Showing posts with label fun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fun. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Halloween on Forrester


Halloween on Forrester in Downtown

View the photo journal of Halloween.


While most people around Albuquerque know about trick-or-treating at Dia de Dulce in Old Town or by cruising the Country Club (Huning Castle) neighborhood, one of the best spots is on Forrester just north of Lomas in Downtown.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Friday, November 30, 2012

ABQ: Holidays


ALBUQUERQUE

Holidays

The ABQ Visitors & Convention Bureau website has a list of holiday events around town.


Some notable events include:

Luminarias


The holiday season in Albuquerque means Luminarias. Luminarias are a simple brown paper bag, partially filled with sand to make it stable and a single votive candle to illuminate the simple lunch bag. Several of these together create a beautiful ambiance welcoming guests into your home for a holiday party or celebration. A fun way to experience a little bit of Albuquerque’s holiday traditions is to create luminarias to line your driveways, sidewalks and maybe even your roof at home.

The annual Old Town Luminaria Tour on December 24th is not to be missed.

Watch our special two minute holiday video about Luminarias, "Life of a Brown Paper Bag."


Native American Dancing and Pueblo Feast Days


Visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center on weekends and enjoy Native American dancing and art demonstrations, you can also take part in baking bread and making art. The holidays are a wonderful time to visit the neighboring pueblos, many of them hold feast day celebrations in November and December. View more information and see the schedule here.  

Shopping


Albuquerque has the biggest and best shopping in the entire state with three premier malls and many special shopping areas and specialty stores. Whether you have been to Albuquerque or not, there is something for everyone from traditional Southwestern jewelry and pottery to contemporary designs of paintings, sculpture and more.

Stroll through two of Albuquerque’s historic neighborhoods and shop in unique local shops on two consecutive days.

  • The Nob Hill Shop & Stroll on Saturday, December 1 begins with the Twinkle Light Parade and includes shopping and food specials, family entertainment, and photos with Santa.
  • The Old Town Stroll on Friday, December 7 features live entertainment, dancers, family activities, Santa Claus and the lighting of the giant Christmas tree at Plaza Don Luis.
Check out 10 great local holiday gifts.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

ABQ: Tours by Bike


ALBUQUERQUE

Touring the City by Bicycle


When you live in the same city for a long time it's easy to fall into a rut of going to the same places and doing the same things. To get a different perspective--try being a tourist for a day.

Routes Rentals & Tours is located at 11th and Mountain in Downtown Albuquerque. They offer a variety of bike tours, including BYOB: Bring Your Own Bike.

We recently took a bike tour along the bosque to look at historic sites in Old Town, ride to the top of the bike bridge over the Rio Grande to admire the view, stop by the Nature Center, do a wine and cheese tasting at a North Valley winery, and a stop by Los Poblanos Farm on the way back.

We chatted with the tourists on the tour about local history and recommended shopping.

Routes offers a variety of tours throughout the year, including special holiday rides and daily bosque tours.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

ABQ: Bird Watchers


ALBUQUERQUE

Bird Watchers

I photographed this bird at Tingley Beach. Note the feet are not webbed, as this American Coot isn't a duck. The bird is actually walking here rather than swimming. Their feet are built so that they get across water plants like lilly pads.


From the Cornell Lab of Ornithology:

American Coot


The waterborne American Coot is one good reminder that not everything that floats is a duck. A close look at a coot—that small head, those scrawny legs—reveals a different kind of bird entirely. Their dark bodies and white faces are common sights in nearly any open water across the continent, and they often mix with ducks. But they’re closer relatives of the gangly Sandhill Crane and the nearly invisible rails than of Mallards or teal.

Behavior

You’ll find coots eating aquatic plants on almost any body of water. When swimming they look like small ducks (and often dive), but on land they look more chickenlike, walking rather than waddling. An awkward and often clumsy flier, the American Coot requires long running takeoffs to get airborne.
  • Habitat

    Look for American Coots at ponds in city parks, in marshes, reservoirs, along the edges of lakes, and in roadside ditches, sewage treatment ponds, and saltwater inlets or saltmarshes.




  • Below is a list from the City of Albuquerque about birds found in the Middle Rio Grande area.


    Download a checklist.


