Neverending Stories

Derby Wars: Good vs. Evil

It wasn’t the usual championship match. Still, the finale on Sunday, Oct. 18, offered promise for seasons to come. All the skaters wanted in on the last 2009 game, part of the Rock the Ink tattoo fest at the Convention Center. So instead of pitting any of the league’s four teams against each other, Duke City Derby created two new squads, which allowed all the derby girls to roll in. On that fateful day, team Good triumphed over Evil, 85-62.

“We liked the Convention Center pretty well,” says Nan Morningstar, league founder. DCD talked to the Convention Center seasons ago about hosting games there but never worked out a deal. The skaters liked the floor and the space after using it for their Good vs. Evil smashup, and it could become a home for the league next season.

Regardless, she says, Duke City Derby would like to give back to the fans who’ve suffered through venue difficulties. Starting next spring, no matter where the official season is booked, the league will host monthly donation-only games in public parks.

And, finally, Morningstar is pleased to report that Duke City’s travel team, the Muñecas Muertas, ranked sixth out of 20 in the Western Regional Tournament this year on Saturday, Oct. 3, in Denver.

Like Sands Through the Hourglass

Time is running out for residents near the American Cement transfer station in the North Valley. Earlier this month, the Environmental Health Department sent notice to neighbors who’d protested the cement company’s request to operate 24 hours a day and emit further pollution.

After receiving notice of the decision to grant the permit, residents have 30 days to appeal, according to the department.

The station at 4702 Carlton NW is situated in a North Valley neighborhood a few blocks from Mountain Mahogany Community School and La Luz Elementary. Neighbors attended hearings this summer to rail against the permit, saying they disliked the cement dust in the air, the noise and traffic caused by the plant, and that they were concerned about respiratory health issues.

Neighbors say they observed plumes of dust escaping the station this month.

Justice and Medical Marijuana

The U.S. Justice Department issued a memo Monday, Oct. 19, stating that federal prosecutors shouldn’t waste time targeting those allowed to use or distribute medical cannabis under state law. New Mexico is one of 14 states with active medical marijuana programs.

When New Mexico’s Compassionate Use Act was passed in 2007, it called for the state’s Health Department to govern production and distribution of medical marijuana. Attorney General Gary King pointed out that those employed by the state to grow medical pot could face federal prosecution. Instead, New Mexico implemented a model in which growers must register as nonprofits. Two people have signed up to become providers.

The Justice Department’s memo added that anyone who violates the terms of a program, or who uses a state law as a cover, is still on the hook and should be punished.