Author Archives: Stephen Spitz

Following the just completed changes to Albuquerque’s 4th Street Mall downtown, we ask urban designer Jeff Speck what else could be done to make Downtown more vital and pedestrian-friendly? Speck recently prepared a walkability analysis of our Downtown for the City, focused on what he terms the 4 components of walkability, namely is the walk useful, safe, comfortable, and interesting. Those four criteria form the basis for how a relatively small number of planning interventions, mainly slowing down traffic by eliminating and narrowing driving lanes, could influence the livability and vitality of downtown Albuquerque. So, if you are interested in how the heart of Albuquerque’s downtown can be quickly changed, at minimal cost, while still having a major impact on the amount of walking and biking Downtown, please join urban planner Jeff Speck and host Stephen Spitz this Friday morning. Produced with assistance of Jefferson White and Lynn Schibeci.

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How and Why Did Life Emerge? New research taking place around the globe—including here in New Mexico—suggests we are getting closer to the answer. An exhibit at our own New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, available on line, (http://nmnaturalhistory.org/emergence-introduction.html), explains how life on Earth may have emerged, transforming a world of inorganic molecules into the first living things. MIT scientist Rogier Braakman, while a fellow at New Mexico’s Santa Fe Institute, was part of a team that consulted on the science behind the Exhibit on the origin of life. It’s a complex, fascinating and amazing series of developments, so please join Dr. Rogier Braakman and host Stephen Spitz to learn what science has to say about one of our greatest mysteries – the origin of life. Produced with assistance of Jefferson White and Lynn Schibeci.

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When the oft-delayed election for Navajo President was finally held, Russell Begaye, a native New Mexican, was the overwhelming winner. Arguing that the Navajo people are tired of the old system, President Begaye’s theme has been the “awakening of a new dawn” for the Nation. The Begaye platform was based on the so-called four pillars: Navajo veterans, infrastructure, Navajo elders/youth, and employment. It’s a forward looking agenda but where is the money going to come from to fulfill these promises in what is widely considered the most impoverished Tribe in the US. President Begaye has already made the rounds in Washington and received very positive responses. But, we all know the Navajo people have heard this before. Host Stephen Spitz will explore this and much more in his exclusive interview newly elected Navajo President Russell Begaye. Produced with assistance of Jefferson White and Lynn Schibeci.

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Stark and growing income inequality between the richest and poorest Americans has become the #1 issue in the country. You might think that New Mexico’s “inequality gap” would be in the middle of the pack since our overall median income is so low. You would be wrong. According to the latest data from the Center for Budget and Policy the gap between New Mexico’s richest and poorest households is worst in the nation. Why is this and what can be done about it? Joining host Stephen Spitz to delve into our income gap and possible solutions are two genuine experts. UNM Sociology Professor Nancy Lopez is co-founder and co-director of the Institute for the study of Race and Social Justice whose purpose is to ameliorate race-based inequality. UNM Economics Professor Melissa Binder works on income security and poverty in the United States. Produced with assistance of Jefferson White and Lynn Schibeci.

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In 1992, in a remote mountain range, a team of scientists discovered the remains of an unusual animal with 2 beautiful long, curved horns, which, from the side, merged into one—a “unicorn”. It turned out to be a living species new to western science — a saola, the first large land mammal discovered in 50 years. The Last Unicorn is the story of William deBuys’ search to find and understand an elusive and exceptionally rare species in the heart of Southeast Asia’s jungles. Along the way, deBuys’ expedition collects 970 snares set to capture all manner of wildlife for sale in Vietnam and China, where demand for wild meats and ingredients for medicinal treatments is voracious. Indeed, much of the book concentrates on the feeble conservation efforts taking place in one of the world’s most species-rich regions. So please join host Stephen Spitz as we journey with one of our best-known conservation writers through the wilds of Laos in search of the saola. Produced with assistance of Jefferson White and Lynn Schibeci.

