An artist at work

 

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Catholic Charities in fund-raising race

Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Special to the Independent

GALLUP — Officials at Catholic Charities of Gallup are counting down the days and counting up needed donations.

Their fund-raising deadline of Dec. 1 is looming just days away. By that date, they need to raise about $50,000 more than $1,800 per day.

The goal of the fund-raising blitz is to raise money for the renovation of the Catholic Indian Center in downtown Gallup. The construction project, estimated to cost $850,000, will turn the dilapidated old Route 66 building into a 22,000-square-foot modern facility.

Sister Mary Frate, associate director for Catholic Charities, said the organization envisions the renovated building to be a multi-purpose, nonprofit service complex for low-income area residents.

As of Friday, Frate said, Catholic Charities had raised nearly $700,000 toward the project. On Oct. 17, a foundation in Oklahoma, J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation Inc., offered a $150,000 matching grant with the stipulation that Catholic Charities raise an equal amount by Dec. 1. Frate said the Oklahoma foundation likes to fund "bricks and mortar" church-related projects.

The organization has sent out both a national mailing and a local mailing to Gallup business owners. The $850,000 covers only the construction costs, she said. Additional funds will be needed to furnish the building and to fund service programs.

And if the $50,000 isn't raised by Dec. 1?

"We're not even going to think about it," Frate replied, laughing. If that would happen, she added, Catholic Charities would ask the foundation to consider an extension of its deadline.

If the money is raised, however, the renovation is scheduled to begin in early January. Albuquerque architect, Rick Bennett, a former Gallup resident, designed the project. Bennett's plan works with the building's historic Route 66 setting, said Frate, and his design preserves and highlights attractive building features, such as tin ceilings and distinctive woodwork.

Currently, the building houses the two-person administrative offices of Catholic Charities, the Gallup branch of the organization (there are six such branches across northwest New Mexico and northeast Arizona) and its thrift shop. Numerous Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous 12 Step recovery groups meet in the building each week.

Frate and Sister Betty Dunkel, executive director, envision the renovated building to house a group of coordinated programs that offer social, vocational, educational and rehabilitative services to people in need. They are particularly interested in seeing nonprofit community organizations relocate into the renovated facility or open branch offices in the building. A "teaching
kitchen" and classroom space are included in the new design, Frate added.

A couple of the specific program ideas they are considering, she said, are a "welfare-to-work" job training program and a possible artisan cooperative, modeled after The Gathering Place cooperative in Thoreau.

Along with the building's new look, a new name is also being considered. Although most local residents recognize the building as the Catholic Indian Center, that name may not be the best to keep, Frate said. According to its fund-raising brochure, Catholic Charities is charged with offering its services "to persons in need, regardless of race, nationality or creed."

"We want to be sure it has a name that is welcoming to everybody," she said, agreeing that the building's current name may be outdated.

Individuals, organizations or businesses interested in donating to the project can mail donations to: The Catholic Indian Center Building Fund, P.O. Box 3146, Gallup, N.M. 87305. For more information, Frate or Dunkel may be contacted at (505) 722-0999 or 722-5272.

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Navajo vets to be honored

Jim Maniaci
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — The Navajo Nation will spend two days celebrating Veterans Day as a "Gathering of Warriors 2000," President Kelsey Begaye has announced.

Freedom walks will be held in each agency, and will be organized by local veterans groups, reaching the Navajo Nation Fairgrounds on Arizona Route 264 in Window Rock in time for a grand entry into the fairgrounds at 4 p.m. Friday.

The celebration will begin at 1 p.m. that Friday with gourd dancing and shows, plus exhibits, at the Navajo Nation Fairgrounds that will last until 10 p.m., according to the schedule announced by the Office of the President-Vice President.

At 6 a.m. Saturday at the Navajo Nation Veterans Memorial Park, a traditional Diné blessing ceremony will be held.

An hour later at the park at the foot of the "window rock," veterans will raise the flag, lay the wreath, play "Taps," and conduct other memorial services in honor of all American armed forces veterans.

