An ABQ Year in Review

With 2014 right around the corner, it’s time for a year in review! 2013 was a big year for Albuquerque in terms of publicity, economic development, entertainment and more. Whether it’s a new movie or TV show being filmed, a new space facility, or a host of other new business openings, there always seemed to be something exciting going on.

Albuquerque Business First has dug into its web traffic to find the most important local stories from this past year and will poll local experts for their predictions for the city in 2014. But here are some of the most notable stories as chosen by Albuquerque Business First:

NMHIX gets off to a healthy start 

Why it’s important: New Mexico’s health insurance exchange for small businesses and their employees got up and running with few problems. 

 It took New Mexico a while to decide whether to run its own health insurance exchange, but once the decision was made, things moved quickly. 

 ‘Breaking Bad’ bill could lure more TV shows 

Why it’s important: The film industry was worried long-term TV show projects would bail on New Mexico without state support. First, Gov. Susana Martinez vetoed the so-called “Breaking Bad” bill. Then she signed off on its provisions as part of an 11th-hour tax reform package. 

 For the New Mexico film industry, a new set of incentives that increased rebates for television productions in the state was the most important piece of legislation proposed in the last five years. Filming recently wrapped in New Mexico on two television shows, “Breaking Bad” and “In Plain Sight,” that employed hundreds. The new incentives were designed to entice more long-term television productions to the state.
  

“The film industry has been a consistent bright spot for Albuquerque’s economy and the amount of interest is growing as seen by this uptick in activity,” said Mayor Richard J. Berry.
  

Major tax package aims to change game 

Why it’s important: The Legislature passed the first major tax package in a decade.
  

At the 11th hour — some say even later — the Legislature passed the New Mexico Jobs Package at the close of the 2013 session. It was the largest piece of tax reform passed in the state in years. The bill reduced taxes on businesses, added a single sales factor tax policy, included a “combined reporting” provision, amended the high-wage tax credit, phased out the “hold harmless” provision for local governments and included film incentives. 

 It didn’t make everyone happy. But both sides of the aisle seemed to find something in the package that they liked.  

To read the full list of top local stories from 2013, click here.

Creative Gift Wrapping Ideas for the Holidays

One of the best parts of the holiday season is giving a truly unique, special gift. Sure, what’s inside the package is probably the most important part, along with the thought that goes into your gift. But don’t discount presentation! You can turn an ordinary gift into an extraordinary one by wrapping it in unique, creative ways.

Depending on what you have on-hand in your apartment, there are lots of options. Country Living Magazine put together a very nice list of some options if you’re looking to add a flair of creativity to your holiday presents this year. Some of our favorite techniques included:

Mix Tape

Graphic designer Joy D. Cho dresses up Kraft paper with festive masking tape, alternating horizontal and vertical strips to mimic ribbon. A snowflake fashioned from frayed candy cane colored paper straws becomes the crowning glory.

Road Map

You need: Maps + cord + buttons

Freebie road maps and atlas pages serve as great graphic gift wrap. Instead of tying a bow on top, thread thin cord through a vintage button and knot tightly to secure. (Red cord, $2.99 for 20 yards; michaels.com for stores)

Artistic

Got a box of crayons? Then you can replicate printmaker/graphic designer Adrienne Wong's abstract print. The designer channeled her inner grade-schooler by sandwiching colorful wax shavings between layers of tissue paper (three on the top and three on the bottom) and ironing them until the wax melted. After wrapping, she adorned the gift with an asymmetrically placed satin ribbon and a cluster of tissue dahlias.

Tag Team
Include a cookie in your gift tag for an unexpected treat. Simply write a message on a piece of card stock cut to size, and insert the card and a cookie in the cellophane envelope. Punch two holes through the envelope with a hole puncher, and loop a ribbon through and tie.

 

To read the full post over at Country Living, click here.

Christmas Cookie Recipes

Although the cold winter weather tends to be pretty sporadic down here, we always find a way to make the Christmas holiday our own. If you’re looking to entertain guests or just relax in the comfort of your Albuquerque apartment this winter, baking Christmas cookies is one of the best ways to take in the smells of the season without leaving your kitchen.

CountryLiving.com featured a list of 27 Christmas cookie recipes - here are some of our favorites!

Sugar Cookie Buttons

Wrapped packages of these treats make thoughtful and delicious DIY holiday gifts.

Recipe

Sugar Cookie Ornaments

Simple sugar cookies go glamorous, thanks to ornament-shaped cutters and colorful icing.

