Good morning and welcome to the Freedom New Mexico Monday briefing.

Video game of the week

Fresh from the desk of our own game specialist and wicked good copy editor Jenna Zamie.

Game: Golden Sun: Dark Dawn

Genre: Role-playing game

System: DS

What is it? This continuation of the Golden Sun series combines appealing gameplay and gorgeous visuals.

ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+

Web site: http://www.nintendo.com

Holiday cooking tip

Save yourself a lot of work by using a cookie scoop and parchment paper when baking cookies.

Your two cents

Wilson & Co., the firm creating plans for improvements of U.S. 70 through Portales, is seeking input on the design and its impacts on property along the road.

Property owners can meet with design team members during a two-day workshop 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Portales City Hall.

Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome.

Appointments: NMDOT consultant engineer Derek Meier at Derek.Meier@wilsonco.com.

Question of the day

What is the best Christmas music album by a popular artist?

We invited you to join the chorus in the comment section below.

Today in history

On this day in 1884, in Washington, D.C., workers placed a nine-inch aluminum pyramid atop a tower of white marble, completing the construction of an impressive monument to the city's namesake and the nation's first president, George Washington. 

Here’s the rest of the story:

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/washington-monument-completed

Weather

Today — Highs in the lower to mid 50s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph.

Tonight — Snuggle up…partly cloudy. Lows in the 20s.