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Today's Features

  • Pushing peace in Vegas

    The Las Vegas Peace and Justice Center celebrated its fifth anniversary in May. and it continues to serve the citizens of the Meadow City using a model based on the civil rights movement, whereby the community shapes the work.

    Twelve years ago, Patricia “Pat” Leahan arrived in Las Vegas to continue the work she had been doing in Minnesota in social work and teaching.

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  • Holm to headline boxing event

    With a model’s looks and humble demeanor, Holly Holm might not look like a professional fighter.

    But the preacher’s daughter packs a punch that has taken her to the top of the boxing world. The IBA Junior Welterweight Wold Champion will perform in front of a Las Vegas audience this Friday at Wilson Complex. She will take on Terri Blair of Louisville, Ky.

    Holm was in Las Vegas last week to meet fans and give a motivational talk to students at the two school districts.

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  • SENIOR PROFILE: Bee-man, biker and ‘professional Girl Scout’

    Perhaps you’ve sighted Bill Oshima on his 1973 Raleigh (once called the Cadillac of Bicycles) as he pedals toward the recreation center for a yoga workout; maybe you spotted him hiking the river trail to El Sombrero or to the bank at SECU. You might have done a double take as he pops out of his back yard wearing a bee mask or wields his push-mower and vanquishes the growth in his yard on Lincoln Avenue.

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  • Students get to know each other on first day

    On the first day of school, Memorial Middle School teacher Clarabel Marquez has a way of getting kids to come out of their shell: They are introduced to Global Bingo, a game where they ask a number of questions and at the same time get to know each other.

    Students are given a global bingo sheet with a number of questions like: Who traveled out of New Mexico this summer? Who knows at least 10 names of states in the United States? Who knows the name of the mayor of Las Vegas?

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  • HOMETOWN HEROES: A decorated student

    Keith Salazar is considered the most decorated student that has passed through the halls of West Las Vegas Middle School.

    He won two national titles, was a national finalist in four events, earned 10 state championships and has four state runner-ups to his credit. But he said three years ago, he wanted nothing to do with Business Professionals of America.

    “I did not want to join it. I didn’t want to come to school dressed in a business suit. I didn’t want anything to do with it,” Salazar said.

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  • HOMETOWN HEROES: Couple promotes the culture

    It’s easy to catch their enthusiasm, if you can keep up with Miguel Angel and Georgina Ortega, as the couple work on a seemingly unending list of projects at one time.  

    Their personal stories are compelling, but they don’t want to talk about themselves.

    Angel and Ortega are passionate about talking about their work with Casa de Cultura, whose mission is to foster trust and cohesion among diverse ethnic and social groups, by getting involved in educational and cultural activities.

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  • Guard leader: Deployment numbers dip

    Major Gen. Kenny Montoya of the New Mexico National Guard told the audience at the 2009 Employer Appreciation Day luncheon last week that New Mexico soldiers are as busy as ever around the state. He also said fewer men and women from the state are being sent to Iraq.

    Montoya said a year ago, about 1,000 area troops were in combat. Now, there are 550 New Mexicans deployed.

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  • Wind Farms' effects on health

    On Thursday June 11, two speakers made presentations on Wind Turbine Noise to the Sustainable Las Vegas group. This meeting was part of SLV’s current efforts to inform the public about sustainable issues. This topic is especially timely since San Miguel County is currently revising their county wind ordinance to more adequately address the issue of the siting of large turbine wind towers.

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  • SENIOR PROFILE: Reaching for the brass rings

    Obviously proud of his family, heritage and service to his country and his fellow man, Erminio  “Ermie” Martinez radiates satisfaction and gratitude for the various opportunities afforded him during his 80 years of life.

    Born in Holman May 18, 1929, Ermie recalls his early years of schooling at Agua Negra Presbyterian School. Noting that his parents, aunts and uncles had attended this school, he says, “ It was not only the imposed discipline of the atmosphere” that impressed him, “but that they got the students interested.”

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  • Weeds in the eye of the beholder

    Weeds. We hate ‘em. It’s really a statement which is true based on definition of terms. “Weeds” is not a term which is meaningful in biological terms.

    A “weed” is simply a plant we don’t like. So when we label a plant a “weed,” we are actually communicating more about ourselves than we are about the plant of which we are speaking.

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The Las Vegas Optic is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in San Miguel County and Las Vegas, NM, and the surrounding area.