Rail Runner Express Summer 2016

express Summer Issue

RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

The official magazine of the New Mexico Rail Runner Express

www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER 2016

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Image courtesy Dottie Lopez

HOP IN! We’re driving into the world of low ’n’ slow cars with two great exhibits and a summer full of events, including lectures, music, a symposium on cultural identity, poetry slam, and family art activities.

Lowriders, Hoppers & Hot Rods: Car Culture of Northern New Mexico NEW MEXICO HISTORY MUSEUM

Through March 5, 2017 113 Lincoln Avenue, Santa Fe

Con Cariño: Artists Inspired by Lowriders Through Oct 9, 2016 NEW MEXICO MUSEUM OF ART

http://nmculture.org/lowriders

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www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER 2016

107 West Palace Avenue, Santa Fe

Heritage Hotels & Resorts Las Cruces | Albuquerque | Santa Fe | Taos

Eldorado Hotel & Spa

Palacio de Marquesa

Santa Fe

Taos

EldoradoHotel.com

MarquesaTaos.com

Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces HotelEncanto.com

Hotel St. Francis Santa Fe

Hotel Chimayo Santa Fe

Hotel Albuquerque

HotelStFrancis .com HotelChomayo .com HotelABQ .com3 www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER 2016

INDEX 8: Santa Claran Hotel Casino Adds Tasty to Its Offerings in 2016

20: Growers’ Markets Near Rail Runner are Alive and Well in Albuquerque, Santa Fe

34: Taos Pueblo’s Living Community Has Much to be Admired

10: Rail Runner Transforms Public Transportation

21: Connecting The Pueblos

36: Rail Runner Safety OfficerA Valuable Member of the Team

22: Weekday Schedule 12: The Candy Lady Has A New Location

23: Weekend Schedule

37: Chama: New Mexico’s Mecca for Year-Round Fun

13: Church Street Café Patio Setting Completes the Picture

24: Rail and Bus Connections Guide

38: Drought-Crushing Winter Gives Anglers Renewed Hope

14: Rail Runner On Track For The Future

26: Holiday Schedule

40: New Mexico Wineries Blending Family and Heritage

27: Schedule of Events 16: Enchanted Wine Trails of New Mexico

29: Rail Runner Q & A

18: Enchanting Socorro: A Treasure Among NM Destinations

32: Jose S. Lovato – A 10 Year Commuter

42: Honoring Generations of Military Service Members 46: Route 66 Casino Hotel: Award-Winning Dining, Live Entertainment and Unlimited Fun

32: Spotlight on Rio Metro Marketing

PUBLISHERS

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

WRITERS

MATT GANTNER WILLIAM HALSEY

SCOTT SIMMONS ERIN DE GROOT

ASHLEY CONNER DANA BENJAMIN

BARB ARMIJO MARTIN FRENTZEL

RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

9400 Holly Avenue NE Albuquerque, NM 87122 (505) 259-7969

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The New Mexico Rail Runner Express Magazine is published three times a year by Moon Dog Publishing and the Rio Metro Regional Transit District. The Publisher and Rio Metro Transit District do not take responsibility for the accuracy or legitimacy of the advertiser’s message or that of the guest writer/columnists or any aspect of the business operation or conduct of the advertisers in the magazine. Moon Dog Publishing reserves the right to edit all articles for accuracy and style. For more information and advertising rates, call (505) 350-8695 or (505) 259-7969.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.NMRAILRUNNER.COM | WWW.TRAVELNEWMEX.COM

www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER 2016

We Do“School” DIFFERENTLY

RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

Leading the community in Education Excellence STEAM Education Model Pre K - 2nd, and 7th -12th

NOW ADDING Nationally Ranked

Digital Art/Video

Rigorous A

Robotics

Production

cademics

GRADES PRE K-2ND!

rams

Band & Guitar Prog

School of Dreams Academy provides options for your child to excel from an individualized angle.

Teaching curriculm is based on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math(STEAM) program.

Opportunities available to prepare your student for Career & College readiness through SODA’s Early College High School program. Students can take college classes to earn a Specialized Certificate or Associate degree before High School graduation!

Expanding Pre K -2nd grades starting August 2016!

NEW LOCATION: We will be moving to a great new location soon at 906 Juan Perea Rd. Los Lunas, NM 87031, Right next to the Los Lunas Rail Runner Station.

Come in for student led tour! 505-866-7632 Apply online at: www.sodacharter.net 1800 Main Street, NE, Suite 250 • Los Lunas, NM 87031

www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER 2016

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I just got $150 after my loan to SECU! Now I can go on with all the I’m saving!

Headed to State ECU now!!

Emoji-Worthy Auto Loans 90 Days No Payments* $150 Cash **

Meet or Beat Your Rate Purchase or Refinance Plus More

SECUNM.ORG | 800.983.7328 New money only, minimum of $10,000. Floor rate of 2.49% APR (Annual Percentage Rate). *The first month’s payment may reflect a smaller or zero principal reduction due to the number of days of interest accrued from the closing date to the first payment date.**Loan must be active for a minimum of 12 months. Qualifications may apply, visit www.secunm. org/autoloan for more details. OAC. Offer expires August 31, 2016.

LO CA L C O N F I D E N C E 6

www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER 2016

RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

UNM-Valencia Campus offers the degree and certificate programs you need to succeed in today’s job market. You can earn an associate degree in Nursing, Video Game Design and Digital Media Arts — among others. Also, our dual credit program provides students the opportunity to earn free college credit while taking a single course in high school.

If you’re looking for a higher education for a lower cost, come to UNM-Valencia!

a quality education, a lifetime of success 505.925.8560 valencia.unm.edu 280 La Entrada Rd. Los Lunas, N.M. 87031

www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER 2016

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Santa Claran Hotel Casino Adds Tasty to Its Offerings in 2016 Española Valley’s local casino adds “tasty” to its list of amenities.

The Grill at the Santa Claran opened in late 2015.

The Grill at Santa Claran offers American and New Mexican cuisine for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert, The Grill is ideal for everything from business breakfasts to family-friendly dinners and romantic dining.

Offerings include a selection of fresh salads, hearty sandwiches and hot delicious plates straight from kitchen’s grill. Specialties include Huevos Rancheros, Prime Rib and Fish & Chips. The Grill at Santa Claran is open Sunday through Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday: from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

With the addition of the new restaurant, The Santa Claran Hotel • Casino has shaped up to be a destination resort that meets the needs of both locals and visitors far and wide. Santa Clara Development Corporation, is the driving force behind the Santa Claran Hotel • Casino’s unique concept. The hotel and casino, combined with a Black Mesa Golf Club, the historic Puye Cliff Dwellings, Big Rock Bowling Center and Santa Clara Pueblo’s cultural events make the Santa Claran a place for families to reconnect or romance to be rekindled. There’s enough to do in the hotel and casino or just outside its doors.

The total southwest experience from the Santa Claran includes New Mexico historical attractions, great dining on site and nearby, gaming, shopping, a round of golf at the Black Mesa Golf Club in La Mesilla, N.M. All this and it is a 30-minute drive to Santa Fe and about 40 minutes to Taos.

“We envisioned that the hotel would be the home base for people to get out there and enjoy an authentic New Mexico vacation,” said Adelmo M. López, Marketing Brand Supervisor for the Santa Claran.

“Setting out to offer a lot of outside opportunities, in addition to big-time casino gaming, was no easy task, but thanks to Santa Clara Pueblo, we think we have a lot to offer our guests.”

First opened as Big Rock Casino • Bowl in 2001, and expanding in 2007 that led to the final remodel that is currently Santa Claran Hotel • Casino, which was completed in 2009. With that, the Santa Claran was born and has grown to be one of the most hospitable and beautiful destinations in New Mexico, despite the fact that it isn’t always mentioned in the same breath as the bigger venues.

But look out: The Santa Claran Hotel • Casino might not be such a hidden gem anymore. Locals flock there, and thanks to New Mexico’s booming movie industry, word is spreading. The Netflix hit “Longmire,” used the Santa Claran for various scenes it taped last summer. The attention it brought was great. We really hope other TV and movie productions will consider us,” said López.

Northern New Mexico surrounds the welcoming hotel, which sits in the center of Española. The seven story hotel is 124 rooms with 21 suites, a seventh floor event space with panoramic views that will take

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your breath away. While the hotel is family friendly, its 16,000 square feet of meeting and event space, also makes it perfect for corporate meetings and events.

The architecture and the inside décor is a perfect mix of traditional pueblo and New Mexico style, and modern amenities that make it luxurious. There are balconies, a large indoor pool with sun deck and a 24-hour fitness center.

Big Rock Bowling Center is the only amenity that still carries the “Big Rock” name. It is a 24-lane center that hosts leagues and parties and is open seven days a week.

Other places to eat and drink inside the Casino is the Center Bar, serving cocktails and appetizers and inside the hotel lobby is the Java Lounge, which proudly serves Starbucks coffee.

Perhaps one of the most beautiful attractions, and one that the Santa Claran promotes through self-guided and guided tours from the hotel, is the Puye Cliff Dwellings, once the ancestral home of the Santa Clara people. This national historic landmark, features early pueblo architecture, an 1800s Harvey House and an awe-inspiring panoramic view of Northern New Mexico.

Getting back into the swing of things from the adventures at the Puye Cliff Dwellings might include golf at the Baxter Spann-designed 18-hole golf course, which has been ranked among America’s top 50

by Golf Magazine. The sandstone ridges and mountain vistas are truly something to behold.

In all, the once hidden treasure is now part of New Mexico’s big leagues for hospitality and tourism. It is hard to believe that Santa Claran Hotel • Casino will celebrate its fifteenth year anniversary this month. As its motto suggests, when you stay and play at the Santa Claran you “Escape to the beauty of the Southwest, experience the hospitality of Santa Clara Pueblo and discover more than you expected to find.”

For more information on any of the attractions, the hotel reservations and casino gaming at the Santa Claran, visit www.santaclaran.com.

www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER 2016

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Rail Runner Transforms Public Transportation Even before it became a catchy tourism slogan, New Mexicans were dealing with certain truths: • Cities built 400 years ago didn’t make parking a priority • Affordable housing isn’t always available within the government, education, and business centers of a state • Limited transportation options were a bottle neck costing New Mexico and its citizens billions in lost productivity In 2003, Governor Bill Richardson decided it was time to get a GRIP on these problems, and thus was born Governor Richardson’s Investment Program. Included in the GRIP goals were 100s of miles of roadway projects and commuter rail service between Belen and Santa Fe. That commuter railway connecting bedroom communities with jobs and education is known today as the New Mexico Rail Runner Express, which is celebrating its 10 year anniversary of service to the citizens of the state.

