Month: March 2011

State Leaders Urged to Support Higher Tobacco Taxes, Other Tobacco Prevention Initiatives

WASHINGTON — Kids in New Mexico will take center stage in the fight against tobacco on March 23 as they join thousands of young people nationwide for the 16th annual Kick Butts Day.  Hundreds of events are planned across the nation (for a list of events click here).

Sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Kick Butts Day is an annual celebration of youth leadership and activism in the fight against tobacco use.  Kids are sending two powerful messages on Kick Butts Day: They want the tobacco companies to stop targeting them with marketing for cigarettes and other tobacco products, and they want elected leaders to do more to protect them from tobacco.

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and other public health advocates are calling on elected officials to support proven measures to reduce tobacco use and its devastating toll.  As states struggle with budget deficits, legislators should increase tobacco taxes both to prevent kids from smoking and to raise revenue to balance budgets and fund critical programs.  States should also enact smoke-free air laws that apply to all workplaces and public places and implement well-funded tobacco prevention and cessation programs.

“On Kick Butts Day, kids are standing up to the tobacco companies, and elected officials should stand with them by supporting proven tobacco prevention measures,” said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.  “We know what works to reduce smoking and other tobacco use.  Every state should implement these proven solutions, including higher tobacco taxes, well-funded tobacco prevention programs and smoke-free air laws.”

Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable death in the United States, killing more than 400,000 people and costing $96 billion in health care bills each year.  While the nation has made significant progress in reducing youth smoking, 19.5 percent of high school students still smoke.

In New Mexico, tobacco use claims 2,100 lives and costs $461 million in health care bills each year.  Currently, 24 percent of the state’s high school students smoke, and 8,600 kids try cigarettes for the first time each year.

On Kick Butts Day, kids turn the tables on Big Tobacco with events that range from “They put WHAT in a cigarette?” demonstrations to carnivals to rallies at state capitols.  Activities in New Mexico include (all events are on March 23 unless otherwise noted):

In Albuquerque , students at Highland High School will cover the hall walls with posters showing the 2100/2300 connection in New Mexico: 2,100 adults die in New Mexico from tobacco-related disease every year, and 2,300 minors begin using.  Time: 9 a.m.  Location: 4700 Coal Avenue SE.  Contact: Kendal Fortson (505) 412-9491.

Washington, DC –  (RealEstateRama) — Keeping manufactured housing affordable by reducing the constraints on lending and instituting a responsible regulatory environment took center stage as over 90 MHI members flocked to Capitol Hill for the annual MHI Legislative Conference last week.

“The message to Congress is simple,” says Thayer Long of MHI. “For the past two decades manufactured housing has accounted for over 20 percent of all new single family homes, serving almost 20 million Americans. Without access to credit, and by increasing housing costs, millions of low- to moderate income families will be unable to purchase a new home or sell their existing home. Their voice must be heard.”

The MHI Legislative Conference resulted in approximately100 meetings with Members of Congress and staff, increasing the number of visits by 20 percent from last year. MHI members who were unable to attend participated by calling or sending letters to the Capitol Hill offices of their representatives and senators to deliver the same message, or by setting up meetings next week back home when Congress will be in recess.

MHI members lobbied on several key issues facing the industry including Dodd-Frank financial reform, restoring the oversight of energy standards for manufactured housing back to the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, and maintaining the “45L” pro-business tax credit for manufacturers who build Energy Star homes.

Attendees of the Legislative Conference also heard from an impressive list of keynote speakers including Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), a subcommittee Chair of the House Financial Services Committee; and Congressman Randy Neugebauer, (R-TX) also a subcommittee Chair of the House Financial Services Committee. Bob Ryan, the Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Risk Management and Regulatory Affairs for the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) spoke on behalf of the Administration and the plans in place for reforming the housing finance system, and Tom Quaadman, of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness, spoke on the impact of financial regulation on the US economy. Elizabeth Cocke, for the HUD Office of Manufactured Housing, engaged in an open discussion at the Manufacturers Forum.

