Images Albuquerque, NM: 2010

2010 | imagesalbuquerque.com ®

What’s Online Watch a quick video of a photographer befriending an orangutan at the zoo.

albuquerque, new mexico

It’s in Our

Nature Outdoor recreation abounds in Albuquerque

HOT AND SPICY Food comes with a kick

“A” for Economy City boasts two top learning institutions

sponsored by the greater albuquerque Chamber of Commerce

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2010 edition | volume 5 ®

th anniversary issue Albuquerque, New Mexico

co nte nt s F e atu r e s 6 past to presents

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Indian and Hispanic past affects Albuquerque’s vibrant arts and cultural centers.

10 It’s in our nature Outdoor recreation abounds in Albuquerque.

14 leeding the way Albuquerque’s city and business leaders embrace alternative energy plans.

d e pa r tm e nt s 4 Almanac 18 Biz Briefs 20 Chamber Report 21 Economic Profile 23 Image Gallery 26 Local Flavor 28 Sports & Recreation 30 Education 33 Health & Wellness 35 Arts & Culture 36 Community Profile

on the cover Cycling toward the beautiful Sandia Mountains Photo by Brian McCord

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Albuquerque , New Mexico Project Manager courtney seiter Proofreading Manager Raven Petty Content Coordinators Jennifer Graves, Erica Hines Staff Writer Kevin Litwin Copy Editors Lisa Battles, Joyce Caruthers, Jill Wyatt Contributing writers Gwyneth Doland, Laura hill, Kelly Koepke, joe morris Media Technology Director Christina Carden Senior Graphic Designers Laura Gallagher, Jessica Manner, Janine Maryland, Kris Sexton, Candice Sweet, Vikki Williams Media Technology Analysts Chandra Bradshaw, Yamel Hall, Alison Hunter, Marcus Snyder Photography Director Jeffrey S. Otto Senior Photographers Jeff Adkins, Brian McCord Staff Photographers Todd Bennett, Antony Boshier Web Content Managers John Hood, Kim Madlom Web Design Director Franco Scaramuzza Web Designer Leigh Guarin Ad Production Manager Katie Middendorf Ad Traffic Assistants Marcia Millar, Patricia Moisan I.T. Director Yancey Bond I.T. Service Technician Ryan Sweeney Regional Sales Manager Charles Sweeney Sales Support/Community, Business, Custom Rachael Goldsberry Senior Accountant Lisa Owens Accounts Payable Coordinator Maria McFarland Accounts Receivable Coordinator Diana Guzman Office Manager/Accounts Receivable Coordinator Shelly Miller Sales Support Manager Cindy Hall Chairman Greg Thurman President/Publisher Bob Schwartzman Executive Vice President Ray Langen Senior V.P./Sales Todd Potter, Carla Thurman Senior V.P./Operations Casey Hester Senior V.P./Client Development Jeff Heefner V.P./Content Development Teree Caruthers V.P./Custom Publishing Kim Newsom V.P./Visual Content Mark Forester V.P./Content Operations Natasha Lorens V.P./Sales Charles Fitzgibbon, Herb Harper, Jarek Swekosky Controller Chris Dudley Content Director/Travel Publications Susan Chappell Content Director/Business Publications Bill McMeekin Marketing Creative Director Keith Harris Distribution Director Gary Smith sales recruiter/trainer colin Wright Executive Secretary Kristy Duncan Human Resources Manager Peggy Blake Receptionist Linda Bishop

Images Albuquerque is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce and its member businesses.

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For more information, contact: Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce 115 Gold Avenue S.W. #201, Albuquerque, NM 87102 Phone: (505) 764-3700 • Fax: (505) 764-3714 www.abqchamber.com Visit Images Albuquerque online at imagesalbuquerque.com ©Copyright 2010 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved.

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imagesalbuquerque.com The definitive relocation resource

What’s Online

picture perfect We’ve added even more of our prize-winning photography to the online gallery. To see these photos, click on Photo Gallery.

relocation Considering a move to this community? We can help. Use our Relocation Tools to discover tips, including how to make your move green, advice about moving pets and help with booking movers.

Videos In our Interactive section, watch quick videos by our editors and photographers featuring people, places and events.

facts & stats Go online to learn even more about:

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• Schools • Health care • Utilities • Parks • Taxes

Local Flavor From the simple to the sublime, the delicious offerings here are guaranteed to satisfy every appetite.

About this magazine Images gives readers a taste of what makes Albuquerque tick – from business and education to sports, health care and the arts.

“Find the good – and praise it.”

– Alex Haley (1921-1992), Journal Communications co-founder

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Almanac

Welcome to Albuquerque An introduction to the area’s people, places and events

The Big Picture

Be Sure to Bring Your Camera One of the most photographed annual events in the world is the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

The nine-day extravaganza occurs each October and will celebrate its 39th anniversary in 2010. More than 700 hot-air and gas balloons paint the New Mexico sky a myriad of colors, and the 800,000 spectators in attendance make it the largest balloon event on Earth.