“The governor was the reason it was started, the reason the project went as well as it did, and the reason it is here today,” says Chris Blewett, the former New Mexico Rail Runner Express project manager for the Mid-Region Council of Governments (MRCOG) who played a major role in the five-year project to create a transportation alternative to Interstate-25. “I don’t think the governor was up nights making phone calls to make sure it was on schedule, but everyone involved knew it was his expectation the Rail Runner would be built and completed on time,” Blewett says.

175 SIMULTANEOUS TASKS Gov. Richardson set a five-year timeline for construction of the commuter rail system, and formulated a partnership between the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) and the Mid-Region Council of Governments (MRCOG) to implement the service. From the beginning the NMDOT/MRCOG team knew that an innovative approach would be required to meet project deadlines.

“We knew we would have to do tasks concurrently rather than end-to-end,” Blewett says. “We were building parts of this line while still in the environmental (analysis phase) on other parts. We had to buy steel for the new tracks to Santa Fe while we were still trying to determine which route we would build, because we knew steel was about to take a jump in price and if we waited we would pay 30 percent more.”

It was challenging for the entire project team to work on a purchase and sales agreement with Burlington Northern Santa Fe

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while also completing contracts with contractors to build railway stations, perform environmental, engineering and design services, purchase vehicles and locomotives, and select a private company to operate and maintain the service and infrastructure. Fortunately, they had the leadership and experience in place at the NMDOT and MRCOG to implement large scale projects while generating community support.

Blewett says Lawrence Rael, the executive director of MRCOG at that time, was a hands-on, on-the-ground supervisor. His experience as an administrative officer for the City of Albuquerque and a stint with NMDOT in the 1980’s provided him with insight that would prove useful when it came time to building a commuter train to Santa Fe. NMDOT Secretary Ronda Faught also played a critical role in many aspects of the project including managing the team, and policy and financial strategies and decisions.

“We were working on tasks 1 to 175 all at the same time,” Blewett says, “and we got it all to fall together. A big part of that was that no one wanted to be the reason this project did not get done on time. Even Burlington Northern Santa Fe went out of their way to make sure we worked out a deal because they didn’t want to be the reason it didn’t get done.” In addition, a large part of the new track extension required for the Santa Fe service was implemented utilizing the NMDOT’s design build process and in house expertise.

THE PRICE TAG The total cost of building Phase I of the commuter rail, Belen to Bernalillo, was $133.2 million. Phase II, Belen to Santa Fe, added $270.6 million, for a total of $403.8 million. By comparison, the

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RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

Rail Runner Transforms Public Transportation (continued from previous page)

Utah Transit Authority built a 50-mile line for $618 million, which was about $200 million over the initial budget, Blewett’s report states. New Mexico’s money was spent on 7,200 tons of steel rail, 79,000 concrete ties, 3.5 million pounds of rebar, 2 million cubic yards of earthwork, a modern signal system, 9 locomotives, 22 cars and 58,000 feet of guardrail. A total of 15 stations were built with park and ride facilities, connecting metropolitan areas to Native American pueblos, affordable housing, hospitals, universities and employment centers.

FUNDING THE OPERATION When Rail Runner service began in 2006, the operations were paid for using Federal Highway Administration Congestion Management Air Quality funding with matching funds provided by the fares, state and local sources. In November 2008 the Rio Metro RTD and the North Central RTD each passed gross receipt tax ballot measures to help support the rail operations and provide other transit services in their respective districts. Then, in 2011, Rail Runner began to receive Federal Transit Administration Fixed Guideway funding based on its operations. This was new annual funding coming into the state because Rail Runner was operating, and without Rail Runner these funds would be distributed to other commuter rail operations across the country. Today, 100% of the operations and maintenance costs are paid for with transit district gross receipt taxes generated in the four counties that the service operates in, Federal Transit Administration formula funds that are based on the Rail Runner operations and fare box. Rio Metro operates the Rail Runner under a memorandum of agreement with the NMDOT who owns the territory and the rolling stock. Rio Metro and NMDOT work cooperatively to develop the annual operating and maintenance budget to ensure the territory and rolling stock is well maintained and the system is sustainable. No state funds are used to support the operations and maintenance of the system.

Currently, about 3,000 riders use the New Mexico Rail Runner Express Monday through Friday, which is down from the days when gas was almost $4 a gallon, says Augusta Meyers, communications manager for the Mid-Region Council of Governments. Those riders include veterans, employees, recreation and tourism, and students destined for one end of the line or the other.

“There are also more than 60 connecting bus and shuttle routes to move riders throughout the Rio Grande Valley,” she says.

Riders now have the option of taking public transportation from Taos to Socorro.

Meyers says there are no plans to eliminate or add any commuter stations or bus routes at the present time. However, the situation is always open to review, she says, with rider demand a critical element in determining the public transportation supply.

The transportation landscape of New Mexico certainly has changed during the last decade because of the New Mexico Rail Runner Express, and those colorful locomotives with the flowing tail feathers appear to be right at home.

Visit the Belen Harvey House Museum and experience life as it was for the iconic Harvey girl. Built in 1910, the historic Belen Harvey House is a pristine illustration of how rail travel shaped the Southwest. See for yourself why it’s been rated one of the top five Harvey House museums in the country! Just a short drive or relaxing train ride away, the Belen Harvey House Museum is sure to steal your heart.

Admission is always free and donations are appreciated.

Hours of Operation: Tuesday: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.•Wednesday: 12:30 p.m.–4 p.m.

Thursday: 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.•Friday: 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday: 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

(Closed on Sunday & Monday)

Top: Belen Harvey Girl uniform, circa 1910, courtesy of Julie Cervantes.

Bottom: The south entrance to the Belen Harvey House Museum, courtesy of Julie Cervantes.

From I-25 take exit 195. Follow the road to Becker Ave. in the heart of Belen and turn East. Follow Becker Ave. to First St., where the Harvey House is on a hill overlooking the train tracks. From the Rail Runner station go south up and over the bridge (Reinken Ave.) and follow First St. to the Harvey House.

Belen Harvey House Museum 104 N. 1st St. Belen, NM 87002 (505) 861-0581 facebook.com/belenharveyhouse

www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER 2016

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The Candy Lady Has A New Location

After being in one Old Town location for more than 35 years, the Candy Lady moved a few years ago to a new locale in Old Town at 424 San Felipe NW and continues to be among Albuquerque’s most popular sweet shops. Don’t be fooled by imitators. There is only one Candy Lady!

The Candy Lady’s business is firmly based on two things: great candy and great service. “We make several kinds of fudge, with and without chile; bonbons and truffles with caramel and nuts; chocolate-dipped strawberries; and 60 varieties of licorice,” says owner Debbie Ball. “When people come in, we greet them, give them samples and enjoy every opportunity to visit with them. I don’t think anybody can beat us for customer service. That’s why people come back.”

Most recently, The Candy Lady has gained fame as a one-stop shop for items based on the famed “Breaking Bad” television series, including crushed blue crystal candy, T-shirts, coffee cups, the Heisenburg hat, custom PEZ dispensers, lapel pins and more.

As always, The Candy Lady retains its X-rated confections that earned the shop widespread media coverage in its early years. (Remember when North Valley churchgoers expressed their objections by picketing in front of the store in January 1982).

Stop in The Candy Lady and say “hello” to Debbie, who is almost always working at the store and giving customers her special perspectives on life and chocolate.

Delicious chocolate dipped strawberries available everyday!

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RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

Church Street Café Patio Setting Completes the Picture At Church Street Café, patrons get even more of what makes New Mexico’s fresh air wonderful – sitting out enjoying a wine margarita and a nice meal.

Old Town in Albuquerque is bustling with tourists year round, but especially in the spring and summer, when Church Street Café opens up its grape-vine covered patio. There are statues and water features, birds flitting above and cool breezes to be had there.

With an ambitious menu, Church Street has its share of loyal local customers as well. The red chile is authentic, with marinated pork cubes and a zesty bite. New Mexican dishes are plentiful – enchiladas, tacos, fajitas and burritos. One specialty, however is the red-chile Costillas Rojas (red chile marinated ribs), and they are fantastic.

Not in the mood for New Mexican food? Try Church Street Café’s sandwich menu – Senor Ruben (where the green chile is optional), Duke City Philly and a Vegetarian Sandwich, among others.

If you are at Church Street Café in the morning, they have a complete breakfast menu -- huevos rancheros, carnitas (marinated pork) breakfast, omelets and even a Gringo breakfast done right with eggs, papitas and sausage patties. Pancakes are fluffy and perfect for kids.

My guest and I sampled the ribs for dinner and can give them a definite thumbs up for their tenderness and tastiness. They were lip-smacking good to eat, and they were definitely worth it. We went back another time for breakfast and devoured an enchilada

Enjoy the perfect New Mexican weather while dining on the Church Street patios!

with egg on top. The red chile was delicious, and soaked up by a flour tortilla. The mimosa was cold and delicious.

Church Street Café is a wonderful spot to take a break from walking the galleries and taking in all that New Mexico’s Old Town has to offer. Come to Church Street Café to enjoy a meal, whether it is inside the historic home or outside on the spacious patio.

Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner!

Our featured specialties handed down for four generations include…

• Carne Adovada al Horno (oven cooked pork marinated in red chile).

• Calabacitas (squash, onions and chiles).

• Old Fashion Rellenos (shredded pork and cheese battered and fried). and much more!

Dine on the front or back patio or inside the historic Old Town “Casa de Ruiz”, built circa 1706.

2111 Church St. NW Old Town Albuquerque, NM, 87104

Monday-Thursday 8am-9pm, Friday & Saturday 8am-10pm and Sunday 8am-4pm 505-247-8522 www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER 2016

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Rail Runner On Track For The Future For Terry Doyle, Director of the Rio Metro Regional Transit District, providing New Mexicans with rail and bus service is a way to improve the quality of life for the 1 million citizens living in Central New Mexico. The New Mexico Rail Runner Express is the interstate of the public transit system in Central New Mexico, Doyle says. “Rail Runner and the over 60 bus and shuttle connections to activity centers and communities creates a public transit network 220 miles long and 50 miles wide in some locations. The services link 9 counties together offering public transit connections from Socorro to Taos.”

