LIFE + CULTURE
OUR HOLIDAY ISSUE
TURQUOISE
SHOPPING
LUXURY GIFTS Luxury Gifts for the Holidays
FOOD + BEVERAGE
HOLIDAY COOKING
DECEMBER
Remodeling Dreams Into
DecemberGiving Issue
The holidays are here and as the spirit of the season is among us, we often try to replicate what made the season feel so magical to us in our youth. The traditions we set for our own families often mirror some of what we experienced as a child whether it is the smells, the sounds, the lights, the holiday activities or a combination of it all that reflects that best.
Growing up in Connecticut there was usually snow on the ground and as a kid I still wished for a White Christmas. My memories of spending Christmas at my grandparents' house are still alive and well with me. They always made it special for us and it was wonderful to spend time with family members that you didn't get to see much. I think we all have special holiday memories that bring us right back to those special times in our lives that we wish we could recreate. Here's to making new holiday memories this season!
This month, we wanted to highlight the magic of the season and what our city has to offer that helps spread holiday cheer. We’ve compiled a gift guide to make your shopping easier and that also supports our local businesses. We also wanted to share what our area has to offer this holiday season for entertainment and ways to give back. While this season can be beautiful for some, it can be painful and lonely for others, especially those who have recently lost a loved one. In the true spirit of the season, let’s take care of those in our community that need assistance or who are alone. My hope for you this season is that you feel love and peace and that we all remember to take care of each other extending grace, empathy and love.
Happy Holidays!
RICH RINGROSE, PUBLISHER @ABQCITYLIFESTYLE
December 2024
PUBLISHER
Rich Ringrose | rich.ringrose@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Richard Lakin | richard.lakin@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Cecily Sullivan
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Alex Nicolette
STAFF WRITER
Andrea Jacquin
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Autumn Oglesby
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Andrea Jacquin, Alex Nicolette, Richard Lakin
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Autumn Oglesby, Skywest Silver Company, Richard Lakin
Corporate Team
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen
inside the issue
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city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: Balloon Fiesta: Angel Rio, Fifi, and Momo 2: Balloon Fiesta: Alexandria Gonzalez 3: Balloon Fiesta: Raeann and Alex Quinn 4: Balloon Fiesta: Abigail Yanez 5: Balloon Fiesta: Byron Morton 6: Balloon Fiesta: Anthony Yanez and Ted Maes 7: Balloon Fiesta: Savvana Lucero and Krissy Padilla
ERIKA DURDLE PHOTOGRAPHY
8: Duke City Marathon: Shannon Erickson 9: Duke City Marathon: Jude Perea 10: Duke City Marathon: Eddy Rios 11: Duke City Marathon: Jessica Orr and Daniel Chisolm 12: Duke City Marathon: Patterson Yazzie 13: Duke City Marathon: Stephanie Flores 14: Duke City Marathon: Jeremy Christian
As temperatures dip, it’s time to transition from cool comfort to warm relaxation. Whether it’s your home or office, a properly maintained HVAC system or swamp cooler is essential for energy efficiency and optimal indoor air quality.
DID YOU KNOW?
Seasonal HVAC adjustments don’t just improve comfort, they also prolong the life of your system and reduce long-term costs. By scheduling your heating system setup now, you can avoid the winter rush and ensure smooth, reliable performance when you need it most.
WHY CHANGEOVER MATTERS:
Adjusting your heating and cooling systems at the right time not only maximizes efficiency but also extends the life of your equipment. And, with Enchanted Mechanical’s advanced carbon monoxide tools, you’ll have peace of mind that your furnace flames are burning safely and correctly.
Let Enchanted Mechanical take care of your seasonal changeover with expertise you can trust. Enjoy peace of mind and luxurious warmth all season.
Carbon Monoxide Meter
Proper Burning Flames In A Furnace
New Water Heater Installation.
Our Lead Technician Zeke Hern
Home is where the heart is... and home inspired surroundings are what you and your loved one will experience here!
Assisted Living Care | Memory Care
We offer small, cozy community-living that fosters familiarity with an open kitchen, dining room, and living room. Each of our private bedrooms has its own ADA approved bathroom, and most importantly, we offer exceptional and individualized support for those that need some assistance with activities of daily living.
We have locations in NE height, SE Heights, Westside, Bernalillo, Bosque Farms, Rio Rancho, Edgewood, Santa Fe and White Rock.