At 9:30 a.m. veterans, their families and friends will assemble for a march down Window Rock Boulevard from the park to the fairgrounds' Dean Jackson Memorial Arena reversing the usual direction of parades on the tribal government's main street.

Many activities are scheduled for the fairgrounds that second Saturday of November, ending with the Veterans Ball with a live band in the Window Rock Sports Center at the fairgrounds from 7-10 p.m.

Between the parade (Window Rock Boulevard to Bureau of Indian Affairs Route 12 to Arizona Route 264) and the ball the schedule calls for: The reading of proclamations and other recognition for veterans; a military aircraft fly-over (time to be announced); Operation"Desert Foot"screening, especially aimed at uncovering diabetes; exhibits and demonstrations by various
American military units; armed forces recruiting stations; more gourd dancing, Navajo songs and dances, and a powwow; live entertainment by Vincent Craig, Jerry Hayes and Rex Redhair; Christian inspirational singers; games and free meals.

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School board tries to hush bond figures

Tara Drolma
Staff Writer

GRANTS — Grants/Cibola County School Board member Johnny Valdez and Superintendent Linda Coy wanted part of Monday night's school board retreat kept from the public, despite the fact the retreat was an open meeting.

After the meeting, in response to questions from the Independent about the bond figures, Valdez and Coy said the information was "off the record." The questions referred to the draft resolution for distribution of money in the $6 million bond election on Dec. 12.

Valdez and Coy said the board didn't want to make the information public until after it has been voted on at tonight's regular board meeting. There were no citizens at the meeting Monday night.

Valdez pointed out that two of the board members, Lloyd Felipe of Acoma Pueblo and Rita Suazo of Laguna Pueblo, were not present at the meeting and the resolution could change before tonight, presumably once they have been notified of its content.
No secretary was present and it was not apparent any minutes were being taken at the hour-long meeting.

According to the New Mexico Open Meetings Act Compliance Guide issued by the office of the attorney general, all meetings of any public body are public meetings and written minutes of all meetings must be kept.

The board convened the "retreat" in response to Coy's recommendation at its last meeting. Coy said the retreat would decrease the amount of time needed for discussion at the regular meeting. No action was taken, but the board members did reach "consensus" on how they would vote on tonight's agenda items.

The topics for discussion Monday night were a response to Laguna Gov. Harry Early's Oct. 10 letter to Coy regarding the new site for the Laguna-Acoma High School, the resolution for distribution of bond monies, and purchase of new accounting software and hardware.

The final resolution for the distribution of bond money was based upon specific consideration of needs at each individual school.

The resolution would distribute $3.5 million for a new Grants High School; $500,000 for the new Laguna-Acoma High School; $100,000 to Seboyeta Elementary; $600,000 to San Rafael Elementary for renovation; $100,000 to Cubero Elementary for classrooms until the new school is built; $200,000 to Los Alamitos for boilers, roofing and water problems; $200,000 to Bluewater Elementary; and $800,000 for security, maintenance, and technology district wide.

There is some concern the bond election would not pass if it allocated any money to the new Laguna-Acoma High School, but members felt their constituents would understand the need for at least $500,000 for the new school.

Coy asked the board members if she should respond to Early's letter or did they want to respond in the form of a resolution.
They agreed the response would be in the form of a resolution. It was agreed they would ask for a five-year lease and a 10-year lease on the present teacherage.

There was some discussion about whether there was adequate water available at the Casa Blanca site for fire suppression. Coy said she would check with the state fire marshal to determine the specific amount of water required to suppress a fire at the new school and the board agreed it would postpone the resolution for a couple of weeks until it gets that information.

The board voted to purchase the new software and hardware that will streamline accounts receivable, payroll, and purchasing for the district.

