Art Project At Albuquerque's South Valley Bridge Eyed – The Associated Press
Artists and Bernalillo County officials are preparing to hold a series of community meetings aimed at creating a Latino-themed art project for a bridge at the entrance of Albuquerque's South Valley.
The first meeting is scheduled Feb. 17 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center Education Center.
Officials say the session will focus on gathering stories, history, and photos of the South Valley.
The project seeks to engage South Valley residents to explore the cultural and social identity of the Isleta/Bridge Boulevard entrance using conceptual art renderings of the community's rich history.
The project is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts "Our Town" grant the county received in July.
PNM Not Shaken By Wavering Support For Power Plant Proposal – The Associated Press
Public Service Co. of New Mexico says it's certain the state will end up backing a plan to shut down half of the coal-fried San Juan Generating Station near Farmington.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that the utility as well as groups who oppose the plan are preparing briefs for a hearing examiner before a final round of counter-briefs later this month.
The plan has been a source of debate over the course of three weeks of public hearings.
Several groups, including the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority, have come out against the plan citing the cost.
The hearing examiner will make a recommendation to the state Public Regulation Commission.
The plan would replace lost electricity from coal with a mix of nuclear, natural gas and solar power.
Santa Fe Artist Cleans Statue For American Indian Day Events – The Associated Press
In preparation for American Indian Day, a Santa Fe artist cleaned the bronze Earth Mother statue that greets visitors outside the Capitol.
Estella Loretto wiped down the more than 6-foot-tall piece on the east side of the state Capitol building and tried to clear the fallen leaves around it so it looked shiny Friday for visitors to the New Mexico Legislature.
Events planned to mark American Indian Day include Indian speakers and performances by the Tewa Women's Choir and the Jicarilla Apache Mundo Dancers.
The 61-year-old Loretto says her piece represents Mother Earth and her "prayer that we could all walk in harmony, balance and love one another."
The Jemez Pueblo Indian sculptor also has another sculpture at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi in downtown.