November 11 of every year is Veterans Day. Initially named Armistice Day in honor of the signing of the peace accords for World War I – the war to end all wars – on the eleventh day of the eleventh month at the eleventh hour, the quasi-holiday is a time to celebrate the service of all Americans who spent time with the military, past and present.

The holiday is often confused with Memorial Day, but the difference between the two is well-defined. Veterans Day marks the service of all, no matter how large or how small, while Memorial Day is about those who have passed on, either as a result of their service or more natural causes.

It is however, almost impossible to remember...

Abstract painter stays true to self

When Navajo artist, Jerry Brown, is not getting his hands soiled with his artwork, he spends his free time admiring the simpler things in life like observing trees and insects, hauling wood, and taking care of his “wild” animals.

Brown spent most of his younger days growing up in Coolidge, Ariz., and later moved to Mariano Lake because having been raised by his grandma, Mary Bitsuie, she thought it was a good place to live. From third to eighth grade Brown attended Crownpoint Boarding School.

“They didn’t really push art in boarding school, mostly sports and field trips,” Brown said.

In between spending time with his family on...

If you didn’t get to attend the fifth annual celebration of the McKinley Citizens’ Recycling Council’s “Recycling Jamboree Arts and Crafts Fair” at Gallup’s Community Service Center on Oct. 30, you missed out on a fairly unique event that allowed local residents to display their recycled art crafts to the public.

Live entertainment was provided from the local group the “Desert Highlanders,” whom specializes in playing Irish, Scottish, waltzes, and American folk tunes, as curious spectators enjoyed browsing the aisles. They also enjoyed the pleasing and smoothing sounds to Scott Halliday’s cigar-box guitar.

Halliday, a local vendor who showcased his...

On Oct. 30, Rio West Mall held a costume contest and awarded four prizes, which are noted under the winning kids photos. Recognize any ghoul, rockstar, princess or super hero that you know?