Complimentary SUMMER 08. Builders Series HOME TOUR. PROFESSIONALS In Our Daily Lives. DRIVERS Supplying. Products & Services BOTOX IN SILVER CITY

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1 SUMMER 08 Complimentary Builders Series HOME TOUR PROFESSIONALS In Our Daily Lives DRIVERS Supplying Products & Services BOTOX IN SILVER CITY

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3 Properties that are out of the ordinary- Not out of the question. Palatial Estate on 10 Hilltop Acres $1.45 Million Chihuahua Hills Area! Historic corner cutie $110,000 Mountain Home in the Pines near Lake Roberts $189,500 Quality People Quality Service Since 1964 Energy-Efficient Executive Home Overlooking Silver $449,000 We are an established team of professionals whose success is built on quality service and customer satisfaction. Call us today and put Silver City s oldest, largest and most recommended real estate company to work for YOU! W. College Silver City, NM askus@smithrealestate.com SILVER CITYLIFE 1

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6 Voted Best Transit of the Year in New Mexico. Innovative Program of the Year DOT Award Winner 524 Silver Heights Blvd. #1 Silver City, NM correcaminostransit.com Daily Service (Monday - Friday) Silver City - Arenas Valley - Santa Clara - Bayard Hurley - Cliff - Mimbres - Deming - Lordsburg We can get you to Amtrak or Greyhound in Deming and Lordsburg. Also the Grant County Airport. Corre Cantinas Route, Fridays & Saturdays 5:30pm-2:30am. Road Trip Service, $2.50 one way, $5 Round Trip Regular and Fixed Routes On Demand Service Corre Cantinas Route That s Right, Grant County s Designated Driver Fridays & Saturdays, From 5:30pm to 2:30am Road Trip Service $2.50- One Way $5.00- Round Trip Get on the Bus! Grant County DWI Program Sponsoring Corre Cantinas StopDWI@zianet.com

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9 & INIGUEZPHYSical Therapy FITNESS CENTERS N. Pope Street Silver City, NM 609 Central Ave. Bayard, NM It's Your Choice - Make The Right One $20 A MONTH FITNESS MEMBERSHIPS HABLAMOS ESPAÑO L

10 Contents 18 Our Cover A luxury forest cabin above Pinos Altos is included on the 24 Club Home Tour. Martin Wright of Outback, Inc. paid close attention to detail in the design and construction of this elegantly simple home Features 18 The 24 Club sponsors its Second Annual Builder s Series Home Tour and Silver City Life highlights a few enticing features of these showcase homes. 26 Michael Metcalf reflects on the support and volunteer efforts required to finish and erect his 30-foot high twin sculptures in Albuquerque. 29 David Lopez, Tom Laws and Jim Redford are among those striving to fill the need for critical professional services in Silver City and the surrounding region. 43 Keeping a Rural Community Supplied is a challenging job and Silver City Life chased down four individuals who made the commitment. The Source S3 S4 S20 S31 S32 S40 S44 S46 S48 Area Attractions Map Galleries & Shopping Historic Downtown Dining Out At Your Service Quick Facts Salons & Spas Area Events. The schedule from July through December Departments 12 Advertisers Index. 14 New Faces in Business 16 Investing. James Edd Hughs and Kevin Thompson share tips from Edward Jones. 24 Out & About. Snapshots of recent local events. 36 Medical. Alexis Harsh opens a local doorway to the popular opportunities provided by Topically Injectible Medicine procedures. 48 Microchip Your Pet. Keeping your best friend safe. 48 Happy Endings. Happy endings for dogs and cats. 50 Outdoors. Dog Packing with Dutch Salmon. 52 Summer Birding. With resident experts Gene Lewis and Dr. Dale Zimmerman. 54 Health & Wellness. Super Salve natural healing products. 8 SILVER CITYLIFE

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12 SILVER CITYLIFE Billy Donnel Cell Linda Pecotte Cell Nobody sells more Real Estate than Silver Advantage Where Do YOU Want To Be? Patricia Fell Cell Marilyn Ransom swnewmexicoproperties.com Cell Beverly Hamill Cell Debbie Rogers Cell Sylvia Mikes Cell Karen Sheean Cell E. 14th Street P.O. Box 1477 Silver City, NM Outstanding Agents, Outstanding Results Dina Patton Cell Liz Stewart Cell Steve Vinson Cell Terri Menges President & Managing Director Joseph Burgess Vice President Photo Journalist Arlyn Cooley Staff Accountant Lynn Janes Brett Ferneau LeAnne Knudsen Tamara Manning Advertising Sales Joseph Burgess Judy DouBrava Brett Ferneau James Edd Hughs Eugene Lewis M. H. Dutch Salmon Kevin Thompson Pat Young Contributing Writers Joseph Burgess Photography except where credited Harry Benjamin Denise Tracy-Cowan Judy DouBrava Alexis Harsh Lynn Janes Michael Metcalf Bob Pelham M. H. Dutch Salmon Debra Sutton Dale & Marian Zimmerman Contributing Photographers Terri Menges Debra Sutton Designers Anna Davis Administrative Assistant Melanie Zipin Production Assistant Zia Publishing Corp., This issue of Silver City Life is copyright under the laws of the United States of America. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission of the publisher prohibited. For permission to use any portion of this publication All submissions of editorial or photography are only accepted without risk to the publisher for loss or damage. Every effort was made to ensure accuracy in the information provided. The publisher assumes no responsibility or liability for errors, changes or omissions. Special Thanks to: Andean Tradition David Arballo Hector Arriaga Frank & Patty Bielfeldt R S Bigelow Construction Paul & Linda Bilant Anton Bodar Luanne Brooten Deborah Cilento-Foran Tuki Cintron Daren Dunn Edward & Dolores Elliot Jan Fell Frank Ferrara Jennifer Gage Michelle Geels Betty Graham Nancy & Archie Hogue Victor Holguin Kathleen Iniguez Diane Hansen Alexis Harsh, CNP Jay Hemphill Henri Hovarter Nancy & Tom Johnson Jim Jones Tom Laws David Lopez Larry & Chris McDaniel Julie Maben Craig Martin Anna Mayers Michael Metcalf Frank Milan Lee Ann Miller Sandy Moore Victor Nwachuku, MD Chinonyerem Osuagwu, MD Neysa Pritikin Beatrice Quintana, RN Jim Redford Nichole Robbins Yvette Romero, RN Ward Rudick Rinda Metz Gail Stamler, CNM Holly Sytch Arturo & Sonya Terrazas Ernie & Rosa Terrazas Skip Thacker Denise Tracy-Cowan Francesca Veltri Faith Viamanti Beverly Widener Krista Wood, RN/BSN Doyne Wrealli Martin Wright Silver City Life is published bi-annually by Zia Publishing Corp. with offices at: 116 McKinney Road P.O. Box 1248 Silver City, NM Phone: Fax: info@ziapublishing.com Website: 10 SILVER CITYLIFE