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Has the production of modern art in Albuquerque surpassed that of Santa Fe and Taos? We all recognize the superior reputation of the artists of Northern New Mexico. However, now comes an exhibition at the Albuquerque Museum of Art which focuses upon the unique history and modern art scene in Albuquerque, not that of Santa Fe and Taos. Does Albuquerque also belong on the art map? According to the exhibition’s curator, Dr. Joseph Traugott, “Albuquerque artists found their own artistic voice after World War II and transformed a western boom town into a thriving art center.” The resulting abstract works broke with traditional New Mexico scenes, shunned commercialization, and deservedly put Albuquerque on the art map alongside Santa Fe and Taos. Please join host Stephen Spitz and Joseph Traugott, formerly curator of Twentieth-Century Art at the New Mexico Museum of Fine Arts, as we consider Albuquerque’s significance in the art world. Produced with assistance of Jefferson White and Lynn Schibeci.

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In his debut book, Fire Season, Philip Connors beautifully recounted his decade as a fire lookout high above the Gila National Forest in southern New Mexico. Now Connors returns to our show to discuss his second book, All the Wrong Places, and why moving to remote New Mexico was so attractive and the years he spent reeling in the wake of his younger brother’s suicide. At the age of twenty-three, Connors was a young man climbing the ladder to success. He had a magazine job lined up in New York City and a future in journalism unfolding exactly as he’d hoped. Then one phone call from his brother, which he didn’t return, changed everything. Please join host Stephen Spitz and Philip Connors to learn more about this moving account of the aftermath of a very personal loss and how it lead Connors to all the wrong places. Produced with assistance of Jefferson White and Lynn Schibeci.

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Is there life on Mars? One reason for this centuries old question is Mars’ proximity and similarity to Earth; now, the latest Mars mission actually points to yes. NASA’s Curiosity rover has just found spikes of methane in the Martian atmosphere, a gas that on Earth is strongly tied to life. The Rover has also found organic chemicals in a soil sample collected by its robotic drill. And, the 96-mile-wide crater being explored by Curiosity appears to have been a lake billions of years ago. Finally, 100’s of rock and soil samples have been found containing water-deposited sediments. To learn whether there really is life elsewhere, please join host Stephen Spitz and the Los Alamos scientist who drives the Curiosity rover, UNM postdoctoral geologist Nina Lanza as together we explore the red planet. Produced with assistance of Jefferson White and Lynn Schibeci.

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Our 60-day legislative session begins this month with Governor Martinez having the upper hand. However, New Mexico still has a divided government with a Republican Governor, a new Republican House, but with Democrats maintaining a shaky majority in the Senate. By law, the 60-day session must produce a budget and this month we will analyze key budget items, along with specific legislation, including: 1) a proposed a Constitutional Amendment which would distribute 11/2% of New Mexico’s $15 billion Permanent Fund to early childhood programs; 2) retention of 3rd Graders not reading at grade level; 3) the repeal of drivers licenses for “illegal” immigrants, and 4) new proposed voter ID and right to work laws. Joining host Stephen Spitz to discuss these issues are two former Albuquerque city councilors still very much in the political know: Democrat Miguel Gomez and for the Republicans, Greg Payne. Produced with assistance of Jefferson White and Lynn Schibeci.

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New Mexico has one of the highest rates of child abuse and neglect in the Nation. But Children are resilient, aren’t they? Not so fast, says Dr. Bruce Perry, a psychiatrist and neuroscientist, who recently headlined a child welfare forum in Albuquerque. Dr. Perry has researched how a child’s environment, particularly those who encounter trauma, affects brain development. Dr. Perry has been featured in a wide range of media including NPR, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Nightline, CNN, MSNBC, NBC, ABC, CBS, and the Oprah Winfrey Show. Please join host Stephen Spitz as we learn about Dr. Perry’s clinical work with children who experienced trauma, how that stress led to both physical and mental health complications, and what can be done to improve the lives of at risk children. Produced with assistance of Jefferson White and Lynn Schibeci.

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