If you’re like many Americans, the pandemic has altered at least some of your financial plans. Read more

Be careful, there are so many scammers out there trying to suck you in! Read more

“The nation was facing a retirement saving crisis even before the COVID-19 financial crisis, , with women already at a significant disadvantage.,” Lawrence Castillo Read more

During my most recent volunteer visit with the cats that I help care for, the sweetest cats I met that day were two adult male black cats. Read more

Happy Autumn to you all. My name is Lynda Garvin, and I am the new interim county extension director and agriculture agent for Valencia County. Read more

Like many New Mexicans this past month I have enjoyed the enticing aroma of roasted green chile and have savored a freshly cooked chile on a warm tortilla. If this was called the “Cooking Report,” what would follow would be some family recipes, but instead I am going to discuss something cal… Read more

Community spirit is powerful and can accomplish great deeds. The Belen Art League was started 64 years ago by community members who wanted an avenue for the arts to grow in Belen. Read more

Get your act together: Before making your post-pandemic plan, you should first get your financial house in order. If you haven’t yet returned to work or find yourself without a job, now is the best time to do this critical task. Read more

In 2005, I began graduate studies in counseling therapy, and simultaneously started working at an animal shelter. Bouncing back and forth between shelter and school was challenging. Not because of time or work load, but because of the battle that began in my head. Read more

Fall is a great time to plant turf grass in Valencia County. With New Mexico’s climate, placing high importance on selection, preparation and maintenance of grasses is crucial for enjoying a green, luscious lawn in the summer months. There are several factors to consider when planning to pla… Read more

1. Get serious about your retirement: If your employer matches contributions for your 401(k), you need to take advantage and max out your contribution. Your employer’s share is “house money,” which means using their contribution as part of your 401(k) plan as an employee benefit. Read more

The judge’s role when conducting a trial without a jury is to serve as the finder of fact. This requires objectivity while hearing testimony, reviewing evidence and applying the law. Read more

There is a group drawing exercise I’ve always found fun. One person draws a quick scribble on a piece of paper and then passes it to the next person, who adds to the scribble before passing it on. Read more

“It is not just about retiring; it is about knowing when to retire.” — Lawrence Castillo Read more

In April 2016, Jan van Hoof made a visit to his old friend of 40 years as she lay dying of old age. Their encounter and last hug between them was filmed and went viral in October 2017. Read more

A few weeks ago, when the thermometer was well over 100 degrees, I found myself, hoe in hand, trying to rid my pasture of Tribulus Terrestris of the family Zygophyllaceae, commonly known as goatheads or puncture vine. Read more

“Want to give your grandkids a lifetime gift? Teach your kids good money habits early.” —Lawrence Castillo Read more

In New Mexico, July marks the beginning of a series of special events we call fairs! Read more

Like every other state in the nation, New Mexico relies on the census to determine our political representation in national and state offices and to receive federal funding to support social, educational, health, and economic programs. Read more

The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency has changed how the courts operate, and has created new challenges for everyone involved in the judicial system. Read more

Well here it is, early August and we’re staring down the end of summer. It’s been a weird one, but most of us are still alive, right? So everything’s OK, yeah? Read more

I moved a few weeks ago, leaving my apartment behind for a house for the first time since I moved out of my parent’s house way back in 2016. It’s been a breath of fresh air. Read more

I was 5 years old on the morning of July 26, 1990, when George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law. I was completely unaware of anything momentous happening that day that was intended to make my future life better. Read more

Last week, the News-Bulletin put out an unscientific Facebook poll asking people if they regularly wear a mask in public. Read more

Last week, the Albuquerque Journal had an article about how pet videos make us feel better because they make us laugh. Laughter strengthens our immune system, boosts our moods and can help protect us from the damaging effects of stress. Read more

 Last week I decided to create a poll on my Instagram to see what kinds of local coffee my friends were drinking. Read more

A few years ago, the Secure Retirement Institute developed a model designed to drive home an important but often overlooked fact: Inflation is a real danger to those nearing or in retirement, perhaps the greatest threat of all. Read more

Between the pandemic and the riots, I’m sure we were all hoping to avoid a wildfire this year. But not so. Read more

What we as individuals, families, a nation and a world have lived through these last four months is unlike anything most of us have experienced. Read more

So apparently some time in February, I turned 46. I say “apparently” not because I’m experiencing some kind of early onset memory malfunction. No, I say that because I have not yet turned 46. Read more

I recall an event from about 17 years ago when I was in the Army stationed in the Pentagon and living in Northern Virginia. Our son, John II, was in scouting and one of the requirements for a rank advancement was that he complete a 5-mile hike. The boys planned the event to include the date … Read more

In light of what is happening across the country, I have recently been asked many questions regarding Los Lunas Police Department procedures. I feel there are four important areas in which a department must focus to ensure a healthy and transparent relationship with its community. Read more

A few weeks after we all went into restricted movement, I noticed I started to paint abstracts rather than more realistic pieces. Read more

If you’ve followed my column for the past 20-plus years, you’ve gotten to know my family — especially my daughter, Caitlin.  Read more

Last month, Albuquerque was full of appreciation parades. But on Sunday night, May 31, the tide turned. In the “parade” that passed up and down Central Avenue, half a block behind my apartment, for 3 1/2 hours, no one was chanting “thank you.” Read more

Trying to keep my dog, Goose, busy is quite the task. Read more

Home gardens have become increasingly popular. Not only does gardening serve as a great way to spend time outdoors, it can provide a bountiful harvest you, your family and neighbors can enjoy throughout the summer. Read more

I am happy to fill this space this month. As for me, I am the domestic violence commissioner for Valencia County. If you should file for a domestic violence protection order, that case would go to me. Read more

The Belen Art League had to close its doors in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

In the past two weeks, I’ve been accidentally co-opted into two “appreciation parades” driving past hospitals here in Albuquerque. Read more

Learning a new way of life due to COVID-19 when the energy of spring has just begun has not been the easiest. This change of lifestyle has been hard! Perhaps you can attest to this. Read more

What an interesting period of time. Normally, I can tell when the ditches are stocked, but now not only are they fished on the weekend but with the layoffs, men and women are both are enjoying the outdoors by fishing during the week. Read more

Like so many of our institutions, the judicial system has undergone changes to day-to-day business in the wake of the global pandemic. Read more

Question: Something is wrong with our apricots. The tree looks good, but the fruit are severely damaged. This is all over the tree. Leaves seem to be fine. Ideas? — Question submitted via Bernalillo County Extension Agent Sara Moran Read more

As an endeavoring artist, I have had many disappointing moments when my work didn’t turn out as well as I’d hoped. I’ve had to learn a number of coping tools to get over my feelings of failure and keep going. Read more

Weeks before corona virus hit the U.S., I listened to an interview with the author of a book called “Spillover,” published in 2012. Read more

Wow, how our lives can change so quickly! Most of us in New Mexico are on week No. 4 of being home with our kids. Read more

What are the chances that I would find out about the 1918 pandemic years ago through a conversation about food? Read more