One of the many highlights is a Mass Ascension, when all 700 balloons inflate and launch from Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta Park. Evening balloon glows are also a favorite festival attraction.

This is quite a canvas.

Nearly 25,000 images carved by American Indians and Spanish settlers dot the landscape at Petroglyph National Monument. The unusual tourist attraction stretches 17 miles along Albuquerque’s West Mesa, encompassing 7,236 acres.

Many of the carvings are cloaked in mystery and wonder, with images of animals, humans, crosses, brands and other symbols – some dating as far back as A.D. 500. Some are communications with the spirit world, others are clan images, and some are unidentifiable.

More than 150,000 people from all over the world visit Petroglyph National Monument each year.

High There Here’s a trivia question: What is the world’s longest aerial tramway?

It is the Sandia Park Tramway in Albuquerque, which celebrates its 44th anniversary throughout 2010. The tram is 2.7 miles long and travels from Albuquerque to an observation deck atop Sandia Peak, 10,378 feet above sea level.

The trip takes 16 minutes one way, and the tram can haul 220 passengers at a time. It carries 225,000-245,000 passengers each year.

The tram was originally built for skiers, but is now more for scenic rides.

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Film Is Major Player in Albuquerque Economy

Historic Connection Here’s to the Aztecs.

Sandia Pueblo has been at its present site since A.D. 1300 – a site that stretches 22,877 acres on the northern boundary of Albuquerque. Today, it is a federally recognized American Indian community of 500, with residents whose lineages can be traced to the Aztec civilization.

The independent government of Sandia Pueblo operates Bien Mur Indian Market Center, which features arts and crafts, and it also oversees the Sandia Lakes Recreation Area, which boasts excellent fishing.

George Clooney made a movie here, as did Russell Crowe, Denzel Washington and Charlize Theron.

The film industry has been a hot commodity in New Mexico since 2002, when the state began to offer incentives to moviemakers. Those incentives include rebates up to 25 percent to filmmakers for all of their production expenses that are subject to taxation, including labor.

As a result, recent movies filmed in New Mexico include Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, The Book of Eli and Transformers.

Albuquerque At A Glance Population Albuquerque: 521,999 Bernalillo County: 642,527 Location Albuquerque is in north central New Mexico, nestled between the towering Sandia Mountains and the Rio Grande Valley. It is 60 miles southwest of Santa Fe, the capital city.

was not incorporated until 1891. It is named in honor of a Spanish leader – the 10th Duke of Alburquerque. The word “Albuquerque” comes from the Latin words “albus” and “quercus,” meaning white ash.

Los Alamos

For More Information Santa Fe Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce 115 Gold Ave. S.W. # 201 Albuquerque, NM 87102 Phone: (505) 764-3700 Fax: (505) 764-3714 14 www.abqchamber.com

Beginnings Albuquerque was founded as Alburquerque in 1706 (the first “r” was later dropped), but the community

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Fast Facts n Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos was born in Albuquerque. n The Rio Grande runs through Albuquerque and is known to Mexicans as the Rio Bravo. n Albuquerque remained a small town until the latter part of the 19th century and the arrival of the railroad.

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n The city sits at 5,314 feet above sea level, making it the highest metropolitan area on the American mainland. n Pulitzer Prizewinning journalist Ernie Pyle called Albuquerque home, and his house is now a branch library.

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Past to

Presents native american and Hispanic past affects Albuquerque’s vibrant arts and cultural centers

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Sculpture titled Nellie Begay at Nizhoni Fine Arts in  Old Town Albuquerque

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Staff Photo

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Story By Joe Morris Photography By brian mccord

T

he past and present collide continuously throughout Albuquerque, but nowhere more so than in the city’s vibrant arts and cultural scene.

Hispanic and Native American art is predominant here, where venues like the Nob Hill Art Gallery and others throughout Old Town and downtown mix new and traditional works. Those venues rub shoulders with such institutions as the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and National Hispanic Cultural Center, where the creations of the present and past also are on display.

“We are the gateway to the 19 pueblos, and are responsible for the preservation, conservation and curation of invaluable objects from them and other tribes,” says Ron Solimon, president and chief executive officer of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, which also houses the Institute for Pueblo Indian Studies’ Archive and Research Library along with its changing exhibit and communityactivity spaces. One special surprise at the IPCC is its Pueblo House and Art Room, with the adjacent learning garden. Children and youth from both the Albuquerque and Pueblo communities participate in year-round programming focused on Pueblo life through an expansive program developed around IPCC’s museum, murals, weekly traditional dances and changing exhibits.