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14 Index of Advertisers Mon., Wed.-Sat. 9:00am to 5:30pm Sunday 10:00am to 4:00pm 2115 Pinos Altos Road Silver City, NM A Bead Or Two S22 Ace Hardware S27 Action Realty A.I.R. Coffee Co., Inc......S32 Allstate Insurance , S41 Alma Grill S16 AmBank Armstrong Floor & Wall Art and Conversation......S25 Artistic Impressions S46 Azurite Gallery S24 Bear Creek Motel & Cabins..53 Belleza Salon & Tanning.7, S46 Blackhawk Southwest, Inc...25 Blue Dome Gallery S24 BroCom S40 Bryan Truck & Auto S40 Buckhorn Saloon & Opera House S9 Candy Bouquet & Gifts.....S27 Cassie Health Center for Women Century 21 Thompson Realty C4, S30 Chavez Construction C2 China Gate S32 Chino Federal Credit Union , S11 Cinema Classics on DVD.8, S26 Clayton Homes Common Thread, The......S24 Conner Fine Jewelers......S22 Cook s General Contracting..10 Copper Quail Gallery......S24 Corre Caminos Transit Creations & Adornments... S25 Creative Visions Landscaping S43 Curious Kumquat S33 Curves Datura Therapeutic Day Spa S26, S46 Desert Springs Physical Therapy Diane s Bakery & Deli..... S33 Dogs Deserve Better......S40 Dunn s Nursery & Garden Ctr , S49 Eagle Mail Services Edward Jones Elemental Arts S21 Eva s Hair Styles S46 First New Mexico Bank..16, S3 Furniture Gallery, Inc......S42 Gila Eco Design Center..53, S22 Gila Eyecare, Inc Gila Hike & Bike S26 Gila House Hotel/ Gallery S20, S33 Gila Regional Medical Ctr Gila Regional Surgical Ctr...55 Grant County Glass S42 Griffin s Propane, Inc Hacienda Realty & Assoc Hamilton Furniture S27 Heckler s Copies To Go.....S43 Hester House S23 Holiday Inn Express- Silver City , S-C4 Hometown Mortgage.....S44 Horizon Home Health......S36 Iniguez Physical Therapy & Fitness Center Isaac s Bar & Grill S35 J & S Plumbing & Heating..S41 Jalisco Cafe S32 Joe Burgess Photography...S25 JW Art S25 La Cocina S34 Legacy Home & Gifts...56, S22 Leyba & Ingalls Arts Supplies & Gallery......S25 Lois Duffy Art S24 Lopez & Associates, PC..11, S2 Lowry s RV Center S27 Lucy s Techniques S46 Mainstreet S31 Manzanita Ridge S23 Melinda s Medical Supply...38 Mimbres Region Arts Council S1 Mirror Mirage S46 Moonstruck Art S21 Morning Star S23 Motel S38 Ol West Gallery & Mercantile S25 Palace Hotel S29 Party Zone Party Supplies..S26 Pinos Altos Orchards S27 Pots, Pans & More S23 Prudential Silver City Properties , S28 Raymond James Financial Services S7 Re/Max Silver Advantage 10, S6 Re/Max Marilyn Ransom...S32 Rose Valley RV S42 Satellite Kings S47 Seedboat Gallery S Sharpening Center, The....S41 Shear Reflections S46 Sherman Dental Silver City Auto Spa S40 Silver City Museum Store..S37 Silver City Real Estate.....S13 Silver Imaging & Portrait Studio S26 Silver Rexall Drugs S41 Silver Satellite S12 Silver Steel S43 Smith Real Estate , S45 Smith Real Estate - Mimbres , 51 Southwest Bone & Joint Southwest Shade S State Farm Insurance Chuck Johnson , S14 State Farm Insurance Gabriel Ramos , S10 Stone McGee S42 Sun Valley Do It Center Sunup Design/Build, LLC Super Salve Co T-World Urban Apparel.....S27 Tatiana Maria Gallery......S25 Terrazas Construction Terrazas Enterprises, Inc Terrazas Funeral Home Thomas H. Laws, CPA, CVA.S41 Thundercreek Quilt & Fabric Shop , S43 Thunderstruck Art & Design.S21 Timberland Construction..C3,S5 Toy Town S26 Tres Amigos Enterprises....S18 Two Spirit Gallery S15 United Country Mimbres Realty UPS Store, The S40 Vintage Fantasies S22 VIP Hair Salon S46 Volunteer Center S42 Wagon Wheel Realty....12, S8 Weelearts S21 Wells Fargo Bank Western & Mexican Emporium S23 Western Bank Western Stationers , S43 Whitewater Motel S17 Windows, Etc S43 Workshops of Carneros, The S22 Wranglers Bar & Grill..... S33 Yada Yada Yarn S23 Yello on Yankie S21 Zia Family Health Care Zia Publishing Corp SILVER CITYLIFE

15 Contributors Judy DouBrava is a locally well-known cosmetologist and annual culinary contributor to Chocolate Fantasia. Other interests include writing, photography and the ethical treatment of animals. She lives in Silver City with her husband Jesse and their dogs Spot and Jack. Brett Ferneau and his wife LeAnne Knudsen relocated to the Silver City area three and a half years ago from Santa Fe. They live near Santa Rita, where Brett is a lieutenant in the volunteer fire department. The couple has two mammoth saddle donkeys, Frosty and Aspen. Eugene Lewis began serious birding in eastern Kansas in the 1950s, eventually roaming the entire state in his pursuit of the avian species. Upon retirement in 1991 he moved to Silver City, where he has continued his lifelong quest. Dutch Salmon is a former correspondent for the Albuquerque Journal and the author of seven books, including Gila Rising and the recently published Country Sports. He lives near the Gila Wilderness with his wife Cherie and son Bud. Pat Young lives with her husband Jeff in the mountains above the Mimbres Valley where they hand-built their log home. The retired journalist has written for numerous publications. She currently handles public relations and advertising for Smith Real Estate. Dr. Dale A. Zimmerman is an ornithologist, botanist, naturalist and Professor Emeritus of Biology at WNMU, where he taught for 31 years. He is also a recognized bird illustrator, nature photographer and author with field experience on every continent. EQUAL HOUSING LENDER SILVER CITYLIFE 13

16 NEWFACES WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE BURGESS VICTOR NWACHUKU, MD and YVETTE ROMERO, RN. Horizon Home Health helps rural and bed-ridden people requiring some level of medical attention, but not hospitalization. Our goal, states Yvette Romero, is to help people achieve greater independence and frequently to simply get well enough for physical therapy. Yvette, a Silver City native, earned her degree as an RN from WNMU Nursing School and has home health experience. She is a partner and also serves as administrator. Victor Nwachuku, MD and senior partner is originally from Nigeria, graduated from Cal State University and Jefferson Medical School in Philadelphia. We provide medical care, occupational therapy and dispense medication DEBORAH CILENTO-FORAN. Chino Federal Credit Union has redirected its membership efforts toward becoming a more viable aspect of the communities it serves, states CEO and General Counsel Deborah Cilento-Foran. Deborah came to New Mexico from Maryland but traces her Spanish ancestry back to a 1790 San Carlos, Arizona census and originally back to Northwest Spain. We are a community credit union and are striving to develop a stronger community appeal. Deborah has three step-daughters and lives in Deming with her husband and two dogs. She is a member of the New Mexico Bar as well as the District of Columbia Bar. You can contact Chino Federal Credit Union at KATHLEEN INIGUEZ. Belleza Salon and Tanning is an upscale salon with a little of everything to offer, says owner Kathleen Iniguez. Belleza was an appropriate extension of our successful physical therapy and fitness centers. It s a full-service hair salon, with juice and latte bar and provides spray-on tanning and beds and aqua massage. Facials and body waxing are coming this fall. Belleza carries Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics and will begin selling Mexican fountains and wall fountains. Kathleen states, We have a professional staff and the latest in spa equipment, but I just want people to feel comfortable here, knowing they are in good hands. Contact Belleza Salon at SILVER CITYLIFE

17 CRAIG MARTIN. Our most popular product is still our high quality ice cream, says Schwan s driver Craig Martin. Craig delivers to Hurley, Santa Clara, parts of Arenas Valley, Tyrone, White Signal and points west. Craig attended Fresno State and worked in the restaurant business for 15 years. While we were still in California, I found an opening with Schwan s and was able to transfer to Silver City to be closer to my in-laws. Since I stop by to see my customers every two weeks, I tell them that they see more of me than they do their families. They appreciate good service. You can contact Craig at VICTOR NWACHUKU, MD; CHINONYEREM OSUAGWU, MD; GAIL STAMLER, CNM. Cassie Health Center for Women was established to provide services for women from early teens through menopause. Senior partner Victor Nwachuku, MD, has practiced in Silver City since Chinonyerem Osuagwu, MD, recently joined the practice after serving his residency in New York City. He commented on the friendliness of Silver City people and how different it is to know your neighbors. Gail Stamler, CNM (certified nurse-midwife) has been part of the local community since "There is a shortage of women's health services throughout rural America," Gail relates. "Silver City is fortunate to have the Center." JAY HEMPHILL. When I drove over the Black Range to check out WNMU, I knew this was the place, states Jay Hemphill, coowner of Gila Hike & Bike. Jay arrived from Kansas to finish his degree on a tennis scholarship. I wanted to locate in a mountainous region and the Gila was perfect. Jay was working in a Kansas bicycle shop when he was bit by the bicycle bug. Gila Hike & Bike is a full service shop for back-packing, hiking and biking, both road and mountain. We carry the major brands and our employees know what gear works in the Gila. Contact Gila Hike & Bike at SILVER CITYLIFE 15