Recipe

Gingerbread Animals

Retire your gingerbread man cookie cutter for a year and have some fun decorating animal shapes with different colors of rich, royal icing.

Recipe

Chocolate Snowflakes

Cocoa, added to the dough, and white-chocolate icing transform plain sugar cookies into edible place-card holders.

Recipe

Click here for the full list from CountryLiving.com!

Holiday Events in Albuquerque

Have family visiting Albuquerque this December? Or just looking to get into the holiday spirit? There are lots of great Christmas and holiday events around Albuquerque appropriate for the whole family.

Whether you’re looking for some high-speed excitement, a serene lights festival, or the lighting of the Old Town tree, there’s bound to be an activity in town you’ll enjoy. 10 Best at USA Today rounded up some of the events, including:

●    Also opening the weekend of Nov. 29 is the first-ever Cliff’s Magical Christmas. Albuquerque favorite Cliff’s Amusement Park opens for the winter through Dec. 29 with a light display, music, holiday food, Santa Claus and amusement rides.

●    The ABQ Biopark’s annual River of Lights is a beloved Albuquerque tradition that wows crowds Nov. 30-Jan. 5 (closed Dec. 24 and 25). Stroll New Mexico’s largest light display as carolers sing and hot chocolate flows nightly 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Hundreds of light displays depicting plants, animals and holiday scenes set the grounds aglow. Admission is $10 (children 3 to 13 are $5; children younger than 3 are free).

●    Old Town gets into the holiday spirit Dec. 6 with its annual Old Town Holiday Stroll and lighting of the tree at Don Luis Plaza, followed by the arrival of Santa Claus. Free concerts begin at 4 p.m., with the lighting at 6:10 p.m. and Santa Parade after. Hundreds of luminarias line the Plaza – a precursor to the thousands that will flicker on Christmas Eve. On Dec. 24, all of Old Town is outlined with luminarias as carolers sing and the hot chocolate flows.

●    The next day, Dec. 7, Nob Hill is awash in luminarias and family entertainment noon to 10 p.m. for its annual Nob Hill Shop and Stroll and Twinkle Light Parade. The parade starts at 5:15 p.m. at the corner of Central and Girard and travels west on Central.

Click here for the full list!

Get a Special Deal on Skiing! (Tomorrow)

It’s that time of year again! No, we’re not talking about the winter holidays. We’re talking about winter recreation, here in New Mexico.

Outsiders might know us for our warm climate, but one of the most fun things you can do around here during the winter months is go skiing at Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort. Their facilities are phenomenal. It’s also New Mexico’s fastest growing resort and home to the state’s longest ski season. There’s also lodging, a ski shop, a ski school, and of course, great food and drinks.

And of course, there’s the slopes:

Mountain Statistics

Peak Elevation:	9,255 ft.
Base Elevation:	8,200 ft.
Vertical Drop:	1,055 ft.
Skiable Acreage:	200 acres
Average Annual Snowfall:	190 inches
Longest Ski Season in NM:	Nov-April
Named Trails:	41
Terrain Parks:	3
Lifts:	5
Platter Lifts:	2
Beginner Trails:	20%
Intermediate Trails:	40%
Advanced Trails:	25%
Expert Trails:	15%

If you’re looking to hit the slopes this winter, there’s a deal for you that is redeemable TOMORROW only, for discounted season tickets. Stop by Albuquerque REI tomorrow:

Albuquerque REI Store

1550 Mercantile Ave NE

Albuquerque, NM 87107

(505) 247-1191

Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort will be offering discounted Sipapu season passes, available exclusively at REI this one day only. Premium passes include 27 free lift tickets at Angel Fire, Red River, Pajarito, Ski Apache, Monarch, Ski Cooper, Sunlight, Kendall Mountain and Brian Head!

Click here for more details on this great special!

Learning Spanish Through Game

Hispanic culture is one of the most defining aspects of living in New Mexico. But that doesn’t mean all residents know how to speak Spanish. Sure, one can certainly get by in the city without knowing Spanish but it’s always nice to be able to answer a neighbor—or a stranger—when they speak to you in their native language.

For those who grew up in an English-speaking household in Albuquerque, there are lots of options for learning Spanish, but perhaps the coolest way we’ve heard of so far is a new board game designed to teach the players the language.