The National Hispanic Cultural Center is equally dedicated to blending the past and the present, and has done so through more than 37 art exhibits and a number of music, dance, theatrical, historical and educationrelated programs serving local, national and international audiences, all in its first decade of operations, says Dr. Estevan Rael-Galvez, executive director.

“The NHCC is well positioned to represent local, regional, national and international artists, showcasing their work and talents,” Rael-Galvez says.

“We have also forged strong relationships with other local, state and national art centers and museums as well as schools and universities.”

The center takes care to honor the traditions and culture of its historic Hispanic Barelas neighborhood, and does so through events ranging from the annual Día de los Muertos and Día del Niño festivals to the National Latino Writers Conference. But it’s also a national center, where it can present the works of Latino artists from around the nation and world.

“The role of exhibitions, performance and lectures all hold as a goal of informing, illuminating and perhaps even inspiring, but they also help cultivate new forms of knowledge and consciousness,” Rael-Galvez says.

“Art and culture matter, and I would argue are instrumental in the health and vibrancy of a community. To the extent that we can contribute to that in the area, even a small bit, is very important.”

The richness of what these institutions represent is not only valuable for the community in terms of honoring its own history, but it also feeds into tourism and economicdevelopment efforts that are key to the city’s future, adds Solimon.

“When people visit from here or elsewhere and learn about the pueblos, the people, they also are visiting the entire city,” he says, “We find that working with other museums and organizations on special events can bring even more awareness to us, and those collaborations help us to expand and improve the whole arts and culture district.”

Clockwise from top left: Acoma Pueblo, known as Sky City; Exhibit at the National Hispanic Cultural Center; Works by local artists; National Hispanic Cultural Center; Local handmade jewelry; Crosses made by local artists

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It’s in Our

Nature outdoor recreation abounds In Albuquerque

Story By Laura Hill Photography By brian mccord

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t’s been saluted by Outdoors magazine for its climate and access to recreational opportunities and named one of the top 10 places in the U.S. to live and play by National Geographic Adventure. Welcome honors, but no surprise for the folks who live here. They know that Albuquerque is unsurpassed when it comes to playing in nature.

Whether mountain biking, hiking forest trails, in-line skating through the city, tennis, golf or flying model airplanes is your pleasure, there’s a place to do it in Albuquerque. You can tackle serious high-altitude training, as Olympic athletes have done here, or just lie back and stargaze in the desert. Ride a horse through the cottonwoods or run a 10K in honor of a worthy Left: Hiking the Sandia Mountains Right: A cyclist enjoys a ride amidst the Sandia Mountains.

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Whether biking, hiking forest trails, in-line skating through the city, tennis, golf or flying model airplanes is your pleasure, there’s a place to do it in Albuquerque.

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cause in a city park. Hot air ballooning.

Shooting. Disc golf. You get the picture.

With the Sandia Mountains at hand and the Rio Grande running right through the center of town, a four-season temperate climate and few wet, dreary days, Albuquerque enjoys her wide open spaces year-round, an attraction for more than a few out-of-towners who have moved here.

“We see a lot more people riding these days because more people live here,” says Lee Newsom, owner of The Kickstand, which sells and services all kinds of bicycles.

“Outdoors here is so accessible. Talk to people from Dallas or L.A., where they have to pack up all their stuff and drive for hours to play outdoors. Here, we just walk out the door and we’re in open space.”

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Bicycling is particularly popular in Albuquerque, says Newsom, thanks to the variety of in-town as well as open-space trails and paths. An extensive bike route connects the city, and bicycle commuting is common. Even the buses have bike racks, he points out.

The city’s extensive preservation of open space is another advantage for Albuquerque’s outdoors enthusiasts. Beginning in the early 1980s, the city began purchasing open space to protect it from development, creating in the process enormous unspoiled areas that could be used for low-impact (hiking, biking, rollerskating, e.g.) or high-impact activity (soccer, baseball, model airplane flying, etc.), depending on the area.

“The closer-in, more accessible areas allow

Photo Courtesy of Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Inc.

for the high-impact activities, but as you go further out into the more natural areas, access is more limited and activities are low-impact,” says the city’s Parks and Recreation Director Barbara Baca, a passionate advocate of openspace preservation.

In town, the city also offers more than 250 neighborhood parks, four golf courses and a nationally renowned golf program designed to make the sport accessible to all, the stunning Paseo del Bosque park with its 16 miles of paved trails along the banks of the Rio Grande through town and a trails master plan with linking open space and parks. Flagship Park, home to Albuquerque’s annual balloon fiesta, is a large, multi-use master-planned park that is also home to sports fields, community

events, a balloon museum and golf training center. It also hosts the city’s annual Fourth of July celebration.

Baca is an avid supporter of a new city initiative to combat what she calls Nature Deficit Disorder, which results from too many kids spending too much time indoors playing with electronic devices. Working with the National Parks Service, it will foster programs for kids in classrooms and community centers to educate them about the outdoors – and get them in it.

