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OF ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO
Viva, Latino Experience Center becoming nationally known as Hispanic entertainment destination
FORK IT OVER Dinner options here range from Tuscan to Thai food
WHAT A GREAT ICEBREAKER Hockey team checks into new arena SPONSORED BY THE GRE ATER ALBUQUERQUE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • 2007
I M A G E S
O F
Albuquerque 2007 EDITION, VOLUME 2
TABLE OF CONTENT S
SENIOR EDITOR S U S A N C H A P P E L L COPY EDITOR J O Y C E C A RU T HE R S
Features
ASSOCIATE EDITORS DI A NE B A R T L E Y, L I S A B AT T L E S STAFF WRITERS R E BE C C A D E N T O N, K E V I N L I T W I N, JE S S IC A MOZ O EDITORIAL ASSISTANT JE S S Y YA N C E Y DIRECTORIES EDITORS C A R O L C O WA N, A M A NDA K I N G, KRIST Y WISE CONTRIBUTING WRITERS L AU R A HIL L , J O HN M c BR Y D E , VA L E R IE PA S C O E ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER T O D D P O T T E R EXECUTIVE AD PROJECT MANAGER A M Y N O R M A ND ADVERTISING SALES ASSISTANT S A R A S A R T I N
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PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR J E F F O T T O CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER GREG EMENS STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS WE S ALDR IDGE, ANTON Y BOSHIER, MICHAEL W. BUNCH, I AN C URC IO, BR I AN M C CORD CREATIVE DIRECTOR K E I T H H A R R I S WEB DESIGN DIRECTOR S H AW N DA N I E L PRODUCTION DIRECTOR N ATA S H A L O R E N S ASSISTANT PRODUCTION DIRECTOR C HR I S T I N A C A R D E N PRE-PRESS COORDINATOR H A Z E L R I S NE R SENIOR PRODUCTION PROJECT MANAGER TA DA R A S M I T H SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS BR I T TANY SCHLE ICHER, KR I S SE X TON, L AUR A TAYLOR, V IK K I W IL L I A M S GRAPHIC DESIGN JE S S IC A BR AG O N IE R , C ANDICE HUL SE Y, L INDA MORE IR A S, AMY NEL SON
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WEB DESIGN R YA N D U NL A P
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A S IGH T FOR YOUR E Y E S Art is so important here that 1 percent of all city construction funds go toward public art. FORK I T OV ER Albuquerque is a mecca for diners yearning for nearly every kind of treat. BUILDING ON A GOOD T HING The recent boom in residential growth is contributing to a healthy economy.
WEB PRODUCTION J I L L T O W N S E ND DIGITAL ASSET MANAGER A L I S O N HU N T E R AD TRAFFIC M I ND Y A R B O U R , S A R A H M IL L E R , PAT R IC I A M OI S A N, J IL L W YAT T
A CORNUCOP I A OF CULT UR E S From architecture to the arts, this is a city that celebrates diversity.
CHAIRMAN G R E G T HU R M A N PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER B O B S C H WA R T Z M A N EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT R AY L A N GE N
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SENIOR V.P./CLIENT DEVELOPMENT JE F F HE E F N E R SENIOR V.P./SALES C A R L A HE N R Y V.P./SALES HE R B H A R P E R V.P./VISUAL CONTENT M A R K F O R E S T E R V.P./TRAVEL PUBLISHING S Y BIL S T E WA R T SENIOR V.P./ PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS C A S E Y E . HE S T E R EXECUTIVE EDITOR T E R E E C A RU T HE R S MANAGING EDITOR/BUSINESS M AU R IC E F L IE S S CONTROLLER C HR I S D UD L E Y ACCOUNTING M O R I A H D O MB Y, DI A N A GU Z M A N, M A R I A M C FA R L A ND, L I S A O W E N S, S H A N N O N R IG S B Y MARKETING MANAGER T R AC Y R O GE R S DIRECTOR OF RECRUITING S U Z Y WA L D R IP DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR G A R Y S M I T H IT SYSTEMS DIRECTOR M AT T L O C K E IT SERVICE TECHNICIAN R YA N S W E E N E Y HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER P E G G Y B L A K E BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT N IC O L E W IL L I A M S CLIENT & SALES SERVICES MANAGER/CUSTOM MAGAZINES PAT T I C O R NE L I U S
Images of Albuquerque is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce and its member businesses. For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by e-mail at info@jnlcom.com. F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N , C O N TA C T:
Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce 115 Gold Ave. S.W., Ste. 201 • Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102 (505) 764-3700 • Fax: (505) 764-3714 abqchamber.com VISIT IMAGES OF ALBUQUERQUE ONLINE AT IMAGESALBUQUERQUE.COM
©Copyright 2007 Journal Communications Inc., 361 Mallory Station Road, Ste. 102, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent. Member Magazine Publishers of America Member
Custom Publishing Council
Member Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce
16 ALBUQUERQUE BUSINESS NOW T HAT ’ S UP T OWN . . . . . . . 4 4 ABQ Uptown, a mixed-use lifestyle center, offers upscale stores, restaurants and loft-style residences. BIZ BRIEFS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
ECONOMIC PROFILE
. . . . . . . . . . 49
On the Cover Hispanic Cultural Center P H O T O B Y M I C H A E L W. B U N C H
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T HE HE AR T OF ALBUQUERQUE By all accounts, Old Town is the heart of Albuquerque. It’s where the city began. GE T YOUR K ICK S ON ROU T E 66 Route 66 is the center of one of the city’s most vital and vibrant neighborhoods.
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“MAKING THE IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE!” We’re here to serve you as your New Mexico home
V I VA , L AT INO E X PER IENCE Albuquerque is home to the largest Latino cultural center in the United States. WHAT A GRE AT ICEBRE AK ER The New Mexico Scorpions now shuffle the puck in a new arena.
lender. We are locally owned and operated in
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Albuquerque, New Mexico with over 25 years of experience. Let us help you make your next home buying experience an enjoyable one!
Departments 11 | AL M ANAC 35 | P O R T F OL IO 4 0 | IM AG E G ALLERY 54 | ED UC AT ION
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3150 Carlisle Blvd. NE • Ste. 104 Albuquerque, NM 87110 505/884-5500 • 877/884-5501
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fax 505/884-5511
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R E A D M O R E ON L I N E
IMAGESALBUQUERQUE . com EDUCAT ION AND SCHOOL L I S T ING S Check out school districts, colleges and universities in the Albuquerque area. >Read More
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Albuquerque & Rio Rancho’s Number One Top Producing Agent from 1986 through 2006.
GARDENING How does your garden grow? Get the dirt on regional gardening. >Read More
FOOD What’s cookin’? Get a taste of regional cuisine. >Read More
REALTOR.COM Search for a new home, get moving tips and more at the National Association of Realtors’ Web site. >Read More
THE MOVIE Take a vir tual tour of Albuquerque as seen through the eyes of our photographers. See for yourself what sets this community apart. >IMAGESALBUQUERQUE.COM
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8th in the World
with Coldwell Banker for Having Sold the Most Homes!
Sandi Pressley has listed and sold more homes than any other agent in New Mexico, helping over 7,500
families happily move during her 28-year career! Sandi knows her city down to the finest details. Call for an “Everything You Wanted to Know
About Albuquerque and Rio Rancho Kit,” free with no obligation. Call today if you’re thinking of relocating.
Nobody knows the Albuquerque & Rio Rancho housing markets better than: A B O U T T HI S M AG A Z IN E I M A G E S
O F
Albuquerque
Sandi Pressley
2007 EDITION, VOLUME 2
“A HouseSold Word”
Images of Albuquerque is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is sponsored by the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. In print and online, Images gives readers a taste of what makes Albuquerque tick – from business and education to sports, health care and the arts.
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Almanac
A Glowing Reputation
Congratulations to Albuquerque – again. New Mexico’s largest city has been lauded in recent years by several national magazines and organizations for a variety of reasons. Most recently, the Duke City was named America’s fittest big city by Men’s Fitness magazine and was named one of the nation’s 50 Hottest Cities by Expansion Management magazine. Other accolades have come from Forbes magazine, which placed the city on its 2007 list of Best Places for Business and Careers. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine named Albuquerque among its 50 Smartest Cities ranking in 2006. Perhaps a CNN/Money Magazine survey summed it up best: The Albuquerque area ranks among the top 100 Best Places to Live in America. SEE MORE To learn more about Albuquerque’s national rankings, visit the archives ONLINE at imagesalbuquerque.com/06.
Is That a Bufflehead Duck? Tingley Beach offers plenty of swimming and fishing opportunities, but the spacious outdoor refuge also has plenty of waterfowl sightings. They include species such as the American wigeon, bufflehead duck, Canada goose, canvasback redhead duck, great blue heron and northern shoveler. The birds are attracted to three fishing lakes and a model boat pond that are part of the beach setting. Tingley also offers a train ride and a café that sells hamburgers, hot dogs and light snacks. The beach is open from sunrise to sunset every day of the year, and admission is free.
Things You Should Know Albuquerque
remained a small town until the latter part of the 19th century and the arrival of the railroad.
The
city sits at 5,314 feet above sea level, making it the highest metropolitan area on the American mainland.
The
Rio Grande runs through Albuquerque and is known to New Mexicans as the Rio Bravo.
Pulitzer
Prize-winning journalist Ernie Pyle called Albuquerque home, and his little white house with a picket fence is now a branch library filled with memorabilia from his days covering World War II.
Albuquerque
is home to the American International Rattlesnake Museum.
Built
in 1927 as a movie house and a theater for vaudeville shows, Albuquerque’s Pueblo Deco-style KiMo Theatre today hosts concerts and plays year-round.
Amazon.com
founder Jeff Bezos was born in Albuquerque.
ALBUQUERQUE
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Almanac
Did You Say Chocolate? What do the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science and chocolate have in common? The Albuquerque museum hosts an annual Chocolate Fantasy black-tie fundraiser each March to raise money for additional programming. The 16th-annual event is tentatively scheduled for March 1, 2008, at the Hyatt Regency Albuquerque. More than 20 top chocolate chefs from throughout the state offer their mouth-watering creations. Chocolate sculptures have depicted the Taj Mahal and a European castle. The Chocolate Fantasy gala has become one of the premier parties in New Mexico. PHOTO COURTE S Y OF FR ANK FROST
It’s a Dog’s World Dog parks are a relatively new idea in the United States, and they are already popular with many fourlegged friends in Albuquerque. A total of eight dog parks exist for animals to get plenty of exercise, with seven of those parks allowing dogs to roam off their leashes. Montessa Park is the only venue that requires leashes because it is not fenced. The fenced dog parks in Albuquerque include Coronado, Los Altos, Rio Grande Triangle, Santa Fe Village, Tom Bolack Urban Forest and USS Bullhead.
