Here’s a look at today’s news:
The 45th Anniversary of the day NASA’s Apollo 17 mission landed on the moon will be celebrated on Monday December the 11th. Astronaut, Harrison Jack Schmitt, geologist and Apollo 17 crewmember, has created a video to share his unique perspective about how data being collected by “Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter” adds to the current understanding of lunar science and prepares the groundwork for future explorers. The LRO is a robotic spacecraft launched in 2009 that is currently orbiting the moon, taking photographs and gathering information about the moon’s surface. Schmitt spent a combined 22 hours outside of the spacecraft during his three excursions on the moon. Schmitt was born in Santa Rita, grew up in Silver City and earned a Ph.D in geology from Harvard University, in addition to serving in the U.S Senate representing New Mexico from 1977 to 1982.
During their meeting on Dec. 7th on the Western New Mexico University campus in Silver City, the WNMU Board of Regents unanimously approved the Five-Year Plan for New Degree Programs, Sabbatical Leave Recommendations for 2018-19, Capital Transmittal for Ritch Hall and Regents Row, Mid-Year Budget Adjustment Request Fiscal Year 2018, and Approval of Asset Disposal. The new degree programs consist of a proposed minor in Geographic Information Systems and associate degree in rural health and community care. The Ritch Hall renovation will add features that enable the building to be used for housing visitors and scholars during conferences and retreats in addition to a heating and cooling system being installed at long-vacant Regents Row, of which the first two floors will be rented to Aldo Leopold Charter School. WNMU President Dr. Joseph Shepard noted that funds from the upcoming state general obligation bond will go toward Harlan Hall renovation and infrastructure improvements.
The Virus Theater will be holding auditions for all plays in their 2018 season on Sunday, December 10th, at 2 pm, and Tuesday, December 12th, at 7 pm, in the back room of Little Toad Creek. To audition, participants are requested to come to either audition time dressed for movement, and plan to stay for 90 minutes. For more information, email virustheater@gmail.com. The Silver City Community Theater is holding auditions for Agatha Christie’s “A Murder Is Announced” on Sunday, December 10th at 2:00 p.m., and Monday, December 11th at 5:00 p.m., in the Silver City Co-op’s former Marketplace Café at 614 North Bullard Street. They are looking for seven women and five men of all ages with six individuals being in their 20’s. For more information, visit silvercitycommunitytheater.com.
Students of Cesar Chavez Charter School in Deming volunteered at the Southwest New Mexico Transition Center, a non-profit organization that provides assistance and support to military veterans. Coordinator of Food Distribution, Cabrini Martinez, worked with the student volunteers helping to fill 110 food baskets for veterans and their families. The students were: Joshua Lira, Destiny Franco, Alize Close, Yohana Avitia, Kevin Arcos, Evelyn Avitia, Brianna Rodriguez and Mckayla Elliott. Thank you, to these youth volunteers for supporting our veterans and their families!