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The Next Shot
Condrey shoots 100, captures senior's tournament

Alex Alvarez
PGA Golf Professional

Recently, the New Mexico Women's Senior Tournament was held at Coyote del Malpais in Grants. Mary Lou Condrey from Gallup, used the event for her first under 100 score! Mary Lou, who golfs two or three times a week at our course and plays to a 38 handicap, had never broken 100. Needless to say, that was "the best round of her life."

Mary Lou ended up in first place net in her flight with a 194 for the three days of play.

Ganado High School receives USGA grant

The Ganado High School Golf Program received a $14,800.00 grant from the United States Golf Association for the promotion of golf at their school. Mrs. Madge Becker, one of the school administrators and husband Robert Becker, a science and math teacher there, as well as the first Ganado golf coach, started their golf program two years ago and have been very active in promoting and getting support for a golf program there.

Now, they are looking into the possibility of building three or four holes as a "beginners golf course" in Ganado to further promote the game of golf. The grant was presented by J.P. Mesick, Executive Director of Sun Country Golf Association, the USGA's branch in Albuquerque at the Gallup Municipal Golf Course. The grant will be used for equipment and fees. Mr. Mesick promised to seek ways to help them fund the three to four hole project through the First Tee Program sponsored by the USGA.

Arnold Palmer endorses ERCII

In a turnaround of heart, Arnold Palmer, spokesman for the USGA for 25 years and an icon of not only American golf, but worldwide golf, endorsed the new Callaway ECII non-USGA conforming driver (it does not conform under the latest rules on thin faced "spring-like effect"). For many of us who looked at Palmer as "The King", this decision was very disappointing.

In a press conference on October 18 in Carlsbad, CA., Ely Callaway said that he, like Bobby Jones, "Strongly believe that, in reality, there are two games of golf, and they are quite different from each other in many respects. No less an authority than
Bobby Jones, one of the greatest golfers this game has ever seen, made this observation throughout his life in golf and is several of his writings".

Surely, Mr. Jones' remarks were grossly taken out of context. Yes, he said something to the effect of two different games (golf and tournament golf and that they are not the same). But he was talking about preparation, strategy and the mental aspects of championship golf, not that it should be permitted to bend the rules.

Mr. Jones played beyond the ethic of the game, his quote of "The rules of the game, whatever they are, I have respected, sometimes beyond the letter" should be remembered instead of using his words as an endorsement for non conforming clubs.
Recreational golfers play loose within the rules. Lots of people exceed speed limits, run stop lights or drive under the influence, but that does not mean that the laws should be taken off the books. Not everybody will play within the rules in anything. But, a company such as Callaway, should not exploit the market of "forbidden fruit" and sell a $700 club to "promote the game". I do not think that an occasional 280-yard drive is going to help the growth of the game.

As a teacher of the game, including the complicated Rules of Golf, can you imagine two sets of rules? Is Callaway going to go into the non-conforming golf ball business? Is marketing non-conforming merchandise their way of profitability? I hope this is the biggest miscalculation in golf marketing history. Otherwise, the USGA will be forced to either "comply" with the proliferation of illegal equipment, or sue at a great expense. Any of these choices will hurt the game. Can you imagine legalizing drugs because of addicts? Or taking all stop signs off the streets because there are people who do not stop? What kind of chaos we would have!

Athletes of the week

Michael Peretti
Staff Sports Writer

The Athletes of the Week for the week of October 30-November 6 are Kirtland Central Bronco Vernon Harrison and Gallup High Lady Bengal Felicia Guliford.

Harrison picked up an individual win in the AAAA state championship and his second win in as many races this year. Harrison, who sat out the majority of the season because of ineligibility, returned in the district race and finished first, and then went on to
state this weekend at Red Rock State Park and picked up another win.

Harrison, a senior, helped his team to a third place finish in Class AAAA. He finished the race with a time of 16:40, two seconds ahead of second place finisher, Lance Skidmore. Harrison's time was also the best time out of all of the runners competing in all four classes.

Harrison said that he did not have a very good season because he was ineligible because of grades and could not compete or practice with the team. Harrison said that he feels good being selected as the Athlete of the Week and that he is happy, but would have liked to do more this year.