ALBUQUERQUE At A Glance P O P UL AT ION (20 05 E S T IM AT E ) Albuquerque: 494,236 Bernalillo County: 603,562
L O C AT IO N 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.
F O R MO R E INF O R M AT IO N Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce 115 Gold Ave. S.W., Ste. 201 Albuquerque, NM 87102 (505) 764-3700 Fax: (505) 764-3714 abqchamber.com
Albuquerque
BEG INNING S Albuquerque was founded as Alburquerque in 1706 (the “r” was later dropped), but the community was not incorporated until 1891. It is named in honor of a Spanish leader – the 10th Duke of Albuquerque. The word Albuquerque comes from the Latin words “albus” and “quercus,” meaning white ash.
ALBUQUERQUE
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ACTION! ADVENTURE! “IT KEPT ME ON THE EDGE OF MY LAPTOP!”
“ALBUQUERQUE LIKE IT’S NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!”
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Almanac P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F D E R E K M AT H E W S
The Governor Wants Green
Let’s Have a Powwow Make plans to attend the world’s largest gathering of American Indians. The Gathering of Nations Powwow takes place every late April/early May at the University of New Mexico Arena, otherwise known as The Pit. The event has been an Albuquerque tradition since 1983. Activities include song and dance competitions, arts and crafts shopping in an Indian Traders Market, native foods and native music, and a Miss Indian World beauty pageant. The mission is to educate visitors about the culture, history and tribal traditions of America’s first inhabitants.
Best Coffee in the West If green chile is dear to the hearts and stomachs of all New Mexicans, then piñon is dear to their souls. This small pine tree is the inspiration behind New Mexico Piñon Coffee, an Albuquerque-based company that has won numerous awards over the years. The company’s product line includes piñon (pine nut) coffee, green coffee beans, cocoa and teas. The company’s awards include being a three-time National Roasting Award winner and a two-time winner for Best Coffee in the West by Travel West magazine. New Mexico Piñon Coffee was also named a Top 24 Gourmet Food Company by The New York Times and Gourmet Coffee of the Month by the National Gourmet Coffee Club. It has also been the Best Selling Coffee at the New Mexico State Fair for seven years.
Gov. Bill Richardson wants film and TV producers to think green whenever they work in Albuquerque and all of New Mexico. He introduced a Green Filmmaking initiative in 2006 that is overseen by the New Mexico Film Office. It provides a list of suggestions for producers and directors to follow, thereby respecting and protecting the state’s natural resources. Suggestions include using low-toxic paint on sets, donating unused items to schools or churches, leasing hybrid/electric vehicles, using biodiesel for generators and utilizing wastereduction techniques. Fun Things To Do Hey,
there’s a hippopotamus. Take the kids to the Rio Grande Zoo, which has more than 250 species of animals on display.
Gaze
skyward at the nearly 900 flying objects at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
Enter
your prized pig or best jar of strawberry preserves at the New Mexico State Fair in September.
If
you are looking for a oneof-a-kind object, try your shopping luck at the Rio Grande Arts and Crafts Festival.
Spend
an afternoon touring historic Old Town, then take another day to do some sightseeing in trendy Nob Hill. Take
in a theatrical performance or an athletic event at the University of New Mexico.
ALBUQUERQUE
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A Sight for Your
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Eyes
ALBUQUERQUE
A l buq u erq u e h a s m a d e q u it e a n i mpre s s ion w it h publ ic a r t S TORY BY
Kevin Litwin
✦ PHOTOGR APHY BY
Michael W. Bunch
A
city full of public art. It’s something most communities dream of. In Albuquerque, those
dreams are an eye-popping reality. In fact, art is so important in this Southwestern metropolis that 1 percent of all city construction funds go toward Sonny Rivera’s sculpture, called Cuatro Centenario, is situated in front of the Albuquerque Museum of Art & History. Above: The mural A Little Color Never Hurt, located on Gold Street, is by Working Classroom Inc. ALBUQUERQUE
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These metal dolphins adorn a home in Old Town. Above: The colorful sculpture, Earth Mother, Offering for a Good Life, was created by Estelle Loretto.
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public art. That works out to be about $750,000 that is earmarked for art projects each year. “We have always had an activist community of artists, so we were one of the earliest cities in the nation to have a public art program – it began in 1979,” says Catherine Gore, manager of the city-run Albuquerque Public Art Program. “The city now has more than 500 works of art, and each major project we approve these days costs around $100,000 to $250,000 to complete.” One of the latest works on display is a colorful, milelong retaining wall that lines Unser Boulevard on the city’s west side. The project is the work of internationally known artist Jack Mackie. “Art is sprinkled throughout Albuquerque – it’s everywhere,” Gore says. “For example, there are 30 works at the Albuquerque Rio Grande Zoo that enhance the visitor experience. There is a set of bronze lions that kids can climb near the lion cages, while doors you pull open at the aquarium have handles shaped like big fish. In addition, the restaurants feature beautiful stained glass and carved wood. That’s what Albuquerque public art is all about.” Gore says the public art program began decades ago with several works by famed sculptor Barbara Grygutis, although some of her works were considered controversial at the time. “With art, we kind of expect controversy in a way, but honestly, an average of only 5 percent of people are against the sculptures that go on display,” she says. “In the case of Barbara Grygutis, a couple of her works that were deemed controversial 25 years ago are now some of Albuquerque’s most valued treasures. “That’s the question with public art – do we build drab, concrete sidewalks or do we create artistic landscapes that show what our community is all about?” Gore asks. “I’m thankful that Mayor Martin Chavez and city officials are vocal backers of public art in our historic city.” One sculptor who has done several granite pieces for Albuquerque in recent years is Jesus Moroles. He began in 1984 with a large fountain called Floating Mesa that sits in front of the Albuquerque Museum of Art & History, and he recently completed sculptures that are on display at the New Mexico Veterans ALBUQUERQUE
Above left: The late Luis Jiménez of El Paso, Texas, created Howl in 1986. Below Left: Floating Mesa is one of Jesus Moroles’ many granite sculptures. Right: This Ernest Shaw sculpture is located at the University of New Mexico.
Memorial in Chacon Park. “I did a sculpture called The Fallen Friend that honors veterans who have died for our freedom, and one called Battlescape that portrays the ruins of war,” Moroles says. “I also just completed a meditation wall that is located in the garden at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Obviously, I have enjoyed my association with Albuquerque. It’s a beautiful city that appreciates art.” Another sculptor who has work on ALBUQUERQUE
display is Reynaldo “Sonny” Rivera, who helped create a sculpture called Cuatro Centenario that graces a busy street corner in front of the Albuquerque Museum of Art & History. “Cuatro Centenario captures the Spanish struggle and quest to settle the new frontier of central New Mexico more than 400 years ago,” Rivera says. “It is a powerful sculpture that shows oxen pulling carts, with the carts pushed by men in order to get through the deep
sandy ruts of the historic Camino Real road. It was a pleasure working on this sculpture for the city of Albuquerque, where I am proud to be one of its citizens.”
SEE MORE To learn more about the ONLINE museums in Albuquerque, visit the archives at imagesalbuquerque.com/06. IMAGESALBUQUERQUE.COM
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ALBUQUERQUE
Fork It Over
T his c it y ha s an ar r ay of toothsome t reat s, f rom Tuscany to T hail and
S TORY BY
Laura Hill
✦ PHOTOGR APHY BY
Michael W. Bunch
G
ot a hankering for hot Kung Pao chicken? A penchant for pumpkin ravioli? OK, maybe you’d just like a big ole steak. Though it boasts a well-earned reputation for its unique, chile-inspired New Mexican cuisine, Albuquerque is a mecca for diners yearning for nearly every kind of treat. “Of course New Mexican food is king, but you can find every taste imaginable here,” says Terry Keene, owner of The Artichoke Café on the corner of Central and Edith. “Sushi is big here, Thai and Vietnamese are becoming more and more popular in town, and so are Greek and Middle Eastern.” A common thread, he says, is that discriminating local diners tend to choose independently owned restaurants over chains when they eat out – and they have many from which to choose. Keene’s restaurant specializes in
Left: Jinja Bar & Bistro specializes in pan-Asian food. Above: Trombino’s is the place to go for Tuscan fare. Below: Actor Gene Hackman painted this three-paneled landscape at Jinja. ALBUQUERQUE
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Lamb loin chops with asparagus is one of the specialties at The Artichoke CafĂŠ, a popular restaurant on Central and Edith.
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ALBUQUERQUE
Marcello’s Chophouse is one of the many new restaurants among the eclectic mix of national retailers at ABQ Uptown.
New American contemporary cuisine, with French- and Italian-influenced entrees. Its menu and new wine bar have made it a hit with locals and visitors alike. Another Central Avenue eatery, Frontier Restaurant, open 24 hours a day, has been a haven for hungry students, families out for lunch or latenight breakfasters since 1971. Its reasonably priced menu offers everything from scrambled eggs to bulk, 56-ounce containers of tortilla soup, while over at 1502 Fourth St. S.W., diners at Barelas Coffee House chow down on good, old-fashioned chile. Steak lovers have made the sleek Gruet Steakhouse a favorite spot. The restaurant is located in the historic ALBUQUERQUE
Monte Vista Fire Station in Nob Hill and is owned by the Gruet family, which also has a long history as winemakers. On the opposite end of the culinary scale, Green Light Bistro offers a wide array of organic/vegan/vegetarian soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta, pastries and coffees. Thinking Italian? Trombino’s is a trip to Tuscany, complete with arched doorways, antique brick walls, and strolling singers. On the menu are dozens of Italian dishes, including steaks, seafood, pasta, pizza and veal. And if you’re in the mood for panAsian food, Jinja Bar & Bistro is hard to beat for variety and quality, with entrees from six different countries.