“We need to teach children how fun it is to be out of doors so they become the next generation of stewards of our outdoor resources,” says Baca. “It’s amazing how some kids don’t have that opportunity. It can be a life-changing experience.”

Clockwise from left: Sandia Golf Club; Sandia Peak Ski Area; Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

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Brian M c Cord Brian M c Cord

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LEEDing the Way Albuquerque’s city and business leaders embrace alternative-energy plans

Story By joe morris

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y practicing what it preaches when it comes to clean energy, Albuquerque has become a national leader, both in terms of local usage and related business recruitment.

The city has been honored by Siemens and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for its sustainability efforts, led by AlbuquerqueGreen, a comprehensive road map for the city’s energy conservation, clean energy production and conservation efforts.

“Albuquerque is setting the pace in this field,” says Pat Vincent-Collawn, President and CEO of PNM Resources and Chairman of the Board of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. “Our Chamber, for instance, is creating an Energy Planning Committee to help develop these opportunities, and we foresee lots of growth in the sector.”

All this means Albuquerque has become the place to visit for municipal leaders looking to

beef up their own clean-energy efforts. When here they learn about everything from an agency ban on purchasing single-serving bottled water to the $3.1 million classroom building at Barcelona Elementary School. With everything from sensor-controlled lights and special planters to make plants more selfsufficient, the building is the first of many city structures that aim to achieve gold certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, program.

The private sector also is on board. Developer Paul Allen Homes is implementing energysaving features that allow purchasers to capitalize on state and federal tax incentives, while growth is happening in every direction at Emcore Corp., a provider of compound semiconductor-based components and systems for the fiber-optic and solar power markets.

From its Albuquerque headquarters, the company continues to expand into markets

More Info AlbuquerqueGreen was established to ensure that the community maintains its sustainability. Some factors for doing so include the use of green buildings, alternative fuels and wind energy.

To find out more about the AlbuquerqueGreen initiative, visit the city of Albuquerque’s website at www.cabq.gov.

Top left: Emcore Corporation’s solar photovoltaic technology converts optical light into electrical energy, enabling power generation.

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around the globe and, closer to home, recently inked a 20-year agreement to supply PNM of New Mexico’s distributed-generation solar power program with solar power from its on-site systems.

In short, clean energy is big business in Albuquerque, and it’s only going to get bigger as new technologies emerge that allow for smaller, cheaper installations for wind, solar and other

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sources, says John Garcia, director of the Albuquerque Economic Development Department.

“We have all of the technologies here – biofuels, solar, wind,” Garcia says.

“And then you look at the brain power at the Los Alamos and Sandia national labs, and it’s easy to see how we can leverage what we have to get behind our initiative on an industrial scale.”

And as the city, universities, military

installations and other users in the region install rooftop panels for solar and incorporate other saving measures into their facilities, they also provide a local market for Albuquerque’s growing alternative-energy manufacturing sector.

“We are growing the market for companies like Schott Solar by making it easier for people here to buy their products and install,” Garcia says.

“That makes us an even better place for

Eastern Hills Christian Academy

them to do business, and it also allows us to expand.”

Over time, as storage and grid technologies are perfected, the city may begin exporting energy, too.

“We are developing a big, audacious goal for this city,” Garcia says. “We can grow in many ways, and because we have these technology and research assets, we are looking at clean energy on a major scope for our future.”

3 yEArs tHrougH 8tH grAdE Accredited through NCA/ACSI and the State of New Mexico A Quality Comprehensive Education Involving the Whole Child – Physically, Mentally, Spiritually and Socially

Activities for All Ages Including Middle School Athletics – Golf, Tennis, Track, Volleyball, Boys and Girls Basketball

The new Sawmill Lofts is a leader in green buildings in Albuquerque.

Brian M c Cord

3100 Morris NE (505) 294-3373

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Biz Briefs Businesses – both large and small – that help define albuquerque’s economic climate

Scorecard Business At A Glance

$6,955,281 Retail sales ($1,000)

$14,990 Retail sales per capita

$987,792 Accommodations and food service sales ($1,000)

36,763 Total number of firms Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts

Canine Country Club & Feline Inn Biz: Dog and cat boarding, grooming Buzz: The “club and inn” offers boarding, grooming and training services, and the company also provides a full-service doggy daycare play program. Officials say that instead of being bored or destructive at home alone, a dog in daycare can exercise and learn in a safe, fun and stimulating environment. www.caninecountryclub.com 18

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ABQ TROLLEY CO. Biz: Trolley car tours Buzz: If you want to see most of Albuquerque in 66 minutes, then book a tour with ABQ Trolley Co. The company provides visitors and residents a guided tour of the best of Albuquerque. The trolley ride begins in Historic Old Town and continues to attractions such as East Downtown, Nob Hill, University of New Mexico, Rio Grande Zoo, the Albuquerque Aquarium and more. www.abqtrolley.com