18 Investing Courtesy of James Edd Hughs, left; and Kevin Thompson, right; at Edward Jones KEY STEPS TO CREATING YOUR FINANCIAL STRATEGY It's important to have a road map to help reach your goals. Although there are many routes available, the key is having a set of guideposts to help you stay on track. These guideposts include: Where am I today? Silver City Properties #1 Listing + Selling Office in Grant County 2006 & E. 11th Street Toll-free (866) Office (575) Mimbres Branch Office Toll-free (877) Office (575) Patrick Conlin, CRS Broker/Owner Dawn Holladay dawn@prudentialsilvercity.com patrick@prudentialsilvercity.com Rodger Koest Tracy Bauer Lisa Parker Paula Bradfield Robin L. Thomas tracy@prudentialsilvercity.com paula@prudentialsilvercity.com Representing Dos Griegos Subdivision rodger@prudentialsilvercity.com lisa@prudentialsilvercity.com robin@prudentialsilvercity.com Branding Iron Properties 16 SILVER CITYLIFE Before you can set realistic goals, you need to determine your current financial situation. When you share the information listed below, in confidence with your financial advisor, it will help him or her gain a better understanding of your current financial situation. Individual salary and that of a spouse, if applicable Company retirement-plan savings 401(k), 403(b), 457(b) Investments held at banks or other firms Cash savings Mortgage, if applicable Other loans car, higher education, home equity Monthly bills Last year s tax return Employer-plan statements Brokerage statements

19 Buy diversified, quality investments and hold them for the long term. Where would I like to be? After determining where you are today, work with your financial advisor to set specific goals that can be related to: Having appropriate insurance coverage Saving for retirement Living a comfortable retirement Funding your child s education Helping support other family members Funding a vacation or second home Can I Get There? Based on your current situation, future income requirements and risk tolerance, your financial advisor can help you create and implement a strategy. He or she also can help you decide how much to save monthly or annually to work toward your goals. 1 How Do I Get There? Investment philosophy centers on buying diversified, 2 quality investments and holding them for the long term. Your financial advisor can introduce you to a variety of asset allocation models. Then you can select the right mix of investments in each category. How Can I Stay on Track? Meet with your financial advisor at least annually to help ensure your strategy stays on track. If any of your goals or circumstances have changed, you can make any appropriate updates to your portfolio. 1. A systematic investment plan does not guarantee a profit, nor does it protect against a loss in a declining market. Such a plan involves continuous investment in securities regardless of fluctuating price levels of the securities. You should consider your financial ability to continue purchases through periods of low price levels. 2. Diversification does not guarantee a profit, nor does it protect against a loss Edward Jones does not provide tax or legal advice. You should review your situation with your tax or legal professional if this advice is needed. Lynne Schultz Ph. (575) Fax (575) eagl @cybermesa.com Eagle Mail Services A Mail & Parcel Center UPS FedEx US Mail DHL Private Mailboxes R ing Fax Copies Notary Western Union 2311 Ranch Club Road Silver City, NM SILVER CITYLIFE 17

20 top: The McDaniel home in Silver City s Historic District was originally constructed by Ernest and Minnie Brumback around 1906, with a recent addition by RS Bigelow Construction. Ernest managed the Silver City Independent at the turn of the last century. above: The McDaniels carefully protected the charm of the original kitchen and adjacent dining area. right, top: Syzygy tile highlights the new bathroom on the lower level. The floor is kept warm in winter months by solar-heated water panels on the roof. right, bottom: The stairway from the new family room to the new lower level master bedroom and bath parallels the original 1906 block foundation visible at the bottom right corner of the photo. 18 SILVER CITYLIFE 24 Club Home WRITTEN BY PAT YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOE BURGESS Twenty four women banded together to serve those left at home when area men were called to serve in WWII. More than 65 years later, home and community still play major roles in 24 Club tradition. The service organization has host-

21 right: The oriental-style dining nook at the Hansen home in Dos Griegos includes an indoor fountain and opens up onto a patio and outdoor fountain area. Built by Chavez Construction, the Tuscany-style design lends itself well to an extensive collection of oriental/hawaiian art and artifacts. right, bottom: The large richly-decorated bedroom also opens up onto the patio/fountain area. top: Dishwashing with an unobstructed view of the vast Gila National Forest and wilderness area, might even entice the man of the house to contribute to household chores. above: The Jacuzzi/shower area of the Hansen home provides a continuation of the home s rich oriental art motif. Tour ed home tours since the early 1980 s to raise funds for local endeavors including Western New Mexico University scholarships. Two years ago, the tour took on another dimension when it became the Builders Home Tour. We try to have something for everyone, 24 Club president Karen Dunn says. The tour offers a chance to see what the builders have to offer. This year s tour on June 8 was no exception. It was a nice mix of homes, says 24 Club member Sandy Moore. SILVER CITYLIFE 19

22 left: The cabin built on a hillside above Pinos Altos by Martin Wright of Outback, Inc. has a no-maintenance exterior. The long structure is anchored snugly to the slope of the mountain and provides maximum access to great forest and mountain vistas. left, bottom: The bedroom opens up to an impressive covered balcony and the hardwood floor visible in this image extends throughout the house. top: The kitchen/dining/living area provides a comfortably large open space in the center of the structure, warmed physically by a fireplace and architecturally by a beautiful tongue and groove ceiling. above: The large covered balcony/patio area stretches around two sides of the building and offers spectacular views across forested land toward Signal Peak. For a $15 donation, participants toured two beautifully remodeled Historic District homes, three newer homes north of Silver City, and a getaway cabin in Pinos Altos. During the tour, participants enjoyed a tea house reception at Legacy Lighting, 1304 N. Hudson in Silver City. One of the Historic District homes was the McDaniel home. Originally built in 1906 as a red brick bungalow, this home has morphed into a spacious residence with recent addition by RS Bigelow Construction, Inc. Bigelow, in business for 25 years, says he is incorporating more green products and solar in his work. 20 SILVER CITYLIFE

23 right: The Bilant home built by MG Dominguez Construction on North Swan provides a comfortable setting for entertaining, pursuing personal projects or just kicking back. Dining with a view and a bright interior throughout the home gives the appearance of a much larger structure. bottom, right: Abundant light also fills the master bedroom and there are ample opportunities for exquisite accents. top: A large patio and garden area and the use of cabana fans insure continued outdoor activities throughout the warmer months. above: An intriguing kitchen design services both the living and dining areas of the Bilant home. The new addition blends with the old, McDaniel says. SYZYGY Tile Works created beautiful handmade tile for this home. The Pritikin Historic District home, a cozy stucco with secluded backyard, simple lines and purple picket fence, was remodeled by Lozoya Construction, in business for 30 years. The home had so much potential, Pritikin says, adding that Manuel Lozoya was very receptive to her ideas. 24 Club past president and interior designer Christine Rickman assisted with interior colors that showcase Pritikin s artwork. SILVER CITYLIFE 21

24 top: The Pritikin home in the Historic District was remodeled by Lozoya Construction. The purple picket fence first grabs your attention, but a closer look reveals a delightful sculpture garden and interior color schemes that provide rich backgrounds for an impressive collection of artwork. The perceptive influence of interior designer Christine Rickman is evident throughout. above: Simple lines and hardwood floors lead to elegance through every doorway. left, top: The right combination of color, cabinets and a friendly companion warm any kitchen setting. left, bottom: Attention to detail turns a small bathroom into a subject for conversation. The Bilant home north of town was constructed by MG Dominguez Construction, in business for 22 years. With an inviting entry, corbels and wood columns, Bilant describes the home as our little casita. The home features a huge backyard patio, gardens and cabana fans. Kristi and Rick Dunn of Dunn s Nursery, offering landscaping for any order, also sponsored this home. The Hansen home was constructed by Chavez Construction, in business for over 20 years. Hansen says the Tuscany style home has a Hawaiian influence, complete with eclectic fountains. A spacious master suite highlights the home. The Elliot home was constructed by Timberland Construction. Owner Ernie Terrazas started his business here in His wife, Rosa, says the Elliots were visiting in Dos Griegos when they spotted this territorial style stucco home and fell in love with it.

