Lace Up for These ABQ 5K Runs

Albuquerque runners: the upcoming months are filled with opportunities for you to lace up your running shoes and get out on the trails and roads. From beer runs to running with your mother, there is something here for everyone. For more races in the area head to the Albuquerque Road Runner’s Club.

ABQ Brew Dash

When: May 9
Where: Balloon Fiesta Park
Try the 5K beer run or the 1 mile “beer mile” at the Brew Dash. After the race enjoy one complimentary beer from the brewery station of your choice. It will be a hard choice since all of Albuquerque’s best breweries will be there! Come wearing a costume and you could win your own beer growler. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the New Mexico Brewer's Guid, RunFit, and the ABBA Foundation.


Mother’s Day 5K

When: May 10
Where: Albuquerque Academy
Bring your mom to the Albuquerque Academy this Mother’s Day for a Mother’s Day 5K run. Kids run for free in the 1K kids fun run. Sign up before May 5th for $25.


Catch Me If You Can 5K

When: May 17
Where: Sandia Lakes Community
Follow dirt roads through the Rio Grande Bosque for this 5K. For the team run pair up with your mom, dad, son or daughter to run together. As soon as the race is over, head over to the lake to try your luck at fishing. If you catch something you are eligible to win a prize. There will be refreshments and a barbecue available after the race.


Cherry Garcia Run

When: June 21
Where: Valley High School - 1505 Candelaria Road Northwest, Albuquerque, NM 87107
The 12th annual Cherry Garcia run will include a 5K, a 10K and a kids run. After your run enjoy ice cream and pizza and try on your complimentary t shirt. A portion of the proceeds benefit RunFit, an after-school running program for all of New Mexico.


La Luz Trail Run

When: August 7
Where: Forest Road 333
If you want a real challenge, try this 9-mile run through the Sandia Mountains. Did we mention it’s all uphill? The race will take you upwards 4,000 feet into the mountains. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Friends of Sandia Mountains. The registration will be a lottery system beginning May 1.

Celebrate the Earth in Albuquerque

Earth Day was founded 45 years ago by Gaylord Nelson who wanted inspire an energy in the public consciousness about the importance of air and water pollution. It builds community activism and rekindles the public compassion for the earth. Albuquerque has no shortage of events and fun activities this week to celebrate Earth Day. Here are just a few:

On Earth Day head to the Aquarium to see different animals be fed and learn about their diets and habits as well as to learn about the importance of water conservation.

Civic Plaza is holding their vendor fair and Plant the Plaza events on Earth Day. There will be live music and good food to enjoy. Bring your old electronics to have them disposed of properly courtesy of BigByte.cc. Sign up here as a volunteer to plant plants around the community. You can also sign up for the new bike sharing program and receive a free helmet for registering.

On Thursday April 23rd, the zoo will teach you how your product and energy decisions impact animals in the wild. While you’re there make sure to stop by and visit the newest member of the ABQ BioPark family: a Nile Hippopotamus!

Head to Tingley Beach on Friday to learn how fishing microfilament is harmful to the water environment. Take a guided hike through the Bosque also.

The Botanic Garden will teach you how composting is good for the environment and how to control pests. There will be a children’s area with many additional events available.

There are so many fun activities for people of all ages the whole week in celebration of Earth Day. Head down and learn something at one of the many events taking place around Albuquerque. For more information on some of the events check the City of Albuquerque’s website.

New Library Opening In Albuquerque

After 17 years, Albuquerque will be getting a new library. The multimillion dollar building was brought about after the city’s council approved a $45 million dollar bond package which will be aimed at bringing more growth to the area.

Esperanza Library, was shut down in 2001, leaving many of the residents, including city councilor Ken Sanchez upset.

“I myself and a lot of the residents were devastated because it was a part of my community for so many years,” Sanchez said. “I grew up going to that library and I felt like a part of me was taken away. I think this is a way to give back to the community.”

The library will have the largest community room (other than the main library) able to house 150 people. It will also feature an enclosed young adult section and a quiet reading room.

There are plans to offer tutoring services and resume reviewing services on top of being filled with over 75,000 books.

The printed word won’t be the only thing available in the new library according to Dean Smith, Director of Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Libraries.