Pimentel & Sons Guitar Makers Biz: Custom and collector series guitars Buzz: Pimentel Guitars makes custom and collector series guitars featuring contemporary, Hispanic and American Indian motifs inspired by the heart of the player. Choices of woods for the backs and sides include rosewood, mahogany, walnut and mesquite. www.pimentelguitars.com

The Grove Cafe & Market Biz: Restaurant and specialty foods Buzz: The Grove Cafe & Market serves breakfast all day and also features a lunch menu with classic and unusual sandwiches and salads. The market focuses on natural ingredients and product lines that include Katz Olive Oil and Vinegar, Heidi’s Organic Raspberry Jam and B’s Honey. www.thegrovecafemarket.com

Wright’s Indian Art Biz: American Indian art and gifts Buzz: American Indian artists are plentiful in the Albuquerque region, and much of their creativity is on display and for sale at Wright’s Indian Art. Items featured include baskets, folk art, glass, jewelry and more. Many tribes from this area and throughout the Southwest are represented. www.wrightsgallery.com

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Chamber Report Albuquerque Chamber Offers Many Advantages for Members

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ll 2,000 members of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce receive a discount at area Office Depot stores. Those discounts range from 15 to 25 percent.

“I’ve had several small-business owners tell me that the money they save each year at Office Depot is enough to pay their chamber membership dues,” says Stephanie Cinocco, senior vice president of the Greater Albuquerque

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Chamber of Commerce. “In this challenging economy where a member might wonder about paying their light bill rather than their dues, we think they can wisely do both.”

Cinocco says the Greater Albuquerque chamber has devoted 2010 to retaining its membership, mainly by helping members increase their sales volumes and overall bottom lines.

“We do a lot to help small

businesses, which account for 85 percent of our membership,” she says.

“The chamber hosts two seminars each month that offer advice to smallbusiness owners on subjects such as finances, legal issues, insurance matters and more.”

The chamber also hosts luncheons and after-hours events that provide a convenient and relaxed atmosphere for members to network with one another.

“We also preside over a Duke City Dozen program each September that trumpets the accomplishments of 10 small businesses in Greater Albuquerque, along with naming an Entrepreneur of the Year and a Home-Based Business of the Year,” Cinocco says.

In addition, the chamber recognizes an annual Small Business Advocate of the Year, and the 2010 winner is South Valley Economic Development. The South Valley district of Albuquerque is economically challenged, and SVED recently opened a large industrial kitchen that allows people who have culinary ideas to use that kitchen in order to perfect their products.

“South Valley Economic Development has helped several people start their own small businesses,” Cinocco says.

The chamber also sends out e-mail blasts and a weekly Monday Morning Memo that alert members of upcoming seminars, noteworthy events and other news. In addition, the chamber offers complimentary meeting space at its headquarters at no charge to members.

The meeting space can be especially important to home-based business owners who want to meet with clients in a professional setting.

“Those home-business owners can look more professional by hosting their business associates or customers inside one of the nice conference rooms here at the chamber,” says William C. Reichard, Senior Vice President of Communications.

“It’s just another of the many perks we give our members, in appreciation for them supporting the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce.”

– Kevin Litwin

economic profile Business climate Albuquerque has a low cost of doing business, a high concentration of brainpower, rising household incomes, access to excellent health care and a growing, diverse economy. The Albuquerque metro area accounts for nearly half of all the economic activity in New Mexico. Albuquerque is known for its high-tech, film and solar industries.

Economic Resources Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce 115 Gold Ave. S.W. Ste. 201 (505) 764-3700 www.abqchamber.com

Tax Structure

0.5625% City Sales and Use Tax

1.1875% County Sales Tax

5.0% State Sales Tax

6.75%

Albuquerque Economic Development 851 University Blvd. S.E. Ste. 203 (505) 246-6200 (800) 451-2933 www.abq.org Office of Economic Development One Civic Plaza N.W. (505) 768-3270 www.cabq.gov/econdev New Mexico Department of Economic Development 1100 S. Saint Francis Dr. Sante Fe, NM 87505 (505) 827-0300 www.edd.state.nm.us

income

Total Sales Tax

Transportation

Median Income: Age less than 25

50,508 Number of Sales Professionals

409 Number of Executives

11,731 Number of Retail Trade Workers

16,044 Number of Manufacturing Workers

rent

$521 Estimated Gross Rent Studio

$614 Estimated Gross Rent 1-Bedroom Apartment

$775 Estimated Gross Rent 2-Bedroom Apartment

ABQ Ride (505) 243-RIDE www.cabq.gov/transit

$42,894 Median Income: Age 25-34

Albuquerque International Sunport (505) 244-7700 www.cabq.gov/airport

$1,129

$55,091

Estimated Gross Rent 3-Bedroom Apartment

Amtrak (505) 842-9650 www.amtrak.com

$27,649

industries

Median Income: Age 35-44

$62,578 Median Income: Age 45-54

$1,353 Estimated Gross Rent 4-Bedroom Apartment

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Image Gallery

Sculpture titled Earth Mother at the Albuquerque Museum of Art. Staff Photo

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Image Gallery

Albuquerque Biological Park Photo by Brian McCord

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Sky City Photo by Brian McCord