“It’s hard to pick your favorite Asian food, so our owners, who have traveled throughout Asia, chose what they thought was the best of the dishes they ate there,” says General Manager Nik Fioretti. “We serve Indonesian, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Vietnamese food.” With its diverse menu – and wall murals painted by actor Gene Hackman (he’s an investor) – Jinja has become a popular spot for lunch and dinner, a tribute to Albuquerque diners’ increasingly sophisticated tastes. “It’s nice when you have a culture that’s so bonded to one type of cuisine,” Fioretti says, “but we have a lot of welltraveled people here – and they are reaching out for more.” IMAGESALBUQUERQUE.COM
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Building on a
Good Thing
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ALBUQUERQUE
T he rea l e st ate m a rket i s boom i n g i n A l buq u erq u e S TORY BY
Valerie Pascoe
✦ PHOTOGR APHY BY
Michael W. Bunch
W
hen Meryl Manning Segel looks out the window of her Northeast Heights home each evening at dusk, the bright streaks of electric pink and orange glowing across the sky never cease to amaze her. The desire for that kind of Albuquerque scenery, in addition to the area’s affordability, quality of life and consistent market conditions, is helping sustain a booming residential real estate market. Segel, a native New Yorker who relocated to Albuquerque 20 years ago, works as a qualifying broker for Scott Patrick Homes, a locally owned custom homebuilder that has grown exponentially over the past several years. “What we have is a very consistent market,” Segel says. “Albuquerque isn’t seeing the high-highs and low-lows other markets have seen. We’re also seeing people from the Bay Area, Southern California, the East Coast and cities like Chicago – people who can pretty much live anywhere they want – move here for the quality of life. New Mexico has been somewhat of a hidden secret until now.” For companies such as Scott Patrick Homes and its extended family of businesses – including Sky View Homes, an affordable, custom home-building business, and Mesa Verde, a real estate development company – the recent boom in residential growth has prompted a steep increase in profits. Subdivisions are popping up all over the city, with the most pronounced
New homes, such as this one in a subdivision called Wilderness Trace, are being built all over the city. ALBUQUERQUE
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Brokers and real estate agents say the Albuquerque area has been lucky to experience consistent market conditions in housing.
growth occurring in the southwest and northwest quadrants. National builders such as Centex Homes, a Fortune 200 company based in Dallas, are also doing their share to keep up with demand. According to Virgil Polk, division president for Centex Homes New Mexico, the company is currently involved in several successful neighborhoods, including Cabezon in Rio Rancho, and Alegria, an active adult community in Bernalillo “The expansion and growth last year tested the market and trade base,” says Polk, who has worked for Centex Homes
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for more than 26 years. “Last year, we were able to grow our units over the previous year by 30 percent.” Another large builder based in Los Angeles, KB Home, has completed nearly 4,600 homes in 65 new communities throughout greater Albuquerque since establishing its New Mexico division in 1995. According to Fred Mondragon, director of the economic development department for the city of Albuquerque, one of the area’s most exciting projects for future residential and commercial development is Mesa del Sol. The new
12,900-acre community on Albuquerque’s southeast mesa is projected to add more than 30,000 new homes and nearly 20 million square feet of industrial, commercial and retail space. In addition, Mondragon points to a future 57,000-acre project on the west side of town that will be developed by SunCal Cos., a California-based developer of master-planned and mixed-use communities throughout the western United States. He says the project, which is currently in the first stages of planning, is also expected to contribute significantly to future growth. ALBUQUERQUE
Attractive condos like this one near Tingley Beach are being snapped up by buyers. Above right: Meryl Manning Segel, a qualifying broker for Scott Patrick Homes, loves the view of the mountains from her Northeast Heights home. ALBUQUERQUE
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Cornucopia
A
of C ultures
Al buquer que is a c it y t hat celebr ates and cher ishes it s divers it y S TORY BY
A
The National Hispanic Cultural Center stages rotating shows at the art museum.
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Jessica Mozo
✦ PHOTOGR APHY BY
merican Indians and Hispanics have made their homes in New Mexico for centuries, so it’s not surprising that one of Albuquerque’s strengths is its openness to diversity. That cordial attitude is part of the reason why more than 28 ethnic groups – including Chinese, Taiwanese, Indonesians, Swedes, Germans, Filipinos, Africans, French and Indians – call Albuquerque home. “Diversity happened naturally here because Native American and Hispanic cultures have co-existed for so long,” says Danny Lopez, marketing director
Michael W. Bunch
at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. “There has always been a spirit of shared cultures in Albuquerque.” That spirit is perhaps most evident in The Heritage Council, an organization formed in 1997 by the Arts Alliance that exists to celebrate cultural diversity in Albuquerque. The Heritage Council is made up of representatives from many of Albuquerque’s ethnic groups who meet monthly at the Arts Alliance Gallery and sponsor a quarterly cultural sharing event with ethnic food and entertainment. “The Heritage Council offers opporALBUQUERQUE
tunities for people to share their culture and traditions and learn about other people groups,” says Cindi Heffner, a Hawaii native who serves as co-chair of The Heritage Council. “Many of us are involved in the performing arts. We have a number of Japanese and Okinawan dancers, a Hawaiian dance group and an African drumming group.” The council plans to host Albuquerque’s first annual International Festival in October 2007, which will supplement a handful of existing ethnic festivals. “The Japanese have a festival every year, and so do the Russians,” Heffner says. “We try to support each other’s events. They start small and grow into big and wonderful things.” The National Hispanic Cultural Center also presents a variety of enlightening events each year. Lopez estimates the center stages between 50 and 60 music, dance and theater productions annually. “Our mission is to preserve and promote Hispanic culture through different artistic programs,” Lopez says. “Our center is like a small university campus. We have an 81,000-square-foot performing arts center, history and literary arts programs, a media arts program and a restaurant and gift shop on site.”
ALBUQUERQUE
The center even has its own art museum (open Tuesday through Sunday) and a full-service library where people can do genealogy research. Spanish classes are also taught here, and it’s a great resource for area schools. “We do free educational programs for schools,” Lopez says. “We bring busloads of kids to the center from all over the state.” A third-generation New Mexican, Lopez says Albuquerque’s demographics have changed over the past five to seven years, and he believes that trend will continue. “People visiting Albuquerque can sense the cultural diversity right away,” he says. “One testament to diversity is the architecture here. And there’s a really interesting cultural corridor throughout downtown and Old Town, where you have the Bio Park, the zoo, the Native American Cultural Center, the Hispanic Cultural Center and a number of other things.” Heffner, who moved to Albuquerque from Hawaii nine years ago, says many Albuquerque citizens don’t even realize how diverse the city is. “I grew up in a diverse place, but I didn’t realize how culturally diverse
Albuquerque is until I heard how many people groups there are,” Heffner says. “There’s a big Filipino community here, and there are Italians and Jewish people. Then there are smaller groups like the Indonesians.” In 2003, The Heritage Council did an ethnic survey to educate the public about Albuquerque’s ethnic communities. “We had a team of ethnoanthropologists who did the fieldwork, including one-on-one interviews with people of different ethnicities,” Heffner says. The survey results were published online at abarts.org, and The Heritage Council has since received feedback from all over the world. “We wanted to let the community know these ethnic groups are here,” Heffner says. “By understanding other cultures, we can be more accepting of one another.”
The National Hispanic Cultural Center is a showcase for arts and dance, including this fresco by Frederico Vigil (left), Reuben Trejo’s piece, Joaquin/ Walking Spikes, and performances by the Viver Brasil Dance Company.
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Heart of Albuquerque The
H i stor y reverber ate s of f t he wa l l s of Old Tow n bu si ne sse s
San Felipe de Neri Church, founded in 1706, is the centerpiece of Old Town and on the National Register of Historic Places.
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ALBUQUERQUE
S TORY BY
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Jessica Mozo ✦
PHOTOGR APHY BY
y all accounts, Old Town is the heart of Albuquerque. It’s where the city began. It’s where tourists flock for sightseeing, shopping and dining. And it’s where the locals go to return to their roots. “A person can visit Old Town and understand what New Mexico is all about,” says Kathleen Avila, who co-owns Casa de Avila, an Old Town shop that sells handmade jewelry, gifts and home décor items, with her husband, John. “It gives you a sense of our history, art, culture and architecture, and there are wonderful opportunities to shop and dine.” Anchored by the historic San Felipe de Neri Church, which was founded in 1706, Old Town is home to several houses and buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Several of these 300-year-old structures have been converted into quaint shops and eateries. Stella Naranjo, president of the Old Town Merchants Association, owns a jewelry shop and art gallery in a converted home that dates from the 1700s. “The buildings in Old Town are unbelievable to look at,” Naranjo says. “Many have thick adobe walls, and others are made from pieces of hard clay cut from the ground and layered on top of each other.” Naranjo’s Gallery of Art sells paintings, pottery, handmade jewelry, beadwork and other local art. Naranjo enjoys doing business in Old Town because of the friendly atmosphere. “Everyone knows each other, and we have customers from all over the world who stop by and visit year after year,” she says. Naranjo’s is one of about 25 galleries that dot Old Town, many of which double as working artist studios. Roughly 100 shops and a handful of interesting museums, including the Albuquerque Museum of Art & History, the Turquoise Museum and the American International Rattlesnake Museum, add to Old Town’s appeal. Then, of course, there’s the food. “A lot of local flavors are here, like the green or red chile New Mexico is noted for. It’s a bit on the spicy side,” Naranjo says. “Our enchiladas are different – flat, not rolled. And we have blue
Michael W. Bunch
corn tortillas made from Native American blue corn.” Notable restaurants in Old Town include La Placita Dining Rooms, an old hacienda that serves tacos, chile rellenos, sopapillas and American entrees; La Crepe Michel, a hot spot for French crepes, salads and quiches; Antiquity, often called Albuquerque’s most romantic restaurant; and High Noon, popular for its buffalo burgers and New Mexican fare. A day in Old Town wouldn’t be as sweet without stopping for a treat at Rolling in Dough Bakery & Cafe or The Candy Lady. “Rolling in Dough has great pastries, and The Candy Lady makes wonderful, unusual candy,” Naranjo says. “She makes a fabulous green-chile fudge.” Many visitors to Old Town choose to stay at the legendary Bottger Mansion, a 1910 Victorian bed and breakfast that has played host to several famous guests, including the notorious American gangster George “Machine Gun” Kelly in the 1940s. Elvis Presley and Janice Joplin also stayed at the Bottger, and Frank Sinatra sang at a wedding in the courtyard. “Our guests like to stay here particularly because they can just walk around Old Town and don’t have to drive anywhere,” says Kathy Hiatt, who co-owns Bottger Mansion with her husband, Steve. “The Bottger is one of only four Victorian mansions in Old Town, and it’s the only one whose original look hasn’t been changed.” The Bottger features eight guest rooms, each with its own color scheme and private bath. Breakfast often includes seasonal fresh fruit and caramel pecan French toast, Southwest quiche or omelets. The Bottger sells out months in advance of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and other large events. The first weekend in December, Old Town hosts its highly anticipated Holiday Stroll, when hundreds of luminarias light up Old Town’s walkways, nooks and crannies. “Visiting Old Town gives you a sense of spirituality and calmness in today’s fast-paced world,” Naranjo says. “It’s nice to return to your roots and just enjoy.”