Public transportation, rail and bus service, provide options for commuters, and with household transportation costs second only to housing costs, affordable effective public transit can have a significant effect on a household’s disposable income and quality of life. In Albuquerque, the average household income is approximately $49,000 annually, and the average household spends approximately 23% of their income on transportation. Doyle says, “Having the option to commute by transit gives households an opportunity to reduce their overall transportation costs.”

When it comes to attracting businesses to a community, public transportation may not be the silver bullet, Doyle says, but it helps make New Mexico’s metropolitan areas

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more competitive with Denver, Phoenix, Tucson and other metropolitan areas that have good public transportation systems. Cost effective and efficient transportation translates to improved economic competitiveness. Access to good transit is a factor people and businesses consider when relocating, and is a key desire of the Millennial Generation (those between the ages of 18 and 35), the generation a number of high wage employment sectors, including the technology sector, look to attract.

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Take a journey between past, present, and future Indigenous artistic expressions.

Explore Native works that narrate the artists’ own histories, explore their self-definition, and act as a catalyst for change.

ON EXHIBIT JULY 17, 2016 THROUGH OCTOBER 2, 2017

505 476-1269 · IndianArtsAndCulture.org · On Museum Hill in Santa Fe Jason Garcia, Tewa Tales of Suspense No. 3 (detail), 2015. Photo by Blair Clark. Museum purchase 59469.

www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER 2016

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N e w M e x i c o Wi n e r y M a p a n d L e g e n d 1: LA VINA WINERY

12: LUNA ROSSA WINERY & PIZZERIA

28: CASA ABRIL VINEYARDS

43: BLACK’S SMUGGLER WINERY

2: TULAROSA VINEYARDS

13: VIVAC WINERY

29: AMARO WINERY

44: SOMBRA ANTIGUA

3: ANASAZI FIELDS WINERY

13: VIVAC WINERY

30: FORT SELDEN WINERY

45: COTTONWOOD WINERY

4: LA CHIRIPADA WINERY

14: PECOS FLAVORS WINERY

31: PASANDO TIEMPO

46. SANTA FE CIDER WORKS

4: LA CHIRIPADA WINERY TAOS

15: CASA RONDENA

32: THE WINE SPOT IN SANTA FE

4201 NM HWY. 28, LA UNION, NM 88021 (575) 882-7632 #23 COYOTE CANYON RD. TULAROSA, NM 88352 • (575) 585-2260 26 CAMINO DE LOS PUEBLITOS, PLACITAS, NM 87043 (505) 867-3062

1119-8 HWY. 75, DIXON, NM 87527 (505) 579-4437 103 BENT ST., TAOS, NM 87571 • 800-528-7801

5: ST CLAIR WINERY

1325 DE BACA RD., DEMING, NM 88030 (575) 546-9324

5: ST CLAIR WINERY & BISTRO ALBUQUERQUE

1321 AVENIDA DE MESILLA LAS CRUCES, NM 88005 • (575) 526-2484

2075 STATE HWY. 68, EMBUDO, NM 87531 (505) 579-4441 1607 PASEO DE PERALTA , SANTA FE, NM 87501 (505) 983-6352 305 N. MAIN ST., ROSWELL, NM 88201 (575) 627-6265 733 CHAVEZ RD. NW LOS RANCHOS DE ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87107 (505) 344-5911

16: MATHESON WINE COMPANY

103 RIO RANCHO BLVD., B3, RIO RANCHO, NM 87124 • (505) 350-6557

901 RIO GRANDE NW ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87104 • (505) 243-9916

17: GUADALUPE VINEYARDS

5: ST CLAIR WINERY & BISTRO FARMINGTON

18: DOS VIEJOS WINERY

5150 E. MAIN. ST., FARMINGTON, NM 87401 (505) 325-0711

5: ST CLAIR WINERY & BISTRO LAS CRUCES

1720 AVENIDA DE MESILLA LAS CRUCES, NM 88005 • (575) 524-2408

6: MILAGRO VINEYARDS

985 W. ELLA, CORRALES, NM 87048 (505) 898-3998

7: CORRALES WINERY

6275 CORRALES RD., CORRALES, NM 87048 (505) 898-5165

8: PONDEROSA VALLEY VINEYARDS 3171 HWY. 290, PONDEROSA, NM 87044 (575) 834-7487

9: BLACK MESA WINERY

1502 STATE HWY. 68, VELARDE, NM 87582 (800) 852-2820

9: BLACK MESA WINERY/TAOS

NON-MEMBER

69 PECOS RD., TULAROSA, NM 88352 (575) 585-2647

19: BLACK RANGE VINEYARDS

10714 HWY. 152, HILLSBORO, NM 88042 (575) 895-5119

20: ACEQUIA WINERY

240 RECLINING ACRES, CORRALES, NM 87048 (505) 264-1656

21: BALZANO WINERY

5230 HIGHWAY 285, CARLSBAD, NM 88220 575-361-4993

22: RIO GRANDE VINEYARD & WINERY 5321 HIGHWAY 28, LAS CRUCES, NM 88005 (575) 524-3985

23: ESTRELLA DEL NORTE

106 N. SHINING SUN, SANTA FE, NM 87506 (505) 455-2826

24: DON QUIXOTE WINERY

NM4, LOS ALAMOS, NM 87544 • (505) 695-0817

01 CAMINO ABRIL, ALGODONES, NM 87001 (505) 771-0208 402 S. MELENDRES ST., LAS CRUCES, NM 88005 (575) 527-5310 1233 FORT SELDON RD., LAS CRUCES, NM 88007 (575) 647-9585 277 DANDELION RD. • CORRALES, NM 87048 (505) 228-0154 411 WEST WATER STREET • SANTE FE, NM 87501 (818) 371-0833

33: WICKED KREATIONS OPENING SUMMER 2016

34: SUNLAND WINERY NON-MEMBER

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48: NOISY WATER WINERY CELLAR UNCORKED

505 BURRO AVE. #105 • CLOUDCROFT, NM 88317 (575) 682-6610

50: JARAMILLO VINEYARDS

2355 CALLE DE GUADALUPE, MESILLA, NM 88046

36. HEART OF THE DESERT/ THE CORK & KETTLE

2801 SUDDERTH DR., RUIDOSO, NM 88345

37: CAMINO REAL WINERY

13 TOME HILL RD., LOS LUNAS, NM 87031 (505) 865-7903

37: CAMINO REAL WINERY/ ALBUQUERQUE 8470 FIRESTONE LANE NE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87113

38: GRUET WINERY

43 BRIDLE RD., CABALLO, NM 87931 (915) 491-9459

26: VINO DEL CORAZON

40: LOS RANCHOS WINERY

235 DON GASPER AVE., STE.6 SANTA FE, NM 87501 • (505) 216-9469

NON-MEMBER

27: LA ESPERANZA WINERY

NON-MEMBER

www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER 2016

2342 SUDDERTH DR., RUIDOSO, NM 88345 (575) 257-9335

36: HEART OF THE DESERT/MESILLA

7320 HWY. 54/70, ALAMOGORDO, NM 88310 (800) 368-3081

100 DE LA O, SAN LORENZO, NM 88041 (505) 259-9523

48: NOISY WATER WINERY

49: SANTA SIDRA/SF HARD CIDER

4100 DRIPPING SPRINGS RD. LAS CRUCES, NM 88011

39: SHATTUCK VINEYARD & WINERY

3710 W. PINE ST., DEMING, NM 88030 (575) 544-1160

117 COUNTY RD. A023, MORA, NM 87732 (505) 387-6660

36: HEART OF THE DESERT/ LAS CRUCES

25: ARENA BLANCA WINERY

12: LUNA ROSSA

47: LAS NUEVE NINAS WINERY

48: NOISY WATER WINERY CLOUDCROFT

7288 HWY. 54/70, ALAMOGORDO, NM 88310 (505) 434-0035

10: MADISON VINEYARDS & WINERY

233 HWY 551, BLANCO, NM 87412 (505) 632-0879

NON-MEMBER

36: HEART OF THE DESERT

8400 PAN AMERICAN FWY. NE ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87113 • (505) 821-0055

11: WINES OF THE SAN JUAN

1 EAST COTTONWOOD RD., ARTESIA, NM 88210 (575) 365-3141

2332 SUDDERTH DR., RUIDOSO, NM 88345 (575) 630-0037

NON-MEMBER

24: DON QUIXOTE WINERY

NON-MEMBER

430 LA VINA RD., SE, CHAMBERINO, NM 88027 (915) 241-4349

35: ALAMITO WINERY

241 LEDOUX ST., TAOS, NM 87571 (575) 758-1969

18057 US 84/285, POJOAQUE, NM 87506

25 WINERY RD., BOSQUE, NM 87006 (505) 388-8117

41: SKARSGARD FARMS 42: CORONADO LODGE NON-MEMBER

1730 CAMINO CARLOS REY #103 SANTA FE, NM 87507• (505) 424-6122

30 CAMINO NOPALES, BELEN, NM 87002 (505) 864-4754

50: JARAMILLO VINEYARDS AT HISTORIC BELEN CENTRAL HOTEL 114 BECKER AVE.,BELEN, NM 87002

51: NEW MEXICO HARD CIDER

3134 RUFINA ST., UNIT D, SANTA FE, NM 87507 (505) 455-2826

52: SISTERS PAINT & WINE NON-MEMBER

53: UNQUARKED - THE WINE ROOM 145 CENTRAL PARK SQUARE LOS ALAMOS, NM 87544 • (505) 412-4833

54: POINT BLANC WINERY NON-MEMBER

55: SHEEHAN WINERY

1544 CERRO VISTA RD SW ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87105 • (505) 280-3104

56: NM VINTAGE WINES

2461 CALLE DE PRINCIPAL • MESILLA, NM 88046 (575) 523-WINE

www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER 2016

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Enchanting Socorro: A Treasure Among NM Destinations Enchanting Socorro—the small city with a wonderful name— is a treasure among New Mexico destinations that lies just south of Albuquerque. Socorro means “help,” derived from the word ‘succor.’ That is precisely what Spanish settlers led by pioneer Don Juan de Onate in 1598 received from the Pire Indians in the region.

They had traversed a section of the Nuevo Medico Trail so arid and mean that the conquistadores had given it the name Jornado del Muerte, Journey of the Death.

Besides being the home of New Mexico Tech, one of American education’s best-kept secrets, Socorro is an outdoor recreation haven. Escondido Lake and Park offers fishing and camping, RV hookups, tent sites, bathrooms and potable water. Box Canyon Recreation Area is a popular site for camping, hiking and rock climbing. Elephant Butte Dam and its recreation sites are to the south.