25 Adramatic entry showcases this residence, also sponsored on the tour by 1st New Mexico Bank. The Pinos Altos cabin, featuring covered decks with spectacular views, tongue-in-groove ceilings, hardwood floors and a no-maintenance exterior, was constructed by Martin Wright of Outback, Inc. The name comes from his Australian roots. Wright says he has built everywhere in the area since He adds that Mastercraft Metals, Inc, Blackhawk SW Inc, and CVR Electric also sponsored this home. The whole community is involved and supports the tour, Dunn says. A lot of the same people come every year, Moore adds. It truly is a community effort. top: The Elliot home built by Timberland Construction in Dos Griegos provides an impressive architectural statement in a stunning setting. Colorful woodwork on both sides of the entryway seemingly draws the visitor through the heavy portal and into the spacious living area. left: An enormous living room complete with wet bar provides the ultimate space for entertaining. above, right: The latest in shower fixture considerations accented by a glass block wall truly enhance the bathing experience. above, left: Timberland utilizes split level lines and carefully chosen designs to challenge the imaginations of owners and visitors alike. SILVER CITYLIFE 23

26 out & about JEFF LEBLANC AND MELANIE ZIPIN Jeff LeBlanc and Melanie Zipin perform at the Buckhorn. Congratulations on What Does it Mean a great music video produced in Silver City. Tour of the Gila The Downtown Silver City Criterium, part of the 22nd Annual 5-day Tour of the Gila, thrilled spectators May 3rd. Pictured are the senior men categories 4 and 5. The Arts Beverly Widener from El Paso opened at Gallery 400 while local artists Jan Fell and Henri Hovarter posed with their work at Silver Spirit Gallery. BEVERLY WIDENER HENRI HOVARTER JAN FELL A much calmer side of the Gila Rangers shown here as volunteers applying a much-needed protective coating to the Billy the Kid era cabin. Great job! FRANK FERRARA JIM JONES SKIP THACKER 24 SILVER CITYLIFE

27 DHARMASHAKTI CHRISTIAN PINCOCK Dristi Studios on Bullard hosted an evening of Bakti Yoga led by Dharmashakti and accompanied by Christian Pincock and local artist Michael Kunz. MICHAEL KUNZ ANNA MAYERS Farmers Market returned to the downtown area. Anna Mayers discusses passive solar green houses while Lee Ann Miller and Betty Graham from Pinos Altos sell fresh eggs. LEE ANN MILLER AND BETTY GRAHAM SILVER CITYLIFE 25

28 Metcalf sculptures grace Albuquerque s skyline WRITTEN BY PAT YOUNG JENNIFER GAGE FAITH VIAMANTI Before Silver City sculptor Michael Metcalf s 30-ft-tall twin sculptures entitled The Positive Energy of New Mexico graced the Albuquerque skyline, they journeyed by truck from Metcalf s studio to the Duke City last September. A dedication ceremony took place in December. Now returned to his position as professor of sculpture at Western New Mexico University, Metcalf reminisced on the enormous project. I was pleased with the way the sculpture turned out, but I was glad to return to the classroom and a less harried way of life, he said. With a hired crane, Metcalf and a volunteer crew that included his wife, interior designer Christine Rickman, placed the bases onto prepared concrete pads at I-40 and Louisiana Avenue. Four thousand pound boulders were lowered onto the bases and three bronze spires set in place on each sculpture. Enormous nuts and bolts secured components. Metcalf and volunteers then inserted splines into the spires. He said at one point high winds caused them to lash free-standing scaffolding to the more stable spires in order to continue. Before the sculptures left Silver City, there were sanding and patina parties at Metcalf s studio. Many volunteers helped him prepare the 8,000- pound sculptures. People here are great, Metcalf said. Dedication plaques on each sculpture also recognize WNMU, Phelps Dodge and Sandia National Laboratories for their assistance. It s a real rush to look over when I m exiting the Interstate in Albuquerque, Metcalf said, and know I created and fabricated these sculptures. Photo courtesy Michael Metcalf Kite Festival Jennifer Gage of the Daily Press turns loose of her camera to help get a kite airborne. Faith Viamanti calmly and expertly displayed her capabilities with a kite. Great Race This year s Great Race participants at WNMU brave the muddy waters and keep their carts rolling. 26 SILVER CITYLIFE

29 ANTON BODAR Custom homes by Sunup Design/Build incorporate simple, elegant design, use natural materials, and integrate indoor and outdoor spaces with patios and gardens. The design philosophy at Sunup Design/Build emphasizes smaller, more energy- and resource-efficient dwellings. Homes feature open floor plans that take advantage of the Southwestern landscape and bring in natural light, while maintaining the intimacy and warmth that make a home feel welcoming and comfortable. Sunup s building principles are in keeping with the Japanese practice of merging indoor and outdoor space by incorporating the garden design into the home design. The garden makes the home complete. Visit our website SunupDesignBuild.com Contact us to visit our homes LUANNE BROOTEN FRANCESCA VELTRI ANDEAN TRADITION TUKI CINTRON Celebration of Spring The Celebration of Spring Festival at Big Ditch Park included an Anton Bodar glass demonstration, Luanne Brooten touching up a mural, Francesca Veltri keeping up with the tortillas, the musical group Andean Tradition playing Peruvian instruments and Tuki Cintron providing a Hawaiian twist to park cuisine. JASON SILVA AND TINO LEYBA-WNMU DRUMLINE SILVER CITYLIFE 27

30 ZAC HARMON RALPH FORREST, DRUMMER FOR ZAC HARMON Silver City Blues Festival The 13th annual Silver City Blues Festival featured artists like Zac Harmon and Sherman Robertson, great weather and a fabulous crowd. The three day event features local, national and international artists. SHERMAN ROBERTSON 28 SILVER CITYLIFE

31 Local Professionals Law, accounting and architecture are fields that have certainly become anchored in our daily lives, even in the rural areas of New Mexico. WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE BURGESS Excellent weather, millions of acres of outdoor recreational opportunities, a university and an abundance of friendly people in the Silver City area continues to entice artists, cyclists, restaurateurs, shop owners and retirees to escape the stress levels associated with big city hassle and interstate highway travel. Silver City Life continues its series recognizing the local professionals who provide services for this diverse collection of residents. They are our neighbors, they care about the schools our children attend and most importantly, they allow us to conduct our business and our lives right here, without having to grapple with the challenges of bigger communities like El Paso, Tucson and Albuquerque. above: Attorney David Lopez, CPA Tom Laws and Architect Jim Redford provide services for the region that would otherwise require traveling to bigger cities and dealing with people who might not understand nor appreciate small town concerns and solutions. SILVER CITYLIFE 29