"I did not get very much done because I only was able to practice for about two weeks and only got to run in two meets," he said.

Harrison credits his two wins to his team. "The team really helped me out and got me ready for the races," he said. "They got me more prepared for the races and pushed me to get (eligible) and ready to run."

One way that Harrison said he was able to hold out and win the state championship, was by preparing mentally. "I wasn't prepared for the race physically, but I was prepared mentally. I knew I could outthink my opponents."

Harrison finished eighth in state in his junior year and fifth in his sophomore year.

While he was not on the team, Harrison said he still trained on his own and got prepared to run by practicing on his own.

Guliford, running injured all season, picked up another win on the season, her third straight state championship and led Gallup to a fifth straight girls championship, its ninth in 13 years.

"It feels really great," said Guliford of being selected for the Athlete of the Week. "It's a great honor."

Guliford, only a junior, said that she is happy with the state championship, and said that at the beginning of the season her expectations were higher. "Before my hip injury my expectations were much higher, but with what I had I think I did okay."

Guliford says that she hopes to go on to regionals in California and hopefully nationals in Orlando, Florida. "I am planning to go back and get my hip checked and then go on and hopefully I can do well in regionals."

Last year Guliford finished second in regionals and then went on to nationals and took fifth.

She said she wants to get over her injury and get back to running at top speed. If Guliford can get back to 100 percent, it will cause more problems for other high schools that have already been unable to take the girls titles from Gallup in recent years.
Despite running injured, Guliford still dominated, winning all of the races she competed in, including setting the course record in the district championships at Cibola.

This weekend Guliford ran the Gallup course with a time of 19:49, over 32 seconds faster than the second place finisher, teammate Roxann James and helped the Lady Bengals to a low score of 29, 39 points ahead of second place El Dorado.
Guliford said her team deserved the team title just as much as she did.

"They have done so awesome all year," she said. "Every one on the team stepped up with the injuries and did a great job."

Guliford said she hopes to be able to run the entire year next year and avoid more injuries. "With the injury I was not able to train as hard as I wanted to and I couldn't get as many practices in as I wanted too. Hopefully next year I can run without problems and will be able to run to my fullest potential."

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City Council squabbles over lawyer

Tom Purdom
Staff Writer

GRANTS — The city needs two city attorneys, not one, so the council hired two one by unanimous vote and the other by a split vote and some voiced concerns about the deal at Monday's city council meeting.

The hiring of the first attorney, Ken Martinez, also a state representative, went fairly smoothly with a few questions and a 4-0 vote to hire him.

Councilor Shirley Taylor said she reviewed the invoices and Martinez's firm was paid about $4,000.

But the second attorney's firm, Sutin, Thayer & Browne, P.C., of Albuquerque, did not go so smoothly in a 3-1 vote...

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Taylor stonewalled over center

Tom Purdom
Staff Writer

GRANTS — Harsh questions were asked again Monday by Councilor Shirley Taylor about the senior citizens' center remodeling job. For the second city council meeting in a row, she received no answers.

The city spent $60,000 on a remodeling job which Taylor, who owns a home improvement center, said should have cost about $30,000 instead.

Taylor is demanding answers the city appears unwilling to give, but the feisty councilor said she isn't about to give up on the issue despite what she calls an intimidation move orchestrated by City Manager Bob Horacek.

Last month Taylor complained that the senior center remodeling job contained several flaws which should be reviewed. She asked Horacek to explain what was going on and what would be done about the situation...

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Deaths

Vestina Ann Tso

CHINLE, Ariz. — Services for Vestina Ann Tso, 19, will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, at the Chinle Potter's House. Pastor Artie Aragon will officiate. Burial will follow at the Chinle Community Cemetery.

Tso died Nov. 3 in Chinle. She was born Sept. 12, 1981, in Fort Defiance, Ariz., into the Edgewater People Clan for the Mexican Clan.