The day prior to the Legislative Conference attendees joined their colleagues and fellow members in MHI business meetings, to discuss and debate MHI and industry policy issues.

The MHI Board of Directors reaffirmed the organization’s policy adopted in 2009 on fire sprinklers. MHI and its members oppose mandatory fire sprinklers in all single family homes, but in the event a sprinkler requirement is adopted at the state or local level, MHI will pursue a “where required” preemptive standard for manufactured homes.

MHI is the preeminent national trade association for the manufactured and modular housing industries, representing all segments of the industry before Congress and the Federal government. From its Washington, D.C. area headquarters, MHI actively works to promote fair laws and regulation for all MHI members and the industry. For more information on MHI, visit www.manufacturedhousing.org.

“Owning a home offers myriad benefits throughout the year, but some of the financial advantages of home ownership are most apparent at tax time,” said NAR President Ron Phipps, broker-president of Phipps Realty in Warwick, R.I. “As many of today’s hard-working American families are feeling a financial squeeze, the tax benefits that can come from owning a home can be a welcome relief.”

A number of tax deductions and credits are still available for home owners; these include deductions – with specific limits – for mortgage interest and capital gains on home sales, and credits for certain energy-efficient home improvements. Even with these benefits, home owners pay 80-90 percent of all U.S. federal income taxes.

“It’s been suggested that many of today’s tax incentives for home ownership primarily benefit wealthy individuals, but that’s simply not true,” said Phipps. “As today’s public debate continues about what home ownership means for families, communities, and the nation’s economy, there’s no question that for many, owning a home is still the best way to begin building wealth.”

Ninety-one percent of home owners who claim the mortgage interest deduction earn less than $200,000 a year, and the ability to deduct the interest paid on a mortgage can mean significant savings at tax time. For example, a family who bought a home in 2010 with a $200,000, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage, assuming an interest rate of 4.5 percent, could save nearly $3,500 in federal taxes when they file this year.

“Realtors® see the very real positive impact of home ownership every day with our clients,” said Phipps. “Recent proposals to reduce or eliminate the mortgage interest deduction and remove government support of the housing finance market could have disastrous consequences for the economy, not to mention making it harder or nearly impossible for millions of families to own their own homes. We believe America must continue to invest in home ownership, for the future of our families and our nation.”

For home owner tax season tips, visit www.HouseLogic.com. HouseLogic is a free source of information from NAR that helps home owners maintain and enhance the value of their homes and engage in issues that affect their local communities.

The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

Don’t stay home today, c’mon over to Mary Mac’s and MAKE MERRY!

Thursday, Mar 17 St. Patrick’s Day  Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner complete with potatoes and Irish Soda Bread- noon – 5pm. Reservations not necessary but appreciated.

Friday, March 18 – Quemado Senior Center -Chatauqua performance of “Samuel Clemens – Mark Twain’s Shadow”.  4:30 DINNER ($6.75), followed by performance. at 6pm.  No charge for the performance.  More details to follow.

Saturday March 19th 9:30am-NOON Magdalena-Friends for Animals BAKE SALE  To be held in front of the Old Westland Realty Bldg on hwy 60.  Look for the sign. Lots of good things to eat!

Saturday March 19th Meeting of the Catron County historical Society will include Richard Nichols giving a talk on the Mormon influence in Luna at the Quemado Community Center at 1 p.m.(From Mary Johnson, CCHS)

RIB-EYE STEAK NIGHT AT MARY MAC’S CAFE – 4:30pm-7pm

Sunday March 20 – FIRST DAY OF SPRING!

What: Today, the Census Bureau shipped local 2010 Census data to the governor and leadership of the state legislature in New Mexico. After confirmation of receipt, usually within 24 hours of shipment, the Census Bureau will issue a news release with five custom tables of data for the state. Tuesday’s release is expected around 2 p.m. EDT. At that time, the full set of data will be available via FTP download at http://www2.census.gov/census_2010/01-Redistricting_File–PL_94-171/. Within 24 hours after release, the data will be posted on the Census Bureau’s new American FactFinder site http://factfinder2.census.gov.

