Comment by Bluegoo on January 16, 2013 at 10:07am

I made a image of were the Grocery store will be.
Image from City of  Albuquerque  Gis web site and a bit of editing.
Silver Avenue between Second and Third streets.

Comment by Monica on January 16, 2013 at 10:49am

I don't think the grocery store idea is such a good idea anymore. Especially, since this project was mentioned in a previous morning fix. I-40 and 12th is in very close proximity to the downtown area and it mentions that they are already in negotiations with a natural foods grocery store.

Comment by Aaron Greenwood on January 16, 2013 at 10:51am

Our problems a nutshell (extracted from article):

• 42 percent of New Mexico children now live in single-parent households
• state ranks last when it comes to the reading proficiency of fourth-graders
• New Mexico ranks 49th in child well-being
• 48th among the states in the proportion of teens who abuse alcohol and drugs
• one-third of New Mexico children live in poverty
• 37 percent [of children] have parents who lack secure employment

Solution promoted by New Mexico Voices for Children among others:

• early-childhood education programs with 2% of the state budget funding these programs enforced by a constitutional amendment

Meaning well is one thing, but early-childhood education programs are an enhancement to education not a solution to deep rooted spiritual (not religious) problems.  We are dealing with widespread ignorance at all levels of society and a crisis of values.  The blame, the guilt, whatever you want to call it, collectively belongs to the adult humans in our society. There are very few good examples for children and many of the supposed role models are charlatans.  We have to question the culture and try to determine the value of what we have created or have had forced onto us.  Think about it.

Comment by DCMc on January 16, 2013 at 1:10pm

I think another grocery store on the proposed site about the size of the remodeled Lowe's at 12th and Lomas would really be great for downtown Albuquerque. Hope it happens.

Comment by hettie on January 16, 2013 at 1:16pm

"We have to question the culture and try to determine the value of what we have created or have had forced onto us.  Think about it."

You can "think about it" all you like, but your mental exertion is unlikely to actually help improve the lives of NM children. Early childhood education is a functional tool for helping kids who, for whatever reasons, are starting from a deficit in our society. It's easy to take the position that children suffer because of the moral and social failings of the adults in their lives. But what are we going to do about it? Preschool, Headstart, early childhood education--these are all programs that society can implement, through the vehicle of government, to actually help kids catch up with peers from more stable or enriched environments. You won't get far clamoring for positive role models in the future unless you start helping today's kids.

Comment by RunLikeADog on January 16, 2013 at 5:11pm

What you have to remember is that throwing money at the problem is not the answer. Children across this country, not just NM, are being deprived of a quality education because education has become a political issue just like healthcare and firearms. We spend more money per capita than any other country on education but our math and science scores continue to fall when compared to other countries. This is a dis-service to our children and ourselves as a society. We just can't sugar coat this anymore. We are an unhealthy nation and we are becoming more stupid by the generation because we cannot successfully educate our children.

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