32 David Lopez Attorney at Law I had never been to Silver City, but after graduation, I was hired by Robinson and Quintero. Grant County made me feel at home from day one. I It s especially rewarding when people express gratitude for the services you provide, states David Lopez of Lopez & Associates, P.C. The practice is family-oriented and strives for 100% client satisfaction. Born in Las Vegas, New Mexico, David s father served as Mayor and State Senator and was a professional boxer, poet, businessman and humanitarian. West Las Vegas was recognized during that era by Look magazine as one of five All America Cities in the western region and the Las Vegas Daily Optic said the honor resulted from response to the leadership of its 37-year old mayor, Junio Lopez. Junio s vision for his son was to become a priest or an attorney. David chose the latter. Despite growing up in one of the state s poorest counties, his parents, sisters and brother made him feel rich. My parents were absolutely the best. Mother was my rock. David was an All-State Quarterback and lettered in basketball and track. He turned down football scholarships to UNM and NM Highlands to work in California. It was the six months of working graveyard shift in a California factory 6 days a week 10 hours a day that convinced him that education was the key to success. He returned to Highlands University and graduated Magna Cum Laude. During those college years, he traveled to Seville, Spain for a summer study program and fell in love with Conchi Fernandez Lora, the woman he later married. UNM Law School was a challenge. His father died after his first year in law school and two of his children were born during that time. David worked two jobs and used scholarships to pay for law school, graduating in the top 20 of his class. Conchi was my inspiration, emotional support and driving force. I had always wanted to help people just like my father and Conchi absolutely reinforced that. I had never been to Silver City, David continued, but after graduation in 1989, I was hired by Robinson and Quintero P.C. Grant County made me feel at home from day one. The two Silver City lawyers served as excellent mentors, later became judges and the firm evolved into Lopez and Associates, P.C. My three law associates, Daniel Dietzel, William Perkins and David Gorman are smart, energetic, experienced the best. We are backed by a loyal staff led by Sandy Seitzinger, Wendy Torres, Whitney Munoz, Jean Roof, Leigh Ann Massengill, Chance Lewis and Judith Des Jardins. Sandy has been my only secretary in 17 years. Lopez & Associates primary practice is civil law with an emerging emphasis on personal injury cases. The firm also handles estate planning, property law, business transactions, family law and criminal law. It also has state, city and business contracts and represents children in abuse and neglect cases. David maintains a sharp mind by participating in regional chess tournaments. David and Conchi s sons David and Rodrigo attend the University of Arizona and Alejandro is leaping forward to the fourth grade. David proudly states my son David is an excellent chess player and Rodrigo is in the Honors College studying biochemistry. Alejandro is an excellent student with his entire future in front of him. Not surprisingly, the firm supports community services like El Refugio, Big Brothers, Rotary Club, local schools, the Chamber of Commerce and charities. 30 SILVER CITYLIFE

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34 Tom Laws Certified Public Accountant In December 1989, I started Laws & Company. Yes, it was scary because of all the unknowns no salary, no benefits and no guarantee of work. I I had always wanted to work for myself, but it wasn t until 1989 that I took the plunge, relates Tom Laws of Laws & Company, a tax and financial advisory company. Was it scary? Yes it was because of all the unknowns no salary, no benefits, and no guarantee that anyone would give us a shot at handling their taxes or ask for our financial advice. After graduating from New Mexico State with a Bachelor of Accountancy, Tom ventured to San Francisco to work with a construction contractor Longest six months of my life, Tom flatly states. California was too fast-paced for me, except for the freeways that crawled like a snail. I also worked as a cost engineer at the Hartford Nuclear Site. Tom had met Deborah at New Mexico State and since she had grown up in Deming, their next move was back to New Mexico for Phelps Dodge Playas and Tyrone. I moved over to Kennecott Chino for one year and 22 days before it was purchased by Phelps Dodge. Phelps Dodge tended to move accountants and I had already decided that Silver City was where I wanted to raise my children. In December 1989, I started Laws & Company. I have never looked back and so far the practice has been strong. It is always good to have a professional review your tax return, and a person should consider a CPA whenever there is more than a W-2 and mortgage interest form. Estates, trusts and small businesses of every kind should utilize CPAs. New businesses are especially vulnerable to government agencies and many are consumed by regulations. We handle payroll taxes, monthly financial statements and quarterly estimates of taxes. My daughter is interested in government audits and so we are moving into that field. I have recently passed the securities exams that allow me to assist people in financial planning. Once the client needs are well understood, the challenge is bringing together the right investments to meet his or her specific priorities in life. For someone contemplating a career as a CPA, get as much experience as possible before going on your own. More and more it is becoming the accountant s responsibility to keep companies ethical. That s unfair to the CPA, but it s the direction business is moving. Initially there is a tough national professional exam and annually, 40 hours of continuing education are required. Tom and Deborah s family includes Erin, a biologist at the hospital, Ashley, who is studying for the CPA exam while working at Laws & Company and Hanna, a student at Silver High who is into soccer, basketball and golf. And it s no secret that there are three grandchildren! 32 SILVER CITYLIFE

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36 Jim Redford Architect Since I grew up in Lordsburg and my mother served as Hidalgo County Treasurer, it has been a lot of fun preserving historic locations that were part of my childhood surroundings. I It s very rewarding to see the results of your work over a period of years, says architect Jim Redford. We have handled projects at Western New Mexico University from 1990 to 2008, many of which have been historical restorations. The Hidalgo County Library in Lordsburg was especially challenging, as were projects at Shakespeare ghost town. Since I grew up in Lordsburg and my mother served as Hidalgo County Treasurer, it has been a lot of fun preserving historic locations that were part of my childhood surroundings. Jim graduated from Rice University in architecture and art and early on partnered with an architectural landscape group in Dallas. Much of his practice was overseas from His wife, Sam, was his travel agent during that period, arranging Jim s trips for five years before actually meeting face to face. They were married in When Jim s younger daughter started college, he decided he was done with big city life. I had always planned to return to New Mexico and when Sam and I dined with my sister at the Buckhorn during a cool summer drizzle, that sealed Silver City as our destination. The move was tough at first with no business prospects in Silver City. I patched a lot of buildings locally and fixed roofs. Initially we did more driving than designing with projects from Columbus to Quemado. At times we appeared to be ecumenical architects with our church projects appearing in every town in the area. In association with another company, we landed the renovation of Harlan Hall at WNMU, and we have now performed work for the university for 18 years. We have a good local team for smaller projects and continue to associate with larger firms for the big ones. I feel strongly about supporting each other locally whenever possible. We have designed about three area homes a year for 19 years and most of the people we designed for are still our friends. Hopefully, that speaks well for our work. Currently we are not accepting new work. The EMS building at the hospital is in progress under our direction, as well as a new city hall for Lordsburg and jail for Grant County. Jim was involved with starting the local Home Builder s Association, pushing for building plans and utilizing architects. He served as subdivision committee chairman for the state Home Builders Association, worked with city and county subdivision laws and ordinances, served on appeals boards, participated in subdivision mediation and is the government affairs person for the local association. I ve been practicing for 43 years and am extremely lucky to have my partner Sam who handles the bills, specifications, etc., and very fortunate to find local engineers who share similar ethics and work practices. 34 SILVER CITYLIFE

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38 medical Topically Injectible Medicines WRITTEN BY BRETT FERNEAU PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOE BURGESS AND COURTESY OF ALEXIS HARSH, CNP Recent advances in medical techniques and technology have been phenomenal. Medical products and services scarcely imagined a generation ago have become available nationwide. The vast variety of healthcare options has, understandably, left most of us feeling encouraged but slightly confused. An area of medicine that probably shoulders more than its share of public misinformation is the field of medical aesthetics. Once thought to be exclusively intended for movie stars and politicians, this impressive list of products and services is treated with an air of mystery by the media. Actually, the term simply refers to the healing of damaged skin. The skin is the body s largest organ, says Alexis Harsh, a certified nurse practitioner (CNP), and its first line of defense against infection. In her Silver City clinic, Alexis and nurse Krista Wood, RN/BSN, began responding to the growing demand for affordable local medical aesthetics services four years ago. These days, in addition to pediatric and primary care, Alexis office also provides relief to severe acne sufferers, children burdened by birthmarks, and an increasing number of patients with sun-damaged skin. Hair removal, vein, rosacea and cellulite treatments are offered as well. The technologies used include laser and intense pulsed light, microdermabrasion and topically injectible medicines. A careful look at the list of services would suggest that pigmented lesions caused by sunlight can actually be treated using a specific light spectrum modeled after the same source. Is this true? opposite: Treating many forms of damaged skin, Krista Wood, RN/BSN and Alexis Harsh, CNP and owner, utilize numerous tools and methods, including topically injectible medicines like Botox Cosmetic. 36 SILVER CITYLIFE

