ARTESIA – Today at 8 p.m. David Bradley will be performing at the Ocotillo Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the box office or at artesiaartscouncil.com.
According to a press release, Bradley hails from Northern England and grew up on American country music. He has lived in Siberia and worked on oil rigs, all while honing his skills as a country performer and songwriter.
Following in his father’s footsteps, he made a life for himself as an oil engineer, uncovering places beyond the reach of common imagination, the release states. Stationed for months in the forests of Siberia and on an oil rig in the middle of the Caspian Sea, he developed a deep empathy for others who also found themselves far from the comforts and familiarities of home. Bradley found himself writing about the hopes and fears that a man must confront on his journey through life.
His new hit song is titled “Soak It Up” and is featured on his CD “Moving’ On.”
According to the release, the summertime element of “Soak It Up” is a breath of fresh air. “It makes you want to put the top down on the car or open up the window and let the wind blow through,” the release states. “You can practically smell the beach when you listen to it. The mid-tempo, perfect-for-a-roadtrip “Soak It Up” is available on Amazon and iTunes.”


In honor of Flag Day, American flags were placed in and around downtown Artesia Monday. Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777. The flag of the United States is one of the nation’s most widely recognized symbols. The current 50-star flag was created by 17-year old Robert G. Heft for a school project in 1958. The 50 stars on the flag represent the 50 states and the 13 stripes represent the original 13 colonies that rebelled against the British monarchy and became the first states in the Union.

By WHITLEY LEDBETTER
Daily Press Staff Writer
The United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will host a wild horse and burro adoption today through Saturday. This event will be held at the Artesia Horse Council Arena. This year’s horse adoption will feature more than 60 mustangs and 10 burros.
According to Paul McGuire, public affairs specialist for the BLM Oklahoma office, the BLM monitors horse and burro populations to ensure they do not exceed manageable numbers. The goal of the adoption program is to reduce the herds and give people the opportunity to be involved in the conservation and preservation efforts of the BLM.
Jerry Blakely, a petroleum engineering technician from Carlsbad states, “The horses are in good shape, and in good health. I’ve adopted two of them myself, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’m amazed by how intelligent they are. It’s been fun and enjoyable.”
“There really is no finer breed of horse one could own than an American mustang,” said McGuire.
To qualify to adopt, one must be at least 18 years of age and have no record of animal abuse. Applications can be completed on the BLM website at www.blm.gov. The adoption fee is $125. If there are any questions, BLM workers will be present during the event for further assistance.
There will be a new adoption incentive program this year. If one adopts a horse 4 years or older, the BLM will pay $500 for the horses’s care and necessities. Younger or trained horses are not eligible for the incentive. After a full year, adopters will receive a certificate of ownership from the BLM.
The adoption will begin at approximately 2 p.m. today, on a “first-come-first served” basis, and will end at 6 p.m. On Friday, adoption will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 6 p.m. The last day of adoption will be from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 12.

A U.S. Border Patrol Color Guard observes the U.S. Border Patrol’s First Annual Law Enforcement Memorial this morning at Jaycee Park. Pictured from left are Jorge Dominguez, Jude Patterson, Cully Knowlton and Rebecca Barron. City police, county sheriff’s deputies, state police officers and U.S. Border Patrol officers killed in the line of duty were honored and remembered at the ceremony, along with those who currently make sacrifices in their lives to ensure U.S. citizens are safe and their liberty secure. Speakers at the event included Mayor Phillip Burch, New Mexico Attorney General Gary King and Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol Michael Fisher. Fisher said the common bond between all law enforcement agencies is the oath each individual within has taken to “support and defend the U.S. Constitution from all enemies both foreign and domestic.” King commented, “These officers are not so much heroes because of the way they died, but because of the way they lived …”

U.S. Congressman Harry Teague holds up the first batch of what he termed “green gold,” or biofuel extracted from algae, Monday at the “World’s First Fully Integrated Algal Biorefinery” at New Mexico State University Agricultural Science Center outside Artesia after a ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the facility. Executive director of the refinery Doug Lynn said, “This is a momentous occasion …  (one of) the single most significant contributions to alleviate our dependency on foreign oil.” While associates of the program said there are still wrinkles to smooth out with respect to the efficiency of operations, all agreed the creation of an operational algal biorefinery presents an opportunity to study problems and discover solutions to make algal biofuel competitive with oil. Operations Manager Lupe Carrasco said he and his coworkers have already made significant progress in making the refining process more efficient. “What we did 60 days ago in 12 hours, we can now do in 30 minutes,” he said. Business Manager Greg Brown said the small-scale refinery can be perfected and then scaled up to provide a significant and competitive alternative source of energy. “This is proof of principal … we are able to grow (algae), harvest it and extract it in one spot … we have now proven it can be done,” said Brown. “Everything you see here is scaleable.”

