The sidewalk installation is underway today along Trinity Drive near DP Road and the N.M. 502 roundabout project. The Hilltop House Hotel is at left. Photo by Ed Birnbaum

COUNTY News:Two upcoming “virtual” workshops will offer residents in White Rock and Los Alamos their first opportunity to voice ideas about the future of the two downtown areas. The first GoToWebinar, facilitated by the County’s consultants from Dekker/Perich/Sabatini (DPS), will be specifically for White Rock residents and the second workshop using GoToWebinar will focus on the downtown area of Los Alamos.The ‘Downtown Master Plans and Development Code Update’ is a two-year project initiated by Los Alamos County, starting in June 2020. The project encompasses two phases: Phase 1 will create Downtown Master Plans for both the Los Alamos and White Rock downtown areas; andPhase 2 will update the County’s Chapter 16 Development Code, the County’s zoning. Both phases recognize the unique challenges that Los Alamos County faces. The project team will develop strategies to address the economic and population growth projected for the County.The Downtown Master Plan meeting for White Rock is Wednesday, Aug. 19, and the meeting for Los Alamos is Thursday, Aug. 20. Both meetings begin at 5:30 p.m. on GoToWebinar, a virtual conference platform, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the Governor’s public health order.  Virtual meeting detailed information and links to attend can be found below and residents need to register in advance: https://losalamosconnect.org/get-involved/virtual-visioning-workshop-white-rock/The Virtual Visioning Workshops will help articulate a vision for the downtown areas and prioritize downtown goals. During this workshop the community will discuss the various components that make a downtown successful: great public spaces, thriving businesses, contemporary housing and walkable districts. From this discussion the community will identify and prioritize a vision and associated goals to inform the direction of the master plan.  The outcomes of the Los Alamos County Downtown Master Plans & Code Update project rely heavily on input solicited during public outreach. Both project phases described above will have a series of outreach events and provide continuous opportunities for input through a variety of outreach channels. In the case of a revised public health order, outreach methods will be adjusted to serve the greatest number of participants in a safe environment.  A website has been established by DPS to provide a convenient, one-stop place for residents to follow along as the project phases proceed. A timeline can be viewed on the site. Meetings will be recorded for those unable to attend and added to the site, and additional documents as well as surveys to gather feedback will be available soon. Visit and bookmark https://losalamosconnect.org/ for more information. read more

Jessica Mackin-CiproThis week I start a series of what my perfect day in each East End village would look like. This week, Southampton.I’d start my day with a stop at Sant Ambroeus on Main Street. One of my favorite things to do is order a cappuccino at the coffee bar. There, you can enjoy your coffee. It’s not the normal morning rush. Unlike most mornings, I’d also order a pastry, because on this pretend day, calories do not count. The Italian eatery, named after the patron saint of Milan, never disappoints.After leisurely sipping my coffee, I’d stroll on over to the Southampton Arts Center. There’s a closing day gallery tour and champagne toast for the show “East End Collected4,” curated by Paton Miller, on Sunday, May 20, at 3 PM. Next week, the “Light on Shadow” exhibit opens, featuring photographs by Shawn Heinrichs.Next on the agenda is a stop at one of my favorite buildings, the Southampton Historical Museum’s Rogers Mansion. The current exhibit “Hunting the Whale: The Rise and Fall of a Southampton Industry” is on view through August 4.Lunch is at Fellingham’s, a sports bar that was voted one of the Best Bars in America by Esquire. The building that houses the decades-old restaurant was originally an 1830 carriage house, and it has its original hand carved beams and handmade nails.Nostalgic sports memorabilia decorate the restaurant. It’s “where good sports meet.” Even if I know little to nothing about sports, I know Fellingham’s knocks it out of the park. Order one of the reasonably priced 20+ burgers on the menu, grab a cold brew, and enjoy this venue.After lunch, it’s time to walk off that burger. I’d stop in to Kyle by Alene Too because Real Housewives are life — the store is owned by “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” cast member Kyle Richards. Recently I walked out of the store with a croquet set and some garden flamingos for just $50, a purchase I am very proud of. The store also has nice clothing as well.I’d have to stop by One Kings Lane, perfect for home goods and unique gifts. I recently purchased a house, so this is a go-to for decorating. (See facing Market Page for some of the great products from One Kings Lane.)And since calories still don’t count during this imaginary day, a stop to the Topaire Flower Shop candy shop is also in order.Jessica Mackin-CiproLater on, with a group of friends, it’s time for dinner at Tutto il Giorno. I’d start with its Pompelmo cocktail, made with Simple Vodka, Aperol, grapefruit, lime, and mint syrup. For every drink served, Simple Vodka donates one meal to a hungry American. Dinner would include the restaurant’s delicious pasta dishes and lots of laughs.After dinner, it’s off to the Southampton Social Club for drinks, an excellent choice for a summer night with friends.There you have it. My perfect day in Southampton.@HamptonDazeJessica@indyeastend.com Share read more