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40 Before Before After After You d better believe it, Alexis replies with enthusiasm. Isn t that fascinating? She goes on to explain that while broad-spectrum sunlight damages the exterior skin layer before reflecting away, other derivative light spectrums penetrate the deeper layers to promote healing. What this means to the rest of us is that there is finally an alternative to cutting, burning or freezing off skin lesions, all of which are methods that cause scarring. Scar tissue is a modification of healthy skin, says Alexis, so we try to avoid creating more. She reports that acne sufferers see the positive results of a single treatment within a week. Alexis and Krista would also like to shed a different sort of light on another aspect of aesthetics that is widely misunderstood: topically injectible medicines, including Botox Cosmetic. A purified natural protein substance first identified in 1895, Botox has been successfully used to treat a variety of conditions and ailments around the world, including spina bifida, back pain and migraines. There is no generic botox. Botox is manufactured exclusively by Allergans, Inc., which top left: Medial Calf Veins: Vascular Therapy on mixed cluster of spider veins. Using the Fotona Nd:YAG laser on various vascular lesions. After the initial treatment, a follow-up visit at 6-weeks is done with any touch ups as needed. At 6-months a final check is made to ensure an excellent result. The majority of cases need no treatment at the 6- month check. top, right: Acne: Acne Treatment. Using the Nd:YAG. 38 SILVER CITYLIFE

41 Academy of General Dentistry SILVER CITYLIFE 39

42 Before After Before After Before After estimates that 70 per cent of its worldwide sales are a result of therapeutic usage outside of aesthetics. above: All photos were taken while the subjects were frowning. A frown is a component of many human facial expressions, including those associated with concern, concentration, and close visual study. As we age, these overactive brow muscles cause frown lines, which can be relaxed by Botox Cosmetic for up to four months with a single treatment. 40 SILVER CITYLIFE

43 Before After Before After Before After Already used by millions of people in the U.S., Botox Cosmetic smoothes those facial frown lines that develop as we age, making us look old, stressed and mean. Administered by miniscule injections with a tiny needle, the protein blocks absorption of neurological chemicals in the body that cause overactive facial muscles to contract, creating lines and wrinkles. The relaxed facial muscles retain a full range of Skin rejuvenation with the Fotona ER:Yag Laser. The improvement of pigmentation, cyschromia, fine lines, significant wrinkles, scarring, texture and tightening are all possible. It is also used to remove benign lesions. The variable square pulsing of the Er:Yag laser allows treatments to range from non-abrasive to fully ablative and from cold ablation to heat only therapies. The remarkable smooth mode is more controllable than plasma with similar results. The Erbium albative settings give results similar to CO2 lasers with much less downtime. top: 85 year old woman: skin rejuvenation. Before: This woman has significant pigmentation, skin laxity and texture issues. After: This is only 6 weeks post treatment. Optimal results will be at 3 months. center: 58 year old woman: skin rejuvenation. Before: Fine lines, wrinkles, poor texture and skin laxity are all seen here. After: 6 weeks after a single treatment. bottom: Benign moles: Before: This woman has a number of pigmented raised moles. These raised benign moles are common. After: Both the lip and neck moles are easily treated without scarring. This procedure was less than 10 minutes in the office using the Fotona Er:Yag laser and no aesthetics other than non-contact cold air. SILVER CITYLIFE 41

44 YOUR PROPANE HEADQUARTERS Propane Gasoline Diesel Oil Residential Commercial Repairs on all Propane Equipment Tanks for Sale or Lease Cargo Containers for Sale or Lease Self Storage Units Roll-Off Containers & Service Ranch Club Road Silver City, NM Branches Lobby Hours Monday - Friday 8am-5pm SILVER CITY 330 Highway 180 West Silver City, NM (575) Drive Through Hours 8am-6pm Monday - Friday 8am-12 noon Saturday LORDSBURG 140 East Motel Drive Lordsburg, NM (575) Drive Through Hours 8am-5pm Monday - Friday natural motion without repeatedly creasing the skin s surface. There s no downtime with Botox, says Krista. She explains that administration of the medication is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that causes only minor discomfort and requires no recovery time. Beneficial results can be seen in a few days and can last for up to four months. As with all other aesthetics treatments available through her practice, Alexis offers photo documentation actual before and after pictures demonstrating the anticipated outcome. Interestingly, Alexis and Krista estimate that 25 per cent of their aesthetics clientele are men. It s not just a woman thing, Alexis confirms. We all want to look our best. Studies done with children verify that we all react to appearances. If we look good, we tend to feel good, so you might say that looking better is better. Aesthetics services are affordable for most people who want them, so why not reap the benefits? above: Minimally invasive outpatient procedures are utilized by Alexis Harsh and Krista Wood to treat skin concerns at their clinic. Alexis confirms, by the way, that twenty-five percent of their aesthetics clientele are men. 42 SILVER CITYLIFE

45 Driver The s WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE BURGESS AND JUDY DOUBRAVA we depend ON Four Familiar Faces: Supplying Silver City with Products & Service Distribution is one of the major factors that keeps America strong and allows rural communities to become shining stars. We rarely question why there are bananas in the grocery market every day and heart-regulating medications at the pharmacies. Silver City Life tips its hat to a few of the many drivers who strive to deliver products on time and unbroken and usually with a smile, despite a fast-break pace that requires a lot of dedication. They know the streets of Silver City and the outlying county roads like the backs of their hands. They love the area and enjoy the people they serve. above: Delivering local products on a daily basis are David Arballo, RAC Transport driver from Las Cruces; Hector Arriaga, co-owner of Pan American Barber and Beauty Supply in El Paso; Michelle Geels, DHL International driver from Silver City; and Victor Holguin, Shamrock Foods driver from Deming. SILVER CITYLIFE 43

46 Hector Arriaga Pan American Beauty WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY JUDY DOUBRAVA When mankind first set foot on the moon, Hector Arriaga stepped into the beauty supply business. The year was 1969 and he worked at a beauty supply store in El Paso named Kole's. Hector and his brother, Willie, worked there for 12 years filling bottles with hair tonic and oil plus delivering supplies to the various barber and beauty businesses in El Paso. After the death of the Kole's owner, Hector and Willie decided to continue in beauty supply sales. They received a loan for just $30,000 to launch their own endeavor, Pan American Barber and Beauty Supply. In the beauty business, you have to be accepted by a brand-name manufacturer to carry their products. Since they were new, no supplier was willing to give them this privilege, so they had to sell the bare necessities: combs, brushes, rollers and various generic hair creams and tonics. Finally, a representative from Helene Curtis recognized their sales potential and gave them their start carrying 'label' products. After that, Sebastian, Wella and Nucleic A products soon followed. Hector has been the traveling sales representative for Pan American for all of southwest New Mexico for about 40 years. Hector said, "I figured out my mileage recently and I could have driven around the world twice!" The stylists have come and gone, but once you know Hector there's a special bond. Clients aren t clients anymore. They re family, Hector states. Even customers have become acquainted with Hector from his frequent visits over the decades. The Drifter Motel has been Hector s other home on his visits to Silver City. They know when I m coming and they ve booked the same room all this time." Hector says, Beauticians are like movie stars. I had to ask, Why? Because of the high divorce rate, he says with a chuckle. He admits it was hard on his family at first, being gone a lot, but everyone got used to his schedule. Good thing because Hector wouldn't give up his long distance 'family' for the moon. 44 SILVER CITYLIFE

