Conversations Different with Inez Russell Gomez

Santa Fe’s Railyard Park, located a short distance from downtown and the Plaza, is a familiar fixture for longtime residents and frequent visitors alike.  Founded through a public-private partnership in 2010, the park’s urban design in an old industrial train lot became a prominent project for the city of Santa Fe at the time because it preserved prime real estate for the public’s use. Without preservation, developers could’ve reinvented the property, affecting nearby neighborhoods for years to come.    On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Railyard Park Conservancy Executive Director Izzy Barr. The two discuss the nonprofit’s role in stewarding Railyard Park and the park’s impact on Santa Fe.   Barr speaks on some of the conservancy's offerings, from horticulture care that teaches gardening to the greenspaces where people can enjoy nature and the outdoors. She also reflects on the nonprofit’s partnerships with other local organizations and how those relationships have made the park the welcoming space it is today.   Learn more by visiting railyardpark.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez interviews Santa Fe author and historian Garrett Peck about an upcoming book he is getting ready to launch March 10.  The book, titled The Bright Edges of the World: Willa Cather and her Archbishop, chronicles parts of writer Willa Cather’s story, particularly how she gained inspiration from her travels to the Southwest.   According to Peck, his book explores Cather’s articles, interviews, postcards and letters to help capture her thoughts about her trips and how they led her to produce three novels, with some gaining strong popularity. While reading a chapter of Death Comes for the Archbishop, one of those novels, Peck said the vision and name for his book started to take shape.   To close out the episode, Peck shares information about where to find his book and previews local signing events where he will delve into his creative process. Visit garrettpeck.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vaccination guidance for children at the federal level is changing under new directives from U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and with it comes much confusion about the number of vaccines now being recommended for kids as well as which ones will still be easily accessible.   In New Mexico, the state Department of Health recently made clear that it intends to follow the vaccine schedule provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics despite the new federal recommendations under Kennedy.   On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez speaks with state health department officials Dr. Miranda Durham, chief medical officer, and Andrea Romero, manager of the immunization program, about New Mexico’s decision to maintain a full robust vaccination schedule for children.   Durham and Romero discuss what they want the public to know about access to vaccines in our state, clarify any skepticism that parents may have about effectiveness and talk about available resources to make the right health decisions for your family.   One of the resources Durham and Romero note in this episode is the NMDOH helpline where health professionals are available to answer your medical questions. The number is 1-833-796-8773See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

4Corners K-9 Search and Rescue, based out of the Farmington area, has been around for nearly five years helping New Mexico families in their most desperate times in trying to locate reported missing individuals especially those classified as Missing and Murdered Indigenous People.   The mission of the nonprofit according to its website is to provide relief and compassion during the agonizing trauma of having to locate a missing loved one. The organization has also taken on the task of performing outreach efforts with communities and officials to streamline search processes that could potentially lead to better outcomes in some missing person cases.   On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez talks with 4Corners K-9 Search and Rescue Executive Director Bernadine Beyale about her backstory into starting the nonprofit and what it means to have a useful resource readily available in our state. She also shares some useful search and rescue tips that people might not be aware of when reporting a missing person.   For more information about 4Corners K-9 Search and Rescue visit 4ck9sar.org   Consider supporting their fundraiser on Jan. 24 at 2 p.m. at the Santa Fe Women’s Club. The short film Gomeo Bobelu - Lightning Unveiled produced by Jaima Chevalier will be screened with Beyale discussing her rescue dogs’ work on tribal lands.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the latest episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez welcomes Zia Singers artistic director John Tiranno and singer and composer Susan Anders, on the podcast to preview the group’s upcoming January concert.   The concert is titled “Voices of Life, Voices of Light” and will feature exclusive musical works written by women, a choice Tiranno said was a clever idea of his and a way to honor the talents of The Zia Singers, an all-women based chorus.   Throughout the episode, Tiranno and Anders share what concertgoers can expect from two of the pieces that will be performed: Everyday Wonders: The Girl from Aleppo by Cecilia McDowall and a "A Wave That Rocks Me,” a song composed by Anders.   The concert will be on Jan.10th and 11th at Christ Church in Santa Fe. For more information and to get tickets, visit theziasingers.org.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.