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Local Flavor

Hot and Spicy Food in Albuquerque comes with a kick

A Little History Why chiles? Why here? In the 1500s, when Spanish and Mexican settlers first came up through the Rio Grande Valley into what is now New Mexico, they brought with them some familiar foods from home. Mexican settlers who migrated north brought with them some new varieties of chile peppers. Now peppers thrive all over the state, enjoying hot, sunny days and cool nights.

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Brian M c Cord

Green Chile on a breakfast burrito with potatoes, an Albuquerque favorite.

Ask anyone from New Mexico what makes the food here so special, and they’ll tell you the same thing: the chile. Get your taste buds in gear, folks, ’cause you’ll need every single one of them to fully appreciate the sweet, fruity, fiery flavor of red and green chile.

Roasted and peeled chiles are eaten in large pieces, draped over a cheeseburger or tucked into a breakfast burrito, but more commonly, they are chopped and cooked into a sauce that is ladled over enchiladas, chiles rellenos or burritos. The sauce can be thin or thick, made with meat or vegetarian. There are a

zillion variations.

Allowed to remain on the plant a little longer, those same green chiles will eventually turn red. Occasionally the pods are crushed into flakes or powder, but most use the whole pods to make a velvety smooth red chile sauce. The pods are toasted before being simmered

in water, pureed, then sautéed with garlic and sometimes a little Mexican oregano. (Yes, it’s a different variety.)

Green and red chile show up in nearly everything eaten here, from salsas and tacos to cakes and pies.

Albuquerque also offers authentic Native American cuisine. The Pueblo Indians have long depended on a diet of three major foods: corn, beans and squash. Corn is used not only for tortillas and tamales, but also (in the form you may know as hominy) in posole, a stew made with broth, chile, meat and corn. You’ll find pinto beans served refried, but some cooks like to serve them perfectly al dente, in a savory broth. Squash shows up in a favorite side dish, calabacitas, a sauté of summer squash with fresh corn kernels and chopped green chile.

But nobody can resist an Indian taco. First, forget what you know about tacos; this is an entirely different beast. The base of the taco is frybread, a large disk of deep-fried dough. Frybread is a treat on its own, and, served with honey, it’s a sweet treat. But the Indian taco is all savory, topped with whole pinto beans, ground beef, chile, cheese, lettuce, onions and tomatoes.

– Gwyneth Doland

What’s Online Hungry for more? Sink your teeth into other stories about Albuquerque’s local flavor in the food section at imagesalbuquerque.com.

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Sports & Recreation

Albuquerque Isotopes

Minor League, Major Fun Albuquerque baseball, basketball are big hits When it comes to having family-friendly fun – without breaking the bank – Albuquerque turns to sports. Not the table-tennis-in-the-garage variety, but professional minor league baseball and basketball, both of which are flourishing here even in the face of a cranky economy.

“We’re about fun, the family and affordability,” says John Traub, general manager of the Isotopes, the city’s AAA minor league baseball team. “On most nights, you can still bring a family of four to a game here for less than $20.”

Which is saying something, given the cost of movies, soda and popcorn these days.

Both the Isotopes, affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Thunderbirds, the minor league basketball team affiliated with the Dallas Mavericks and the New Orleans Hornets, are enjoying enthusiastic crowds

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and growing reputations.

The Thunderbirds draw nearly 3,000 fans per game to their 24 home games at Tingley Coliseum.

On top of a winning streak early this year, the team was particularly buoyed by new, local owners Sam and Jackie Bregman and a new front office staff.

“Our fans are very appreciative of being able to see the owners at games and talk to them,” says spokesman Tyler Ortiz. “We’ve all been growing together, working hard to get the word out and getting folks to come out and support the T-birds.”

Like the Isotopes, the Thunderbirds make a point of keeping prices affordable for families, with tickets as low as $5.

And that helps build crowds, many of whom see their first live basketball game at Tingley.

“Fans who come to their first game say it’s amazing,” says Ortiz.

“They never knew it would be so much fun.”

At Isotopes Park, nicknamed “The Lab,” a record-breaking 600,000 fans cheered the team on to the playoffs during the 2009 season. The award-winning Isotopes Park is a favorite with

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fans, says Traub.