47 David Arballo RAC Transport WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE BURGESS I I always wanted to drive a truck, says David Arballo of RAC Transport. I was raised in South-central California and when I was knee-high to my father, he let me drive a truck in the fields as vegetables were loaded. It s in my blood. I even taught my 14 year-old sister to drive when I was only ten. Dad owned a truck company and my older brothers also went into trucking. When I retired as a machinist from Textron in California, I attended the Swift driving school in Phoenix and earned my CDL-A license. In Las Cruces, I started driving a school bus and passed the RAC terminal almost every day for a year. In 1999, I jumped on an opening for RAC s Silver City route. I deliver to Silver City, Glenwood, Alma, Mule Creek and even to ranches that always seem to be five or six miles off the pavement. We haul anything that will fit in a trailer. I ve been caught up in low hanging phone wires in Silver City and sometimes winter weather is a challenge. Occasionally, I have had to ask people to meet me at the bottom of a hill. People in the Silver City area have always been very helpful. David s family moved from California to Las Cruces where he attended Court Junior High and Las Cruces High School. David was drafted and stationed at a German base near where his father had served during World War II. I had always wanted to come back to Las Cruces. In fact, I met my wife Nadine at church there many years before. One day I showed up at her door on my Harley and wearing my leathers after driving from California scared her half to death before she realized who it was. We haven t turned loose since. SILVER CITYLIFE 45

48 Michelle Geels DHL International WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE BURGESS Okay, so tell me again why this petite Australian-born lady with a college degree is delivering freight for DHL International? The only answer that I have, replies Michelle Geels, is that I love the rural interaction with people here. I like being outside and witnessing community changes. I would never do this in the city, but in Grant County, it s great. Michelle followed her family to Silver City in Her father was an engineer in the mining industry. Her New Zealand mother decided to remain in Silver City and Michelle proceeded to earn a degree in art from Western New Mexico University. In 1992, a friend mentioned that Airborne needed a part time driver. Michelle applied and a couple of hours per week soon became 35. DHL bought Airborne in 2003, Michelle added, and our uniforms became much more colorful! I deliver freight until the job s done, whatever it takes. We deliver to both businesses and residential locations and both overnight and ground shipments. Once I was given a box that smelled horribly bad and of course it was my last delivery. It turned out to be dead crawdads. Another time I had a delivery to a new subdivision that had no street signs and was truly in the middle of nowhere. The lady was ecstatic about my finding her home. She called to her husband to witness their first delivery. I love animals, but have learned to be very wary around dogs. I never enter a fenced area with a beware sign. I have been chased and bitten I have a few battle scars to show for it. Michelle s mother became involved with Tour of the Gila in 1982, and Michelle, who has driven support vehicles for the race, is now co-director along with Jack Brennan. 46 SILVER CITYLIFE

49 Victor Holguin Shamrock Foods TWRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOE BURGESS The only thing I deliver to one of the area elementary schools, says Shamrock Foods driver Victor Holguin, is five 5-gallon buckets of pickles they love their pickles. I deliver food and anything related to food, like glassware and paper goods, to restaurants, schools and ice cream shops. In the summer, the deliveries are lighter no school, no pickles. The busiest season is between Thanksgiving and New Year s. Victor was born and raised in Deming. After driving for a local rancher and Maloof s, he began hauling produce from the west coast to El Paso Furr s stores. Even just hauling between Phoenix and El Paso, Victor could never plan anything around his personal life. When my first daughter was born, I began looking for a local driving job. Since joining Shamrock 15 years ago, I have really enjoyed delivering to the local area that includes Deming, Bayard, Silver City and Cliff. I have met a lot of good people in the Silver City area and I have family in Bayard. Victor drives about 600 miles/week x 50 weeks. One year the roads were very snow-packed, he states, but I have actually encountered more delays because of wind and dust. On several occasions I had to wait in Hurley for winds to die down. Shamrock stresses family ties and looks out for us. The company also encourages its drivers to participate in the annual Albuquerque truck-driving competitions. Victor has participated in ten state competitions, taking first in six of them. The wins gave him the opportunities to participate in national competitions in Tampa, Columbus, Ohio, Atlanta and twice in New Orleans. Victor hopes to put in another ten years with Shamrock, and then try something new. But he confides that he truly enjoys staying home and hanging out with his wife, Nina, daughters Sarah and Brianna and his in-laws. SILVER CITYLIFE 47

50 pets Happy Endings Tin Tin Nancy & Archie Hogue Nancy and Archie Hogue were mourning the loss of a beloved pet. Knowing that they could never find a replacement for their other little dog, they just wanted to look and see what the shelter had to offer. Nancy didn't have the courage to walk down the row of dog kennels until she heard her husband say, "Nancy, I think you need to come see this little guy." Tin Tin was an instant bond with his new family. When they brought him home, he looked around as if thinking, "Is this house really all mine?" Microchip Your Pet WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY JUDY DOUBRAVA It's horrible to have a missing pet. Microchipping your pet is the newest way to find lost pets. Nationally, only 17% of dogs and 2% of cats end up back with their owners by way of finding them at shelters or other means. Collars can be ripped off. Tags can be lost as well. Having a microchip is good insurance for getting your pet back. The microchip is the size of a grain of rice that is injected between the shoulders just under the skin. Gila Animal Clinic offers this microchip service. There are two major companies that serve as registries for microchips: Avid ( and Home Again ( Through Home Again, the registration fee is $ When you lose your pet, contact them and they will contact local shelters and veterinarian clinics in your area to let them know of your missing pet. above: Microchipping is the latest method for recovering lost pets. They are, after all, family members that simply find it difficult to request help. 48 SILVER CITYLIFE Francis & Coffee Rinda Metz Rinda Metz was advised to walk for therapy after a back injury. She liked hiking but needed help carrying supplies to remote locations. She acquired her first llama to help with these needs. "I just fell in love with them," Rinda said. Of the six llamas she now has, four are rescued. Most llamas that are rescued have a tendency to come from people that do not have the resources to care for them. Rinda gives her llamas plenty of attention by taking them on pack trips into the wilderness. She also shears their wool once a year and spins it into yarn.

51 Callie & Bleu Nicole Robbins Nicole Robbins, our Silver City/Grant County Chamber of Commerce director is not only helping our community, but has also provided a home for an unwanted dog. Nicole brought Callie to our community when she moved here, but adopted Bleu from the shelter to be her companion. Bleu was very underweight and was turned in as a stray. Nicole guessed that he must have been previously owned because he could already sit and lie down on command. She wanted to name him 'Wilson' because he bounced just like a ball, but settled on 'Bleu' because 'he just seemed so blue when I visited the shelter,' Nicole added. Kitty Nancy & Tom Johnson Even though her name is ordinary, Kitty is no ordinary cat. She appeared in the neighborhood and didn't seem to belong to anyone. Nancy's stepson, Tyler, noticed her hanging around the house. Kitty brings all sorts of creatures home including mice and snakes. She helps with the gardening. Her special skill, though, is hiking. "She follows right along on the trails," says Nancy as we walk along their driveway. Kitty pauses occasionally to chase a lizard or two, then catches up with her humans. Mr. Bruno Ward Rudick Mr. Bruno, formally known as Macho Man at the shelter, was adopted out four or five times, but was returned each time. Two of Ward's friends adopted him for a short time and were ready to take him back to the shelter. Ward took pity on Mr. Bruno and welcomed him to his home with four other dogs. "It took about four months to get him over his separation anxiety," said Ward. Mr. Bruno joins Boojie, Mr. Tickdawg, Miss Blue and Spot who all have their own heartening stories with happy endings since they've met Ward. Lizzie Doyne Wrealli One night, a friend of Doyne Wrealli's found his dog playing with a ball of fluff. Doyne was presented with a flea ridden, catatonic with fear, not-yet-weaned, bony, filthy kitten. She had been born feral under a trailer, and had ventured out, right into the dog's mouth. Though not physically injured by the dog, she had to be bottle fed until she caught onto eating solid food, and had to overcome a boatload of terror while she gained weight and lost fleas and worms. First called Little Bits, Elizabeth became an exquisite long-haired lavender-point Siamese with startlingly blue eyes. SILVER CITYLIFE 49