    Ducks, Geese & Swans (Anatidae)

    • Canada Goose, Branta canadensis
    • Snow Goose, Chen caerulescens
    • Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
    • Cinnamon Teal, Anas cyanoptera
    • Northern Shoveler, Anas clypeata
    • Northern Pintail, Anas acuta
    • American Wigeon, Anas americana
    • Wood Duck, Aix sponsa
    • Canvasback, Aythya valisineria
    • Redhead, Aythya americana
    • Ring-necked Duck, Aythya collaris
    • Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola
    • Hooded Merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus
    • Red-breasted Merganser, Mergus serrator

    New World Quail (Odontophoridae)

    • Gambel’s Quail, Callipepla gambelii

    Partridges, Grouse, Turkeys & Old World Quail (Phasianidae)

    • Ring-necked Pheasant, Phasianus colchicus

    Grebes (Podicipedidae)

    • Pied-billed Grebe, Podilymbus podiceps

    Bitterns, Herons & Egrets (Ardeidae)

    • Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias
    • Great Egret, Ardea alba
    • Snowy Egret, Egretta thula
    • Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis
    • Green Heron, Butorides virescens
    • Black-crowned Night-Heron, Nycticorax nycticorax

    Ibises & Spoonbills (Threskiornithidae)

    • White-faced Ibis, Plegadis chihi

    New World Vultures (Cathartidae)

    • Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura

    Ospreys (Pandionidae)

    • Osprey, Pandion haliaetus

    Hawks, Kites, Eagles & Allies (Accipitridae)

    • Red-tailed Hawk, Buteo jamaicensis
    • Northern Goshawk, Accipiter gentilis
    • Coopers Hawk, Accipiter cooperii
    • Sharp-shinned Hawk, Accipiter striatus
    • Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus

    Caracas & Falcons (Falconidae)

    • American Kestrel, Falco sparverius

    Rails, Gallinules, and Coots (Rallidae)

    • American Coot, Fulica americana

    Cranes (Gruidae)

    • Sandhill Crane, Grus canadensis

    Lapwings & Plovers (Charadriidae)

    • Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus

    Sandpipers, Phalaropes & Allies (Scolopacidae)

    • Spotted Sandpiper, Actitis macularius
    • Solitary Sandpiper, Tringa solitaria
    • Common Snipe, Gallinago gallinago
    • Western Sandpiper, Calidris mauri

    Gulls, Terns & Skimmers (Laridae)

    • Ring-billed Gull, Larus delawarensis
    • Herring Gull, Larus argentatus
    • Black Tern, Childonias niger

    Pigeons & Doves (Columbidae)

    • Rock Pigeon, Columba livia
    • White-winged Dove, Zenaida asiatica
    • Eurasian Collared-Dove, Streptopelia decaocto
    • Mourning Dove, Zenaida macroura

    Cuckoos, Roadrunners & Anis (Cuculidae)

    • Greater Roadrunner, Geococcyx californianus

    Typical Owls (Strigidae)

    • Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus
    • Western Screech Owl, Megascops kennicottii

    Goatsuckers (Caprimulgidae)

    • Common Nighthawk, Chordeiles minor

    Hummingbirds (Trochilidae)

    • Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Selasphorus platycercus
    • Calliope Hummingbird, Stellula calliope
    • Rufous Hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus
    • Black-chinned Hummingbird, Archilochus alexandri

    Kingfishers (Alcedinidae)

    • Belted Kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon

    Woodpeckers & Allies (Picidae)

    • Northern Flicker, Colaptes auratus
    • Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Picoides scalaris
    • Downy Woodpecker, Picoides pubescens
    • Hairy Woodpecker, Picoides villosus
    • Williamson's Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus thyroideus
    • Red-naped Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus nuchalis

    Tyrant Flycatchers (Tyrannidae)

    • Black Phoebe, Sayornis nigricans
    • Say’s Phoebe, Sayornis saya
    • Ash-throated Flycatcher, Myiarchus cinerascens
    • Western Kingbird, Tyrannus verticalis

    Vireos (Vireonidae)

    • Warbling Vireo, Vireo gilvus

    Jays, Crows, Magpies & Ravens (Corvidae)

    • Western Scrub Jay, Aphelocoma californica
    • American Crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos
    • Chihuahuan Raven, Corvus cryptoleucus

    Swallows & Allies (Hirundinidae)

    • Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica
    • Violet-green Swallow, Tachycineta thalassina
    • Tree Swallow, Tachycineta bicolor
    • Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis
    • Cliff Swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

    Chickadees & Titmice (Paridae)

    • Mountain Chickadee, Poecile gambeli
    • Black-capped Chickadee, Poecile atricapillus

    Bushtits (Aegithalidae)

    • Bushtit, Psaltriparus minimus

    Nuthatches (Sittidae)

    • Red-breasted Nuthatch, Sitta canadensis
    • White-breasted Nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis

    Creepers (Certhiidae)

    • Brown Creeper, Certhia americana

    Wrens (Troglodytidae)

    • Bewick’s Wren, Thryomanes bewickii
    • House Wren, Troglodytes aedon

    Gnatcatchers & Gnatwrens (Polioptilidae)

    • Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea

    Dippers (Cinclidae)

    • American Dipper, Cinclus mexicanus

    Kinglets (Regulidae)

    • Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Regulus calendula

    Thrushes (Turdidae)

    • American Robin, Turdus migratorius
    • Hermit Thrush, Catharus guttatus
    • Eastern Bluebird, Sialia sialis
    • Western Bluebird, Sialia mexicana

    Mockingbirds & Thrashers (Mimidae)

    • Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos

    Starlings & Mynas (Sturnidae)

    • European Starling, Sturnus vulgaris

    Waxwings (Bombycillidae)

    • Cedar Waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum

    Wood-warblers (Parulidae)

    • Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapilla
    • Orange-crowned Warbler, Orethlypis celata
    • Virginia's Warbler, Orethlypis virginiae
    • Yellow Warbler, Seophaga petechia
    • Yellow-rumped Warbler, Seophaga coronata
    • Black-throated Gray Warbler, Setophaga nigrscens
    • Common Yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas
    • MacGillivray's Warbler, Geothlypis tolmiei
    • Wilson's Warbler, Cardellina pusilla

    Emberizids (Emberizidae)

    • Green-tailed Towhee, Pipilo chlorurus
    • Canyon Towhee, Pipilo fuscus
    • Spotted Towhee, Pipilo maculatus
    • Brewer's Sparrow, Spizella brewire
    • Lark Sparrow, Chondestes grammacus
    • Dark-eyed Junco, Junco hyemalis "Oregon" form "Slate-colored" form "Gray-headed" form "Pink-sided" form
    • White-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys
    • Chipping Sparrow, Spizella passerina
    • Song Sparrow, Melospiza melodia
    • Lincoln’s Sparrow, Melospiza lincolnii

    Cardinals, Piranga Tanagers & Allies (Cardinalidae)

    • Summer Tanager, Piranga rubra
    • Western Tanager, Piranga ludoviciana
    • Black-headed Grosbeak, Pheucticus melanocephalus
    • Lazuli Bunting, Passerina amoena
    • Blue Grosbeak, Passerina caerulea
    • Indigo Bunting, Passerina cyanea

    Blackbirds, Meadowlarks, Cowbirds, Grackles & Orioles (Icteridae)

    • Red-winged Blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus
    • Yellow-headed Blackbird, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
    • Great-tailed Grackle, Quiscalus mexicanus
    • Common Grackle, Quiscalus quiscula
    • Brown-headed Cowbird, Molothrus ater
    • Bullock’s Oriole, Icterus bullockii

    Fringilline & Cardueline Finches and Allies (Fringillidae)

    • House Finch, Carpodacus mexicanus
    • American Goldfinch, Carduelis tristis
    • Lesser Goldfinch, Carduelis psaltria
    • Pine Siskin, Carduelis pinus
    • Evening Grosbeak, Coccothraustes vespertinus

    Old World Sparrows (Passeridae)

    • House Sparrow, Passer domesticus

    Monday, November 5, 2012

    ABQ: Autumn Song


    ALBUQUERQUE


    Autumn Song


    Know'st thou not at the fall of the leaf

    How the heart feels a languid grief

    Laid on it for a covering,

    And how sleep seems a goodly thing

    In Autumn at the fall of the leaf?


    And how the swift beat of the brain

    Falters because it is in vain,

    In Autumn at the fall of the leaf

    Knowest thou not? and how the chief

    Of joys seems—not to suffer pain?


