The SW NM Quilter's Guild have created a tree skirt for a U.S. Capital Christmas tree from New Mexico. Members of the SWNMQG who worked on this project are from left: Paco Rich, Carol Pickering, Fay Poudrier, Mary Margaret Soule, Pam Houck, Claudia Toenies, Nancy Miller, and Kathy Cole (missing from picture). Courtesy Photo.An additional courtesy photo below

By Mary Alice Murphy

The Beat has outlined some of the negative impacts of the injunction from a U.S. District Court judge in Tucson, as a result of a 2014 WildEarth Guardians lawsuit on the monitoring or lack thereof of the endangered species, Mexican spotted owl.

The negative impacts continue to proliferate. Children and adults have worked hard to represent the state of New Mexico at its best in decorating Washington, D.C. for the Christmas holidays.

The Beat received the following news release:

The New Mexico Quilters Association, at the request of the US Forest Service, has asked quilt guilds and quilt stores throughout New Mexico to assist in providing tree skirts and ornaments for the Christmas season in the Capitol.

It had been previously announced that the Capitol Christmas would come from New Mexico. The Carson National Forest will supply the 60-foot tree for the West Lawn of the Capitol, as well as 75 smaller trees which will be displayed inside the White House and other government office buildings. Since the Forest Service began supplying trees for the White House in 1970, this is the third time New Mexico has been privileged to be chosen for this task.

The Southwest New Mexico Quilters Guild decided that a tree skirt with the interpretation of Mimbres art would be appropriate to represent Grant County. The crane center of the quilt was hand appliqued and quilted by Pat Schiowitz. The outer ring animals and diamond/turquoise shapes were needle-turned applique and machine quilted by members Paco Rich, Carol Pickering, Fay Poudrier, Mary Margaret Soule, Pam Houck, Claudia Toenies, Nancy Miller, and Kathy Cole.

For more information about The People's Christmas Tree, go to www.uscapitolchristmastree.com/news/who-gets-to-decorate-the-people-s-tree .

The Beat has also noted that an essay contest for fourth-graders throughout the state was announced by New Mexico's Gov Michelle Lujan Grisham about why it is important for the Capitol Christmas tree to come from their state. http://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/53500-will-the-grinch-steal-new-mexico-s-u-s-capitol-christmas-trees The winning essay writer would be rewarded with a trip to D.C.

We now know that the judge, at the behest of everyone imaginable, including WildEarth Guardians, has agreed to let people cut firewood for personal use only to heat their homes this winter. http://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/53565-forest-service-resumes-personal-fuelwood-permit-sales-on-carson-cibola-gila-lincoln-santa-fe-and-tonto-national-forests

Is there any possibility, that the Carson National Forest might get a reprieve and be allowed to cut trees to decorate the national capitol? Or will the Grinch truly steal Christmas from the state of New Mexico this year?