TURQUOISE
ARTICLE BY RICHARD LAKIN
PHOTOGRAPHY
COURTESY
OF SUNWEST SILVER COMPANY A CLASSIC NEW MEXICO GIFT
One thing for certain in New Mexico is that many people will gift turquoise jewelry to loved ones this holiday season. Other than its aesthetic appeal, other properties are attributed to the gem. Many cultures believe that turquoise imparts luck and protection, as well as warding off negative energies and bringing good fortune. It’s also seen as promoting unity and friendship, making it an ideal gift for someone special to you.
While primarily known as a gem from mines in the American Southwest, it also originates from Iran, Egypt, China, Turkey, Chile, and Mexico, as well as several other international sources. Turquoise has been used in jewelry for centuries. It has been unearthed at the ruins of Chaco Canyon and, in Egypt, dates back to the pharaohs.
Albuquerque City Lifestyle magazine wanted to give buyers some insight into acquiring quality turquoise jewelry, so we talked to Ernie Montoya…a renowned local expert on the subject with 45 years of experience in the business. He runs Sunwest Silver Company on Lomas Blvd. Albuquerque residents know his shop as the big pink building with the huge robot statues in the parking lot. He has one of the world’s largest collections of raw turquoise stones. It’s stored in thousands of jars on shelves in his shop’s basement. He also operates four mines in northern Nevada and continues to prospect. Ninety-five percent of his jewelry inventory is Native American crafted, mostly with the turquoise from his mines.
“If you’re going to buy quality jewelry, it should be natural turquoise.”
Ernie told us, “If you're going to buy quality jewelry it should be natural turquoise. It will cost a little more, but in the long run, it has much more value. Sometimes it could be an enhanced type of turquoise where it's not the real thing. It’s had the color embellished or the surface gloss artificially enhanced. The best way to judge the quality is if the dealer can provide a bio
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“There are about 18 colors of turquoise, in shades of blue or green.”
of the jewelry artist. There are knockoffs of Native American jewelry that degrade the entire market. The silver elements should be .925 purity.”
There are also a variety of colors that are particular to a specific mine. Ernie says, “There are about 18 colors of turquoise, in shades of blue or green.” One of Ernie’s mines produces a green gemstone. Some Pueblo jewelry artists also use other beautifully colored stones like coral or lapis.
Another element of the stone’s appearance is called “matrixing.” This refers to the black lines that usually run through turquoise stones. Ernie says,” Matrixing is something that’s just a matter of taste. Most Americans like the matrix in their turquoise because they have a more mineral look and more character. In Europe and Asia, they
tend to lean more to the stones without matrixing, but the mines that are currently producing it are limited.”
As for pricing, there is no set rate for turquoise like there is for silver or gold. The craftsmanship of the entire jewelry piece and the quality of the gem determine the cost.
There are plenty of reputable shops selling turquoise jewelry in Albuquerque and many internationally known craftspeople producing it throughout the Southwest, but you should not hesitate to ask questions… Who is the artist? What mine did it come from? Is it a natural stone or has it been artificially enhanced? High-quality turquoise jewelry is not cheap, with some items priced in the thousands of dollars. Do some due diligence and you’ll have a lovely gift that is also an investment or an heirloom.
LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE
NEW MEXICAN Holiday Cooking
RED AND GREEN
ARTICLE BY ANDREA JACQUIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AUTUMN OGLESBY
Chef Joshua Aragon plates up an Indian Taco
Albuquerque City Lifestyle magazine went searching for uniquely New Mexican cuisine for the holidays. The Pueblo Kitchen at The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center fits the bill of fare. You may find this menu as an inspiration for your own holiday cooking.
The Pueblo Kitchen prepared us a meal that included: well-seasoned and marinated Christmas Green Chili Enchiladas, Blue Corn Fried Kool-Aid Pickles made fresh and soaked in Kool-Aid for one day, Taco Salad taco shells deep fried and piled high with ground beef, beans, calabacitas, and red and green chili for garnish, a Monte Cristo made from Pueblo Oven Bread and raspberry Chili Compote made from fresh berries, and an Indian Taco made using fresh Fry Bread. All created for us by Chef Joshua Aragon and his staff.
Sous Chef Joshua Aragon has worked at the Indian Pueblo Kitchen for the past four years. After starting as a dishwasher, he worked his way up to his sous chef position. He says, “I learned from all the previous chefs at the Indian Pueblo Kitchen. Everything that I was taught, I used that knowledge and passed it down to my cooks.”
Unique ingredients are important to Aragon. “I love to cook, using different ingredients for my meals. He enjoys teaching his staff and experimenting together in the kitchen.