Above left: Naranjo’s Gallery of Art sells all kinds of unusual artwork. Above center: La Placita serves up traditional Mexican fare. Above right: Stella Naranjo, owner of Naranjo’s Gallery of Art, enjoys the friendly atmosphere in Old Town. ALBUQUERQUE
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Get Your
Kicks on
Route 66 Famous roadway is the center of the Nob Hill-Highl and D is t r ic t S TORY BY
Laura Hill ✦
PHOTOGR APHY BY
Michael W. Bunch
R
oute 66, that fabled road of song and story, is still a busy thoroughfare dotted with colorful reminders of its glory days as the road to California. But it’s also the center of one of Albuquerque’s most vital neighborhoods. Nob Hill-Highland, nestled close to downtown and adjacent to the University of New Mexico, has it all: a charming mix of locally owned businesses, professional offices, restaurants, galleries, middle-class housing and the good fortune of lying along one of the nation’s most historic roadways. Connecting Chicago to California, Route 66 was a welltraveled road whose popularity boomed in the 1930s and ’40s, when it was the only paved road across the state. In its heyday, it bustled with motor lodges, gas stations and attractions such as iceberg-shaped cafés and motels with teepees, but with the construction of Interstate 40 in 1959, the area dwindled. Park your car today and amble along what’s now known as Central Avenue, and you’ll feel like you’re on Main Street – with a distinct twist. The old pueblo-style Monte Vista Fire Station, now a restaurant, the 1930s-vintage Nob Hill and Aztec motels and Campbell’s Grille, reborn as a police substation, remain, as do other historic landmarks. But next to them, you’ll also find some of the best shopping, dining, arts and entertainment in the city served up with a funky, laid-back air. “There is a really diverse kind of feel to it,” says Jim Neustel, a board member of the Nob Hill-Highland Business Association. “We’ve got people in suits and ties, people in cutoffs with skateboards, an amazing assortment of people. It’s a destination kind of place. In my view, this is one of the
The Monte Vista Fire Station now houses a restaurant. Above: The Green Light Bistro is great for vegetarian fare.
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most interesting and fun parts of town.” The Nob Hill-Highland business climate is home to a wide variety of ventures. Its two ZIP codes boast the largest concentration of artists in the state, 210 antique dealers, 19 art galleries and studios, and 23 dine-in restaurants. Peacecraft, of which Neustel is executive director, is one of the area’s unique shops, a nonprofit retail store that features fair-trade merchandise from 43 coops around the world. Jerry Lane, whose Book Stop store has been a fixture in the area for more than 30 years, describes the mixture of businesses as “goofy” – which is part of its charm, he says. “Nob Hill-Highland is wonderful, first, because it’s one of the only pedestrian areas in Albuquerque, where most people are on the Los Angeles plan – they drive from here to there. Here people can walk, shop and enjoy the area. Our proximity to the university is also key; we’re close but not right on top of it.” Demand for development in the neighborhood is strong, Lane says, as interest in downtown housing grows and business continues to flourish. “Nob Hill is one of the few places where a little more metropolitan lifestyle is possible,” he says. “Something slightly more urban – but with a southwestern touch.”
The famous Route 66, also known as Central Avenue in Albuquerque, is the main thoroughfare through Nob Hill. ALBUQUERQUE
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what will it take for you to love your hospital?
higher standards. Delivering exceptional care day-in and day-out is more than a mission statement for the physicians, nurses, health professionals and staff who work at Lovelace. It’s the driving force behind the many positive changes we have made as we continue to build a world-class healthcare system for New Mexico. As a result, Lovelace Medical Center - Downtown, Lovelace Women’s Hospital and Lovelace Westside Hospital all recently received the coveted “Gold Seal of Approval” from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). This nationally recognized, independent accreditation is as much about the performance of our people and facilities as it is a testament to the safety and quality of care we strive to deliver to every patient, everyday. You’re going to love Lovelace!
GREG EMENS
Portfolio / B Y J E S S I C A M O Z O
The Unsers, Albuquerque’s legendary racing family, opened a museum in 2005 to display all of their racing memorabilia.
What a Fine Finish T H E U N S E R R A C I N G M U S E U M I S A T H R E E - D I M E N S I O N A L FA M I LY S C R A P B O O K
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rophies, racing uniforms and photos used to decorate the Albuquerque home of race car champion Al Unser Sr., but now they fill the Unser Racing Museum instead. “I was sitting at home drinking coffee one day, and I looked around and said, ‘What am I going to do with all this stuff when I go bye-bye?’ ” says Unser, a fourtime Indianapolis 500 winner. “My wife, Susan, laughed and said, ‘Start a museum,’ and I said, ‘You’re kidding.’ But here it is today.” Established in Albuquerque in 2005, the Unser Racing Museum showcases the racing careers of four generations of ALBUQUERQUE
Unsers, from Unser’s father, Jerry, to his grandsons, Al III and Jason Tanner. The museum has been described as a three-dimensional Unser family scrapbook – a story told through quotes and graphics on the walls, as well as through images and films. “It’s not just a bunch of cars,” Unser says. “If you go through and read everything, it tells our story. You could spend more than two hours there. And if you don’t know a thing about racing, you could leaving knowing quite a bit.” Unser started racing in 1957, following in the footsteps of his father and uncles, who loved the sport but never
made it to the Indy 500. “I guess I got my love for racing from my dad, and I was lucky enough to be successful,” he says. Unser’s brother, Bobby, and son, Al Jr., have also experienced success in racing – together the three have won nine Indy 500 races. Their cars, uniforms, trophies and other memorabilia can now be seen in permanent and changing exhibits at the museum. “We hope to eventually have kiosks next to each race car where you can push a button and learn about that specific car,” Unser says. “If you like racing and cars, you walk in here and say ‘Wow.’ ” IMAGESALBUQUERQUE.COM
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Portfolio Sunset Magazine ranked the Paseo del Bosque Trail as the No. 1 place for bike rides in the West in 2006.
GREG EMENS
Seeing Green G
Albuquerque’s Premier 55+ Community
(505) 821-1991 7712 Pan Am Frwy. NE
albuquerquemeadows.com 36
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reen space may be disappearing in many cities, but not in Albuquerque. The city’s popular 16-mile-long Paseo del Bosque Trail continues to thrive under the watchful eye of the Open Space Division of Albuquerque’s Parks and Recreation department. “Albuquerque has had the foresight to keep that green ribbon of life intact, to cherish it and to dedicate resources to it,” says Jay Lee Evans, deputy director for Albuquerque Parks and Recreation. “The trail gets a lot of attention and maintenance because it has a lot of historical and cultural resonance with citizens. It’s a sublime, natural setting within rock-throwing distance of the water.” The Paseo del Bosque Trail, which runs along the Rio Grande River, parallels the Rio Grande’s cottonwood bosque, or forest. Walkers, joggers, skaters and equestrians frequent the trail and a number of side trails that connect to it. Beavers, coyotes, roadrunners and migrating ducks and geese can often be spotted along the trail. “The Paseo del Bosque provides a recreational resource in the heart of Albuquerque,” Evans says. “With very little effort, you can go from a manmade, urban setting to an almost pristine environment.” The trail is enjoyable for people of all ability levels because it’s paved in asphalt and has few ups and downs. It is even ADA-accessible for people with disabilities. In October 2006, Sunset Magazine ranked the Paseo del Bosque Trail No. 1 for best bike rides in the West. “It’s a wonderful place to quietly concentrate on nature,” Evans says. ALBUQUERQUE
Audiences Are All Ears T
P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F R AY M O N D WAT T/ N M S O
he New Mexico Symphony Orchestra has been making sweet music in its hometown of Albuquerque for 75 years. “We hear newcomers tell us all the time that they thought they would have to give up attending world-class symphony orchestra concerts after leaving wherever they came from, and they’re pleasantly surprised to find a world-class orchestra right here in Albuquerque,” says Ryan Stark, marketing and public relations manager for the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra. Recognized as the official orchestra of the state of New Mexico, the NMSO presents classics, pops, matinees, fantasy and Symphony Under the Stars concert series each year, as well as several NMSO Family Concerts that are free of charge. “We enrich the lives of over 130,000 people each year,” Stark says. Music education is a big part of the NMSO’s mission, and it has been recognized as the largest nongovernmental provider of music education in New Mexico. The NMSO coordinates programs with Albuquerque Public Schools at elementary, middle- and high-school levels and offers weekly individual music lessons from NMSO members for economically disadvantaged middle- and high-school students for $1 per lesson. The orchestra also offers a free educational opportunity for adults called Concert Commentary, where they can meet Music Director Guillermo Figueroa an hour before each Popejoy Classics concert for a behind-the-scenes peek at the evening’s music. September 2007 will mark the beginning of NMSO’s 75th anniversary season. Highlights of the celebratory season will include opening performances (Sept. 14-16) of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, featuring the nationally acclaimed NMSO Chorus, and the world premiere of Miguel del Aguila’s new Violin Concerto (Jan. 18-20, 2008).
Violist and longtime New Mexico Symphony Orchestra member Gary Logsdon is one of many who has performed with the NMSO for decades. ALBUQUERQUE
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Portfolio
Red, White and Brewed N
With 120 acres of grape vineyards near Lordsburg, St. Clair Winery produces approximately 65,000 cases of wine per year in 45 different varietals, including Merlot, Cabernet, Sauvignon and Chardonnay. “Our Cab Zin wine is a blend of Zinfandel and Cabernet grapes, and it’s one of our better selling wines,” Jakel says. “We make about 25 whites and 20 reds, and it’s 100 percent New Mexico wine. We use the same process as large
mainstream wineries, and our winemaker is a sixth-generation from France.” St. Clair is owned by the Lescombes family, who produce seven labels all under one winery. Patriarch Herve Lescombes emigrated from Burgundy, France and chose New Mexico for its hot dry days, cool nights and sandy soil. “St. Clair’s vineyard is in a valley, so the cool air it gets off the mountains supplies enough stress to intensify the flavor of the grapes,” Jakel says. Other nearby wineries include Casa Rondeña Winery in Albuquerque and Matheson Wine Co. in Rio Rancho. “New Mexico has been making quality wines for more than a decade now,” Jakel says, “so we’re getting a good reputation for wine.” For more information about New Mexico wines, visit the New Mexico Wine Growers Association’s Web site at nmwine.com.
M I C H A E L W. B U N C H
ew Mexico wineries are really making a splash. “The wine industry here went through a growth spurt in the ’80s and, in the past five to 10 years, it’s been on a growth curve,” says Kevin Jakel, general manager of St. Clair Bistro in Albuquerque, an offshoot of St. Clair Winery in Deming. “Now, New Mexico is making wines similar to France and California,” he adds. “There’s a little bit of Napa in New Mexico.”
St. Clair is the state’s largest winery, producing 45 different varietals.