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EASY TO FIND ON SOCORRO’S HISTORIC PLAZA SO MUCH TO SEE AND DO — COME SPEND A WEEKEND Wednesday - Friday 10 to 6, Saturday 9 to 5, Sunday Noon to 4 102 PLAZA STREET SOCORRO, NM 87801 575-835-4487 sales@vertuarts.com www.vertuarts.com 18

www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER 2016

Locales for less strenuous nature walking also exist. In Socorro’s historic district, beautiful Elfego Baca Heritage Park is where you’ll learn about one of New Mexico’s legendary lawmen, and serene Isidro Baca Park honors Socorroans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

There is also a thriving contemporary arts scene in downtown Socorro. The historic Hammel Museum is open from 9 a.m. to noon the 1st Saturday of each month. According to its website, the museum started as a beer garden and, in the intervening century, became successively a brewery, an ice plant, a soda bottling plant, and finally ended as an active industry still making ice. The ice plant closed in the mid-1950s and is now preserved and managed by the Socorro County Historical Society as a museum.

The national Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array, one of the world’s premier astronomical radio observatories, is located on the Plains of San Agustin 50 miles west of Socorro. It consists of twenty-seven 25-meter-diameter radio antennas in a Y-shaped configuration.

Guided tours are conducted at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month. The VLA site and Visitor Center are open daily from 8:30 a.m. until sunset.

On the evening of each first Saturday, “Night Sky observing” is offered at Etscorn Observatory beginning at dusk on the campus of NM Tech in Socorro.

The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is an ornithologists’ paradise, where thousands of sandhill cranes (and the occasional whoopers), snow geese, bald eagles and other birds overwinter in fields and marshes each year. The Festival of the Cranes, just before Thanksgiving in November, celebrates the arrival of the “birds of heaven” with guided tours, unparalleled photography opportunities and lectures. Bosque del Apache is a true conservation success story.

Look for our next ad in the Fall issue of Express, featuring our newly built Rodeo Arena/Sports Complex.

Other upcoming Socorro events include: • 4th of July Parade and Celebration – Monday, July 4, New Mexico Tech Campus.

• Hot August Nights – August 20th-21st, Socorro’s Historic Plaza.

• Chile Harvest Triathlon – July 29th & 30th, Socorro, NM. • Socorro County Fair & PARADE – August 31st-September 4th, Socorro County Fairgrounds.

• San Miguel Fiesta – September 23rd – 25th, Socorro, NM. City of Socorro, (575) 835-0240; www.socorronm.gov; www.facebook.com/socorronm

Mission San Miguel

Socorro Events 1ST SATURDAY EVENTS The first Saturday of each month our historic Hammel Museum is open to the Public from 9 am - noon Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array conducts guided tours from 11 am – 5 pm New Mexico Tech hosts 1st Saturday Star Party at Etscorn Observatory at 8 pm

In person it is even more stunning.

4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION – July 4th, New Mexico Tech Campus. This free outdoor festival featuring family entertainment, a lineup of some of New Mexico’s favorite bands, water slide and jump balloons, BBQ and other delicious food, and NM Tech’s Famous Fireworks Display at Dark.

Please bring your own chairs, shade and sunblock.

SOCORRO COUNTY FAIR & PARADE – August 31st-September 4th, Socorro County Fairgrounds. A Labor Day weekend tradition, this event contains professional rodeos, exhibits, music, games, judged art, quilting, canning and more! Visit the Socorro County Fair‘s website for more information.

SAN MIGUEL FIESTA – September 23rd – 25th, Socorro, NM. A decades long annual tradition, the San Miguel Fiesta is always a hit!

Enjoy excellent music, delicious food, arts & crafts and much more!

Contact (575) 835-2891 for more information. www.Socorronm.gov www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER 2016

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Growers’ Markets Near Rail Runner are Alive and Well in Albuquerque, Santa Fe The Rail Yards Market in Albuquerque One of Albuquerque’s oldest neighborhoods was reborn at a site that for decades has sat abandoned. The Rail Yards Market in Barelas, the historic neighborhood south of Downtown, is being hailed as a showcase for the arts, culture, food and music, and it delivers. The market’s location, 777 First Street SW, is just a short walk away from the New Mexico Rail Runner Express Downtown ABQ Station.

The market is open every Sunday through November 2nd in the 27,000 square-foot Blacksmith Shop. Organizers have welcomed vendors who provide local food, produce, arts and crafts, and live music. The space underwent a $1 million upgrade in 2014 by Bradbury Stamm Construction to get the market up and running smoothly.

Bree Ortiz, Events and Operations Manager for the City of Albuquerque’s Cultural Services Department, said the market is the launching point for future public events and that the Blacksmith Shop is available for rent. “We wanted the people of Albuquerque, especially those who are part of the close-knit communities of Barelas and South Broadway, to be proud of what we have done with the Rail Yards,” Ortiz said. “This is a useable and vital space, and it has been part of Albuquerque’s history for so long. It is nice to see it

roasted green chile • local produce raw milk • seasonal fr uit • f lowers heirloom tomatoes • grass-fed meats artisan honey • fresh eggs • gifts crafts & apothecary • hot food • live music

ALL AROUND GOOD TIMES S AT U R DAY S - A L L Y E A R L O N G

J u n e - S e p t : 7 am- 1 pm | O c t - M a y : 8 am- 1 pm

TUESDAYS - MAY

throug h

NOVEMBER

Hours are always the same as Saturday Market WIC & EBT accepted

SOUTHSIDE - JULY

through

SEPTEMBER

Tu e s d a y a f t e r n o o n s 3

pm

-6:30

pm

www.santafefarmersmarket.com |1607 Paseo de Peralta | 505-983-4098

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A feast for the soul

thriving again.”

While the Blacksmith Shop is the focal point for now, the city is working with California developer Samitaur Construct on a master development plan for the entire 27.3-acre rail yards facility. The Wheels Museum, a nonprofit organization focusing on the history of transportation in Albuquerque and New Mexico, is already open on the Rail Yards site and continues to be a vital part of the overall future of the community.

“A fresh new market, however, is just what the site needed. The market is Albuquerque’s largest civic market of its kind,” said Ortiz. Visitors to the market will experience entertainment, food vendors, and work by artisans such as painters, potters, jewelry makers and glass blowers. See the market’s web site at www.railyardsmarket.com for a complete list of special events going on each Sunday.

The Albuquerque Rail Yards were built between 1914 and 1924, and were operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railways, later Burlington Northern. This site and its historic structures are an important part of Albuquerque’s economic and industrial past.

The Rail Yards Market has partnered with local non-profits, local vendors and sponsors, including Casa Flamenca, the Street Food Institute, the Barelas Community Foundation, 516 Arts, and others to keep it lively and fresh throughout the year. This makeover is making a positive impact on Albuquerque and the local communities, said Ortiz. There’s something for everyone at the Rail Yards Market.

(continued on Page 45)

Connecting The Pueblos It took some time, but members of the Santo Domingo Pueblo have come to depend on the services of the New Mexico Rail Runner Express and the Rio Metro Regional Transit District buses.

“I worked on getting the word out,” says Cynthia Aguilar, tribal librarian at Santo Domingo, also known as Kewa. “It was an instructional time, learning how the schedules work and that riders have to have exact change. I think the people here have grown to depend on it.”

Aguilar commutes by carpool now to her job at Santo Domingo, although she did take the train for a period of time. She remembers seeing 30 to 50 Santa Fe-bound riders get onboard at the Kewa Station most mornings when she was getting off. “Some of them work at hotels, Santa Fe Indian School, the Roundhouse, or they are entrepreneurs,” she says.

SERVICE TO NINE PUEBLOS In all, there are nine Native American pueblos served by a combination of commuter rail, Rio Metro buses and casino shuttles. The Rail Runner itself has 14 stations along the 100-mile corridor which includes stops at Isleta Pueblo, Sandia Pueblo, Santa Ana Pueblo (Sandoval County/U.S. 550), and Santo Domingo (Kewa). Rio Metro Sandoval buses connect to Cochiti Pueblo, Zia Pueblo and Jemez Pueblo. Casino shuttles connect to Pojoaque Pueblo’s Buffalo Thunder and San Felipe Pueblo’s Casino Hollywood.

“We are thrilled to have Rail Runner access located conveniently near Isleta Resort & Casino,” says Harold Baugus, CEO for the casino. “With a stop just west of the Isleta Lakes, the Rail Runner carries guests to our property daily, allowing them easy access to the Isleta Casino, Isleta Lakes, Fun Connection, and the Golf Course.”

The resort’s free shuttle from the Rail Runner completes approximately 35 roundtrips every week, Baugus says, and is particularly popular on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Kenneth Pin, a contract planner who lives in Santa Fe but has worked for Santo Domingo, Isleta and now for

RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

Cochiti Pueblo, says the Rail Runner really has helped the residents of Santo Domingo.

“I think it’s really been helpful in getting people out and about,” Pin says. “It makes it easier for families with only one or two cars to get family members to work in Albuquerque or to school at UNM.” As a rail commuter himself, Pin has observed the value of the train firsthand.

“If you are ever at the train platform in Santa Fe on days when Santa Fe Indian School is dismissing students, you will see 100 kids, and sometimes parents, getting ready to ride home.”

HISTORIC TRADING POST BACK IN BUSINESS

The Kewa station opened in January 2010, and Pin says Santo Domingo Pueblo has some ongoing transportation projects there. The station is about 2 miles from the village, he says, and the route is along a Bureau of Indian Affairs road. He says the route needs an established walking path.

“That makes it really hard on the young ladies with baby carriages,” Pin says, “but I think the plan is to build a path between the village and the station.”

A path also would connect the village to the historic Santo Domingo Trading Post which was first constructed in 1881. Although the trading post was named to both national and state historic and cultural properties lists, it was vacant for years and eventually was destroyed by fire.

IOTA/Agoyo Railrunner_1/4 page 3/31/15 11:36 AM Page 1

(continued on Page 30)

DINING & COCKTAILS 5 - 10 PM

✦ ✦

ALBUQUERQUE • EXIT 149 505-831-6317

Gourmet light fare & cocktails indoors or out in a relaxing, elegant atmosphere. 2 blocks from the Plaza, 1 block from Canyon Road

303 East Alameda • Santa Fe, NM • 505.984.2121 www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER 2016

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RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

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RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

p

Schedule of Events ONGOING EVENTS Seniors Ride Free New Mexico Rail Runner Express Every Wednesday July-September Any time after 8 a.m. nmrailrunner.com Santa Fe Farmers Market Santa Fe Railyard Every Saturday year-round 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Summer Hours) Exit the train at the Santa Fe Depot.

