D e s e r t E x p o s u r e
January 2010
Business Beat
The Wellness Coalition in Silver City has been awarded a $400,000 federal grant through the Compassion Capital Fund Demonstration Program (CCF) to "build capacity" of faith-based and community organizations. The program, which will be operated as part of the Wellness Coalition's Wellspring Center Capacity Building Program, will serve Catron, Grant, Hidalgo and Luna counties.
According to Wally Lawder, Wellspring program director, the aim is "to give these organizations the knowledge, skills and tools that will help them become more vibrant and sustainable."
Thanks to the CCF grant, group trainings and technical assistance will be offered to the nonprofit and faith-based communities at no charge. The Wellness Coalition will also give a total of $180,000 in sub-awards to area organizations, with the average amount being $7,500. Deadline to apply for this funding is Jan. 20.
"There are over 300 nonprofit or faith-based organizations offering vital social services in southwestern New Mexico," Lawder adds. "Many of these organizations lack the resources to offer high-level training to staff, board members or volunteers. Through our Compassion Capital Fund program we can do this, and have the potential to make a very positive impact on our region. We're hoping that a lot of organizations will take advantage of this program."
Orientation sessions for individuals interested in applying for sub-grants for their organizations will continue on Jan. 6, 2-5 p.m., at the Luna County Annex in Deming, and Jan. 7 at the Wellness Coalition offices, 409 N. Bullard St. in Silver City. Pre-registration is required: 534-0665, wellspring@wellnesscoalition.org
New Mexico Magazine unveiled a new logo and redesigned look in its January 2010 issue, along with a new column by Mimbres author Doug Fine. The author of Farewell, My Subaru, a humorous account of his efforts to live sustainably (see "Green Acres," March 2008), Fine will write a column called "Greener Acres" for the magazine, described as "a practical take on living sustainably in the digital age."
Judith H. Young has opened EFT Breakthroughs, offering wellness sessions in Emotional Freedom Techniques from her place in the Gila National Forest near Silver City. Young founded Wildfire Farm Holistic Children's Services, an equine and nature center in New Hampshire, which she later moved to Arizona as Thunderhorse Healing Arts. She moved to the Gila last year and now will be offering one-on-one sessions, in person or by phone, as well as workshops. (505) 807-1377, EFTwellness@yahoo.com
By Odin's beard! The next Marvel Comics movie blockbuster, Thor, will be filmed in part in New Mexico. No locations have been officially announced for the March and April shooting here. Casting call notices that appeared online mentioned a "small New Mexico town," although other web movie gossip says Thor is headed for Santa Fe. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, Thor stars Chris Hernsworth (father to the future Captain Kirk in last year's Star Trek) as the god of thunder, Anthony Hopkins as dad Odin, Rene Russo as mom Frigga, Tom Hiddleston as evil brother Loki and Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, nurse and love interest for Thor's human alter ego. It's set for release in May 2011.
Popular Las Cruces jeweler Jones Jewelers announced it is closing, as the long-time owners plan to retire. And Prestige Kitchens in Las Cruces has closed its doors, blaming tough economic times.
Pro's Ranch Market is coming to Las Cruces, scheduled to open at 320 E. Wyatt Dr. (the former Community Action Agency) by mid-year. What the heck is Pro's Ranch? It's is one of the fastest growing Hispanic supermarket chains in the country, with 12 stores in four states, including six in Arizona, four in California, one in El Paso, one in Albuquerque, a restaurant, a gas station, an 80,000-square foot corporate office and warehouse in California and a 130,000-square foot warehouse in Phoenix. Founded in 1992 by Mike Provenzano Sr., who'd been in business for 10 years in Southern California, and his son, Michael, "The Ranch" caters to the growing Hispanic market with "the variety, brands and fresh authentic foods they know and love in a warm, upscale environment."
— David A. Fryxell
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