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Big on Ballooning lbuquerque is known worldwide for its International Balloon Fiesta in October, but visitors can learn even more about the hot-air machines at the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. The $12 million museum opened in October 2005, just southeast of Balloon Fiesta Park, where the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is held. The museum is named for Albuquerque balloonists Maxie Anderson and Ben Abruzzo, who made history in 1978 when they completed the first nonstop crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by gas balloon. “Maxie Anderson’s family initiated the Balloon Museum Foundation and fundraising, and they brought the idea for a balloon museum to the city,” says Dodie Montgomery, operations director for the Balloon Museum Foundation. “The building the museum is housed in is owned by the city, and the museum foundation raises money to support the museum.” Exhibits cover topics such as the history of ballooning since 1783, the launch of the first hot-air balloon and the differences between hot-air and gas balloons. “There are educational and handson exhibits on how we make balloons, the effects of atmospheric pressure on the body, how balloon baskets are created and knotting, which is an important element of ballooning,” Montgomery says. The museum is also home to several authentic Japanese Fugo balloon bombs, which the Japanese created during World War II. “They attached the bombs to balloons and put them into the jet stream to be brought to the U.S.,” Montgomery says. “About 1,000 have been recovered, and we have a large chunk of them here.”
GREG EMENS
A
The balloon museum has all kinds of exhibits that detail the history of ballooning.
SEE MORE To learn more about the ONLINE Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, visit the archives at imagesalbuquerque.com/06. ALBUQUERQUE
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I M A G E gallery
Wilderness Trace
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PHOTOGR APHY BY
Michael W. Bunch
American Indian sculpture in Old Town
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BR IAN McCORD
I M A G E gallery
Petroglyph National Monument
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M I C H A E L W. B U N C H
Adobe building in Old Town
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Business A L B U Q U E R Q U E
S TORY BY
John McBryde
• PHOTOGR APHY BY
Michael W. Bunch
Now That’s
Uptown New l i fe st yle center m a ke s a si g n i f ica nt i mpa ct on t he cit y
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ABQ Uptown will eventually have hotels, office space and loft-style residences.
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hen Frank Marcello decided to open the restaurant of his dreams, he knew it needed to be something truly special. It needed a unique menu, a thorough wine list and a warm, inviting atmosphere. But above all else, perhaps, it needed an uptown address. “This is probably one of the few best restaurant locations in the city,” says Marcello, who opened Marcello’s Chophouse amidst the eclectic mix of retailers and other businesses that make up Albuquerque’s first true mixed-use lifestyle center known as ABQ Uptown. “I’m very excited.” Located at the corner of Louisiana and Indian School Northeast, ABQ Uptown held its grand opening in November 2006 with several highend retailers making their debut in Albuquerque. Pottery Barn, Sharper Image, Loop, Jared The Galleria of Jewelry, Coldwater Creek, Jos. A. Bank, Elephant Bar Restaurant and Bravo Cucina Italiana are just some of the new companies to come to the Duke City. The retail component of the project is expected to be finished by fall 2007. ALBUQUERQUE
Phase 2 will consist of 200 loft-style residential units, and Phase 3 will include hotels, office space and additional retailers. The development is a boon in several ways for Albuquerque, according to John Sedberry of Sedberry & Associates, leasing agent for the project. “The impact is significant on many levels,” says Sedberry, who has been involved in the project since it was conceived in the late 1990s. “The retail market in Albuquerque needed a venue that delivered the right tenant mix, the right site plan and the right amenities to be able to bring these (high-end national) tenants to the marketplace. “This just fuels many different positive things, and it trickles down to so many other areas,” he continues. “When an employer comes into the market, they’ll see how the whole city has been elevated with something of this magnitude. So it helps to attract companies that are considering relocating their employees and top executives. They like seeing these amenities.” Local businesses are excited about being a part of ABQ Uptown. La Bella Spa & Salon, one of Albuquerque’s most popular spas, opened a 25,000square-foot location in the shopping area earlier this year. “We saw ABQ Uptown as a highin-demand location for consumers in Albuquerque looking for an upscale, trendy place to be,” says Reta Jones, chief operating officer for La Bella. “It’s an atmosphere that we thought would be consistent with what our image is. We thought it would be a good marriage between the shoppers and our spa.” Marcello believes ABQ Uptown is not only a perfect fit for his restaurant and other local business, but it also brings a certain spark the city has been missing. “There were none of these higherend stores here,” he says. “When they came here, it offered a fresh view for Albuquerque.” ALBUQUERQUE
Top: Frank Marcello thinks ABQ Uptown is the perfect location for his upscale restaurant, Marcello’s Chophouse. Williams-Sonoma and BCBG Max Azria are two of the many national retailers located at the new, mixed-use lifestyle center. IMAGESALBUQUERQUE.COM
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Business A L B U Q U E R Q U E
B I Z
B R I E F S
Cascade Gardens Spa and Wellness Center offers a variety of pampering services.
YOU KNEAD ME The way the owner of Cascade Gardens Spa and Wellness Center sees it, your clients will feel good only if your staff feels good. And Jim French knows that from experience. “Since I’m a massage therapist myself, I understand the emotional and physical requirements of the work,” says French, who opened his business in October 2000. “So I treat my staff accordingly. That makes us very, very different. The primary
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prerequisite for someone working here is passion and presence.” Cascade Gardens has consistently been ranked at or near the top of all similar spas in the Albuquerque area for the past several years, French says. Located in Scottsdale Village, the spa and wellness center features a variety of services, such as massage, reflexology, manicures, pedicures and spa packages. And the atmosphere is ideal for relieving stress. “When you walk in the door, you just melt,” French says.
IN THE GROVE You know a café has earned its share of regulars when one of its salads has a fan club. That’s the case with The Grove Café & Market, which opened in Albuquerque’s EDo district in June 2006. “Our salads have taken off, and our Farmers Salad is really excellent,” says Lauren Greene, co-owner of The Grove along with her husband, Jason Greene. “We’ve started a little cult with that salad, I think.” The Grove features other specialty salads, as well as a variety of sandwiches and unusual breakfast dishes that are served all day. Greene says she and her husband have been pleased with how their business has been received. “We have so many regulars, it’s unbelievable,” Greene says. “People seem to appreciate that we’re using all-natural meats, artisan cheeses and breads – you really can taste the difference. We believe if you start with really good service and excellent quality, you’re going to have a successful product.” A CLEAN BUSINESS It’s not an amusement park ride, but try telling that to the kids who go through the Cranky Franky Car Wash. “You stay in your vehicle and go through a 160-foot rain tunnel,” explains Frank Barela, owner of perhaps the most unique car wash in New Mexico. “The kids love it,” he adds. “Their eyes are wide open as they’re going through that tunnel. It’s a very cool experience for them.” The same can be said for the grownups. Using a touch-screen pad, customers can choose between four different packages – from a $4 basic wash to the works for $10 – and come away with a sparkling clean vehicle at a fraction of the cost of most professional car washes. “We have only two employees per shift, so our labor costs are very low,” says Barela, who developed the concept with his wife, Evelyn. Cranky Franky, located at 500 Coors Blvd. N.W., is also environmentally friendly, with 65 percent of the water being recycled. ALBUQUERQUE
M I C H A E L W. B U N C H
10 0 Y E AR S OF SERV ICE French Mortuary has been serving the needs of Albuquerque families for a century. “We just believe that a family-owned business can best respond to the needs of the community,” says Chester French Stewart, CEO of French Mortuary. “We’re here all the time, and we try to keep our hearts and our minds on the pulse of what’s happening in the community so that we can respond very quickly to the needs that are out there.” Stewart’s grandfather, Chester T. French, started the business in 1907 and ran it until he died in 1966. Stewart joined the company in 1964 and has been CEO since taking over for his grandfather. Stewart’s brothers, Bob H. Stewart and Richard T. Stewart, are also involved in the business. French Mortuary has four locations in the Albuquerque area. The family also owns Albuquerque Monument Co., Sunset Memorial Park and a pet cremation service known as Best Friends.
The family-owned French Mortuary has four locations in the Albuquerque area.
A GOOD FIT When Tempur-Pedic decided to open a new plant to meet the demand for its Swedish mattresses, it saw several positive factors in Albuquerque. But nothing impressed company officials more than the quality of workers here. “We received a lot of good incentives from state government and from local authorities,” says Ken Mitchell, plant manager for the mattress manufacturer that opened just outside Albuquerque in January 2007. “We did the research and saw that coming to New Mexico meant we would get a good workforce.” That workforce is expected to grow to 300 employees by the time the plant reaches capacity, according to Mitchell. At 800,000 square feet, the facility is the second-largest nongovernmental factory in New Mexico. As the U.S. subsidiary of Sweden’s Tempur World, Tempur-Pedic was founded in 1992 in Lexington, Ky., where it is still headquartered. Its only other plant in the United States is in Duffield, Va. – John McBryde ALBUQUERQUE
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Business A L B U Q U E R Q U E
E C O N O M I C
BUSINESS CLIMATE
P R O F I L E
The Albuquerque metro area accounts for nearly half of all the economic activity in the state of New Mexico. The Albuquerque area is known for its high-tech, government, film and aviation industries.
MAJOR EMPLOYERS Company
No. of Employees
Product or Service
Kirtland Air Force Base (civilian)
16,360
Air Force Materiel Command
Albuquerque Public Schools
14,480
Education
University of New Mexico
14,295
Education
SUPERLATIVES
Sandia National Laboratories
7,720
Research development
In its winter 2007 edition, MovieMaker magazine named Albuquerque the fourth-best American city for making movies.
City of Albuquerque
6,680
Government
Hispanic Magazine ranked Albuquerque as the third-best city in the nation for Hispanics in July 2006.
Presbyterian Healthcare Services
6,670
Hospital/medical services
Intel Corp.
5,500
Semiconductor manufacturer
State of New Mexico
5,490
Government
Lovelace
5,200
Hospital/medical services
Kirtland Air Force Base (military active duty)
5,090
Air Force
UNM Hospital
4,600
Hospital/medical services
Bernalillo County
2,300
Government
U.S. Post Office
2,200
Government
Sandia Resort and Casino
1,920
Resort and casino
PNM Electric and Gas Services
1,815
Utilities provider
New Mexico Veterans Affairs Healthcare System
1,805
Hospital/medical services
Albuquerque is rated as the 13th Fittest City in the Nation, according wto Men’s Fitness, January 2006.
Central New Mexico Community College
1,770
Education
T-Mobile
1,700
Customer service center
Citing the city’s world-class resorts, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and Old Town, Orbitz “Insider Staff Picks” predicts Albuquerque will be one of five outstanding locations that should be on everyone’s must-see list in the five years to come.
Bank of America
1,600
Financial institution
Rio Rancho Public Schools
1,580
Education
Los Lunas Public Schools
1,365
Education
Isleta Resort & Casino
1,195
Resort and casino
Citi Cards
USA Today picked Albuquerque as one of its six travel destinations to watch for in 2006. Albuquerque is one of America’s 50 Hottest Cities, Expansion Management, January 2006.
1,165
Credit card collection center
Honeywell Defense and Space Electronic Systems
1,100
Aircraft avionics manufacturer
Albuquerque Publishing Co.