    Know'st thou not at the fall of the leaf

    How the soul feels like a dried sheaf

    Bound up at length for harvesting,

    And how death seems a comely thing

    In Autumn at the fall of the leaf?
     
     
    1828–1882 Dante Gabriel Rossetti

    Friday, November 2, 2012

    ABQ: Day of the Dead


    ALBUQUERQUE

    Day of the Dead

    Artists create a chalk drawing on the sidewalk in front of the Hyatt Regency in Downtown ABQ to celebrate Day of the Dead.

    Thursday, November 1, 2012

    ABQ: Picnic at Tingley Beach


    ALBUQUERQUE

    Picnic at Tingley Beach


    Fall is the perfect time to head to Downtown ABQ's Tingley Beach. While I don't care to fish in the ponds, I'm a huge fan of packing a picnic lunch. Just beware feeding the ducks and geese from the table. They'll surround you and beg worse than a dog.

    The train connecting the zoo with the BioPark stops at Tingley Beach. The stores sells some snacks and paddle boats are available for rent in the summer. One pond is available for model boat racing.

    The bike path and hiking trails connect to the beach.

    Info about Tingley Beach.


    Wednesday, October 31, 2012

    ABQ: Cranes



    ALBUQUERQUE

    Cranes


    Brochure about Sandhill Cranes in New Mexico.

    Sandhill Cranes migrate to New Mexico for the winter, stretching from Albuquerque south to the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.

    About the Refuge:

    The Refuge is 57,331 acres located along the Rio Grande, and is located at the northern edge of the Chihuahuan desert, and straddles the Rio Grande. The heart of the Refuge is about 12,900 acres of moist bottomlands--3,800 acres are active floodplain of the Rio Grande and 9,100 acres are areas where water is diverted to create extensive wetlands, farmlands, and riparian forests. The rest of Bosque del Apache NWR is made up of arid foothills and mesas, which rise to the Chupadera Mountains on the west and the San Pascual Mountains on the east. Most of these desert lands are preserved as wilderness areas.




    The Refuge is an important wintering home for Sandhill Cranes, and will host as many as 14,000 during the winter months. Cranes will begin arriving in November, and will leave as late as the end of February, heading for Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge and Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge for a month or two before migrating onwards to Greys' Lake, Idaho, their breeding grounds.


    The Bosque provides a critical Refuge for Sandhill Cranes and other migratory birds, providing food, protection and shelter. The Bosque is a critical habitat for a large number of resident birds and wildlife as well.

    The Bosque is also home to over 32,000 Snow Geese and Ross Geese, dozens of Bald Eagles and Goldens, Great Blue Herons, Occasional Pelicans, Avocets, and many, many other birds. This beautiful Refuge is also home to small herds of Mule Deer and families of Coyotes. Seeing the sunset "Fly In" and the dawn "Fly Out" is an experience you will never forget! If you are lucky you can also see what we call "Puffs" of Snow Geese, thousands rising into the air, sometimes within 10- 20 feet of you. The sound of wings and the sound of geese talking is a fantastic, primordial experience, guaranteed to "wow" you out of your worries and "wow" you out of your own body, and guaranteed to lift your soul to join them.

    Tuesday, October 30, 2012

    ABQ: Halloween


    ALBUQUERQUE

    Halloween on Forrester in Downtown.

    View the photo journal.



    Where there is no imagination there is no horror.  ~Arthur Conan Doyle, Sr.

    Monday, October 29, 2012

    ABQ: Autumn


    ALBUQUERQUE

    Autumn in the Bosque, Downtown Albuquerque


    Changing Seasons:

    “Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” 

     Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky (Discworld, #32)

    Friday, October 26, 2012

    Secret ABQ: Halloween on Forrester


    SECRET ALBUQUERQUE

    Halloween on Forrester in Downtown

    View the photo journal of Halloween.


    While most people around Albuquerque know about trick-or-treating at the stores in Old Town or by cruising the Country Club (Huning Castle) neighborhood, one of the best spots is on Forrester just north of Lomas in Downtown.

    All of the neighbors pitch in together to make the entire street a fantasy of lights and bonfires. Not only do they hand out candy, but also books and toiletries like toothbrushes to area children that might otherwise do without. The street fills with music, spooky sounds and laughter.

    Thursday, October 25, 2012

    ABQ: Dia del Dulce



    ALBUQUERQUE

    Dia del Dulce, Day of Candy, in Old Town

    View the photo journal of last year's Fall Festival celebrating Halloween in Old Town.


