Articles from the July 7, 2012 edition

Wendel Sloan CMI columnist

Scientists estimate that there are 300 sextillion (300,000,000,000,000,000,000,000) stars in the 14-billion-year-old universe — which, because of expansion, is approximately 158 billion light years across. There are potentially trillions of planets orbiting these stars — many of them billions of years older than our sun, allowing time for the evolution of complex life. Extraterrestrial civilizations may well have developed spacecraft. However, considering that the nearest star, Proxima Centauri, is 270,000 times farther tha... Full story

Alisa Boswell

Anticipation and excitement ran high at Greyhound Arena Saturday night as children chased each other around the grassy area next to the arena while adults played games and chatted. Alisa Boswell: Portales News-Tribune The Flores family, from left, Annali, 10, Jesus, Leonel, 2, Noemi and Ramiro, 3, watch fireworks Saturday night at the Greyhound Arena in Portales. The family said the show was the best they have seen in Portales. Daniel Webster and Kathy McKillip tried to throw rubber rings into a box as they played a game of...

The following books are available at: Clovis-Carver Public Library "Cronkite" by Douglas Brinkley was given by Oscar and Carolyn Toliver in memory of June Ingram. This deeply researched and brilliantly written biography captures the essence of the revered CBS news anchorman who charted the heartbeat of a nation in its times of both triumph and tragedy, revealing the deeply private man behind the icon as a real human with passions, loves, and occasional enmities. "Deader Homes and Gardens" by Joan Hess begins as Claire Malloy...

The following books are available at: Clovis-Carver Public Library "Cronkite" by Douglas Brinkley was given by Oscar and Carolyn Toliver in memory of June Ingram. This deeply researched and brilliantly written biography captures the essence of the revered CBS news anchorman who charted the heartbeat of a nation in its times of both triumph and tragedy, revealing the deeply private man behind the icon as a real human with passions, loves, and occasional enmities. "Deader Homes and Gardens" by Joan Hess begins as Claire Malloy...

La Casa Senior Center 1120 Cameo St., Clovis Sunday: 1 p.m.-5 p.m. dance at Los Abuelitos Senior Center, Portales Monday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily activities, quilting and sewing; 1 p.m., bingo at Los Abuelitos Portales. Tuesday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily activities, quilting and sewing; 10:30 a.m. indoor exercise;1 p.m. bingo and refreshments. Wednesday: 8 a.m.-10:30 a.m. free blood pressure and blood sugar checks; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily activities, quilting and sewing; 10:30 a.m. indoor exercise; 11:30 a.m. birthday luncheon and cake; 1...

La Casa Senior Center 1120 Cameo St., Clovis Sunday: 1 p.m.-5 p.m. dance at Los Abuelitos Senior Center, Portales Monday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily activities, quilting and sewing; 1 p.m., bingo at Los Abuelitos Portales. Tuesday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily activities, quilting and sewing; 10:30 a.m. indoor exercise;1 p.m. bingo and refreshments. Wednesday: 8 a.m.-10:30 a.m. free blood pressure and blood sugar checks; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily activities, quilting and sewing; 10:30 a.m. indoor exercise; 11:30 a.m. birthday luncheon and cake; 1...

Wilson 50th anniversary

Wilson Butch and Martha Wilson of Clovis celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary July 3, 2012. The celebration was hosted by their sons and their wives, Danny and Valinda Wilson and Ricky and Amy Wilson, and their grandchildren, Tyrel, Cala, Kyle and Shelby. The couple was married July 3, 1962, in Clovis. They have two children and four grandchildren. He is a retired contractor and Bank of Clovis board member. She is a retired office manager and housewife.... Full story

Wilson 50th anniversary

Wilson Butch and Martha Wilson of Clovis celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary July 3, 2012. The celebration was hosted by their sons and their wives, Danny and Valinda Wilson and Ricky and Amy Wilson, and their grandchildren, Tyrel, Cala, Kyle and Shelby. The couple was married July 3, 1962, in Clovis. They have two children and four grandchildren. He is a retired contractor and Bank of Clovis board member. She is a retired office manager and housewife....

Local engagements - July 8

Essary-Hinton Marlin and Gaylynn Essary of Portales announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Amanda Essary of Portales, to Evan Hinton of Portales, son of Troy Hinton of Portales. The couple will exchange vows 3 p.m. July 28, 2012, in Weed with the reception following the wedding. The bride-elect is a 2011 graduate of Portales High School. The prospective groom is a 2007 graduate of Portales High School. The ceremony and reception are open to friends and relatives. Drafts-Plummer Raymond and Dora... Full story

Local engagements - July 8

Essary-Hinton Marlin and Gaylynn Essary of Portales announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Amanda Essary of Portales, to Evan Hinton of Portales, son of Troy Hinton of Portales. The couple will exchange vows 3 p.m. July 28, 2012, in Weed with the reception following the wedding. The bride-elect is a 2011 graduate of Portales High School. The prospective groom is a 2007 graduate of Portales High School. The ceremony and reception are open to friends and relatives. Drafts-Plummer Raymond and Dora...