“We'll have a large amount of computers in this building,” Smith said. “We’ll have state of the art Wi-Fi. We've got a very strong fiber connection in this building.”

The council is hoping that the library will bring other things to the area.

"We hope this will be an anchor and draw in other amenities like I said a small theatre or drug stores,” President of the West Mesa Neighborhood Association Louis Tafoya stated.

On top of increased literacy rates, they are hoping to see other improvements to the area such as increased property value in the surrounding neighborhood.

The Central & Unser Library is due to open Saturday April 18th. Everyone is welcome to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday the 18th at 10 AM for food, activities and performances. It’s only a 20 minute drive away from Sandia Village Apartments.


Additional sources referenced:
KOB4
Albuquerque Journal

Shipping Container Shopping Center to Open In Albuquerque

 

Living in a shipping container might not sound like a dream come true, but to some it will be reality. Brian Stark of StarkJames architecture firm is in the process of having the 10,000 pound containers moved into place in Phoenix for the commencement of the construction. The 16 containers will be transformed into 8 one-bedroom apartments. Each of the apartments will be made up with all the accoutrements of any other apartment: bathrooms, wood floors, an abundance of windows and HVAC. However, you might be waiting a while to get into the apartments.

From the Albuquerque Business Journal:

“Kathleen Santin, an investor in Containers on Grand, said there is plenty of interest in the unique development in a city not readily known for unique architecture.

“We have 135 people on the waiting list,” she said.”

Nearer to home, construction has already begun on the Green Jeans shipping container center. Located only 25 minutes away from Sandia Apartments on Carlisle and I-40, the center will be home to offices, shops and restaurants all housed in shipping containers. Built around entrepreneur Roy Solomon’s hydroponic farm, Solomon hopes that the farm will serve as an educational tool for children to learn about where their food comes from. The farm will also hopefully turn into a year-round farmer’s market.

Solomon is currently looking for tenants for his center according to Jetson Green:

“He already signed with Santa Fe Brewing Co. which could be up and running by the summer. According to his concept for the center he would like it to include an eatery, a coffee shop, a wine bar, a flower bar, a spice depot, as well as various health and nutrition-based businesses.”

If the center meets the expectations of its creator, it is going to be an exciting development for the area. Keep an eye out for the Green Jeans Shipping Container Center, due to open by Memorial Day.

Sources consulted:

Jetson Green

Albuquerque Business Journal

Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum

Albuquerque is the balloon capital of the world. In fact, the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is currently in the running for the nation's top cultural festival in a USA Today poll, and draws visitors from all over the world each year. If you're currently going through Balloon Fiesta withdrawal, there is a simple solution - visit the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum! The museum is family-friendly, making it a fun and educational way to spend an afternoon together! Plus, it's only a 15-minute drive from your home at The Resort at Sandia Village, so if you decide to take a spur of the moment trip, it's easily accessible!

What You'll Learn
History, science and recreation are all topics covered at the museum. The museum shares its focus between New Mexico ballooning history and international ballooning history, including background information on women in ballooning. The scientific principles behind what allows a hot air balloon function and specific scientists and their roles in the advancement of ballooning technology are explored, as well. While balloons were at one time used in war, today their main function is recreation and entertainment. These subjects are explained through interactive, multi-media exhibits.

Upcoming Events
The Great New Mexico Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival
April 11 | 11 AM - 4 PM

While ABQ is known for ballooning, it is also known for its love of the green chile and New Mexican cuisine! On April 11, the two combine for an ABQ first:

Get excited for the first ever food truck festival in Albuquerque! Come check out a delicious array of cuisine from 20 food trucks from the area. Featuring everything from Latin American Street food with a New Mexican flair, to Green Chile Bacon doughnut burger, to there will be something for everyone, not to mention beer! -City of Albuquerque

Albuquerque Renaissance Faire
May 12 | 11 AM - 7 PM

When you think of a Renaissance Faire, turkey legs, jousting and knights in shining armor probably come to mind. Visitors can find all of these at the Albuquerque Renaissance Fair, in addition to a kids area, archery demonstration and adults only tavern!

When was the last time you paid a visit to one of our city's most treasured attractions, the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum? If you love the museum as much as we do, make sure you give it a vote in the aforementioned USA Today poll!



Sources consulted:
Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau
City of Albuquerque