better money,”
Gloria Lucero asked if she could get one day a made for clotheslines as a more efficient way to he says. “But it’s not for the money—it’s because
Preferred Pro- week off when she had a baby recently, and Stong lower the plants.
duce worker gave it to her. Gloria’s aunt now fills in for her one Stong is always tinkering and designing. Plants
Oscar Sando- day a week. Gloria laughs when she tells how she grow from cubes of soil within long white metallic
val will go to had a really hard time getting a day off for a doc- planks he designed.
NMSU this fall tor’s appointment at the last job she had. Crafting the workplace also preoccupies his
with the help mind. All employees get 10-day paid vacations.
of a $1,500
T
he large greenhouse, covering one acre of Stong and his partner, Sean Parnes, will do a job
scholarship land, consists mostly of row after row of tall first to understand how difficult it will be for the
from the com- cherry- and grape-tomato plants. About 80% worker. They offer free sodas and fruit juices to
pany. (Photo of the produce is tomatoes, Stong says. The rest the workers.
by Marjorie consists of several varieties of lettuce, bell pep-
Lilly)
O
pers, spices (including cilantro, basil, mint and tar- ne day before our interview, the first web-
site for Preferred Produce appeared on-
line (www.preferredproduce.us). From
this website they’re launching their home delivery
plan. Customers order by phone different kinds
of boxes that contain several vegetables, and get
them delivered to their door. For now Preferred
Produce is only advertising by postcards and ads
to be hung on door handles. “We try to do things
that require employees,” says Stong. “We hand
pick. We try to do everything by hand—one, to use
more employees and two, the quality is better.”
One interesting aspect of the delivery plan is
that the boxes will be available to food-stamp us-
ers. “We signed up with SNAP,” says Stong. It will
mean people on food stamps will have better nutri-
tion.
For now they will just deliver to Luna County Supervisor James Carroll. (Photo by Marjorie Lilly)You can also read
