Onward

Well, politics as usual around here, plus a fire, plus getting ready to go to the Mayo Clinic.

A big issue around here, as in Montezuma County, is the access plan being floated by the local national forest, in this case the Gila. The USFS preferred alternative would close some routes to motorized travel, ones that have been open in the past.

We looked in on a group of about 80 folks Friday evening who were in favor of the USFS proposal (bottom pic). The next morning the other side had their rally, led by US Rep. Stevan Pearce. As you can see, the parking lot was full ... an estimated 700+ attended that one, coming from as far as Albuquerque on the east and Reserve on the west, with a sizable turnout from regional Tea Party groups. Too bad our Congressman didn't appear in front of both groups, but he seems to stay in an echo chamber. Or maybe it would be more accurate to say there are dueling echo chambers.

It's a lot more fun to go hear Bayou Seco and the Fiddling Friends at Diane's Parlour on Fat Tuesday. Ken and Jeanie play wonderful, lively folk music from Louisiana and other places and they are like a kindly Grandpa and Grandma, introducing these young fiddlers to the joy of music and giving them a chance to perform in public.

A pile of garbage bags? Well, there was this grass fire. It started in all that dry grass left over from last year's lush summer SW of Silver City and 45-50 mph winds from the SW swept it along the southern border of the town Tuesday evening. They're still not calling it 100% out, but 1,700 acres were burned and about 60 structures (13 homes, I think) burned. The community is responding superbly, offering food, money and clothing for those who've lost their homes and belongings. That pile was at the Chamber of Commerce's visitor center yesterday afternoon. tv