Clyde Davis CMI columnist

T omas Lopez is my hero. Not my only hero, as there are many other heroes in my life, but my newest hero. He is joined by several other heroes, coming out of the same incident. Tomas is the young South Florida lifeguard who left his post to save a drowning man who had gone into the "swim at your own risk" area. Because Tomas left his post, he was fired from his job. At issue was the liability clause, and the fact that the swimmer was in the "own risk" zone. As the young man said on nationwide TV, "I lost my job, like I knew...

Clyde Davis CMI columnist

T omas Lopez is my hero. Not my only hero, as there are many other heroes in my life, but my newest hero. He is joined by several other heroes, coming out of the same incident. Tomas is the young South Florida lifeguard who left his post to save a drowning man who had gone into the "swim at your own risk" area. Because Tomas left his post, he was fired from his job. At issue was the liability clause, and the fact that the swimmer was in the "own risk" zone. As the young man said on nationwide TV, "I lost my job, like I knew...

Karl Terry CMI columnist

I'll never forget the curves on my very first. Her lines were classic as they curved toward her backside. She was dark green with supple vinyl upholstery and eight-track quadraphonic stereo. After reading a recent story in one of the local papers about people's first car, I was feeling a little left out so here's my story about my first vehicle. The first vehicle I drove after I got my driver's license was a 1967 Chevy pickup that was an extra vehicle my dad kept to chase parts, haul diesel or whatever. Not long before I got...

Karl Terry CMI columnist

I'll never forget the curves on my very first. Her lines were classic as they curved toward her backside. She was dark green with supple vinyl upholstery and eight-track quadraphonic stereo. After reading a recent story in one of the local papers about people's first car, I was feeling a little left out so here's my story about my first vehicle. The first vehicle I drove after I got my driver's license was a 1967 Chevy pickup that was an extra vehicle my dad kept to chase parts, haul diesel or whatever. Not long before I got...

Rebecca Adling CMI columnist

Rebecca Adling, an Air Force wife, writes a weekly column in Cannon Connections, our weekly military publication. Here is her latest effort: My first memories of life took place on the coast of Florida when my father was stationed at Patrick Air Force Base. I had never heard or used the term grocery store. What I knew was that food came from the commissary. Back in those days the commissary was a different place. There were strict rules about what direction you could go down an aisle. In addition, if you needed more than one... Full story

The Albuquerque Journal

"Transparency is an essential feature of the relationship between the people and their government." — N.M. Supreme Court Justice Patricio Serna, in an opinion written for the court Last week the state's highest court made an important — and unanimous — decision limiting who can claim, and what can be kept from the public under the guise of "executive privilege." It is welcome guidance, especially considering the previous gubernatorial administration's expansive view of that secrecy tool. Under then-Gov. Bill Richa... Full story

Ned Cantwell CMI columnist

So here comes a critic from Alamogordo who won't divulge his last name and therefore I won't use his first. Let's call him "This Guy." This Guy laments a recent column here opining New Mexico's law allowing an illegal immigrant to obtain a driver's license is a good law and should stand. "Reading your article made me think this has to be a joke. No one with half a brain could be this stupid, but I think you have proved me wrong," he writes. Actually, This Guy has a valid point. Had I a whole brain, certainly I would be half... Full story

Ned Cantwell CMI columnist

So here comes a critic from Alamogordo who won't divulge his last name and therefore I won't use his first. Let's call him "This Guy." This Guy laments a recent column here opining New Mexico's law allowing an illegal immigrant to obtain a driver's license is a good law and should stand. "Reading your article made me think this has to be a joke. No one with half a brain could be this stupid, but I think you have proved me wrong," he writes. Actually, This Guy has a valid point. Had I a whole brain, certainly I would be half...

Scientists estimate that there are 300 sextillion (300,000,000,000,000,000,000,000) stars in the 14-billion-year-old universe — which, because of expansion, is approximately 158 billion light years across. There are potentially trillions of planets orbiting these stars — many of them billions of years older than our sun, allowing time for the evolution of complex life. Extraterrestrial civilizations may well have developed spacecraft. However, considering that the nearest star, Proxima Centauri, is 270,000 times farther tha...

Clovis Media Inc

Curry County Commission Chairman Wendell Bostwick is not talking to the Clovis News Journal. He told a CNJ reporter last week he's upset with our July 1 editorial — "Incompetency root of jail's ongoing mess." It stated that "jail leaders and staff and the county commissioners are not qualified to run this jail." Bostwick demands an apology from us before he will deign to speak to the CNJ's reporters or editorial writers again. He shouldn't hold his breath. Expressing our views on our Opinion page over the dangerous Curry C...