1,000
Publisher
The benefits of doing business in Albuquerque include an affordable cost of living, a quality workforce and strong financial incentives. ALBUQUERQUE
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GENERAL LABOR STATISTICS Labor Force (December 2006) 406,700 Unemployment Rate (January 2007) 3.7% Median Age 35.9 Median Household Income (2005) $45,246
Corporate Income Taxes Net income of $500,000 or less: 4.8% Net income of $500,001-$1,000,000: $24,000 + 6.4% in excess Net income of $1,000,001 or more: $56,000 + 7.6% in excess
Average Hourly Manufacturing Wage (December 2006) $15.43 27.8 percent of the workforce is between the ages of 25-44.
Albuquerque Metro Area: 5.375%-7.125%
Albuquerque ranks among the top 25 largest metros.
Note: Numerous exemptions apply to reduce/eliminate gross receipts and compensating tax.
Source: Metro New Mexico Development Alliance, New Mexico Department of Labor, Economic Research & Analysis Bureau
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Basic Business Taxes Franchise Tax: $50/annually
Gross Receipts Tax/Compensating Taxes (Sales & Use Taxes) New Mexico Gross Receipts/ Compensating Tax: 5%
23 percent of adults have at least a bachelor’s degree.
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TAXES
Property Taxes Assessment Rate: 33.3% Tax Rate Albuquerque Metro Area: 0.044749 Property Tax Formula: Property Value x 33% x rate
ALBUQUERQUE
COST OF LIVING
YMCA of Central New Mexico
Fourth Quarter 2005 (U.S. = 100) 94.6 96.9
169.8
97.2
Adult Fitness
159.0
Family Programs
97.6 138.8
Youth Sports & Swim Team
100.4
100.6
Summer Day Camp
136.7
100.7
Swim Instruction for All Ages
128.1 118.3
San Francisco
Denver
Los Angeles
Albuquerque
Washington, D.C.
Phoenix
New York
Atlanta
Chicago
Rio Rancho
Santa Fe
Pittsburgh Dallas
TRANSPORTATION Airport Albuquerque International Sunport (505) 244-7700 Highways Albuquerque lies at the intersection of two major interstates, I-40 and I-25. Albuquerque is a registered U.S. Port of Entry with its own customs facility, enabling freight cargo to be shipped directly and duty paid locally. Rail BNSF Railway (800) 795-2673
FASTEST GROWING OCCUPATIONS Through 2008 Computer science teachers, post-secondary Computer scientists, NEC Computer support specialists Hand workers, jewelry, precision Health practitioners, NEC Paper goods machine
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Resident Camp Teen Center Child Care for Infants Before & After-School Care Newly Renovated Facility
Branches H.B. & Lucille Horn Family YMCA 4901 Indian School NE Albuquerque, NM 87110 (505) 265-6971 McLeod Mountainside Family YMCA 12500 Comanche NW Albuquerque, NM 87111 (505) 292-2298 Rio Rancho Family YMCA 2701 The American Rd. NE Rio Rancho, NM 87124 (505) 922-1681
Santa Fe Family YMCA 6600 Valentine Way Santa Fe, NM 87507 (505) 424-8077 Westside Family YMCA 4701 Montano NW Albuquerque, NM 87120 (505) 899-8417 Camp Shaver 22900 Hwy. 4 Jemez Springs, NM 87025 (505) 265-6471
We build strong kids, strong families, strong communities.
ymcacnm.org
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The Inn at Paradise We would like to invite you to experience living New Mexico-style … a blend of people, food, art, history, wildlife and culture all spaced between the sunrise and sunset of the great Southwest. The Inn at Paradise sits atop the West Mesa overlooking the Rio Grande Valley and the majestic Sandia Mountains. There is no better place to relax and enjoy your next holiday than in the Land of Enchantment. Located on the first tee of the Desert Green Golf Club, you can experience golf course living at its finest. Whether you are on an executive retreat with your company, having a competitive tournament with your family and friends, or taking a romantic holiday with that special someone, the Inn is a great getaway.
The Inn at Paradise 10035 Country Club Lane • Albuquerque, New Mexico 87114 USA 505.898.6161 or Toll-free: 800.938.6161 • Fax: 505.890.1090 E-mail: theinnatparadise@msn.com • innatparadise.com
setters/operators Plastic molding/casting machine operators/tenders Secretaries/commodities/ financial service sales agents Surgical technologists Systems analysts Source: New Mexico Department of Labor
FOR MORE INFORMATION Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce 115 Gold Ave. S.W., Ste. 201 Albuquerque, NM 87102 Phone: (505) 764-3700 Fax: (505) 764-3714 abqchamber.com Albuquerque Economic Development 851 University Blvd. S.E., Ste. 203 Albuquerque, NM 87106 Phone: (505) 246-6200, (800) 451-2933 Fax: (505) 246-6219 abq.org
TLC Mortgage Services, Inc. is more than just a residential mortgage company! Our name says a lot about how we conduct business. We can help with your entire real estate financing needs – residential, commercial, construction, land and even manufactured homes. We listen to what your ultimate goals are – improving your financial future, improving your credit, retirement, etc. We are available to you in multiple ways. You can contact us seven days a week, even in the evening and have access to your loan information 24/7 with “Status Online.” Let us show you what you deserve from your mortgage company!
(505) 822-0700 5345 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Ste. 202 Albuquerque, NM 87109 TLCMortgageServices.com
Sources: abq.org, abqchamber.com
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P H O T O S B Y M I C H A E L W. B U N C H
EDUCAT ION
To graduate, Amy Biehl High School requires students to complete two college-level courses and do a yearlong service project.
A New Vision for Education AMY BIEHL HIGH SCHOOL IS CIT Y ’S FIRS T DOWNTOWN HIGH SCHOOL IN 40 YEARS
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or generations, the handsome red clay, tile-roofed building has stood as a witness to Albuquerque’s past. Today, the old downtown post office and courthouse is home to the city’s future. Built in 1908, the building at the corner of Fourth and Gold has been brought up to date and re-imagined as Amy Biehl High School – a new kind of school in a treasured historic building. ABHS (named for a young woman who died in 1993 and was dedicated to social justice) grew from the vision of two teachers, Tony Monfiletto and Tom Siegel, who dreamed of a school that brought the nonacademic world into the curriculum and students into the world around them. To graduate, students would be required to successfully complete two college-level courses and a yearlong service project related to those courses. “The idea was not esoteric at all,” says Monfiletto. “We wanted kids to be able to prove they were ready to graduate. It’s real – and in the real world, you have to prove what you can do.” The concept garnered widespread support from the community, business leaders, educators and government. The 250 open spaces – lottery-chosen – were quickly filled, and the school opened in an existing suburban building. Meanwhile, the federal government was looking for an appropriate tenant for the old post office/courthouse building on what was known as Albuquerque’s historic “Banker’s Row.” A marriage seemed made in heaven. Monfiletto and friends set about proving to the federal government that a school was
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the right use for the old building, rallying “anyone who was a stakeholder in downtown,” he says. The campaign worked. In 2004, the federal government agreed to a 60-year lease at an annual rent of $100, and supporters raised $4 million to renovate the building. Walls and dropped ceilings were removed, a cafeteria added, lovely public spaces restored, and the facility was fitted with all the high-tech options of a new school. ABHS became Albuquerque’s first downtown high school in 40 years, at a cost of $17,000 per student – far less than the price of new construction. In 2006, the National Trust for Historic Preservation saluted the combined efforts of the school, the New Mexico State Historic Preservation Office and the U.S. General Services Administration with one of only 21 National Trust/Advisory Council for Historic Preservation Federal Partnerships in Historic Preservation Award. “We were thrilled,” Monfiletto says. “It has meant a lot to the school community, to have someone outside demonstrate the value of the school.” He credits the school’s success to the students themselves and to very active, day-to-day support from a “resourceful and highvisibility” board that includes community and business leaders. “There is tremendous support out there for public schools,” he says. “People want them to succeed and they want to support people like us who are willing to take a risk and do something innovative.” – Laura Hill ALBUQUERQUE
Teacher Is on the Honor Roll Highland High School teacher Lupe Martinez receives high marks as a second-language educator
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hen Lupe Martinez stands before her Spanish students and says, “The world is flat!” she’s not promoting some Columbus-era geographic controversy. She is referring to the computer and television screens that bring the world into the living rooms and classrooms of today’s students. Martinez understands that, with the globe at their fingertips, students need second-language education – and the broad perspective it offers – now more than ever. As Highland High School’s Department Chair of Modern Classical Languages and Bilingual Coordinator, Lupe Martinez sees that they get it. Apparently she’s doing a pretty good job. The New Mexico Organization of Language Educators named her the 2006 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor reserved for teachers with at least 20 years experience in second-language education and a track record of excellence and leadership. And the honors don’t stop there. After serving six years on the executive board of the Southwest Conference of Language Teachers, Martinez was named 2006-07 chair of the nine-state organization, which provides support and professional development. In 2006, Martinez represented New Mexico as a delegate to the American Conference on Teaching Foreign Language – a trust earned by years of dedication. Martinez says she is thankful for the professional development that membership in these organizations has given her. “(But) it is the on-the-job training the students give me that is the most fulfilling,” she adds. “To know that you contribute to the characterbuilding of tomorrow’s leaders is unquestionably a privilege.” – Carol Cowan
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Lupe Martinez was honored with the 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award by the New Mexico Organization of Language Educators for her good work.
Save Money. Smell the Flowers.
Looking for ways to save money on gas and help the environment? The EPA wants to share some smart driving tips that could give you more miles per gallon of gas and reduce air pollution. Tips like making sure your tires are properly inflated and replacing your air filter regularly. And where possible, accelerate and brake slowly. Be aware of your speed ... did you know that for every 5 miles you go over 65 mph, you’re spending about 20 cents more per gallon of gas? If you’re shopping for a new car, choose the cleanest, most efficient vehicle that meets your needs. If we each adopt just one of these tips, we’d get more miles for our money and it would be a little easier to smell the flowers. For more tips and to compare cleaner, more efficient vehicles, visit
www.epa.gov/greenvehicles.
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ARTS/CULTURE
Viva, Latino Experience CEN T ER I S BECOMING AN EN T E R TA INMEN T D E S T INAT ION F O R HI S PANIC CULT UR E
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rivia question: Where is the largest Latino cultural center in the United States? The answer is Albuquerque. The National Hispanic Cultural Center opened in 2000 along the banks of the Rio Grande in a historic Albuquerque neighborhood known as Barelas. Since its opening, the NHCC has hosted 25 major art exhibitions and established a spacious museum that features a large permanent collection. And now more good news. The NHCC has added a Roy E. Disney (nephew of Walt) Center for Performing Arts that hosts theatrical, musical, dance and media arts productions, all while informing the public about Hispanic
contributions to these disciplines. “While we are obviously a cultural center dedicated to the advancement of Latino arts and humanities, we always welcome non-Latinos who are interested in learning about our culture,” says Eduardo Diaz, executive director of the National Hispanic Cultural Center. “The overall Latino experience is quite interesting, and the new Disney venue allows us to host a variety of world-class entertainment productions.” The $22.5 million Disney Center is designed to look like a modern Mayan pyramid, and the building has already won two architectural awards for interior design and lighting.