    Dia del Dulce (Halloween)

    Wednesday, October 31, 2012

    Dress up in costume and bring the family down to Old Town!

      4:00pm to 7:00pm:  Trick or Treating from Old Town Merchants
      5:00pm:  Pet Parade & Animal Costume Contest around Old Town Plaza & Gazebo
      6:00pm Halloween Performance at Gazebo (By Interplay School of Music & Art)
      7:00pm:  People Costume Contest in Plaza Don Luis (Sponsored by Aceves Old Town Basket & Rug Shop)

      Tuesday, October 23, 2012

      ABQ: CC Halloween


      ALBUQUERQUE

      Halloween in Huning Castle, aka the Country Club Neighborhood

      View the photo journal of the neighborhood decorating for Halloween.



      About.com has a list of Halloween events around Albuquerque.


      The Huning Castle neighborhood attracts trick-or-treaters from around the city. Neighbors decorate their houses and hand out tons of candy.

      Friday, October 19, 2012

      ABQ: Day of the Dead


      ALBUQUERQUE

      Day of the Dead

       
      Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de los Muertos) is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and around the world in other cultures. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. It is particularly celebrated in Mexico, where it is a national holiday, and all banks are closed. The celebration takes place on November 1, in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day (November 2). Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts. They also leave possessions of the deceased.
       
      Scholars trace the origins of the modern Mexican holiday to indigenous observances dating back hundreds of years and to anAztec festival dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl. The holiday has spread throughout the world: In Brazil, Dia de Finadosis a public holiday that many Brazilians celebrate by visiting cemeteries and churches. In Spain, there are festivals and parades, and, at the end of the day, people gather at cemeteries and pray for their dead loved ones. Similar observances occur elsewhere in Europe, and similarly themed celebrations appear in many Asian and African cultures.


      In Albuquerque, Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)celebrations take place over several weeks in October and November, although the holiday is traditionally celebrated between October 31st and November 2nd.

      See the Albuquerque calendar of events at About.com.

      Monday, October 15, 2012

      ABQ: Conservatories


      ALBUQUERQUE

      Conservatories

      View the photo journal of conservatories in Albuquerque, the Bonsai Museum at the Steinhardt Conservatory in Brooklyn, and the orchids at the Lincoln Park Conservatory in Chicago.


      The ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, located in Greater Downtown on Central Ave. (Route 66) and the Rio Grande, features one and half miles of paths through a variety of gardens on 36 acres and two conservatories.


      Mediterranean Conservatory

      The Mediterranean Conservatory shows off a variety of plants native to coastal areas with hot dry summers and mild rainy winters, such as the Mediterranean Sea coast, the California coast, southwestern Australia, South Africa and coastal Chile.
      This conservatory is also the locale for several flower shows, including Bulbs in Bloom and the Orchid Show.

      Desert Conservatory

      Its hot, dry climate supports a collection of plant life from deserts of the American Southwest.
      Saguaro cactus and palo verde trees from the Sonoran Desert, creosote and yucca from the Chihuahuan Desert and elephant trees from Baja are just some of the incredible xeric-adapted plants on display.

      Thursday, October 11, 2012

      SECRET ABQ: Courtyard


      SECRET ALBUQUERQUE

      Courtyard

      Courtyard tucked away in Downtown Albuquerque. The back portion of the building looks older, with a newer addition in front by the street.

      This courtyard is open to the public--if you know where to look.

      Wednesday, October 3, 2012

      ABQ: Alvarado


      ALBUQUERQUE

      Alvarado Transportation Center

      See the Photo Journal of Downtown Drawings.