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Chef Joshua Aragon at the Indian Pueblo Kitchen
“New Mexican cuisine is very unique, as you can’t get this type of food anywhere else in the U.S. or Canada.”
Aragon says, “The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is a destination spot for all guests visiting Albuquerque. We are unique because there is no other spot that guests can visit to learn about pueblo culture, history, and cuisine unless you go directly to a pueblo.” Many of the traditional dishes at the restaurant are the same dishes Aragon grew up eating at family gatherings and on feast days. He says using local fresh ingredients plays a significant role in making food tastier.
Aragon uses traditional southwest ingredients like blue, white, and red sweet corn, along with zucchini and beans. Corn, beans, and squash are affectionately called “the three sisters.” Planting these crops close together helps each of the crops to grow. Red & Green Chili is also a main ingredient and a big part of New Mexican cooking.
“New Mexican cuisine is very unique, as you can’t get this type of food anywhere else in the U.S. or Canada. Indigenous cuisine is even more unique, as it is only found in specific parts of the world, and the ingredients used are items that were used long before European settlers came to this land,” says Aragon.
The menu items are a combination of Pueblo, Spanish, and New Mexican dishes. Aragon says, “These ingredients are unique to New Mexico. A traditional Native American meal is somewhat similar to New Mexican meals, but we harvest and dry a lot of our foods so they can be used year-round.”
Kool-Aid and Prickly Pears have made it onto Aragon’s menu. Prickly Pears, commonly found in desert regions, can be mixed with a Kool-Aid puree for meat marinades, sauces, drinks, and dessert flavoring.
Aragon hopes visitors feel at home at the Indian Pueblo Kitchen. He says, “I hope they feel comfortable. I like to see the expressions and hear the good comments about our cooking to give my staff feedback, so they are proud of what they are cooking and doing for our guests.”
The restaurant at the cultural center feeds guests from all over the world. Aragon says, “The unique culture and history that people from all over want to come and experience at the center is special. There is always laughter, smiles, and good vibes here.” For more details, visit https://indianpueblokitchen.org .
- Chef Joshua Aragon
kalena@mangostana net www.mangostana.net
Community
An Investment Worth Making
At Century Bank, community is at the core of who we are. We believe in investing in our local communities and supporting our customers with the best in local banking. We Are Stronger Together!
At the PHOCUS Real Estate Team, we don’t just help you buy or sell a home – we elevate the experience. With over 40 five-star Google reviews, we’re trusted by Albuquerque’s most discerning homeowners to deliver beyond expectations. Want to know why?
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Our clients know the difference a dedicated, expert team can make. When you or someone you know needs exceptional real estate services, remember to PHOCUS!
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BOSQUE DEL APACHE
ARTICLE BY RICHARD LAKIN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY AUTUMN OGLESBY AND RICHARD LAKIN
The cranes are here for the winter
During the winter months, New Mexico sees the migratory return of Sandhill Cranes to the wetlands along the Rio Grande River. In addition to the cranes, there are tens of thousands of ducks and geese that migrate to the area as well.
The birds come from the northern US and Canada to roost in the shallow waters of the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge where they spend the winter months. Some birds come from as far away as the Arctic regions.
The refuge was created specifically for migratory birds. Corn and wheat are grown for bird food in the fields surrounding the waters, and several areas are flooded by ground water pumps prior to the arrival of the migratory flocks. Roosting in these shallows helps protect the birds from the numerous predatory animals that live in the Rio Grande Valley…coyotes, bobcats, and mountain lions. Birders come from around the world to see and photograph the spectacular views of waterfowl. Most people come to see the birds leave from their water roost at sunrise or when they return at sundown. The flocks spend the day foraging for grains in the surrounding fields. The mountain vistas seen from the valley and the sounds of thousands of birds are an unforgettable experience.
For more information:
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge 1001 State Highway 1, San Antonio, NM 87832
575.835.1828
Making Spirits
JOIN OUR MISSION TO SPREAD WARMTH AND COMPASSION BY NOMINATING SOMEONE WHO DESERVES A CHRISTMAS BLESSING
“We believe in giving back and serving the communities where we live in a real and tangible way.”
As the Christmas season approaches, we’re reminded of the power of community and kindness. This year, through City Lifestyle’s nonprofit, The Kingdom Building Foundation, we will help people who may be struggling quietly without the support they need. But we need your help to find them.
Over the past three years, this campaign has grown into something truly beautiful, touching the lives of more than 150 families nationwide last year alone. Each year, we’ve seen firsthand how generosity can bring relief, hope, and a renewed sense of faith in others.