Tso was a 2000 graduate of Chinle High School and was attending Diné College at the time of her death. She was involved with her church, was a children's church teacher, member of the Chinle Teen Choir and played trombone, saxphone, piano and the clairnet in the school band. At Chee Dodge Elementary she received the "Student of the Year" award in 1992-93.

Survivors include her parents, Calvin Tso Jr. of Chinle and Felecia Tso of Kayenta, Ariz.; brothers, Conroy Tso and Dexter Tso, both of Chinle; sister, Vanessa Tso of Kayenta; and grandparents, Ruth Notah and Calvin Tso Sr., both of Navajo, N.M., and Geno and Irene Bahe of Nazlini, Ariz.

Tso was preceded in death by her grandparents, Isabell S. Mariano and Joe Andy Mariano and Tom Gorman.

Pallbearers will be Eugene Bahe II, Derrick Benally, Virgil Mariano, Calvert Tso, Dexter Tso, Fernando Tso, Wilfred Tso, and Brian Tsosie.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Willie Jim

THOREAU — Services for Willie Jim, 90, will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, at the First Baptist Church. The Rev. Glenn Marshall will officiate. Burial will follow at Thoreau Cemetery.

Jim died Nov. 2 in Gallup. He was born July 10, 1911, in Thoreau into the Towering House Clan for the Bitterwater Clan.

Jim retired from the Santa Fe Railroad after 30 years and was a NAC member. In his early years he was a silversmith.

Survivors include his sons, Chester Jim, Lewis Jim and Hoskie Jim, all of Thoreau; brothers, John Hoskie and Willy Harry, both of Mariano Lake, and Keith Mariano of Thoreau; sisters, Louise Emerson and Alice Frank, both of Thoreau; 31 grandchildren and 50 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Calvin Jim, Russell Jim, Jonathan James, Jonah James, Casey Jim and Evans Kasuse.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Mary Stanley

CHINLE, Ariz. — Services for Mary Staley, 65, will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Chinle. Father Blane Grien, O.F.M., will officiate. Burial will follow at the community cemetery at Del Muerto, Ariz.

Stanley died Nov. 3 in Chinle. She was born June 5, 1935, in Canyon De Chelly, Ariz., into the Tangle People Clan for the Water Flows Together People Clan.

Jim was a rugweaver and sheepherder.

Survivors include her husband, Wallace Staley; sons, Daniel Staley, Akee Staley and Anderson Staley; daughters, Eva Yazzie and Eleanore Dale; parents, Chauncey and Dorothy Neboyia; sisters, Alice Anagal, Priscilla Neboyia and Helen Yazzie; 16 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Stanley was preceded in death by sons, Michael Staley and Walter Staley.

Pallbearers will be Myron Staley, Milton Staley, Raymond Yellowman, Cecil Henry, Rodrick Anagal, Donovan Staley, Daniel Staley, Akee Staley, Anderson Staley and Elroy Dale.

The family will receive friends and relatives at Redwood Housing No. 34 at 5 p.m. today.

Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Clifford Laughing

WIDE RUINS, Ariz. — Services for Clifford Laughing, 54, will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, at the Latter-Day Saints Church, Sanders, Ariz.

Laughing died Nov. 4 in Tempe, Ariz. He was born Sept. 12, 1946, in Wide Ruins into the Towering House Clan for the Black Sheep People Clan.

Laughing was a graduate of Sanders High School and attended Business College in Long Beach, Calif. His hobbies included horseback riding and traveling. He worked with the Santa Fe Railroad and various contruction projects.

Suvivors include his sons, Patrick Laughin and Darrick Laughin; brother, Herman Yellowhorse; and sisters, Lena Martin and Donna Jean Tishie.

Laughing was preceded in death by parents, great-grandparents and brother, James "Smiley" Laughing.

Pallbearers will be Patrick Laughin, Darrick Laughin, Herman Yellowhorse, Merle Martin, Terrance Yellowhorse and Ervin Nelson.

Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.