“Our venue is known as one of the most comfortable places to watch baseball in the whole country,” he says. “If you’re a baseball fan, there’s no better place to watch a game than here. If you like to watch people, if you like good food, if you’re a kid – we like to say we have something for everybody, and it has proven to be true.”

Now about that name. Just as the team was locating to Albuquerque, a 2001 TV episode of The Simpsons followed the possible relocation of Homer’s favorite Springfield Isotopes to Albuquerque. Fans voted en masse for the name in real life, and it has become a longstanding favorite. In 2010, fans will even meet two larger-than-life statues of Marge and Homer Simpson that have been installed on the concourse.

“It’s an unconventional baseball name, but it has really hit a home run in this community,” says Traub.

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Education

“A” for Economy Businesses, residents benefit from offerings at UNM, CNMCC With workforce training, technology transfer and cutting-edge research and development all happening on their campuses, Albuquerque’s colleges and universities play a major role in local economic development.

The University of New Mexico has been at the heart of Albuquerque since 1889. It continues to produce graduates in multiple disciplines along with new products and patents that enter the commercial community through incubators and other start-up efforts.

A key example of how UNM affects both Albuquerque and the world beyond is its new DataONE Project, a global data access and preservation network that will advance environmental research. DataONE got

Central New Mexico Community College

photos by Brian M c Cord

Domenici Center for Health Sciences Education at the University of New Mexico

$20 million from the National Science Foundation in 2009, one of many such grants that find their way to the university.

UNM has long been known for work in evolution and behavior studies, but the school also has international standing for research at the University of New Mexico Cancer Center. The university also recently marked the 25th anniversary of its Center for High Technology Materials, which is involved in everything from semiconductors to solar-energy patents and groundbreaking work

in nanotechnology.

In addition to preparing for tomorrow’s economy, Central New Mexico Community College handles the workforce issues of today. The college’s four campuses and Workforce Training Center are home to nearly 25,000 students working towards certificates and degrees in 100 areas.

By providing short-term training opportunities as well as longer, degree-oriented tracks, the college is able to meet many goals, says Katharine Winograd, president.

“CNM plays a very important role in the economic development of central New Mexico region, especially in providing a highly trained workforce for established and emerging industries and businesses in the area,” Winograd says. “The college works closely with [economicdevelopment officials] to stay abreast of the workforce needs of the local economy.”

The college plans a 2010 opening for the first building at its new Rio Rancho Campus. The

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62,000-square-foot facility will have classrooms, a nursing simulation lab, biology, chemistry and computer labs, and other student-support services. The plan for the campus includes six buildings on the 40-acre site, which will be adjacent to the Rio Rancho City Center and the soon-to-open UNM campus in Rio Rancho.

At the same time, CNM will open its 106,500- square-foot Student Resource Center at the heart of its main campus. The building will house a new library, tutoring centers, computer labs, classrooms, a café and offices for the Information Technology Services department.

“Improving education is the No. 1 priority for businesses in Albuquerque,” says Terri Cole, President and CEO of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. “We aim to make sure that every New Mexican has a world-class education, and UNM and CNMCC are both helping our region achieve that.”

– Joe Morris

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25,754 Total Enrollment University of New Mexico

24,870 Total Enrollment Central New Mexico Community College

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Health & Wellness

Pampering the Patrons area spas provide health, wellness and sheer pleasure Spas are becoming more and more popular – for both women and men – now that people are taking more interest in their personal health and wellness. The Albuquerque area offers exceptional facilities perfect for a little self-indulgence.

Massages, facials, reflexology and the like used to be a treat for only the very wealthy. But what once was luxury has become a can’t-do-without part of life for an increasing number of ordinary folks, including a surprising number of men. In Albuquerque, spas are the place to be for relaxation, good health and fun.

“There are a lot of sophisticated people here and in New Mexico in general,” says Richard Rivas, owner of Jon’ Ric Day Spa and Salon. “So there is definitely a great market here for spas. People are spending more money on themselves and taking better care of themselves.”

Like most spas, Jon’ Ric offers a wide array of services, including massage, skin care, manicures and pedicures. The atmosphere is bright, upbeat and modern, a deliberate antidote to the stuffy, says Rivas.

Rivas has seen a growing number of men take advantage of spa services. A special men’s area is private and accented with brighter colors, a place where men can enjoy manicures, pedicures and facials in a non-girly atmosphere.

“More and more men are doing what their wives want them to do. They want them to look younger, and they know that taking care of yourself is part of wellness. If you feel good about yourself, you’ll take better care.”

At the luxurious Tamaya Mist Spa, the emphasis is on taking time to relax. Located in the Hyatt Tamaya Resort & Spa on the Santa Ana Pueblo, the spa has deep roots in the local Native American culture.

