Local news in brief January 4
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Luis Sanchez-Saturno/The New Mexican
Photo: Visudha de los Santos of Taos participates in a ‘Dance of Ecstasy’ workshop Saturday at Body. De los Santos, a certified teacher of the 5Rhythms, a movement meditation practice developed in the 1960s, says she has spent her life exploring the healing of the mind, body and spirit through movement and unity.
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1/3/2009 - 1/3/09
Plaza renovation work to resumeConstruction work on the Santa Fe Plaza resumes this week as the city begins the next phase of a renovation project.
Beginning Monday, a construction fence will go up on the south side of the historic square to allow workers to continue replacing or repairing concrete and making other improvements, including planting new trees and removing diseased trees.
Downtown merchants were annoyed last fall when the city began replacing flagstone on the north side of the Plaza just before Thanksgiving. Work is finished in that area, and it will remain open, a city announcement said.
The city asks visitors to be careful and keep their distance from the construction site. The work is expected to last about 30 days, weather permitting.
Survey shows relief at gas pump
Gasoline prices continued to fall during the last week of the year — nationally, statewide and citywide, according to American Automobile Association surveys.
AAA said a gallon of unleaded, self-service gasoline averaged $1.57.1 in Santa Fe on Friday — 6 1/2 cents less than a week earlier. A year ago, the city average was $2.87.9. Santa Fe's all-time high came July 15, when the average pump price reached $4.04.4.
New Mexico's statewide average was $1.60.3 — 4 1/2 cents less than a week earlier. A year ago, the state average was $2.92.6. New Mexico's all-time high came July 17, when it was $4.07.8.
The national average as of Friday was $1.62.6 — 3 1/3 cents less than a week earlier. A year ago, the national average was $3.05.2. The U.S. all-time high came July 17, when it was $4.11.4.
New Taos mayor picks successor
TAOS — Taos businessman Michael Silva, who serves on the town's Planning and Zoning Commission, has been appointed a town councilor to fill out the term vacated by newly installed Mayor Darren Cordova.
Cordova was sworn in as mayor of Taos on Friday upon the retirement of Mayor Bobby Duran, a news release said.
The Taos Town Council is scheduled to vote on whether to ratify Cordova's appointment of Silva at a special meeting at 9:30 a.m. Monday at Town Council Chambers.
Cordova said in a news release that 13 people applied for the position. He said he announced his choice early so the other councilors would have time to evaluate Silva, who would serve until the municipal election in March 2010.
State offers free radon testing
The New Mexico Environment Department is urging residents to test their homes and businesses for radon — an odorless, radioactive gas that occurs naturally in soil and has been linked to 22,000 lung cancer deaths annually in the U.S.
The department is offering free test kits for residents who are willing to share their test results as part of a statewide radon survey.
Radon enters homes and buildings from soil through basements, crawl spaces and cracks in foundations and slabs. The gas can also be present in drinking water, primarily from private wells. The breakdown of radon releases radiation that can damage lung tissues when inhaled.
To participate in the radon survey and to obtain a free test kit, complete a form on the department's Web page at www.nmenv.state.nm.us/nmrcb/home.html. E-mail the form to Michael.Taylor@state.nm.us.
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