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Australia’s oil and gas producer, and operator of the GLNG project Santos has secured an additional 3-year, AUD 1 billion (USD 817.5m) bilateral bank loan facility.Santos says that the new facility with ANZ Banking Group significantly enhances the company’s liquidity profile and financial flexibility at attractive funding costs.Santos Chief Financial Officer Andrew Seaton said that the facility further strengthens Santos’ conservative liquidity profile.“This facility provides a substantial buffer over and above the company’s funding needs in the current uncertain oil price environment,” Seaton said.Santos recently cut planned spending by AUD 700 million (USD 572.4m) and is mulling asset sales as a response to the weakest oil prices in five years.“The current volatile oil price means that Santos is focused on driving operational efficiency, reducing costs, prudently managing capital and making sure our balance sheet remains strong – without making short term reactive decisions that could damage the long term interests of the company or the interests of shareholders,” said Santos Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer David Knox in an announcement to spending cuts. read more

CLS Offshore Limited has named James Norwood as their new Commercial Director. Norwood joins CLS Offshore from Raytheon Anschuetz GmbH, and will be responsible for developing the strategy, commercial and business development activities of the company.Graduating in 2001 from the University of Plymouth with a degree in Maritime Business and Marine Law, Norwood joined Portland Port as their Marketing Manager prior to joining the Royal Navy in 2002.Leaving the Royal Navy in 2008, James took on increasingly senior roles within BMT Group, TRANSAS Marine Ltd and latterly as Head of Business Development for Marine, Oil & Gas at Raytheon Anschuetz GmbH.Speaking of his appointment, James Norwood said “I am delighted to be joining CLS Offshore at this exciting time. I have been following the phenomenal growth of this organisation over the last two years and am very pleased to now be a part of it. CLS Offshore is synonymous in the industry with providing high quality products and services and I look forward to working with the CLS team to further enhance our client’s capabilities”Norwood holds an MBA from Imperial College London and a BSC (Hons) in Maritime Business and Marine Law. He is an Associate Fellow of the Royal Institute of Navigation and an Associate Fellow of the Nautical Institute.CLS Offshore provides of Engineering, Project Management, Fabrication solutions to the international oil and gas industry. read more

Apple MusicListen to Episode 18 now Podomatic We may only be a month into 2020 but there’s already been a ton of Country music action.With big releases from Little Big Town, Dustin Lynch, Marcus King and Chase Rice already landing, and debates continuing about the lack of women played on Country radio in the US, it’s been a very hectic start to the year. On the latest episode of the EF Country Podcast, Pip and Laura review the month, discuss the big releases and more.To listen to the latest episode, pick your preferred platform below… Spotify read more

Isaac Muthui, CEO and Founder, Nurucoin: Capital FM Kenya photoA new locally developed digital currency has hit Kenyan market targeting investors who participate in e-commerce.The new cryptocurrency, dubbed Nurucoin, was developed by the owners of e-commerce platform BlazeBay.The coin is set to sell at 10 US cents (Sh10), for new buyers, with the developers offering discount to entice early takers.Even though questions remain over the safety of the virtual coins taking Kenya by storm, warnings from the central bank have largely fallen on deaf ears.Kenyans have emerged among the most voracious buyers of digital currencies across the globe holding bitcoins valued at $16.5 trillion. read more

Tai Chi advocates campaign for art to be included in UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage UNESCO boss backs Rwanda’s quest to include Genocide memorials on World Heritage list Seven elements of cultural heritage from across the world, including three from Africa, have been inscribed on this year’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.The seven are being debated and examined for possible inclusion into a list of living heritage that will be officially recognized by UNESCO, as under threat and in need of safeguarding.The elements include the skills of the water measurers or foggaras in Algeria, three rites of passage of the Maasai Community in Kenya, and Egyptian traditional hand puppetry – Al-Aragoz.The inscriptions were made on Wednesday, at the ongoing convention of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, in Port Louis, Mauritius.Being inscribed on the list is good news for the countries involved, as it means that global assistance will be mobilised to protect these cultural practices.In Algeria, the foggaras or water bailiffs of the Ksour communities in Touat and Tidikelt are under threat, mainly due to the effects of urbanisation and modernization.“Several factors have disrupted the proper functioning of the foggara, including a lack of communication between youth and elders, and governmental changes to relations of ownership,” according to a statement.For Egypt, an old form of theatre using puppets is also under threat due to a reduced number of performances. There are currently only ten active practitioners of Al Aragoz.For the Maasai in Kenya, three interrelated rites of passage for men in the community – Enkipaata, Eunoto and Olng’esherr – are losing out to changes in the pastoral lifestyle of the community.“The rites serve to educate young boys about a man’s role in society, transmit indigenous knowledge to the younger generation and induct them into moranhood, then into the category of young elders, and finally into senior elder status.”Other elements inscribed on Wednesday include Yalli – a traditional group of dances in Azerbaijan, the Lkhon Khol Wat Svay Andet in Cambodia, Suri Jagek a traditional type of astronomy practiced in Pakistan, and Shadow Play – an art practiced with handmade puppets in Syria.The intergovernmental committee is a body commissioned by UNESCO to examine living cultural heritage from across the world with a view to protecting it.The ongoing meeting is in its 13thsession.Related Ethiopia’s Rich Cultural Heritage read more