SpanishSmart has launched a Kickstarter to produce this fun, innovative game—you can donate to their project on their Kickstarter page. Using local knowledge of New Mexico, the game is designed for beginners who have never learned Spanish. Here’s some more info on the game, called  ¡Viajemos por Nuevo México!:

¡Viajemos por Nuevo México!  (Let's Travel through New Mexico!) is a board game for kids 12+ and adults.  The game takes place in familiar surroundings in New Mexico, where many of you live or have visited. Even if your level is just beginner you will be able to play because the game is designed in such a way that intuitively you will figure out what most words mean.  While you are playing, you prove your knowledge of the state and improve the state of your Spanish!
 Players compete and try to be the first to arrive in the state's capital and win the game.  In the process they will encounter places where they must decide what to do in order to arrive in the state's capital faster. You can play in teams or individually.  Soon you will discover that you can use your knowledge of the state or your knowledge of Spanish to gain an advantage. Without any memorization or boring drills you will improve your Spanish one state at a time!

Serve Holiday Guests in Style

As the holidays approach, you’re probably starting to throw around ideas to make your apartment more hospitable for guests. If you’re throwing a holiday part of any kind this season, a bar cart can really take things to the next level - and it doesn’t necessarily even have to break the bank!

Primer Magazine had a great article last week guiding us through a cheap, beautiful DIY bar cart for serving holiday beverages to your guests. There are even options for customization:

There are actually three options for this project. The two shelf version shown here ($37 full price), a three shelf option ($50 full price), or two shelf with a drawer ($75 full price). Depending on how much stuff you have and how much you want to spend, you may find one of these other options suits you better. 

 This is one of the easiest DIY projects to date on Primer. We’re adding a stained wood liner to the shelves to class it up a bit, but other than that, we’re just assembling the cart as usual. 

 There are a few additions you can make as well. I used ‘s’ hooks on the handle to hold a lime press and bottle opener, and you could get a wine rack to hang underneath the shelf from Amazon for a few bucks. (If you do that, I would recommend installing it before putting the wood liner in.) You could also install a wall-mounted bottle opener to the side. The handle is a good place to hang a bar towel. 

Click here to read Primer Magazine’s complete guide!

ABQ’s Best Places to Work

Albuquerque was recently ranked the second happiest mid-size city in the U.S. by CareerBliss, and one of the main reasons for that is because locals, by and large, love their jobs.

More recently, Albuquerque Business First released its list of “Best Places to Work” finalists for the area. In partnership with Quantum Workplace, a survey was administered to about 175 local companies, and 10 small companies, 10 medium companies, and 10 large companies were chosen. Albuquerque Business First will recognize all the honorees and reveal their rankings at our Best Places to Work awards luncheon Dec. 13.

Here are some of the finalists:

Small Company (10-15 Employees) 

Charles Stephen and Company, Inc. 

Closedwon 

Document Technologies 

D.R.B. Electric, Inc. 

Excel Staffing Companies 

Griffin & Associates 

HB Construction 

Home Instead Senior Care 

 Medium Company (26-150 Employees) 

ACC Health 

Brown & Brown of New Mexico Inc. 

Encompass Home Health 

Flow Science, Inc. 

MARPAC Inc. 

Moss Adams LLP 

New Mexico Health Connections 

SDV Construction, Inc. 

Stewart Title of Albuquerque, LLC 

Turtle Mountain Brewing Company  

Large Company (151 Employees or More) 

Bank of Albuquerque 

Defined Fitness 

First Financial Credit Union 

Los Alamos National Bank 

Lovelace Westside Hospital 

Molina Healthcare of New Mexico 

Santa Ana Star Casino 

Sprint 

To Be a Blessing Health Care Services

To read full coverage of the #BestPlacesToWork contest, click here.

It Takes “You” to Tango

Albuquerque wouldn’t be what it is without an infusion of Latin American flavor, would it?

Celebrate it this weekend at the fourth annual Albuquerque Tango Festival! Last year’s event drew over 600 participants as they enjoyed world-class tango instructors, DJs, a 3,000 square-foot dance floor, and more. This year’s event is sure to be a crowd pleaser - and, it’s only $30 for an individual milonga.

Head over to the festival’s website for more information about the event, which includes over 30 hours of milongas across two auxiliary floors in a 14,000 square-foot ballroom. And new to this year’s event is a 3-hour workshop for more personalized instruction, including a “Beginner’s Package” for those who are unfamiliar with the art of tango. Here’s the course description for it:

The Beginner's PackageSunday, November 3, 2013 

 A three hour "beginners boot camp" in Argentine Tango followed by the beginner's milonga (dance party) 

 We are please to offer our third beginner's package at the Albuquerque Tango Festival  which will take place on Sunday, November 3, 2013 at the Las Puertas Venue (1512 1st St. NW).  Classes will run from 1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.–4:15 p.m. Both classes are included. After the classes please put your new skills to work at the Beginner's Milonga which runs from  4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and which will take place in the Alvarado Ballroom of the Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town. 