(505) 983-4098 santafefarmersmarket.com Railyard Artisan Market Santa Fe Railyard Every Sunday year-round 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Exit the train at the Santa Fe Depot.

(505) 983-4098 artmarketsantafe.com Santa Fe Artists Market Santa Fe Railyard Park Saturdays through November 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Exit the train at the Santa Fe Depot.

(505) 414-8544 santafeartistsmarket.com

Downtown Growers’ Market Robinson Park, Albuquerque Saturdays, April-November 8 a.m. – Noon Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and take the short walk to 8th St. & Central.

(505) 252-2959 downtowngrowers.com Rail Yards Market Blacksmith Shop, Albuquerque RailYard Sundays, May-October 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and take the short walk south to 1st St. & Hazeldine.

(505) 600-1109 railyardsmarket.org

ABQ Food Fridays Civic Plaza, Albuquerque Fridays, May-September 5-8 p.m.

Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and take a short walk north to Tijeras and 3rd St. (505) 768-4575 civicplazapresents.com Exhibit: Route 66 Albuquerque Museum of Art & History Now through October 2 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.Tuesday-Sunday Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and take the ABQ RIDE Route 66 or Rapid Ride Red Line bus to Central & Rio Grande.

(505) 243-7255 cabq.gov Exhibit: The House on Mango Street National Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque Now through September 28 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.Tuesday-Sunday Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and take the ABQ RIDE Route 54 bus to 4th St. and Bridge Blvd.

(505) 246-2261 nhccnm.org Exhibit: Lowriders, Hoppers & Hot Rods New Mexico History Museum, Santa Fe Now through March 2017 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Daily Exit the train at the Santa Fe Depot and take the Santa Fe Pick-Up Shuttle or walk northeast to E. Palace Ave. and Lincoln Ave. (505) 476-5200 nmhistorymuseum.org Exhibit: We Are of This Place Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Albuquerque 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Daily Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and take the ABQ RIDE Route 8 bus to 12th St. and Indian School.

(505) 843-7270 indianpueblo.org

JULY JULY 9-10

International Folk Art Market Museum Hill, Santa Fe 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Exit the train at the South Capitol Station and take the shuttle to the market.

(505) 992-7600 folkartalliance.org JULY 16

Route 66 Summerfest Nob Hill, Albuquerque 2 p.m.-10:30 p.m.

Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and board ABQ RIDE Route 66 eastbound to Central & Girard.

(505) 768-3556 cabq.gov JULY 30

ABQ Kids Rock Fest Civic Plaza, Albuquerque 5-9 p.m.

Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and take a short walk north toTijeras and 3rd St. (505) 768-4575 civicplazapresents.com JULY 30-31

Traditional Spanish Market Santa Fe Plaza 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Exit the train at the Santa Fe Depot and walk or take the Santa Fe Pickup Shuttle to the Plaza.

(505) 982-2226 spanishcolonial.org JULY 30-31

Contemporary Hispanic Market Santa Fe Plaza 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Exit the train at the Santa Fe Depot and walk or take the Santa Fe Pickup Shuttle to the Plaza.

(505) 331-5162 contemporaryhispanicmarketinc.com

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Schedule of Events AUGUST AUGUST 6

Downtown Summerfest Civic Plaza, Albuquerque 5 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and take a short walk north toTijeras and 3rd St. (505) 768-3556 cabq.gov AUGUST 6-7

Great Southwestern Antique Show Expo New Mexico, Albuquerque 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and board ABQ RIDE Route 66, 766 or 777 eastbound to Central and San Pedro.

(505) 255-4054 gswevents.com AUGUST 12-14

Objects of Art Santa Fe El Museo Cultural, Santa Fe Railyard 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Exit the train at the Santa Fe Depot. objectsofartsantafe.com AUGUST 13-27

SEPTEMBER 10

AUGUST 27

SEPTEMBER 10-24

Santa Fe Indian Market Santa Fe Plaza 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday Exit the train at the Santa Fe Depot and walk or take the Santa Fe Pickup Shuttle to the Plaza.

(505) 983-5220 swaia.org Albuquerque Hopfest Isleta Resort & Casino 2 p.m.- 6 p.m.

Exit the train at the Isleta Pueblo Station and take the free shuttle. albuquerquehopfest.com

SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 2

Burning of Zozobra Fort Marcy Park, Santa Fe 3 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Exit the train at the South Capitol Station and take the free shuttle to and from the event.

(855) ZOZOBRA burnzozobra.com

Table Setting Exhibit Harvey House Museum, Belen 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.Tuesday 12:30-4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday Exit the train at the Belen Station and walk south across the pedestrian overpass to 1st St. and Dalies Ave. (505) 861-0581 belen-nm.gov

SEPTEMBER 3-5 & 9-11

AUGUST 17-19

SEPTEMBER 8-18

Antique American Indian Art Show El Museo Cultural, Santa Fe Railyard 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Exit the train at the Santa Fe Depot. antiqueindianartshow.com AUGUST 18-20

Indigenous Fine Art Market Santa Fe Railyard Call for times Exit the train at the Santa Fe Depot.

(505) 819-3695 indigefam.org 28

AUGUST 20-21

Fiesta Fine Arts & Crafts Market Santa Fe Plaza 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Exit the train at the Santa Fe Depot and walk or take the Santa Fe Pickup Shuttle to the Plaza.

(505) 577-6888 santafefiesta.org New Mexico State Fair Expo New Mexico, Albuquerque 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and board ABQ RIDE Route 66, 766 or 777 eastbound to Central and San Pedro.

(505) 222-9700 exponm.com

www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER 2016

Old Town Salsa Fiesta OldTown, Albuquerque Noon – 7 p.m.

Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and board ABQ RIDE Route 66 or Rapid Ride Red Line westbound to Central & Rio Grande.

(505) 768-3556 cabq.gov Belen Art League Show Harvey House Museum, Belen 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.Tuesday 12:30-4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday Exit the train at the Belen Station and walk south across the pedestrian overpass to 1st St. and Dalies Ave. (505) 861-0581 belen-nm.gov SEPTEMBER 24

Becker Street Festival Becker Street, Belen Call for times Exit the train at the Belen Station and walk over the pedestrian overpass to downtown Belen.

(505) 864-8091 belenchamber.com SEPTEMBER 24

Steam Locomotive Open House AT&SF 2926 RestorationYard 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and board ABQ RIDE Route 10 northbound to 4th and Haines.Then walk .5 miles west to Haines and 8th St. (505) 255-4054 nmslrhs.org

RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

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Connecting The Pueblos

(continued from Page 21) Fund-raising efforts provided $1 million for restoration, and a grand opening event is planned for the near future.

Call Santo Domingo Pueblo, (505) 465-2214, for more details.

Brian Coriz, administrative assistant in the Santo Domingo governor’s office, said pueblo jewelers and other crafts people will be selling their artworks at the opening. Call Santo Domingo Pueblo, (505) 465-2214, for more details.

PUEBLO FEAST DAYS One of the most popular times for non-tribal members to visit the pueblos is on annual feast days when patron saints are recognized and religious dances are held. A brochure listing all pueblo feast days and a complete list of etiquette rules can be found at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th St. NW in Albuquerque, (505) 843-7270.

Basically, visitors should remember that it is a privilege to witness these religious ceremonies.

S UPCOMING FEAST DAYST COCHITI

Feast Day: July 14, St. Bonaventure Phone: (505) 465-2244

SANTA ANA

Feast Day: July 26, St. Anne Phone: (505) 867-3301

JEMEZ

Feast Day: Aug. 2, St. Persingula Phone: (575) 834-7235

SANTO DOMINGO

Feast Day: Aug. 4, St. Dominic Phone: (505) 465-2214

ZIA

Feast Day: Aug. 15, Assumption of the Blessed Mother Phone: (505) 867-3304

POJOAQUE

Feast Day: Dec. 12, Our Lady of Guadalupe, mass is scheduled for 10 a.m.

(Vespers, processions and dances may be held Dec. 11; Call ahead.)

Phone: (505) 455-5041

ISLETA

Feast Day: Aug. 28, St. Augustine Phone: (505) 869-3111

Special Weekend Trains for 2016 Balloon Fiesta The New Mexico Rail Runner Express has partnered with the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta to

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create a special Balloon Fiesta & Rail Pass available both weekends of the Fiesta (October 1st & 2nd, and 8th & 9th). Included in the Pass is an All-Zone, All Day Pass on the Rail Runner, shuttle from Los Ranchos/ Journal Center Rail Station to the Balloon Fiesta Park and back, and admission to a morning or afternoon Balloon Fiesta session on the day you choose.

Tickets are now available and must be purchased in advance online, and cannot be purchased on the train or at the Balloon Fiesta office.

For more information or to order online, go to www.railrunner.com or call Rail Runner Customer Service at 866-795-RAIL (7245).

RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

The largest retail arts and crafts store in the Southwest; solely owned and operated by the Pueblo of Sandia.

-Authenticity GuaranteedInventory of the Bien Mur Indian Market Center: Hopi, Navajo, Santo Domingo, and Zuni Flutes, Rattles & Drums Jewelry War Bonnets Pottery Moccasins Storytellers Pendleton Blankets Navajo Rugs Zapotec Rugs Zuni Fetishes Books & Music Sand Paintings

Retail & Wholesale Association Membership

Bien Mur Indian Market Center 100 Bien Mur Dr NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113 505-821-5400 Monday – Saturday: 9:30am – 5:30pm Sundays: 11:00am to 5:30pm.

Call for seasonal hours.

www.sandiapueblo.nsn.us

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Jose S. Lovato – A 10 Year Commuter Jose S. Lovato is no stranger to public transportation. In fact, he has been riding the New Mexico Rail Runner Express since its second week of public operation. A resident of the Village of Los Lunas, Lovato has been using the train and connecting buses to get to his job in Albuquerque for the past 10 years.

“I started riding the Rail Runner to try to save a little money and wear and tear on my vehicle,” says Lovato. “Things have only gotten better. I’m a senior now and I’m only paying $18 a month.

The Rail Runner has indeed saved me money. Even when I was paying full price you couldn’t beat the cost.”

Lovato starts his commute at 6:12 a.m., when he catches the Rio Metro Route 207 bus just a few blocks from his house. The bus takes him to the Los Lunas Transit Center, where he boards the Rail Runner northbound to the Bernalillo County Station. From there, Lovato connects to the ABQ RIDE Route 222 bus, which he takes to the intersection of Girard and Gibson in southeast Albuquerque. Finally, he walks across Girard to Molzen-Corbin & Associates, where he is a Senior Design Specialist. The morning commute, including both buses and the train ride, takes approximately an hour-and-a-half.