The data will include summaries of population totals, as well as data on race, Hispanic origin and voting age for multiple geographies within the state, such as census blocks, tracts, voting districts, cities, counties and school districts.

According to Public Law 94-171, the Census Bureau must provide redistricting data to the 50 states no later than April 1 of the year following the census. As a result, the Census Bureau is delivering the data state-by-state on a flow basis in February and March. All states will receive their data by April 1, 2011.

For More Information:

For more information on the Census Bureau’s Redistricting Data Program, visit http://www.census.gov/rdo and http://2010.census.gov/news/press-kits/redistricting.html.

Please visit http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/ for an interactive map showcasing county-level population change from 1960 to 2010, as well as state-level data on race and Hispanic or Latino origin for 2010. The widget will be updated as states are released and can be embedded on your website.

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and YouTube (/uscensusbureau).

PROPANE DISPENSING STATION

You can now get your 20-100 lb. propane tanks filled in Datil.  Come and see Parker

Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri. Sat. 9am-4pm

Sun 11am-4pm

At present station will be closed on Tuesdays, same as the café.  That will change in the near future.   772-5600.

We are still accepting PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS FOR THE FOOD PANTRY – bring them in any time.  We’re also accepting PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS, small size hotel/motel soaps, etc. Plus large size shampoos, shaving cream, razors, individual tissue packets, and what have you for struggling veterans in ALBUQUERQUE.  This will be a continuous project, at least until September.  Bring in to Mary Mac’s any time.

MARY MAC’S HOURS

Mon     Tues       Wed     Thurs    Fri    Sat   Sun

8-5   CLOSED   8-5        8-5        8-5   8-7   9-4

7784 Hwy 60, Datil   772-5600

Daily specials!

ROSWELL, N.M.,/ — Beginning this past Sunday, more than 90,000 Alltel customers joining AT&T* saw a change as AT&T expanded its service in Southern New Mexico.(1) AT&T has rebranded Alltel to AT&T in Las Cruces and in Chaves, Cibola, Eddy, Grant, Hidalgo, Lee, Lincoln, Luna, and Otero Counties and is introducing AT&T’s exciting lineup of products and services to these customers.

Since its acquisition of the Alltel wireless assets in Southern New Mexico, AT&T has invested significantly to transition the former Alltel network infrastructure to AT&T, with the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network. Now, Alltel customers in Southern New Mexico have access to AT&T’s industry-leading portfolio of mobile devices.

The rebranding effort includes the former Alltel stores at:

• 105 North Rosedale, Silver City, 88061
• 114 A2 Highway 70, Ruidoso, 88345
• 1223 West Pierce Street, Carlsbad, 88220
• 1300 El Paseo Road, Suite A, Las Cruces, 88001
• 1819 North Turner, Hobbs, 88240
• 325 West Main Street, Artesia, 88210
• 4311 North Main Street, Roswell, 88201
• 650 South White Sands Boulevard, Alamogordo, 88310

The rebranding effort also includes AT&T offerings at the following authorized retailers:

• Advance Wireless, 105 West 6th Street, Roswell, 88201
• What’s Up? Wireless locations at:
  • 1314 South Canal Street, Carlsbad, 88220
  • 922 West Avenue D, Lovington, 88260
  • 412 East Bender Boulevard, Hobbs, 88240(4)
• Radio Shack locations at:
  • 1401 North Turner, Broadmoor Shopping Center, Hobbs, 88240
  • 2360 Highway 180 East, Silver City, 88061
  • 2521 South Canal, Suite A, Carlsbad 88220
  • 4501 North Main Street, Space 405, Roswell, 88201
• Sam’s Club, 4400 North Main Street, Roswell, 88201

Trained sales consultants are available to demonstrate a wide range of advanced wireless products and services. Shoppers can also test the latest smartphones, quick messaging devices, netbooks and tablets. Customers have the opportunity to learn how to get the most from social networking, manage photos or navigate with GPS on exciting exclusive AT&T devices.

