A former chef at the Blue Heron Restaurant and Palace Prime, Rocky Durham is a well-known name in Santa Fe’s dining scene. Nearly three years ago, just after Russia invaded Ukraine in February of 2022, he and his wife, Emmy, felt the call to help. 

Rocky and Emmy, who are both fluent in Russian, sold their belongings and moved to Ukraine without a real plan but soon found their place. They founded a nonprofit, Durham Humanitarian, which has become part of an international network offering relief to refugees and helping deliver essentials to civilians and soldiers amid disrupted and damaged supply chains. 

During a brief visit to Santa Fe in late February, Rocky sat down with “Conversations Different” host Inez Russell Gomez to share his experience in the war-ravaged nation, provide his thoughts on America’s position on the war under President Donald Trump, and offers his insights on where things stand from his perspective.

To donate or learn more about the Durham Humanitarian, visit durhamhumanitarian.org.

A former chef at the Blue Heron Restaurant and Palace Prime, Rocky Durham is a well-known name in Santa Fe&rsquo;s dining scene. Nearly three years ago, just after Russia invaded Ukraine in February of 2022, he and his wife, Emmy, felt the call to help.&nbsp;
Rocky and Emmy, who are both fluent in Russian, sold their belongings and moved to Ukraine without a real plan but soon found their place. They founded a nonprofit, Durham Humanitarian, which has become part of an international network offering relief to refugees and helping deliver essentials to civilians and soldiers amid disrupted and damaged supply chains.&nbsp;
During a brief visit to Santa Fe in late February, Rocky sat down with &ldquo;Conversations Different&rdquo; host Inez Russell Gomez to share his experience in the war-ravaged nation, provide his thoughts on America&rsquo;s position on the war under President Donald Trump, and offers his insights on where things stand from his perspective.
To donate or learn more about the Durham Humanitarian, visit durhamhumanitarian.org.

Conversations Different is presented by the Santa Fe New Mexican and features host Inez Russell Gomez in provocative talks with local and regional personalities shaping the landscape of Northern New Mexico.

Inez Russell Gomez is Opinion Page Editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican with decades of experience writing and editing the news in America's oldest capital city.

Conversations Different is presented by the Santa Fe New Mexican and features host Inez Russell Gomez in provocative talks with local and regional personalities shaping the landscape of Northern New Mexico.
Inez Russell Gomez is Opinion Page Editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican with decades of experience writing and editing the news in America's oldest capital city.

Conversations Different with Inez Russell Gomez

Santa Fean Rocky Durham discusses the war in Ukraine and shifting from chef to humanitarian

Teachers are often the ones who leave a lasting impact on a child both in and out of the classroom.  

But they’re not alone. Community volunteers also play a special role in a child’s learning, especially early on. They are there helping with activities, being a role model for excellence and demonstrating what it means to have healthy relationships with others.  

Those types of experiences, you won’t find in any lesson plan or textbook— which makes them valuable in today’s world.  

To discuss the importance that volunteers have in Santa Fe Public Schools, Crystal Ybarra, chief engagement officer, and Sabra Romero, volunteer coordinator, join host Inez Russell Gomez on the latest “Conversations Different” podcast episode.  

Ybarra and Romero talk about the district’s volunteering program that allows community members to get involved and support educators in a variety of areas.  

For students, Romero said the program provides necessary enrichment beyond academics. For teachers, Ybarra said the additional support helps kids be interested in their education amid ongoing challenges with attendance and subject comprehension.   

The two also elaborate on the process to become a volunteer, emphasizing that anyone who is interested should reach out.  

To learn more, visit https://www.sfps.info/page/volunteering-sfps  

Teachers are often the ones who leave a lasting impact on a child both in and out of the classroom.&nbsp;&nbsp;
But they&rsquo;re not alone. Community volunteers also play a special role in a child&rsquo;s learning, especially early on. They are there helping with activities, being a role model for excellence and demonstrating what it means to have healthy relationships with others.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Those types of experiences, you won&rsquo;t find in any lesson plan or textbook&mdash; which makes them valuable in today&rsquo;s world.&nbsp;&nbsp;
To discuss the importance that volunteers have in Santa Fe Public Schools, Crystal Ybarra, chief engagement officer, and Sabra Romero, volunteer coordinator, join host Inez Russell Gomez on the latest &ldquo;Conversations Different&rdquo; podcast episode.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Ybarra and Romero talk about the district&rsquo;s volunteering program that allows community members to get involved and support educators in a variety of areas.&nbsp;&nbsp;
For students, Romero said the program provides necessary enrichment beyond academics. For teachers, Ybarra said the additional support helps kids be interested in their education amid ongoing challenges with attendance and subject comprehension.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
The two also elaborate on the process to become a volunteer, emphasizing that anyone who is interested should reach out.&nbsp;&nbsp;
To learn more, visit <a href="https://www.sfps.info/page/volunteering-sfps">https://www.sfps.info/page/volunteering-sfps</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Crystal Ybarra and Sabra Romero discuss why volunteers play special role for kids at Santa Fe Public Schools 

The Burning of Zozobra, which has taken place annually for over 100 years, is a special event that Santa Feans hold dear to their hearts.  