“My routine in the afternoon is just the opposite,” says Lovato.

“Only the route and train numbers change.”

Many people ask Lovato if it is a big inconvenience not having a vehicle at his beck and call.

“I just tell them that one learns to plan a whole lot better, and how to use the ABQ RIDE bus system,” says Lovato. “It also helps me do my part in being green and helping the environment by reducing my environmental footprint.”

While Lovato appreciates being able to save money by using the train, he also values other aspects of public transportation.

“The ride is relaxing and I don’t have to worry about traffic or weather conditions,” he says. “I’ve also gotten to meet and know all kinds of different people over the years.”

In addition to using public transportation for his commute to work, Lovato has also taken the train to various community events. “My wife and I occasionally use the Rail Runner for special events such as the New Mexico State Fair. We have ridden it for the Balloon Fiesta and for what used to be the Town of Bernalillo Wine Festival.”

Lovato plans to continue his use of the Rail Runner and public transportation for many years to come. “I have no plans of retiring anytime soon,” says Lovato, “and will continue to use and enjoy the Rail Runner into the near and far future. I have really enjoyed it over the years.”

Spotlight on Rio Metro Marketing

In the last seven years, the marketing team at Rio Metro Regional Transit District has been recognized for outstanding work on regional and national levels, and also on an international level, earning numerous awards in print, social media, website design, marketing and television campaigns.

The most recent is winning three Communicator Awards from the International Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts (AIVA), one of the largest and most competitive awards of its kind in the world honoring the creative excellence of communications professionals. “These awards are a recognition of the true collaborative efforts of every member of the marketing team whose vision and

Editorial, Legal & Advertising: (505) 242-3010 Fax: (505) 842-5464

Established in 1929

The

Health City Sun

HealthCitySun.com Email: Legal@HealthCitySun.com

New Mexico’s Legal & Financial Weekly Newspaper

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execution made this possible,” says Allyne Clarke, Rio Metro Marketing Director.

“As population increases, more people will discover the benefits of public transit,” Clarke says. “Our marketing campaigns and promotions are designed to educate and to get people to try the Rail Runner.” Campaigns include ‘Why I Ride’, ‘Tourism by Rail’, and ‘Seniors 62+ Ride Free on Wednesdays’, which will be back this July through September. Also this July, the Rail Runner celebrates 10 years of service, and you are encouraged to take the train, enjoy the ride and the scenic view on the way to Santa Fe to the many summer markets, dining or just enjoying the great outdoors.

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| www.travelnewmex.com |

SUMMER 2016

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Taos Pueblo’s

Living Community Has Much to be Admired Taos Pueblo welcomes visitors from all over the world. It’s considered the oldest continuously inhabited community in the United States by archaeologists who say ancestors of the Taos Indians lived in the valley long before Columbus discovered America and even hundreds of years before Europe emerged from the Dark Ages.

And the people of Taos Pueblo are happy to share their storied history with tourists. It’s something the Pueblo has been sharing openly since the 1920s.

“Take a tour of the pueblo, if possible,” says Illona Spruce, tourism director for Taos Pueblo. “Some of our guides are college students who were born and raised here and come back to share their perspective of the pueblo. There’s something very special about this because they are truly proud of “An Afternoon in Taos Pueblo.” Photography by where they came from and who we John Rodman. are as a people.”

Parts of this Northern New Mexico pueblo remain much like they were when the first Spanish explorers arrived in New Mexico in 1540. Those explorers were looking for the fabled Cities of Gold and believed Taos was one of them.

Architecture is a big draw of the Pueblo. The structures are made entirely of adobe — earth mixed with water and straw, made into sun-dried bricks.

Roofs of each of the five stories are supported by large timbers (vigas) hauled down from the mountain forests. Smaller pieces of wood, pine or aspen latillas, are placed on top of the vigas. The roof is then covered with packed dirt.

“Adobe Gold” photo courtesy of Taos Pueblo.

The outside surfaces of the pueblo are continuously maintained by plastering with thick layers of mud. Interior walls are carefully coated with thin washes of white earth to keep them clean and bright. The pueblo is actually many individual homes, built side-by-side and in layers, with common walls but no connecting doorways. In earlier days there were no doors or windows, and entry was gained only from the top.

Today, about 150 people live at the pueblo full time, and another 1,500 or so other families own more modern homes to the north or south of the oldest two structures.

“When people visit for the first time, I like to remind them to be mindful that our pueblo is a living community,” Spruce says. “Even though we openly welcome our visitors, we also need to let them know that these are people’s homes and some of the most beautiful and architecturally unique spaces.”

Taos Pueblo is a World Heritage Site as well. The pueblo is open to visitors daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except during tribal ritual days that require closing the Pueblo. Late winter to early spring, the pueblo closes for about 10 weeks. Visit www.taospueblo.com for more information and to view events “The Jewel of Taos Pueblo.” Photo courtesy of open to the public.

Cameron Martinez Jr.

Taos Pueblo Tourism, 120 Veterans Hwy. Taos, NM 87571 34

(575) 758-1028

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www.TaosPueblo.com

RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

“I’m here today thanks to my doctors and nurses at UNM Children’s Hospital.”

— Ethan L. cancer patient

When Ethan was just 18 months old he came to UNM Children’s Hospital, where we found he had a tumor the size of a baseball. So began his multi-year treatment by our team of pediatric cancer experts. They are trained to focus on the unique needs of children — because every child we see deserves special treatment.

Learn more about Ethan’s story at UNMHSLifeStories.org.

www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER 2016

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Rail Runner Safety Officer- A Valuable Member of the Team You don’t have to ride the New Mexico Rail Runner Express to come into contact with the train. Water main breaks, downed power lines, medical and fire emergencies all bring crews of men and women into close proximity to today’s iron roadrunner.

Providing training to those crews, law enforcement officers, students and all the rest of us who typically never think about safety on the railway is the responsibility of Stephanie Paiz, 33, a native New Mexican who a decade ago thought she would take a year off after graduating from Harvard. Instead, she spent a decade advancing from community outreach employee to safety officer for the state’s only commuter train, giving over 500 safety presentations.

“For the past 10 years this has been my life, my whole world,” Paiz says.

REDUCING RISK Of course, Paiz can’t reach everyone who needs safety training. Trespassers don’t register for classes and others can exhibit poor judgement.

Ask yourself if it is really a good idea to drive around those flashing barriers at railroad crossings because you are running late.

Oversight of the New Mexico Rail Runner Express is handled by the Rio Metro Regional Transit District, but actual operation and maintenance of the train is the responsibility of Herzog Transit Services, Inc. Anyone who works within the railway’s right-of-way – including employees, first responders, utility crew members and others – are first required to take a Roadway Worker Protection class. The class covers the importance of wearing safety vests, hard hats and steel-toed boots. Attendees also learn about a train’s stopping distance (which can be a mile or more at 55 mph), why crews need someone from the railroad on scene with them, slip and trip hazards, and fall zones.

“We also do a job briefing,” Paiz says. “During that time we determine a safety place where the group will go when the train passes.” The biggest misconception about trains, Paiz says, is that people think they are safe if they are not between the rails. “In reality,” she says, “the train extends three feet outside either rail.”

The classes reduce the risks for workers, but things can go bad when the public at large ventures into the right-of-way.

“We are always working to make our crossings more visible,” Paiz says, “especially at bike and pedestrian trails.”

A cyclist herself, Paiz understands it’s easy to get in a groove while riding and block out the world, but that can be a fatal mistake. The worst accident Paiz has had to investigate was a 14-year-old who was struck and killed in Bernalillo.

“That was hard,” Paiz says. “I graduated from Bernalillo High School.” Her hometown is a small village called Sile, near Cochiti Pueblo.

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Stephanie Paiz knows the value of safety gear. She’s the safety officer for the New Mexico Rail Runner Express. Photo by Martin Frentzel

MORE TRAINING Railway transportation safety officers are required by the federal government to take training themselves. In May, Paiz had to attend classes in Philadelphia.

“We have to take Transit Rail Incident Investigation, Transit System Security, Transit System Rail Safety, and Effectively Managing Transit Emergencies,” she says.

The shop-talk with employees of other railway systems, however, also opened her eyes to the scale of rail usage in eastern United States. “I spoke to a guy from the Long Island Transit Authority,” she says. “They have 250,000 riders a day.

We are a small transit system and average about 3,000 a day.”

New Mexico’s terrain, however, provides one of the steepest grades any train in the United States faces – that pitch up and down La Bajada. “We are running trains in the wild, wild West,” Paiz says. “It’s a roller-coaster ride.”

Despite the popularly held concept that the West has plenty of open space, Paiz is convinced that the value of the New Mexico Rail Runner Express will increase significantly in the future.

“As Albuquerque continues to grow, eventually people will realize the train is the way to travel,” she says. “The city will get bigger and the roads more congested, and people will realize there is another way to get to Santa Fe.” Stephanie Paiz plans to stick with the New Mexico Rail Runner Express in the foreseeable future, although she will be enrolling in business school this summer. Her plan is to start preparing for a future in human resources, which of course includes presenting more classes for employees, and she certainly seems to be on the right track for that.

RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

Chama: New Mexico’s Mecca for Year-Round Fun One of the best-kept secrets in New Mexico is the enchanting Village of Chama. At an elevation of 7,860 feet, Chama is nestled high in the Southern Rockies, just 120 miles north of Santa Fe. The historic Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad steam trains leave the Chama depot daily from Memorial Day weekend to mid-October. Riding the railroad is a day trip of exhilarating mountain views and fall colors.

Fishing local trout streams and lakes is a leisurely pleasure and for a real experience, try fly fishing the Rio Chama, which runs the east side of the village. Hikers and mountain bikers find many trails, including the Continental Divide Trail nearby. The Sargent’s Wildlife Area surrounds Chama with meadows and trails for hiking and horseback riding. Hunting adventures with reliable guides are close to town.

Chama has a lively western-style business district with lodging, RV parks and cozy dining establishments. Located at the junction of Highway 17 and U.S. 84 (take State Hwy 285 north from Santa Fe to Española, then take the “Chama Highway” 84 north), the Village of Chama is the perfect destination for anyone seeking scenic outdoor recreation.

Crowds gather in Chama for the famous Fourth of July fireworks display. The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad offers a fireworks train in the evening. Chama Days, the second weekend of August, is always fun with a softball tournament, family rodeo, dances and parade. Enjoy the Valley Studio Tour every Labor Day weekend and visit local artists.

