Pinhead Institute plans six lectures
The Pinhead Institute presents the first installment of its six-week Punk Science lecture series for kids of all ages featuring rocket scientist Kevin McNeill on the exploration of Mars.
The series runs 5:15 to 6 p.m. at the Cortez Cultural Center Plaza on Wednesdays from July 1 to Aug. 5, Admission is free.
McNeill graduated from the University of Colorado in 1974 with a degree in math and a minor in computer science. After graduation, he spent five years in Seattle working at Boeing and Honeywell, then returned to Colorado in 1979 to spend 28 years at Martin Marietta/Lockheed Martin.
Over 25 years were spent developing spacecraft for NASA missions, including missions to Jupiter, Venus, Mars, Comets, and L1 (the point between the Earth and Sun where the gravitational attraction from each is equal).
McNeill’s final position was Program Manager for the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), launched in 2005.
After retiring in 2007, he moved with his wife to Ridgway and has participated on the Board of Directors for the Second Chance Humane Society in Ridgway and the Mount Sneffels Education Foundation.
McNeill has shared his experience with students at many local area schools, the University of Colorado, the Air Force Academy, and at schools in Mexico, as well as at various organizations around Colorado and neighboring states.
Leadership course taking applications
Applications are being accepted for Leadership Montezuma’s 2015-2016 class.
Leadership Montezuma is a two-year program that brings together community members for one day a month to explore life in our region and connect with local businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies.
Regular sessions are held on the third Thursday of each month. Registration closes Aug. 1.
For information or an application, visit cortezchamber.com, leadershipmontezuma@cortezchamber.com or call (970) 903-0944.
Horsemen present Medicine Horse guest
Everyone is welcome to a presentation by Lynne Howarth of Medicine Horse Center in Mancos, at the Mesa Verde Back Country Horsemen meeting on Tuesday, July 7, at the Elks Lodge, 2100 N. Dolores Road in Cortez.
Arrive for dinner at 6:15 p.m. for dinner anddrinks. The presentation starts at 7 p.m.
Details: www.mesaverdehorsemen.com.
Mercy offers class on prediabetes
Anyone identified as having prediabetes is invited to a free class on Friday, July 10, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in suite 140 of the medical office building at Mercy Regional Medical Center.
Attendees will learn how to manage prediabetes and help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.
To register, contact Jan Wesley at (970) 764-2720.
Library continues ‘Superheroes’ theme
“Superheroes Continued ...” is the July theme of the Raising Readers Storytime at the Cortez Public Library, at 202 N. Park St.
The preschool Storytime program is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Older children are welcome to join for a craft at 11:15 a.m.
The library offers a Storytime at the Cortez Farmers Market on Saturdays at 9:30 a.m., weather permitting. It follows the same theme as the Thursday Storytime.
The schedule
Fourth of July: Thursday, July 2. No Storytime on Saturday, July 4
Ducks: Thurday, July 9 and Saturday, July 11
Mini Greek Myths: Thursday, July 16 and Saturday, July 18
Firefighting Heroes: Thursday, July 23 and Saturday, July 25
Heroes Who Serve: Thursday, July 30 and Saturday, Aug. 1
Details: 970-565-8117.
Ignacio man gets 12 years for robbery
An Ignacio man was sentenced Monday in federal court to more than 12 years in prison for the armed robbery of a Wells Fargo Bank branch in Farmington.
Robert O’Dell Neihart, 44, pleaded guilty Feb. 20 to armed robbery and using a firearm during a crime of violence.
The robbery occurred Sept. 21, 2012, at the Wells Fargo Bank branch on East Main Street in Farmington.
Neihart approached a bank teller and handed her a two-page letter demanding money, according to a news release issued Monday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the district of New Mexico.
In his plea agreement, Neihart admitted to having a pistol in his possession during the time of the robbery, which he later used to shoot at police vehicles that pursued him after the bank robbery.
He was arrested that day at his Ignacio home.
Denise Myrick, 45, also of Ignacio, pleaded guilty Dec. 4, 2013, to aiding and abetting in the bank robbery, a misdemeanor. She was sentenced on March 4, 2014, to three years on probation.
Neihart was sentenced to 148 months in prison by a federal court in Las Cruces, N.M. He must serve three years on supervised release after completing his prison term.
The Cortez Journal