“Within the Disney Center itself are three buildings – the Albuquerque Journal Theatre, the Bank of America Film Theater and the Wells Fargo Auditorium,” Diaz says. “The 691-seat Albuquerque Journal Theatre is ideal for operas, symphony concerts and musical theater, and it allows us to accommodate the casts of large productions or big dance companies. “The Bank of America Film Theatre is a 291-seat movie house where we have already presented a number of classic films from Mexico, Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries,” he adds. Meanwhile, the Wells Fargo Auditorium has 97 seats that provide an
The Roy E. Disney Center for Performing Arts hosts all types of performances at the National Hispanic Cultural Center.
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M I C H A E L W. B U N C H
intimate setting for lectures, readings and private film screenings. “The Disney Center has already hosted a Latin Diva series featuring singers from Brazil, Mexico and Peru, and we have scheduled a future Spanish operetta series where young singers can showcase their work,” Diaz says. “We are quickly becoming an entertainment destination for Latino culture in the United States.” Diaz reiterates that non-Latino people are welcome to be frequent audiences of the artistic programs offered at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. “Many people don’t realize that Latinos have a history with ethnicities from Asia, Europe, Africa and even Israel,” he says. “It’s going to be fun to eventually start scheduling shows, concerts and art exhibits that explore these world cultures that are tied to the Latino experience.” – Kevin Litwin
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SPORTS/RECREAT ION
What a Great Icebreaker NEW ME XICO SCORPIONS HOCKE Y TEAM HAS A NEW PLACE TO F IRE THE PUCK
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events as well.” Minnick says the team averages 3,300 fans per game nowadays, so there is room to continue growing the Scorpions’ fan base. “Attendance has been increasing during the 2006-07 season, partly due to the new arena, which, by the way, has great sight lines and a fantastic sound system,” he says. “We cater partly to diehard hockey fans, so we must make sure to provide a good hockey product. But there are also plenty of people who come to our games for the exciting atmosphere. We actually consider ourselves an entertainment extravaganza wrapped around a hockey game.” Tickets to Scorpions games are priced as low as $10, and most home games are played on weekends. The season runs from October through April, and the fan base is primarily from Albuquerque, Los Alamos, Las Cruces
and Rio Rancho. “We even get fans from southern Colorado,” Minnick says. “Hockey is a growing sport, and people who attend the games enjoy the speed and controlled chaos of it all. Besides the games, we have some fun activities between each period so that it’s an enjoyable outing for the entire family.” As for the Central Hockey League, it has been around for 15 years, making the Scorpions one of its longest-existing franchises. New Mexico plays in the league’s Southwest Division against rivals Amarillo, Arizona, Lubbock and Odessa. The Scorpions are a minor league affiliate of the Nashville Predators from the National Hockey League. “We hope to some day send one of the Scorpions to the NHL to play for Nashville,” Minnick says. “That would really be something.” – Kevin Litwin
BRIAN McCORD
hen a minor league hockey team stays in one community for five years, it is considered a success story. That must mean the New Mexico Scorpions are doubly successful. The long-time affiliate of the professional Central Hockey League is now in its 10th season on the ice and 11th overall. The team didn’t play during the 2005-06 season because a new ultramodern arena was being built for them in Rio Rancho. “The Santa Ana Star Center, where we now play our home games, is incredible,” says Adam Minnick, director of public relations and broadcasting for the New Mexico Scorpions. “Capacity at the center is 6,200, and there are only 23 rows that are situated in a lower bowl, so every spectator is close to the ice in an intimate setting. The arena was built specifically for hockey, although it is used for other
The Santa Ana Star Center is the new home of the New Mexico Scorpions and also serves as an entertainment venue. ALBUQUERQUE
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Great Rates & Service Right In Your Neighborhood! Free local pick-up service • Unlimited mileage • Auto repair replacement rates • Direct billing to insurance companies Association club discounts • Monthly & mini-lease rates Open seven days a week • Luxury vehicles, SUVs & minivans Child-safety seat rentals • Roadside assistance
Albuquerque Hilton Hotel: 1901 University Blvd. NE • (505) 884-6807 Albuquerque Int’l Airport: 3400 University Blvd. SE • (505) 842-4080 Albuquerque North/Northeast: 4770 Montgomery NE • (505) 830-2803 Santa Fe Airport: 121 Aviation Dr. • (505) 471-5892
For reservations nationwide, call 800-831-2847 or visit avis.com
Look, a tall purple rectangle!
CCRG is a subsidiary of Cendant Corporation
When you talk to your child you build vocabulary, so everyday moments become learning moments. For more tips, visit bornlearning.org
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ALBUQUERQUE
SPORTS/RECREAT ION
Going Way Above Par GOLF ER S HAV E PL EN T Y OF PL AC E S T O IND ULGE IN T HE IR LOV E F O R T HE G A ME
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ow about this for challenging? A resort golf course in Albuquerque measures a whopping 7,772 yards and has two par 5s that are 630 yards and 610 yards. Yet, most decent golfers can still post a pretty good score there. Sandia Golf Club, located at the Sandia Resort & Casino, opened in 2005 and has already built a reputation as one of the most scenic golfing vistas in all of New Mexico. Since there are no construction developments going up around it, the course offers unobstructed views of the Sandia Mountains while the fairways feature an emerald green grass color for about nine months of the year. “Our mountainside setting and highdesert layout is certainly beautiful to the eye, which is why we are quickly becoming a resort destination of choice,” says Racquel Huslig, head golf professional at Sandia Golf Club. “And even though the course is 7,772 yards from the championship tees, the golf ball tends to filter toward the center of the fairways due to the rolling hillsides, so it is almost always in play. Sandia is a fair test for any golfer.” Another picturesque resort setting in Albuquerque is the Isleta Eagle Golf Course, which features 27 holes designed around three lakes. Each nine-hole tract has distinct topographic features, and virtually every hole offers panoramic views of the Rio Grande Valley and the mountains. Meanwhile, Twin Warriors Golf Club at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa is 18 holes set along grassy knolls and ridges, with fairways that are graced with juniper and piñon pine trees. The course is also dotted with eroded land areas called arroyos that are interesting to play through, and the club is built
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says. “We have some of the best climate in the country, and our high altitude makes the ball fly farther. And as for fabulous scenery, these outdoor paradises in Albuquerque just can’t be beat.” – Kevin Litwin
BRIAN McCORD
Golfing in the Albuquerque area offers duffers scenic views of the Rio Grande Valley and the Sandia Mountains.
around ancient sites that were inhabited by Spaniards and American Indians as long as 400 years ago. “First and foremost, resorts in Albuquerque offer great golf but are certainly much more than that,” Huslig
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questions
© 2002 American Cancer Society, Inc.
answers 8 0 0 . A C S . 2 3 4 5 / c a n c e r. o r g
BRIAN McCORD
HEALTH/WELLNESS
The Lovelace Health System offers comprehensive care to residents at its many medical facilities scattered throughout the region.
A Healthier Place To Live LOVEL ACE I S COMMI T T ED TO K EEPING ALBUQUERQUE IN T IP-TOP SHAPE
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roviding good health care for a community requires more than just outstanding medical services and staff – it’s also about being in the right place at the right time. With four acute-care hospitals, a rehab center, a health plan, medical laboratories, the Lovelace Sandia Medical Group, six pediatric clinics and 15 neighborhood health centers in the state, Lovelace Health System has striven to be accessible to its patients, wherever and whenever they are in need. But 2006 was a particularly important year for the giant medical organization – one of New Mexico’s largest employers – in terms of patient accessibility. With an eye toward reaching more patients, Lovelace Medical Center merged with Albuquerque Regional Medical Center in downtown Albuquerque, part of a systemwide, $80 million development and expansion plan. ALBUQUERQUE
“Our goal is to offer our patients easy access to the highest level of care, plain and simple,” says Rob Stern, president and CEO of Lovelace Health System. “Our commitment to this community runs deep.” The hospital merger prompted a $60 million renovation and expansion of the new Lovelace Medical Center-Downtown, including a new cardiology center, expanded emergency department, patient floor renovations and upgraded infrastructure and exteriors. The new hospital, considered the flagship facility for the system, is scheduled for completion in 2007. “Also in 2007, we will complete a $13.8 million expansion of the Lovelace Women’s Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, adding 30 beds and allowing our unit to treat newborn patients who otherwise would have to be taken out of state,” Stern says.
In the past few years, the company completed expansion of its Lovelace Westside Hospital complex, adding a medical pavilion and expanding hospital services, including invasive cardiac procedures. And it became partners with the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, provided expanded oncology and high-risk pregnancy services. Why the investment in Albuquerque? Well, for starters, Lovelace Health Systems began here in the early years of the 20th century, with the groundbreaking work of Dr. William Randolph Lovelace. And then there is the future. “Albuquerque is a growing area, and the business outlook is very bright,” Stern says. “We made our investment in Albuquerque and New Mexico because we thought it was the Southwest’s bestkept secret. Clearly, that secret is starting to get out.” – Laura Hill IMAGESALBUQUERQUE.COM
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THIS SEC T ION IS SPONSORED BY R A IN T UNNEL C A R S PA
Albuquerque C O M M U N I T Y SNAPSHOT
P R O F I L E
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. Bureau data done by Bizjournals.com in 2006.
BUSINESS CLIMATE In May 2007, Forbes magazine named Albuquerque one of the Best Places for Business and Careers. According to Forbes, Albuquerque has the lowest business cost in the country. This factor, along with an educated population and rising household incomes, helped boost Albuquerque to the No. 6 spot for business and careers.
In a 2006 study conducted by Worldwide ERC and Primacy Relocation, Albuquerque ranked eighth among the best cities for relocating families. In June 2006, Kiplinger’s ranked Albuquerque third on its list of “50 smart places to live in the country.” The ranking is based on average home prices, cost of living, quality of life and access to health care. Albuquerque is ranked on the Milken List of Top 200 Best Performing cities, Milken Institute, March 2006.
Albuquerque ranks No. 10 among communities with the highest concentration of brainpower, according to an analysis of Census
THE AREA CODE FOR ALBUQUERQUE IS 505.