“We’re thrilled to welcome former Alltel customers to the AT&T community, and we’re confident that they will enjoy a fantastic wireless experience with AT&T,” said Chris Percy vice president and general manager for AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets in the Desert Southwest Region. “We’ve been working nonstop to upgrade the Alltel network, and today we’re proud that customers in this area have access to the fastest mobile broadband network and a wireless network that covers 97 percent of all Americans as well as offers the best international coverage of any U.S. wireless provider — with voice service in more than 220 countries and data service in 200 countries.”

Former Alltel consumer wireless customers in this area have the option to receive a brand new AT&T 3G handset, comparable to their existing device, at no additional cost.(2) The vast majority of customers choosing free comparable devices are able to keep their existing rate plans, with no additional time commitment required.

Customers also have the opportunity to upgrade their devices for an additional fee and with a new two-year contract, with current AT&T rates and associated data plan. In addition to the benefits for all former Alltel customers joining AT&T in Southern New Mexico, customers choosing an AT&T rate plan will also enjoy A-List with Rollover®, exclusive to AT&T, which offers unlimited calling to up to 10 additional numbers on any network and allows customers to keep their unused Anytime Minutes for up to 12 months.(3)

Customers with questions about the transition process may visit www.att.com/alltel, call (800) 331 0500 or speak with a sales representative at a local retail location.

(1) AT&T is expanding its service in Southern New Mexico as a result of its acquisition of wireless assets from Verizon Wireless on June 22, 2010. AT&T continues to expect to launch service to former Alltel subscribers in the remainder of New Mexico in early 2011.

(2) Applies only to postpaid customers with a contract. Customers with laptop cards and netbooks may not have a choice of devices, but they are eligible for a comparable new device at no additional charge.

(3) A-List is available only with Individual plans $59.99 and over per month and FamilyTalk plan $89.99 or over per month. Other terms and conditions apply. Unused Rollover Minutes expire after the 12th billing period of the month minutes have been accumulated. Night and Weekend and Mobile to Mobile Minutes not included.

(4) The What’s Up? Wireless location in Hobbs will relocate to 1710 W Joe Harvey Blvd, Suite F&G, Hobbs, NM 88240 by May 2011.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries.  It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T |DIRECTV brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.  This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT. Find us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ATT to discover more about our consumer and wireless services or at www.Facebook.com/ATTSmallBiz to discover more about our small business services.

Do you know about the Very Large Array? Also known as the VLA, it’s a radio astronomy observatory located between the towns of Magdalena and Datil, about 50 miles west of Socorro on US Route 60. The VLA is composed of 27 independent antennas, each of which has a dish diameter of 25 meters (82 feet) and weighs 209 metric tons (ergo, the Very Large part of the name).

They’re quite the fascinating site, and they’re gearing up to begin their yearly series of guided tours. Starting Saturday, April 2, 2011, special guided tours will be offered beginning at 11AM. The late start is to accommodate visitors who also would like to visit the Trinity site. The drive from the Trinity Site to the VLA takes about 2 hours.

VLA tours will leave the visitor center every half hour, with the last tour beginning at 4:00 p.m. Each tour takes a bit more than one hour, they are free, and no reservations are required.

The visitor center is open every day from 8:30 a.m. to dusk for self-guided walking tours. More information can be found here.

The VLA hosts tours EVERY FIRST SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH from 11:00AM – 3:00 PM including hands-on, family friendly activites related to the monthly theme. The event culminates in an evening Guided Night Sky Star Gazing at the Etscorn Observatory on the Campus of NM Tech in Socorro. The night time event begins at dark and lasts two hours, weather permitting. Contact Judy Stanley (jstanley@nrao.edu) at 575-835-7243.