Cool times in cool pines are the epitome of summer fun in Chama’s cabins and vacation ranches. For your safety and comfort, bring a light jacket or sweater for those cool evening walks, and check with the local ranger district before heading out to hike. Never travel alone and make sure you are adequately prepared. At these altitudes, the weather can sneak up on you. www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER 2016

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Drought-Crushing Winter Gives Anglers Renewed Hope New Mexico’s anglers watched the 2015-16 winter snowpack as closely as skiers, dreaming of the water expected to fill the state’s reservoirs this spring and summer. Unless El Niño fails to deliver in the late winter and early spring, anglers anticipate a rebound at favored waters, which could benefit greatly from high runoff absent during the preceding five-year statewide drought.

“We are expecting a spring flush on the San Juan River this year,” says Karl Moffatt, media relations coordinator for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. “The river could run at 5,000 cubic feet a second for a week, depending upon the water level at Navajo Lake.”

That flush, which Moffatt says mimics spring flooding, should move the silt and debris deposited in some Game and Fish trout habitat projects below Simon Canyon, one of the locations that dumps sand into the state’s legendary trout river after strong rains.

“The flush will also help the endangered fish that live farther down the San Juan River,” he says. The high water could stimulate breeding in the razorback suckers and Colorado pikeminnow.

BACK TO THE FUTURE

Shuree Ponds on the Valle Vidal Addition to the Carson National Forest is another once-great trout water expected to benefit from the improved snowpack.

“Shuree Ponds are in sad shape due to the drought,” Moffatt says. “It doesn’t open until July 1, but the Red River Hatchery has grown a lot of big fish for Shuree, so that fishing ought to be great.” The bag limit at Shuree is two trout at least 15 inches long, and one pond is reserved for children.

Trout fishermen also can expect some good fishing at the renovated Eagle Rock Lake on the Red River at Questa. River improvements on the Red River itself also are bringing back one of the state’s great trout streams. The Red could be tough to fish during the high water of spring, but the new habitat projects will surely hold some fish when the water comes down.

Southern trout waters to watch include Alto Lake near the village of the same name, and Lake Roberts across the state near Silver City. Lake Roberts was stocked with Gila trout during the winter when the Mora National Fish Hatchery produced some excess fish. Those trout should be “catchable” size this spring, Moffatt says.

BASS AND MUSKIES, TOO

Anglers do not live by trout alone, so although it’s hard to think of snowmelt as “warm water,” the anglers seeking muskies, bass and walleye are expecting a boost from the winter moisture as well.

“Santa Rosa Lake lost its population of walleye,” Moffatt says, “so it will take several years for that to come back. But Conchas Lake survived the drought in really good shape, and many of the east-side lakes are in really good condition.”

Moffatt sings the praises of Clayton Lake and the state park there. The community rallies around a fishing derby each spring, with lots of activities for children and prizes for older anglers.

The derby took place on June 11 – 12 this year.

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Catch-and-release bass anglers are encouraged to check out the fishing at Brantley Lake near Carlsbad, Moffatt says. “It is fishing quite good,” he says. “There’s an age-group of 12 to 16-inch largemouth bass that you can catch all day long. Come this spring, Brantley should be on fire!”

Anglers are discouraged from eating fish from Brantley due to the presence of DDT in the fish. However, the fishing is good enough that the department produced an instructional video for fishing for bass from the bank, using biologist and competitive bass angler Shawn Denny. The department posted the video on YouTube.

Tiger muskies are another warm-water treat anglers can find in New Mexico. Two lakes in western New Mexico—Bluewater and Quemado—were stocked with the toothy predators. The plantings were intended to clean out suckers and gold fish that were crowding out trout at the two lakes. The voracious muskies cleaned out the unwanted fish at both, but the muskies at Bluewater appear to have exceeded their food supply.

“We need to get the numbers down at Bluewater to a manageable level,” Moffatt says. “Some of those muskies are in poor shape.” Trout stockings have been suspended at Bluewater due to the hungry muskies. Quemado, however, is a great little success, he says, with trout and muskies in equilibrium. The bag limit is one tiger muskie a day at both lakes.

THE LICENSE YEAR

Anglers 12 and older need new licenses April 1 of each year. Junior Annual licenses are $5 for residents and $15 for nonresidents. Licenses are valid through March 31 each year.

Resident adults aged 18 to 64 pay $25, and nonresidents are charged $56. Fees for additional licenses and stamps, size and bag limits are published annually on the department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us, and in the annual fishing rules information booklet.

If you have never tried fishing in New Mexico, the first Saturday in June and the fourth Saturday in September are free fishing days. No license is required, but all other restrictions apply.

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New Mexico Wineries Blending Family and Heritage

The word industry doesn’t do justice to New Mexico’s wineries.

Heritage, tradition and the pursuit of excellence come closer to describing the grape growers, winemakers and family businesses currently making a name for the state with each vintage produced in the oldest winemaking region in the United States. The New Mexico Wine and Grape Growers Association welcomes new President Sam Aragon and Executive Director Chris Goblet who will continue the wine growers tradition of excellence.

The New Mexico Wine and Grape Growers Association, points to the number of awards the state’s wines receive as an indicator of the passion being squeezed from those laboring in the vineyards and wineries. Association members have earned 192 medals in recent years. This includes four double golds, 13 gold and 87 silver medals.

A SPANISH LEGACY Raymond Vigil, owner of Casa Abril Vineyards and Winery in Algodones, is committed to honoring the legacy of the early Spanish colonists who arrived in the Rio Grande Valley about four centuries ago. Vigil describes the winery’s location as an oasis in the Southwest desert, and his Sol Y Luna 2014 won a gold medal at the 2015 Denver International Wine Competition in 2015.

Casa Rondeña Winery has won 11 gold and double gold medals during the last three years with its Meritage Red. John Calvin was in Spain studying guitar when he became entranced by wine. Subsequently he built a beautiful estate in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque where he shares wine, art, music and architecture with patrons.

Sparkling wines are the specialty of the Gruet Winery, founded

by Gilbert Gruet of France in 1984. Gruet’s children, Laurent and Nathalie, moved to New Mexico to manage the Gruet vineyard near Engle and the winery in Albuquerque. Using the Methode Champenoise to produce sparkling wines, Gruet was the only American product considered a top bubbly brand during the 2015 Wine and Spirits Restaurant Poll.

George and Marianne Schweers wanted to return to their agriculture roots after a career in the Air Force culminated at Holloman AFB near Alamogordo. Forty two years ago they bought 400 pistachio trees near Alamogordo and in 2001 they bought 135 acres to plant a vineyard. Fifteen years and 24,000 vines later, their Heart of the Desert Pistachios and Wines has a gold medal reputation for Merlot, Muscat, and Syrah.

A STROKE OF LUCK Due to colder temperatures and a shorter growing season, Northern New Mexico does 40

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not produce grapes like the southern desert regions. But winemakers don’t allow that to stop them. La Chiripada Winery, established in 1977 near Embudo, obtains about half its grapes from the Mimbres Valley, and half from its own vineyards. Owners Michael and Patrick Johnson won silver medals for Viognier ’14 and Primavera ’14 at the 2015 Finger Lakes International competition.

Luna Rossa (Red Moon) Winery near Deming is one of the largest grape producers in the state with 300 acres of grapes under cultivation. Paolo D’Andrea moved to Deming from Friuli, Italy, after first coming to New Mexico to teach Hispanic laborers how to prune grapes. It was a good move for D’Andrea and the state’s wine culture. Luna Rossa won double gold medals for its 2009 Reserve Aglianico at the 2015 San Francisco International Wine Judging.

The 2009 Reserve Aglianico also received double gold medals at the Tasters Guild 2015 International Wine Judging.

A native of Algeria, Herve Lescombes left France to start the St. Clair Winery near Deming in 1981. The first wines were produced in 1984, using traditional French winemaking techniques. Herve’s son Florent is the winemaker today, and his son Emmanuel manages the vineyard. They have a capacity of 500,000 gallons, and they produce wine under contract for other wineries in Arizona, Texas and New Mexico. St. Clair’s Malvasia Bianca won a gold medal at the 2015 Beverage Testing Institute.

One should not stop tasting after visits to these wineries. There are other fine wines across the state, a testament to New Mexico’s place in wine passion.

Upcoming events include the Santa Fe Wine Festival on July 2 and 3, the New Mexico Wine and Jazz Festival Labor Day weekend Sept. 3 and 4 and the New Mexico Wine Harvest Festival Labor Day weekend Sept. 3, 4 and 5 in Las Cruces. For more information about New Mexico wines, visit www.NMWine.com.

RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

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A cultural gem with five museums and over 100 shops, galleries and restaurants. Stop by the Visitor Information Center to pick up a free Official Visitors Guide.

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Just off the Rail Runner stop at the Alvarado Transportation Center, find bustling nightlife along Central Avenue (Route 66). Entertainment awaits at nightclubs, theaters, restaurants and galleries.

Uptown is home to high-end national and local clothing, accessories and home furnishings boutiques. With many great entertainment and dining venues, Uptown is alive day and night.

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www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER 6/9/2016 4:16:072016 PM

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Honoring Generations of Military Service Members Nestled along the Sangre de Cristo mountain range in the beautiful Moreno Valley in Angel Fire lies a white, gleaming chapel that seems to reach high above the clouds. The Peace and Brotherhood Chapel remains perpetually open for visitors who make the pilgrimage to this healing place. The stories that are shared among visitors, families and friends of those who served in Vietnam are forever etched in people’s hearts and minds. Many veterans bring their children and grandchildren to learn about the Vietnam War in the Educational Visitor Center.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park is the first and only state park in the United States dedicated exclusively to Vietnam veterans. Its mission is to remember and honor Vietnam veterans, provide educational opportunities for the public, and maintain a haven for healing and reconciliation. The memorial is widely known throughout the nation as a special, emotional and powerful place for veterans to pay homage to their fellow comrades who died in the Vietnam War. A Veterans Memorial Walkway commemorates all United States Veterans. People travel from near and far to experience this spiritual place. Memorial Day and Veterans Day are the busiest weekends of the year as the park hosts special ceremonies to honor all veterans. More than 40,000 people each year make the trek to the state park to pay homage— and to heal.

As you stroll through the grounds surrounded by rolling hills, high mountains and lush valleys, you will be captivated by the wind’s howl and hear whispers of history. A piece of military The 4th of July parade in Eagle Nest New Mexico is a colorful place to celebrate the nation’s birthday.