 You may register for the Beginner's Intensive online or pay at the door at 1512 1st NW just prior to the start of the first class. 

 This year the beginner's track is being instructed by master instructors and dancers Mike Malixi Carrie Field, of Taos. Mike and Carrie have presented numberous workshops and performed and taught at festivals throughtout the US. 

 You can read more about Mike and Carrie here: Instructor Bio 

 The beginner's intensive is appropriate for absolute beginner's (those with no Argentine tango experience) and for people dancing less than two years. Many more advanced dancers take this workshop every year to revisit and improve their fundamental technique. 

 The beginner's milonga is a great place to practice your new skills, to experience the milonga setting, and to dance with both your classmates and with more experienced dancers who show up to assist and encourage beginning dancers. Like all Albuquerque Tango Festival milongas, we celebrate the event with cake! 

 The cost for this three hour class is $65. Registration can be done online: Online Registration or at the door. Space is limited. 

Click here for more information on the Albuquerque Tango Festival!

Space-Saving “Hacks” for your Apartment

Even if you’re settled in to your apartment at The Resort at Sandia Village, it’s natural to always look for ways to improve it and make the best use of your space. Whether it’s throwing away old, useless furniture or combining items for multifunctionality, every apartment has tons of potential for space-saving and livability.

Over at Redbook Magazine, Julianne Adams wrote about some great ways to “hack” your apartment and make the best use of the space that you have. Among her tips:

Get your mess in orderIt’s nearly impossible to live a clutter-free life, so stop judging yourself and embrace your “bad” habit—within reason. “Avoid creating chaos by containing your procrastination to a landing strip,” says Mahoney. This could be a basket in your bedroom or an entryway table. Just remember to clean it off weekly. Otherwise, things can easily get out of control.  

Clear spacesGiven the limited size of your apartment, you may be tempted to have your living spaces overlap with each other. Mahoney suggests just the opposite, because, after all, the kitchen is the kitchen, not your office. Keep areas separated with furniture, rugs, or curtains. Doing so will make it feel like you have more room, as well as help keep you organized.  

Find multitaskersDouble duty should be the name of the game in your apartment. Storage ottomans, shelved headboards, and expandable tables are classic examples. Pull a bookcase away from the wall to use it as a room divider, display sentimental items, or turn a shelf horizontal and toss on pillows for a storage bench. Seemingly dead space can also be transformed by adding a small curtain to a nightstand to stash more items and hide clutter. Mahoney recommends Danny Seo or Zara Home for stylish storage options.  

Let there be light“The key to creating a bigger feel is creating optical illusions,” writes Mahoney, who believes this is best achieved through adding light. Open your space up to natural sunlight, then use mirrors and reflective surfaces to make the light flow throughout the room and add depth. Overhead lighting and soft-lit floor lamps can help you do it, as can pink bulbs, which create a natural, soft glow.

To read Redbook’s full article, click here.

“Where is Your Mind?” ABQ is Where!

One of the most influential bands of the 1990s, the Pixies have gathered a cult following since they unofficially retired in 1994. Although they reunited in 2004, the band known for its music’s appearance in “Fight Club” has still been flying under the radar for the past decade.

But the band is embarking on an ambitious revival tour, and like many of today’s biggest acts, they’re making a stop in Albuquerque along the way. On February 25, 2014, at the KivaAuditiorium, the Pixies will play their signature alternative rock that paved the way for Nirvana, Radiohead, and Pearl Jam.

The Pixies have announced a new 33-city North American tour, which includes a visit to Albuquerque. AMP, Heath Concerts & Joe Anderson Werks present The Pixies with Best Coast on Tuesday, February 25 at the Kiva Auditorium (Albuquerque Convention Center) at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $39, $46 and $58 (including all service charges). 

 The Pixies have been acclaimed as the most influential pioneering band of the late 80s alt/rock movement. Their five studio releases and initial six years together effectively blazed the path for groups like Nirvana, Radiohead and Pearl Jam to rise to superstardom. The Pixies disbanded in 1993 and launched their reunion tour in April 2004. Virtually every single date sold out within minutes and fans traveled hundreds of miles to attend a show. 

 Tickets go on sale on Friday, October 11 at 10 am at http://www.ampconcerts.org and Hold My Ticket (112 2nd St SW), 505-886-1251, Monday to Friday 9 AM - 6 PM, Sat & Sun 11 AM - 6 PM.