“We are named after the mist that rises over the cottonwood trees along the Rio Grande, something really gorgeous,” says spa director Stephanie Martinez. “The culture of the area inspires us as we trace the journey of the Tamayame and the ingredients and plants they would have discovered as they traveled the area to find their home.”

Throughout the hotel, guests can feel the presence of the Native American culture in its décor and ambiance, and the spa treatments are inspired by the Tamaya as well. Desert seaweed, or K’awina, is used in several treatments. An ancient drumming technique is employed to aid relaxation. A lavender dry brush therapy uses native lavender for exfoliation and oil massage.

Encantado, set against the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, prides itself on serenity, privacy and luxury. The resort was designed to be a destination of wellness and rejuvenation, and offers the tranquility of 65 elegantly designed casitas, the renowned spa and fine dining. Encantado features contemporary Santa-Fe-style interiors that capture the essence of the area.

– Laura Hill

For More Info Jon’ Ric Day Spa and Salon 7410 Montgomery NE, Suite 102 Albuquerque, NM 87109 (505) 888-3305 Tamaya Mist Spa 1300 Tuyuna Trail Bernalillo, NM 87004-5940 (505) 771-6134

Encantado Resort

Encantado Resort 198 State Road 592 Santa Fe, NM 87506 (877) 262-4666

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Arts & Culture

Dancing to a Different Beat several albuquerque groups offer dance as an art form A community known for its artistic life, Albuquerque dances to a blend of cultures, styles and influences. From the only place in the United States that offers the study of flamenco, to the newest combination of live chamber music and ballet, to an organization known for its rock-and-roll take on the classic Nutcracker ballet, dance is big in Albuquerque.

The National Dance Institute of New Mexico brings movement to some 1,300 Albuquerque children each year through its program for fourth-graders. Statewide, NDI-NM serves 6,000 students in its semester and yearlong programs. Gretchen Kok, managing director of the NDINM’s Albuquerque office, spends her time raising money for the renovation of the historic Hiland Theatre complex. The building will eventually house NDI’s studios, theater and after-school programs.

“Our goal is to raise $13 million in three years,” Kok says. “We begin construction in mid-2010 and are looking toward 2012 as the year we’ll fully occupy the building.

We’ve secured $3 million, with other commitments ready to sign as we speak.”

Ballet Pro Musica uses the National Hispanic Cultural Center as a venue for its “chamber music meets dance” festival. Summer 2010 marks Ballet Pro Musica’s fourth year of partnering virtuoso musicians and virtuoso dancers from celebrated national companies in a marriage of live chamber music and classical dance.

Keshet Dance Company combines modern dance with innovative, experimental and inspiring choreography, having received local and national recognition for choreography and artistic programming for children, adults, professional and preprofessional dancers. Its December Nutcracker On The Rocks is a community favorite because of its mashup of rock music, motorcycles, dancing mice

and traditional ballet that’s fun for the dancers and the audience.

The National Institute of Flamenco offers a full flamenco curriculum for all ages and experience levels to preserve the art, culture and history of the ancient Spanish Gypsy art form.

NIF also hosts exceptional performances by world-famous flamenco artists throughout the year as well as its June Festival Flamenco Internacional, the largest event of its kind in North America.

– Kelly Koepke

National Dance Institute of New Mexico

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community profile Snapshot Albuquerque is a city of contrasts. Nestled between the Sandia Mountains and the Rio Grande Valley, the city has breathtaking landscapes, a rich cultural heritage and the vibrant energy of a fast-growing urban area. The city has worked hard to earn recognition as one of the best places to live, work and do business.

health care Advanced medical care is available at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, which includes UNM Hospital, Carrie Tingley Hospital, UNM Children’s Hospital, UNM Cancer Research & Treatment Center, UNM Psychiatric Center and UNM Children’s Psychiatric Hospital. Additional Albuquerque hospitals include Presbyterian Hospital and Albuquerque Regional Medical Center. For more information about local health care, visit imagesalbuquerque.com.

Climate

education

Albuquerque’s high altitude results in a mild, dry climate with four definite seasonal changes. Summer high temperatures average 90.4 F. Average annual relative humidity is about 44 percent. Albuquerque is sunny 76 percent of the year. Average rainfall in Albuquerque is about 8.5 inches.

As one of the largest school districts in the nation, Albuquerque Public Schools provides educational services to more than 87,000 children across the city. APS is divided into 12 cluster systems to allow a focus on student achievement through programs specific to the cluster, as well as consistent coordinated professional development. For a list of schools and other information, visit imagesalbuquerque.com

24 F Average January Low Temperature

48 F

67,598

Average January High Temperature

Number of Bachelor’s Degrees

65 F

44,508

Average July Low Temperature

Number of Graduate Degrees

92 F

25,109

Average July High Temperature

Number of Associate’s Degrees

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Ad Index

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C4 Inn at Paradise

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