Ear to the ground

“I hope she’s not the nanny for my kids.”

“Don’t worry, she’ll be dead by then.”

-Exchange between two preschoolers concerning a less than popular summer guardian

A greener Gibson

The Road Warrior is bringing the fight to the Four Corners. Actor Mel Gibson is buying into Gallup, N.M. Gibson is invested in a company that is bringing a water-free, tire-recycling plant to Gallup.

Green Rubber Global plans to invest $30 million into the tire recycling plant, according to a report in theAlbuquerque Journal. The company plans to open the plant next summer and employ up to 150 people.

Gibson visited New Mexico with company officials last month and said he has also invested in rain forest protection efforts in Central and South America. “I’ve been into this stuff for a long time,” he told theAlbuquerque Journal. “Usually I’m just there to provide comic relief.”

On a serious note, he added that tire recycling got his attention because landfills are beginning to reject tires and they are often shipped to Third World countries willing to take them in exchange for cash. “We’re making landfills in other peoples’ back yards,” Gibson said.

The story noted that nearly 1 billion tires are thrown out each year and most are simply put in landfills or burned. In addition to creating emissions when burned, the production of tires requires 1.5 billion gallons of oil and fossil fuel annually.

Gibson was first drawn to New Mexico when he stopped over in Tamalewood (Albuquerque) while shooting a film, “Seraphim Falls,” in the state.

Rhythms of downtown

The door is open for local singers and songwriters. “Rhythms of Durango, Vol. 2,” an album of local music, is currently in production and local musicians are encouraged to submit their original songs for consideration.

Just like its predecessor, Rhythms of Durango, Vol. 1, Vo. 2 will be an eclectic mix of the sounds of downtown. The effort was designed by the Business Improvement District to enliven and help sustain Downtown Durango by promoting its varied music venues, drawing visitors to Downtown and, by extension, supporting local musicians and retailers.

For consideration, recording artists are asked to submit their CDs by Aug. 15, in person to the Business Improvement District office, 1199 Main Ave., Suite 210, or by mail to P.O. Box 1405, Durango, 81302.

The release date is planned for Nov. 23.