Work Off that Halloween Candy in Advance

Halloween is quickly approaching, but you don’t have to wait until the big day to celebrate and get to know your neighbors a little bit.

On Sunday, October 27, at 6:30 am, participate in the 7th Annual Day of the Tread, a Halloween-themed race that you can complete by bike or on foot. Whichever you choose, you can join the post-ride celebration, enjoy a course lined with musicians, entertainment, and Halloween themed contests. Although costumes aren’t mandatory, they’re certainly encouraged. We wonder how many Walter White costumes there will be in Albuquerque this Halloween!

This year’s event benefits Casa Esperanza, a local organization that provides affordable homes and support to cancer victims and their families in the Albuquerque area. You can learn more about them at their website.

You can register for the event by October 25 three different ways:

1. Click here to register on Active.com or New Mexico Sports Online

2. Download the 2013 Registration Form and drop it off by October 24th at:

REI Albuquerque

1550 Mercantile Ave NE

Albuquerque, NM 87107

505-247-1191

3. Start Treadin' for Casa and join the Fundraising Challenge at active.com. Raise $150 by October 1, 2013 and we will register you and pay for your registration.

And here’s the official event description, from the Day of the Tread’s website:

Join us for a family-oriented, Halloween-themed charitable 12-100 mile bike ride, full or half marathon, and 5k/10k walk/run. Whether you ride, run or walk, the 2013 Day of the Tread has a treat for everyone! 

 Reward yourself for all those long hot summer days in the sun, with crisp air, picturesque landscape, and lots of fun! Join us for a family-oriented, Halloween-themed charitable 12-100 mile bike ride, full or half marathon, and 5k/10k walk/run. Whether you ride, run or walk, the 2013 Day of the Tread has a treat for everyone!

Celebrate 30+ Years of Great #ABQ Culture

Albuquerque's art scene has been experiencing a renaissance in recent years. Albuquerque is a multicultural city, and our city government recognizes this through its programs that support culture and the arts throughout the region.

The Urban Enhancement Trust Fund and Albuquerque Public Art are two city-funded programs that support art and culture in our community, and on Thursday, October 10, you can join other fans of these programs and their representatives at a dual anniversary event.

This year, the Urban Enhancement Trust Fund and Albuquerque Public Arts are holding their 30th and 35th Anniversary parties, respectively, at the KiMo Theater. The event is free and open to the public.

Some background info on both organizations:

The Urban Enhancement Trust Fund (UETF) is a public endowment created by the Albuquerque City Council in 1983 to fund both capital and cultural projects.  In 2004, the City Council amended the ordinance to provide that all funds available from the endowment should be directed to cultural projects.
 The ordinance also provides for an eleven-member citizens' committee called the UETF Committee that is responsible for establishing guidelines, criteria for project selection for each two-year granting cycle and oversight for each funded project throughout the two years
 ...
 The bold initiative, Art in Municipal Places Ordinance, set aside 1% of City construction funds derived from the general obligation bond program and certain revenue bonds for the purchase or commission of works of art.
 The Public Art Program is administered by a professional staff under the direction of the Mayor of the City of Albuquerque. A basic factor in art selection depends on the site for the artwork. Once the site is confirmed, a process begins to identify a work that is in harmony with its surroundings and also supports the community interest. The final decisions rest with a diverse committee charged with deciding how artworks can relate to the physical, social, cultural, and historical qualities of the community while maintaining a unique and powerful expression of artistic vision.

Harvest a Good Time This Weekend

Looking for a fun community event this weekend? Head over to the Corrales Harvest Festival, in beautiful Corrales, New Mexico!

A family friendly event that benefits community businesses and non-profits, the festival celebrates local farmers and businesses that make Albuquerque a great place to live:

The Corrales Harvest Festival is a two day event that takes place each year throughout the village of Corrales during the last weekend in September. The Festival had been held continuously since 1986 and has ranked as one of the favorite festivals in the Albuquerque area.
 Harvest Festival is organized by the Kiwanis Club of Corrales and staffed by all volunteers from our many local non-profits. This annual community event is in support of the club's mission of ".. people working together to build a better tomorrow..", thus the event proceeds from business sponsorships and individual donates are re-invest into the community in the form of grants to our local non-profits. 

There’s a great variety of events throughout the festival, including a Kids Korner, a wine tasting with wines from local wineries, a hootenany to benefit Corrales public safety, a farmland walking tour, lots of live music all day, and you’ll even get to see a pet parade and the naming of a Pet Mayor!

Click here for a full list of events for the festival.