Photo by Martin Frentzel.

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history is a focal point in the center of the property; a Huey helicopter, known as Viking Surprise, was one of the first smoke ships in Vietnam used to hide a battlefield assault. In 1999, it was donated to the memorial by the New Mexico National Guard.

Guided tours are available, and there are “touchable” exhibits that visitors are encouraged to handle.

Managing a memorial this special is an important and daunting task. The staff at Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park are few, but all have huge hearts. The volunteers who give their time to maintaining the beautiful grounds treat the memorial as their “home away from home.” One volunteer who has been recognized numerous times for his outstanding and valuable contributions to those who serve and who have served is Luis Lopez, who has volunteered at the memorial for over 30 years.

He assisted founder Doc Westphall, and before Westpall died, Lopez promised he would take care of the park. Lopez lives in Wagon Mound and drives over 90 miles to Angel Fire to assist at the memorial whenever he is needed. He has helped beautify the park and is a loyal and dedicated volunteer who strongly believes in its mission.

As you sit quietly and breathe the fresh mountain air, it is the spirit of loved ones lost that you feel. Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park is a place of healing, a place of nature, a place to pay tribute to those whose who sacrificed for our great nation. No matter what generation you are—when you are here, you’ll understand.

RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

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Rail Runner On Track For The Future (continued from Page 14) WHAT’S NEXT?

The 10-year-old New Mexico Rail Runner Express, its 60-plus connecting bus routes, and the existing Central New Mexico transit system provides reasonable public transportation to the region now, but Doyle thinks that in the future public transportation can do better.

“As we go forward over the next 20-plus years, there needs to be better connectivity to and between activity centers,” he says. Having more frequent and coordinated train and bus service makes commuting by public transit more convenient and easier to use. Doyle says, “The Rio Metro Regional Transit District will be developing a regional long range transit plan for the District (Valencia, Bernalillo and Sandoval Counties) in 2017 that will provide the framework to do that. The study will also look at transit supportive land-use and regional growth, and will be coordinated with ABQRide and the Mid-Region Council of Governments Metropolitan Planning Organization.

In addition to overall system improvements, Doyle says there are some future physical improvements that need to be made to the Rail Runner corridor to increase speeds where possible in order to reduce travel times. “Building

more passing zones in the corridor would provide greater travel time reliability and opportunities to increase service in the corridor in the future, a key component to improving the regional system.” In addition, Doyle says, “ We are identifying funding and working on short term initiatives to bring reliable Wi-Fi to the train and a mobile ticketing application for fare purchases.”

More service also is an accurate description of the proposed Albuquerque Rapid Transit project being prepared for the Duke City now by the City of Albuquerque. With dedicated bus lanes on old Route 66 through town, also known as Central Avenue, riders won’t have to wait long for the next bus. A study by the National Institute of Transportation and Communities found that since the recession of 2008, bus rapid transit corridors can change communities. Growth in high-wage jobs and office space occurred along the corridors near bus stations. The study, produced at Portland State University, also found that more multi-family dwellings were constructed along the bus routes.

Doyle says he and the rail management team get on the Rail Runner weekly so we’ll see firsthand how things are running. He also came to New Mexico from Los Angeles where citizens understand that public transit is appreciated as a viable alternative to freeway congestion. Does he think New Mexicans are ready to leave the car at home and take the bus or train?

“I think that as the regional system is improved to provide more frequent coordinated service with convenient connections to activity centers throughout the three county Rio Metro District, it will attract additional riders,” Doyle says. “But it is a choice that people have to make. It’s a generational thing, too; in the millennial generation there is a desire for access to good public transit.”

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America in 2015, A Urban Land Institute Survey of Views on Housing, Transportation and Community shows that 52% of Americans would like to live in a place where they do not need to use a car very often. Less reliance on cars appeals especially to millennials, almost two-thirds of whom (63%) would prefer to live in a car optional environment.

The Pew Research Center found millennials, those born between 1981 and 1997, more likely to believe that government should do more to solve societal problems, which probably does make them more inclined to use public transportation than other generations. Overall, 53 percent of millennials support government doing more. That age group already is the largest generation in America, outnumbering baby boomers 75.4 million to 74.9 million.

With all those millennials lining up to ride let’s hope Rio Metro’s improved service becomes a reality.

RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

Growers’ Markets Near Rail Runner (continued from Page 20)

To access the Albuquerque Rail Yards from the Downtown ABQ Rail Runner Station, walk south on First Street for approximately half-a-mile.

Downtown Growers’ Market in Albuquerque The Downtown Growers’ Market, located near the heart of downtown Albuquerque, gets an early start in mid-April and goes strong as long as the frost stays away, usually until the first or second week in November.

Located in the historic Robinson Park at 8th and Central NW, there are more than 50 vendors including local farmers who set up their tents and canopies every Saturday morning from 8 a.m. until about noon. During this time, people can shop for freshly harvested produce including squash, tomatoes, cucumbers, okra, green beans, beets, onions, fresh garlic, figs and fig tree starters, raspberries, cherries, grapes plums, pears, peaches apricots and other fruits and vegetables. Fresh herbs, New Mexico honey, and dairy items including goat cheese and spreads can also be found at the market.

The Downtown Growers’ Market attracts everything from small backyard farmers to larger farms like Schwebach Farms of Moriarty with their ever-popular fresh white corn, bolita and pinto beans, and red potatoes.

In addition to fruit and vegetables there are a wonderful variety of arts and crafts vendors selling paintings, scented soaps, pottery, jewelry, wood carvings and homemade quilts, hats, purses, baby items, and more.

Popular with people from all over the city and especially downtown residents, early morning shoppers come to enjoy fresh brewed coffee, pastries, cookies and scones. Visitors sit on their blankets with their families amid the cool canopy of trees in Robinson Park and listen to music provided by a variety of popular local groups.

Just another typical Saturday

Before market open, the calm before the storm

The market is sponsored by the DowntownABQ Mainstreet Initiative, which is focused on making events in downtown Albuquerque family friendly. The Downtown Growers’ Market is an easy seven-block walk west on Central from the Downtown ABQ Rail Runner station.

Santa Fe Farmers Market at the Railyard Whether you live in Santa Fe or you are just visiting, make locally-grown food a part of your experience at the eclectic and large Santa Fe Farmers Market at the Santa Fe Railyard. This market, which is open year-round, has been going strong for more than 15 years, and has been growing in size and popularity each year.

The market is just steps from the Rail Runner’s Santa Fe Depot Station. When planning your visit, taking the Rail Runner is one of the best options since you don’t have to hassle with parking.

Many local restaurants have booths at the market and feature locally-grown foods. Eating seasonal has many benefits, and the market’s web site at www. santafefarmersmarket.com, include an updated list of the seasonal fruits, vegetables and herbs being sold throughout the year.

The Santa Fe Farmers Market is open on Saturdays, June through September, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., and from October through May, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is also open on Tuesdays, May through September, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

More than 20 farmers are represented as well as crafters, jewelry makers and food producers, such as honey, salsa and chile-makers selling their jarred and dried specialties.

Visitors will also be treated to some of the best local entertainment in New Mexico. During the winter months, the market moves indoors and offers a great place to shop for homemade crafts and clothing before the holidays. www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER 2016

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Route 66 Casino Hotel: Award-Winning Dining, Live Entertainment and Unlimited Fun Route 66 Casino Hotel is your 24/7 oasis for a fun-filled day or spontaneous getaway. Feel the excitement build with over 1,700 slot machines and 20 action-packed table games waiting to welcome you into all the action. Join the party in our Irish-themed poker pub or play cosmic bingo in the 500-seat bingo hall. Play, eat, shop and do it again after a restful night’s stay in our classy, comfortable hotel.

Experience world-class quality, service and value at one of our award-winning restaurants and three lounges. Always voted best buffet in Albuquerque, Buffet 66 is a world of fresh choices all in one place. Feast your eyes on an array of international flavors spread across nine food and beverage stations with live-action cooking and more than 200 menu options from Mediterranean delights to Pacific Rim fresh bites.

Tempt your taste buds at Thunder Road Steakhouse and Cantina. Located in the heart of the casino, this multi-level restaurant serves up sizzling steaks, spicy tacos, and specialty drinks from the tequila bar. Great specials at even better prices are featured each month.

Take a walk on the rustic side with made-to-order tableside guacamole or kick-start your meal with freshly made tortillas and complementary salsa. Enjoy free entertainment by the best local bands every weekend on the bar-top stage.

When it comes to All-American comfort foods and cocktails, we’ve got it all! Flashback to the good ol’ days in the newly renovated Johnny Rockets restaurant. Swing by the 50s-inspired diner in for an All-American burger, onion rings and milkshake.

Catch the Johnny Rockets team is action as they sing and dance to classic oldies hits. Main Street Restaurant & Bar is the perfect place for breakfast or order a home-style special. Grab an indoor

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www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER 2016

patio table and watch all of the casino excitement. If you’re looking to simply wet your whistle, swing by the 360 Lounge, Poker Pub, or Main Street Bar, and ask about the drink specials.

Let us entertain you. With 2,800 theater-style seats in Legends Theater every seat is a good seat. Experience performances from some of the best comedians, rock legends, country superstars and premier tribute bands in the business. Feel up-close and personal MMA action at one of our PPV events or live fights. Legends Theater features more than 25 headliner performances every year. The 2016 lineup includes multiplatinum American rock band 3 Doors Down, Grammy Award– winning comedy duo Cheech and Chong, and The Price Is Right Live stage show.

The fun doesn’t have to end when the sun goes down. Relax in one of the 154 newly renovated rooms at Route 66 Hotel. Refreshed from floor to ceiling, the $2 million remodel features an inviting ambiance of lively designs, modern furnishings, and many upgrades to make your stay comfortable. Reenergize with in-room amenities from top brands like Simmons Beautyrest®, Starbucks® and Bath & Body Works®. Plus, with on-site hourly childcare and a non-violent game arcade available at Kids Quest & Cyber Quest, the entire family can get their kicks at Route 66. Hotel reservations are available now.

For current rates, member discounts, and reservations please call 866-711-STAY (7829).

The best gaming, dining, and entertainment is just a hop, skip and short 15-minute drive west of Albuquerque exit 140 on Interstate 40.

Get all the latest Route 66 Casino Hotel news and announcements, visit us at www.rt66casino. com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER 2016

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Moon Dog Publishing 9400 Holly Avenue NE Albuquerque, NM 87122

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www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | SUMMER 2016