Valles Caldera opens new center

The Valles Caldera Trust will open a 15,000-square-foot science and education center in mid-March in Jemez Springs.

The center is in a former senior center for elderly priests and brothers owned by the Servants of the Paraclete. The center features 25 bedrooms, an institutional kitchen and dining hall and a 1,200-square-foot recreation room now converted into a state-of-the-art teaching lab. The whole building was renovated top to bottom, according to Bob Parmenter, lead scientist with the trust, which manages the 89,000-acre Valles Caldera National Preserve.

Parmenter said the center was renovated with about $300,000 in revenue generated by activities at the preserve. The center's first year of operation, including staff, supplies and utilities, also will be paid for through revenue from hunters, anglers and other visitors to the preserve.

The science center will have wireless Internet access available.

The center will operate off revenues generated by schools, universities and other groups that stay there for workshops, classes and special programs, Parmenter said.

Grant recipients announced

Organizations serving seniors, youth and the homeless are among the major recipients of $435,000 in grants for New Mexico nonprofits announced this week by the Daniels Fund.

Grant recipients in Santa Fe were Kitchen Angels, New Mexico Advanced Placement Initiative, and Partners in Education for the Santa Fe Schools.

The program areas eligible for grants through the Daniels Fund fall under the categories of aging; alcoholism and substance abuse; amateur sports; disabilities; education; homeless and disadvantaged; and youth development.

Bill Daniels, a cable television pioneer who was a former resident of Hobbs, established the Daniels Fund to operate the Daniels Fund Scholarship Program and the Daniels Fund Grants Program in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. Visit www.danielsfund.org for more information.

Apply for internship in D.C.

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall invites New Mexico college students interested in gaining legislative or media-relations experience to apply for internships in his Washington, D.C., office. To apply online or download an application, visit Udall's Web site at www.tomudall.senate.gov.

There are two sessions for summer internships: June 1-July 2 and July 6-Aug. 6. Deadline to apply for both sessions is March 15.

All internships may count toward college credit. Students should check with their colleges or universities for requirements. College students from New Mexico or college students attending New Mexico schools are given first preference, and students of all majors are encouraged to apply.

Candidates are encouraged to apply online, as there is a delay in Senate offices receiving mail. If applications or letters of recommendation are sent via U.S. Postal Service, please take into account this delay. Inquiries may be e-mailed to internship_program@tomudall.senate.gov.