U.S. Congressman Harry Teague holds up the first batch of what he termed “green gold,” or biofuel extracted from algae, Monday at the “World’s First Fully Integrated Algal Biorefinery” at New Mexico State University Agricultural Science Center outside Artesia after a ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the facility. Executive director of the refinery Doug Lynn said, “This is a momentous occasion …  (one of) the single most significant contributions to alleviate our dependency on foreign oil.” While associates of the program said there are still wrinkles to smooth out with respect to the efficiency of operations, all agreed the creation of an operational algal biorefinery presents an opportunity to study problems and discover solutions to make algal biofuel competitive with oil. Operations Manager Lupe Carrasco said he and his coworkers have already made significant progress in making the refining process more efficient. “What we did 60 days ago in 12 hours, we can now do in 30 minutes,” he said. Business Manager Greg Brown said the small-scale refinery can be perfected and then scaled up to provide a significant and competitive alternative source of energy. “This is proof of principal … we are able to grow (algae), harvest it and extract it in one spot … we have now proven it can be done,” said Brown. “Everything you see here is scaleable.”

By EMIL WHITIS
Daily Press Staff Writer
Two brothers from Artesia charged with three felonies each were bound over to district court on May 27 in Artesia Magistrate Court.
Bud Littleton, 32, and brother Sonny Littleton, 24, were arrested April 20 and charged with aggravated battery (resulting in great bodily harm), robbery and conspiracy to commit aggravated battery in connection with an incident which occurred in the early morning hours of March 31 near Wal-Mart on JJ Clark Drive.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Artesia Magistrate Court on April 16, Artesia resident, Todd Madrid, was walking home from a friend’s house at approximately in the early morning hours of March 31 when he was assaulted and his wallet stolen by two men.
Madrid told Artesia police he was walking on JJ Clark Drive when a truck pulled up beside him and the driver asked if he wanted a ride. Madrid refused and the truck continued down the road until it reached a stop sign and abruptly began to reverse back to his position, he stated in the report. According to Madrid’s statement, the driver exited the truck and threw a punch at him. A second man then tackled him from behind and the two men began to kick him while he was on the ground. He said they took his wallet and drove away.

Steve Pearce, the GOP contender for U.S. Representative in New Mexico’s District 2, volleys an answer to a question posed by Dave Walker, a financial adviser for Edward Jones, during an Artesia Chamber of Commerce Lunch and Learn meeting Thursday at the Pecos Inn as to the correctness of newly-imposed federal regulations on the financial sector. Pearce was the featured speaker at the event, espousing a message of less government, the importance of citizens voicing dissent/becoming politically active and the virtues of Facebook. He said Facebook, an online social networking application, can be used by anyone to garner support for their cause and possibly inspire political action. “We need to show how (over) regulation is driving up the cost of living in America,” said Pearce. He called upon citizens to take action using applications such as Facebook as a stage to propagate their ideas to the general public in an effort to apply pressure to politicians. “I believe the American people have a basic sense of rightness and fairness,” said Pearce. Lunch and Learn events are held the first Thursday of every month around noon at the Pecos Inn. Information with direct relevence to the community is presented during each event. For more information contact Debbie Bell at 746-2744.

Community members who are looking for some good, clean fun may want to consider a new entertainment venue opening in Artesia. B & M Reball, which boasts all the fun of paintball gun play without the mess, has set up shop for the weekend in the Tate Branch Dodge parking lot. Owners Mike and Brenda Ridle recently acquired a large inflatable structure and all the necessary equipment to host reball games in which players shoot one another with small foam rubber balls, or reballs. Mike and Brenda’s son David (age 12) claims being hit with a reball is less painful than being hit with a paintball. B & M will be set up at Tate Branch for the remainder of today and from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday. After that, Mike and Brenda plan to set up the structure on their property, located at 713 S. 28th St. Mike said they will be open for business each weekend, weather permitting. All equipment is provided and the cost of one game, or 200 balls, is $10. Each game after that is $3. One may also purchase 10 games for $35 or pay $50 to play for the day. “We are trying to keep our prices low,” said Mike.  The Ridle family, pictured from left, is David, Brenda, Danielle (age 16) and Mike.

By EMIL WHITIS
Daily Press Staff Writer
School is out and Artesia’s youngsters have been set loose. The City of Artesia Recreation Department is offering a smorgasbord of summer activities and programs as solutions for parents looking to funnel their children’s energy in a positive and productive direction.
The 2010 City of Artesia Summer Recreation Program themed “Blast from the Past” will begin June 7 and run through July 30, and will cater to children 6 years of age and older. Sessions will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday.
Artesia Recreation Director Luis Reyes said in addition to planned activities, supervision will be provided for self-directed, unstructured play from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
A registration fee of $35 includes a T-shirt, entrance to a dance and pool party and prizes. Activities will include games, arts and crafts, board games, gym activities and exploring the past. To register, visit the Artesia Community Center.