      Wikipedia:
      Albuquerque's first train station, a small railroad depot, opened on the site of the current ATC in the 1880s. With increasing demand for a larger facility, the Alvarado Hotel, a Mission Revival-style building which served as one of the many Harvey Houses along the train route, was constructed on the site in the 1902. Santa Fe Railroad architect Charles Whittlesey designed the building, and Mary Colter designed the interior of the hotel. The hotel was named for Hernando de Alvarado of the 1540 Francisco Vázquez de Coronado Expedition. Just south of the hotel a train station was constructed, also in the Mission Revival style and with a large, distinctive tower.
      The Alvarado Hotel was renowned for its luxury, but by the mid-20th century, with the decline in railroad travel in the United States, the hotel fell on hard times and was demolished in 1970. The site remained a dirt parking lot for many years. In 1993, the Albuquerque train station burned down, and Amtrak used a small facility on the site as the train station.
      The current ATC complex was constructed in the 2000s. The first phase of the project was completed in 2002 to serve ABQRide. The second phase, completed in 2006, added facilities for Amtrak, Greyhound Lines, and the New Mexico Rail Runner Express commuter rail line. The ATC was designed to be reminiscent of the old buildings, with many architectural elements borrowed from the Alvarado Hotel and the former train station.
       
       

      AMTRAK: The Alvarado Station is served by the Southwest Chief.

      Take in the Grandeur of the American West on an Adventure.
      The Amtrak Southwest Chief runs daily between Chicago and Los Angeles, through the vast expanse of the fabled American West.
      You'll be mesmerized by this region's beauty and allure. We'll take you across the mighty Mississippi through eight states—past wheat fields and ranches, missions and pueblos, mountains and deserts. Carving through curving canyon passages only a few feet wider than the train itself, you'll see spectacular landscapes and pristine vistas not visible from interstate highways.
       
      RAIL RUNNER: The Rail Runner is passenger train service between the Albuquerque Greater Metro Area and Santa Fe. They are working on continuing to expand links to other transportation options, like high capacity bus routes.
       
      Bus Connections from the Downtown Albuquerque Alvarado station:
       

      ABQ RIDE Route 766 - Rapid Ride Red Line 
      Use this express bus route located in the front of the building to access Old Town, the ABQ BioPark, UNM, Nob Hill and Uptown 
       
      ABQ RIDE Route 40 - The D-RIDE
      This is a free downtown circulator that runs every 7 minutes.
       
      ABQ RIDE Route 53 - Isleta
      Use this route to access the Albuquerque Zoo
       
      ABQ RIDE Route 350 - Airport Express
      Use this route to access the Albuquerque International Sunport 
       
      Other ABQ RIDE Routes
      There are more than 20 other ABQ RIDE bus routes that get you just about anywhere in the city!
       

      Show your Rail Runner ticket to get on the bus for free!
       
      UNM Hospital and UNM Campus: Free shuttle service to UNM Hospital and UNM Campus is available. More information.
       
      Park and Ride: take the NMDOT's Park and Ride bus to travel between the Downtown Albuquerque Rail Runner Station and East Mountains/Moriarty.  Read all about theTurquoise Route.
       

      Tuesday, September 25, 2012

      ABQ: Carnuel Fiesta


      ALBUQUERQUE

      Carnuel Road Parade & Fiesta, Sept 2012

      View the photo journal of the Fiesta.


      In September a parade and fiesta is held on the northern side of Downtown Albuquerque along Mountain Road. The event is named after the original road--Carnuel. For a great explantion about the history and a run down of the day, visit Barelas Babe's post at Duke City Fix.

      The parade and fiesta evolved from local residents in Sawmill and Wells Park wanting to celebrate the area's cultural history and diversity. It brings neighbors together. Local organizations, such as Escuela del Sol school, the Harwood Art Center, the Sawmill Community Land Trust, the neighborhood associations of Wells Park, Sawmill, and the Downtown Neighborhoods Association (DNA), help sponsor and run the event.

      The Rio Grande Down Syndrome Network not only helps sponsor, but also runs a Buddy Walk during the parade to raise awareness of Down Syndrome.

      Friday, September 14, 2012

      ROUTE 66: Kimo Theater


      ROUTE 66

      Kimo Theater

      View the Photo Journal of Downtown Architectural Drawings


      The Kimo Theater, built as a picture palace, opened on September 19, 1927. The architectural style is known as Art Deco-Pueblo Revival Style, or Pueblo Deco for short, a short-lived fad of blending adobe style (rounded corners and edges), decorative motifs from indigenous cultures, and elements of Art Deco.

      The theater is rumored to be haunted by a boy killed in 1951 when the water heater in the lobby exploded.

      The Art Deco Society of New Mexico offers a self-guided tour pamplet in the central core of Albuquerque of Pueblo Deco buildings. It's easiest to follow when printed and folded vertically. The tour starts Downtown at the Kimo.