52 outdoors Dog Packing WRITTEN BY M. H. DUTCH SALMON It was a greyhound named Goofy that taught me the good sense in hiking with a pack dog. He was a magnificent physical specimen and meanwhile I wasn t getting any younger. Something clicked. I was thumbing through a CampMor catalog, spied a dog pack for sale, and ordered one out. Our first journey was a revelation. It was just a 3-day fishing trip along the Gila River but the hike in and out of the canyon is the roughest few miles of trail I know of in our local wilderness. I started out by loading Goofy s food (a few pounds of high protein kibble) on one side of his pack, with 4 apples and a water bottle on the other side to balance the load maybe a halfdozen pounds in all. He never fussed about carrying the pack and I thought, it s not much weight, but it s six pounds I m not carrying. On the hike out 3 days later all the food was gone so I gave Goofy the cook gear. Now he had maybe a dozen pounds on his back instead of mine and he still made the hike with ease. He was good company, gave me someone to talk to, and kept the bears and the coons out of our camp. Goofy is gone to the happy hound hunting grounds. Since then I have used a coonhound named Ben as a packer and a saluki/greyhound cross named Badger. But none has served any better than my current companion, Chance, a greyhound/saluki/trailhound mix. He s about 26 at the withers and 60 lbs. and can easily carry lbs. on a pack trip. Just like people, some dogs make good packers while others are worthless on the trail. Some pets (and people) are just too lazy or out of shape to want to keep up with the pace. Others are unreliable and 50 SILVER CITYLIFE

53 may wander off and get lost. If the dog wanders off with some of your camping stuff in his pack you re both in trouble. So a good pack dog is active, strong, in good physical condition, and is the sort of companion that wants to be with you all the time. Most of the sporting,working and hound breeds are good candidates. I d look for a dog that s at least 24 at the shoulder and 50 lbs. and up. A good pack dog in top shape can carry onefourth his weight and perhaps as much as one-third, depending on the dog and the difficulty of the hike. So take the time to weigh your dog and weigh his pack. Start with a light load and some day hikes till he gets the hang of it and works himself into shape. Dogs can t carry tents, sleeping bags, and other bulky things very well. They can carry compact stuff, like their food and yours, water bottles, cook gear, etc. Balance the load as best you can and watch him on the trail. If the load is heavy on one side, shift an apple or a water bottle or a couple of granola bars to even out the weight. None of my dogs has shown any resentment of the pack. We hike no more than 5 hours a day anyway; the rest of the time we are around camp or fishing and neither one of us is wearing a pack. I don t work the dog any harder than I work myself and I m past the days of trying to hike from dawn to dark. A dog has always been a fine companion in the wilderness. A good pack dog can lighten your load by 10 to 20 lbs. and change your pack trip from a work session into a wilderness walk. To find a dog pack, go to: campmor.com, or, cabelas.com, or, llbean.com. Dutch Salmon can be reached at: dutch@high-lonesomebooks.com. In the Mimbres Tim Donovan knows Land and Homes! From the Gila Cliff Dwellings to Faywood Hot Springs, Tim Donovan knows the land and the people of the Mimbres country. He has explored it on foot, by Jeep and on horseback. He s a Real Estate Professional with insight into people and issues from water rights to subdivision to hunting and forest regulations. Give a call or come by the Smith Real Estate office in Mimbres. Mimbres Branch Office 3516 N. Hwy. 35 Mimbres, NM office cell tim@smithrealestate.com Silver City Office Quality People, Quality Service for Over 38 Years askus@smithrealestate.com SILVER CITYLIFE 51

54 birding Summer Birding WRITTEN BY GENE LEWIS PHOTOGRAPHY BY DALE & MARIAN ZIMMERMAN With the greater Silver City area being one of the best places for seeing birds in the country, the summer season here offers a plethora of species just ready for viewing. Some places are within a few miles such as Little Walnut Picnic Area where Acorn Woodpeckers should be easily seen along with such small birds as Mountain Chickadees and Bushtits, or the larger Mexican Jay. Going another direction, above Pinos Altos at Cherry Creek and McMillan campgrounds, the birds have a different look. Some are spectacular like the Painted Redstart, usually found not far from the stream, and certainly not high in the trees like the duller Olive Warbler. For contrast look for the Redfaced Warbler, a real eye catcher, usually found in the lower branches. One thing about the Red-faced Warblers is that the males and females look alike. Not so with the Western Tanager, he with the red hood and she a duller, yellowish color. This area also has this page: The Painted Redstart and opposite: Red-faced Warbler were photographed in the Pinos Altos mountains north of Silver City. 52 SILVER CITYLIFE

55 Summer and Hepatic Tanagers, the Summer more easily found along the Gila River while the Hepatic likes higher elevations.. Summer features two specialties for this part of the state. The Common Black-Hawk will be along streams, especially the Gila River where it searches for frogs, minnows and perhaps some crawdads. Last year one was found along San Vicente Creek, AKA The Big Ditch, and it has returned this year as well. Zone-tailed Hawks are found in more upland areas, and seem to be fewer in number, but they can be confused with the Common Black-Hawk since both are mostly black. Sometimes Zonetailed Hawks will be found soaring with Turkey Vultures and Common Ravens since they blend in well and potential prey won t be alerted to possible danger. Both of these black raptors are exciting to find so keep looking for them, and all the other specialties in this birding paradise. Happy birding! SILVER CITYLIFE 53

56 health & wellness Salve Super WRITTEN BY BRETT FERNEAU PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOE BURGESS & DENISE TRACY-COWAN Twenty years ago, passengers and crews on extended Grand Canyon rafting trips were experiencing a recurring, debilitating problem: foot fungus infections. One of the river guides asked his wife to formulate a salve to heal the infections and prevent them from returning. Clinical Herbologist Denise Tracy-Cowan went to work on the problem, producing a salve that met unanimously positive results. She soon found that she could not make enough of it to meet the demand. 54 SILVER CITYLIFE

57 Photo courtesy of Denise Tracy-Cowan This casual meeting between need and knowledge was the beginning of the Super Salve Company of Catron County, New Mexico. Located near Mogollon, Denise s factory makes a wide variety of natural healing products, shipping them to thousands of enthusiastic customers worldwide. As exciting a tale of free enterprise as hers is, though, it is not a story of overnight success. Both Denise and her sister DeeAnn Tracy are second-generation herbalists and graduates of the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine. Their mother, Phyllis Hogan, established Winter Sun Trading Co., Inc. in Flagstaff, AZ in Over time, the Super Salve line has grown from one product to 35, with four new products added this year. All are Denise s own formulas, with some collaboration by DeeAnn. None of the products contain petrochemicals. Fresh is best, Denise says, quoting a company slogan. Our goal is to keep prices reasonable and the quality the best so that everybody can afford to use our products. The Super Salve Company has nine employees, some of whom have been there for 12 years. The firm was recently hired to produce a private label salve for a national retailer. This has been an exciting year. In the last six months, my amazing crew has filled 50,000 tubes of our salve for that company, Denise reports with pride. Super Salve Company products are locally available at Dunn s Nursery and the Silver City Food Co-op. above: Denise Tracy-Cowan, on the right, and her sister DeeAnn Tracy, on the left, pose with their mother Phyllis Hogan. Denise and DeeAnn are both graduates of the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine and Phyllis established Winter Sun Trading Co. in Flagstaff. SILVER CITYLIFE 55

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