NEWSPAPERS The Albuquerque Journal (daily) 823-3800 The Albuquerque Tribune (daily) 823-7777
EDUCATION Public Schools Albuquerque Public Schools 880-3700, ww2.aps.edu Albuquerque Public Schools is one of the largest public school systems in the nation, with more than 87,000 students. Because of its size, the Albuquerque Public School system is divided into a cluster system based on 11 high schools and the elementary and middle schools that feed them. There is a 12th cluster that includes 10 alternative schools.
Albuquerque’s galleries along historic Route 66 and the monthly ArtsCrawls contributed to AmericanStyle ranking the city second among mid-sized art cities.
The area code for Albuquerque is 505.
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Higher Education Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute New Mexico State University New Mexico Tech University of New Mexico
224-3000 883-3235 366-2530 277-0111
Alamosa/Robert L. Murphy Library • 836-0684 Cherry Hill Library • 857-8321 East Mountain Library • 281-8508 Erma Fergusson Library • 888-8100 Ernie Pyle Library • 256-2065 Juan Tabo Library • 291-6260 Lomas Tramway Library • 291-6295 Los Griegos Library • 761-4020 Main Library • 768-5141 North Valley Library • 897-8823 San Pedro Library • 256-2067 South Broadway Library • 764-1742 South Valley Library • 877-5170 Special Collections Library 848-1376 Taylor Ranch Library • 897-8816 Westgate Library • 833-6984 Wyoming Library • 291-6264
35 35.1 34.8 33.8
MEDICAL FACILITIES Cancer Research/ Treatment Center
LIBRARIES
Children’s Psychiatric Hospital
272-4946 272-2890
University of New Mexic Carrie Tingley Hospital 272-5200 UNM Family Health (three locations)
272-4400
UNM Family Practice Center
272-2111
UNM Hospital
272-2521
UNM Senior Health Center
272-1754
344-9478
VA Hospital
265-1711
Heart Hospital of New Mexico
724-2000
West Mesa Medical Center
727-2000
Kaseman Presbyterian Hospital
291-2000
NUMBERS TO KNOW
Lovelace Hospital
262-3895
Memorial Hospital
247-0220
Northeast Heights Medical Center
727-7800
New Valley Clinic
272-2158
Northside Presbyterian
823-8000
Presbyterian Child Treatment
291-2540
Presbyterian Hospital
841-1234
Presbyterian Urgent Care (four locations) 462-7575 727-4700
Median Age
Southwest Valley Clinic
272-2154
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842-5550
Healthsouth Rehabilitation Center
Rehabilitation Hospital of New Mexico
34.6 34.9
Specialty Hospital
UNM Psychiatric Center 272-2800
AGE STATISTICS New Mexico Albuquerque MSA
66
Bernalillo County Sandoval County Torrance County Valencia County
Southeast Heights Clinic 272-2283 South Broadway Clinic
272-2156
Albuquerque Animal Services (licenses and permits) • 768-1975 Albuquerque Rape Crisis Center • 266-7711 Animal Humane Association of New Mexico • 255-5523 Building Permits • 924-3860 Business Licensing/Zoning 924-3850 City of Albuquerque 768-2000, Info Line 311 Crisis Line • 247-1121 Drivers’ Licenses & Vehicle Registration (888) 683-4636 Emergency – ambulance, fire, police • 911 Emergency Road Service: AAA 291-6600 Federal Bureau of Investigation 224-2000 Hunting & Fishing Licenses 841-8881 Main library office 768-5140 Mental Health Center • 272-2800 Nonemergency ambulance 761-8200 Nonemergency fire • 833-7300 Nonemergency police 242-2677 Poison Control Center • 272-2222
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Shelter for Domestic Violence Victims • 247-4219 Sheriff • 768-4160 State Police • 841-9256
Electricity Public Service Company of New Mexico 246-5700, (800) 687-7854
CLIMATE
Gas Public Service Company of New Mexico 246-5700, (800) 687-7854
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. But in the nearby Sandia Mountains, the annual rainfall is about 40 inches, with an annual snowfall of about 111 inches.
UTILITIES Cable Comcast • 344-0690 Qwest • (800) 244-1111
Phone MCI • (888) 624-5622 Qwest • 245-6597 TelaVoIP • 314-0844 Time Warner Telecom • 938-7328 Xspedius • 998-2274, (877) 434-6032 Trash Removal Solid Waste Management Division • 761-8100 Water/Sewer City of Albuquerque • 768-2800 Water Utility Department • 768-2800
ATTRACTIONS Albuquerque Aquarium 764-6200
The area code for Albuquerque is 505.
Albuquerque Museum of Art & History 243-7255 or (800) 659-8331 Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum 768-6020 American International Rattlesnake Museum 242-6569 Explora Science Center 224-8300 KiMo Theatre 768-3522 Indian Pueblo Cultural Center 843-7270 Lodestar Astronomy Center 841-5955 or 841-5960 Maxwell Museum of Anthropology 277-4405 National Atomic Museum 247-1437 National Hispanic Cultural Center of New Mexico 246-2261
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New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science 841-2800 Old Town 243-3215 albuquerqueoldtown.com Rio Grande Botanical Garden 764-6200
CALL ME TODAY FOR A COMPLIMENTARY FINANCIAL AND INSURANCE REVIEW.
Rio Grande Zoo 764-6200 South Broadway Cultural Center 848-1320 Tamarind Institute 277-3901
CORDERO INSURANCE SERVICES
Tingley Beach 764-6200
ARELLANA D. BARELA CORDERO
Tinkertown 281-5233 Turquoise Museum 247-8650 Unser Racing Museum 341-1776
GOLF Private Albuquerque Country Club 243-7156 Four Hills Country Club 296-1122 Tanoan Country Club 822-0433 Public Arroyo del Oso Isleta Eagle Golf Course Ladera Golf Course Los Altos Golf Course Paradise Hills Golf Club Pueblo de Cochiti Golf Course Puerto del Sol Sandia Golf Club Santa Ana Golf Club Twin Warriors Golf Club UNM Championship Courses
Exclusive Agent
(505) 833-2000 arrana88@aol.com 1020 Lomas Blvd. NW, Ste. 1 Albuquerque, NM 87102
889-3699 869-0950 836-4449 298-1897 898-7001 465-2239 265-5636 798-3990 867-9464 771-6155 277-6222
Military Tijeras Arroyo Golf Course 846-1169
DOG PARKS Eight locations – 764-1143 or 764-1145
Hot Deals. Cool Cars. Fast Service.
Free neighborhood pick-up service • Unlimited mileage available Honor auto club, senior discounts and insurance replacement rates Extended hours at participating locations • Monthly and extended-rental rates One-way rentals available • Economy through luxury cars, SUVs and minivans Insurance company direct billing available Albuquerque West Side: 10131 Coors Rd. NW Ste. H8 • (505) 898-6811 Albuquerque Midtown: 3501 Pan American Frwy. NE • (505) 344-7196 Albuquerque North/Northeast: 2500 San Mateo Blvd. NE • (505) 830-6953 Albuquerque Int’l APO: 3400 University Blvd. • (505) 247-2576 Los Alamos: 1040 Airport Rd. • (505) 662-1924 Santa Fe: 1946 Cerrillos • (505) 984-1596
Rio Grande Triangle Park Tom Bolack Urban Forest Park Roosevelt Park
For Reservations Nationwide:
USS Bullhead Park
(800) 527-0700
The area code for Albuquerque is 505.
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Visit Our Advertisers Albuquerque Academy www.aa.edu Albuquerque Meadows www.albuquerquemeadows.com Allstate Insurance Company http://agent.allstate.com/ arellana/welcome American Indian Chamber of Commerce of New Mexico www.aiccnm.com Aon www.aon.com AR Mortgage www.armortgage1.com ASW Realty www.aswhomes.com Avis www.avis.com Blue Cross and Blue Shield www.bcbsnm.com Blue Dot Corporation www.anasazidowntown.com Bosque School www.bosqueschool.org Budget Rent A Car www.budget.com Centex Homes www.centexhomes.com Chase Crew www.thechasecrew.com Citi Cards www.careers.citicards.com Danette Lovato Pimentel Music, Inc. www.pimentelmusic.com Eastern Hills Christian Academy www.easternhillsca.com Eclipse Aviation www.eclipseaviation.com Escuela Del Sol Montessori www.escueladelsol.org High Desert Investment Corporation www.high-desert.com Hunt Development Companies www.huntcompanies.com Inn at Paradise www.innatparadise.com Lovelace Health System www.lovelace.com Manzano Day School www.manzanodayschool.org New Mexico Educators Federal Credit Union www.nmefcu.org New Mexico Mutual www.newmexicomutual.com New Mexico Symphony Orchestra www.nmso.org PNM www.pnm.com Powers Mortgage Group LLC www.powersmortgagegroup.com Rain Tunnel Car Spa www.raintunnelcarspa.com Sandi Pressley – Coldwell Banker Legacy www.sandipressley.com Sandia Area Federal Credit Union www.sandia.org Sandia Prep www.sandiaprep.org Sky View Homes www.skyviewhomesnm.com Southwest Suites www.southwestsuites.com Stillbrooke Homes www.stillbrooke.com TLC Mortgage Services, Inc. www.tlcmortgageservices.com University of New Mexico Hospitals http://hospitals.unm.edu Vineyard Express www.thevineyardexpress.net Woodmark at Uptown www.woodmark-al.com YMCA of Central New Mexico www.ymcacnm.org
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LINKS Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau itsatrip.org Albuquerque Economic Development abq.org Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce ahcnm.org Bernalillo County bernco.gov City of Albuquerque cabq.gov New Mexico Department of Economic Development edd.state.nm.us
Albuquerque’s Exceptional Assisted Living & Dementia Care Community Welcome to the Woodmark a seniors community defined by the belief that each resident is a unique individual deserving a lifestyle with choices. The S.P.A. at the WOODMARK offers Specialized Personal Attention for Alzheimer’s & dementia care.
Call us to arrange a tour:
(505) 881-0120 7201 Prospect Pl. NE, 87110
Old Town albuquerqueoldtown.com State of New Mexico state.nm.us
FOR MORE INFORMATION Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce 115 Gold Ave. S.W., Ste. 201 Albuquerque, NM 87102 Phone: 764-3700 Fax: 764-3714 abqchamber.com Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau 20 First Plaza N.W. Ste. 601 Albuquerque, NM 87102 Phone: (800) 284-2282 itsatrip.org
A sister’s promise couldn’t save Suzy Komen from breast cancer. But one day it might save you. In 1982, Nancy Brinker promised her dying sister, Suzy, she’d find a cure for breast cancer. That promise led to research and treatment innovations, education and screening. Join the effort at www.komen.org
Sources: abq.org, abqchamber.com, itsatrip.org, cabq.gov
The area code for Albuquerque is 505.
or 1.800 I’M AWARE®.
This space provided as a public service. ©2004, The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
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