That’s especially true for those who are actually involved in the event like Helene Luna, the Fire Spirit tasked with lighting the 50-foot effigy on fire while dancing in front of the crowd.  

Luna became the fire dancer 30 years ago after being asked by her boss at the time to apply for a role assisting at Zozobra festivities. Without hesitation, she said yes, and her background in ballet eventually led to taking over as fire dancer. 

The opportunity has allowed her to explore her self-expression on a big stage but also serve as the light in people’s personal lives, which can be gloomy at times.  

This year, however, will be her last time as “Mick Jagger,” as she passes the torch to Than Povi Martinez, who will carry it in 2027.  

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Luna to discuss her time in the spotlight and what it has meant to be a part of such a unique and big cultural experience in Santa Fe.  

In the episode, Luna talks about her decision to retire, shares which performances were her most memorable and explains why she thinks Old Man Gloom has resonated with so many people.  

She ends on a high note telling Russell Gomez her plans to bring all the energy and enthusiasm for this year’s show.  

The Burning of Zozobra, which has taken place annually for over 100 years, is a special event that Santa Feans hold dear to their hearts.&nbsp;&nbsp;
That&rsquo;s especially true for those who are actually involved in the event like Helene Luna, the Fire Spirit tasked with lighting the 50-foot effigy on fire while dancing in front of the crowd.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Luna became the fire dancer 30 years ago after being asked by her boss at the time to apply for a role assisting at Zozobra festivities. Without hesitation, she said yes, and her background in ballet eventually led to taking over as fire dancer.&nbsp;
The opportunity has allowed her to explore her self-expression on a big stage but also serve as the light in people&rsquo;s personal lives, which can be gloomy at times.&nbsp;&nbsp;
This year, however, will be her last time as &ldquo;Mick Jagger,&rdquo; as she passes the torch to Than Povi Martinez, who will carry it in 2027.&nbsp;&nbsp;
On the latest podcast episode of &ldquo;Conversations Different,&rdquo; host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Luna to discuss her time in the spotlight and what it has meant to be a part of such a unique and big cultural experience in Santa Fe.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In the episode, Luna talks about her decision to retire, shares which performances were her most memorable and explains why she thinks Old Man Gloom has resonated with so many people.&nbsp;&nbsp;
She ends on a high note telling Russell Gomez her plans to bring all the energy and enthusiasm for this year&rsquo;s show.&nbsp;&nbsp;

One last dance: Zozobra fire dancer Helene Luna shares on her time in the spotlight before passing the torch

For roughly 30 years, the New Mexico Book Association has been a useful resource for authors and their books throughout the state.  

The nonprofit’s work consists of supporting its members in various ways, such as through the editing and marketing process to offering workshops that aim to educate on modern publishing practices.   

President Anna I. Sochocky says their efforts are really about building partnerships and supporting people’s love for literature.  

On the latest “Conversations Different” podcast episode, host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Sochocky to delve into what the New Mexico Book Association has to offer. She discusses the organization’s mission, its role in uplifting small authors and efforts to grow membership beyond Santa Fe.  

She also talks about an upcoming summer gala on Aug. 28. that will feature U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze.  

For more information, visit nmbookassociation.org 

For roughly 30 years, the New Mexico Book Association has been a useful resource for authors and their books throughout the state.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The nonprofit&rsquo;s work consists of supporting its members in various ways, such as through the editing and marketing process to offering workshops that aim to educate on modern publishing practices.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
President Anna I. Sochocky says their efforts are really about building partnerships and supporting people&rsquo;s love for literature.&nbsp;&nbsp;
On the latest &ldquo;Conversations Different&rdquo; podcast episode, host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Sochocky to delve into what the New Mexico Book Association has to offer. She discusses the organization&rsquo;s mission, its role in uplifting small authors and efforts to grow membership beyond Santa Fe.&nbsp;&nbsp;
She also talks about an upcoming summer gala on Aug. 28. that will feature U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze.&nbsp;&nbsp;
For more information, visit <a href="https://www.nmbookassociation.org/">nmbookassociation.org</a>&nbsp;

Santa Fean Rocky Durham discusses the war in Ukraine and shifting from chef to humanitarian

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