One person we had the opportunity to help was an 11-year-old boy diagnosed with a rare eye cancer. After he had to undergo chemotherapy and surgery to remove his eye, his doctors recommended a prosthetic one, but insurance wouldn’t cover the cost, calling it “cosmetic.” When we heard his story, we knew we had to help. Because of this campaign, he got his prosthetic eye and a piece of his childhood back with it.
Another was a wife and mother of two who fought a yearlong health battle and was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Just days before Christmas, she underwent surgery but passed away due to complications. Before her surgery, she received one of our cards and, in tears, told us this gift gave her some peace, knowing her family would have help in the difficult times ahead. It wasn’t just about the financial support but knowing that someone cared.
These stories remind us why this campaign is so meaningful. It’s not just
about writing checks; it’s about telling people they aren’t forgotten and that someone is there to lend a hand. It’s about giving families a moment of relief when the world feels unbearable.
“We believe in giving back and serving the communities where we live in a real and tangible way,” says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle. “This Giving Campaign is about personally impacting the lives of people we know with an unexpected check in the mail just to say that someone thought of them this holiday season.”
Together with Matthew Perry, President, Steven adds that the gratitude from recipients was overwhelming, affirming this tradition’s importance. “We believe God has blessed our company with success,” Matthew adds, “so we want to be a blessing to others.”
We know many more people could use a little help this Christmas, and that’s where you come in. Do you know someone who could use a blessing? We want to hear about them.
To nominate someone, scan the QR code or follow @CityLifestyle on Instagram, where you’ll find the form in our bio. Nominations are open from November 27 to December 10, 2024. Let’s bring hope to those who need it most.
The City Lifestyle Giving Campaign is completely confidential. No identities will be revealed or publicized. All entries will be read, and selections and the amount given to each recipient will be based on the severity of the need. For more information, visit KingdomBuildingFoundation.org
Gifting Luxury
Buying tips for high-end gifts
ARTICLE BY RICHARD LAKIN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY AUTUMN OGLESBY
Turquoise Earrings
If you’re considering high-end luxury items for your holiday gift-giving this year, Albuquerque City Lifestyle wanted to give you some buying tips to bring more value to your purchases. To that end, we spoke to John Thomas, an Albuquerque jeweler with extensive experience in luxury goods. John’s shop is known for its high-tech, real-time approach to designing custom jewelry, as well as John’s expertise in international diamond buying.
John told us, “First, check the Google reviews to get a sense of how reputable the jeweler is. If you don’t have personal expertise with high-end watches, jewelry, or expensive leather goods, then you want to make sure that the shop owners and staff are forthcoming and knowledgeable. It’s very important to check what their customers are saying online.”
“Second, ask questions about the warranty and get a written copy. Most shops will give you an initial free one-year warranty but charge you for additional coverage. The issue with that is most jewelry doesn’t usually incur problems in the first year. Also, many extended warranties require a regular six-month inspection to keep the warranty active. Life tends to get in the way … you miss the inspection once, and your warranty is void. Also, what happens if the shop closes or is sold, or you move out of
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Opal necklace
Ruby and Diamond Earrings
Watermelon Tourmaline
“ANOTHE R WAY TO FIND BETTER PRICES IS THE PR E VIOUSLY OWNEDMARKET.”
the area? What happens to your warranty?” One of the reasons John’s business is so well regarded is that he is known for providing a free lifetime warranty that is backed by a national network.
Don’t underestimate the importance of the warranty if you’re buying luxury goods this holiday season. You may become enthralled with an item and neglect the crucial “paperwork” advisable for a sizeable purchase.
John says, “Another way to find better prices is the previously owned market. Retailers with higher-end designer brands are scarce in New Mexico. Luxury items like Swiss watches, fine jewelry, and designer leather items can be a real bargain if they are pre-owned.”
John tells us, “Purchasing pre-owned items is where the Google Reviews come in handy. The jeweler must verify the authenticity of the piece, so their reputation in the community is an important thing to consider. Having the original packaging is a good sign. We find that luxury watches often have repairs with third-party parts rather than original factory parts. If that’s the case, it should be reflected in the price. If you ever decide to sell the watch, it will decrease the resale value. Also, again, the repair warranty should be carefully examined.”
John sums up the process, “Making sure you're buying from somewhere reputable. Get it in writing and make sure they'll stand behind the product. Those are the most important steps to getting your value.”
John Thomas and his wife Janelle are the owners of John Thomas Jewelers at 2440 Louisiana Blvd NE. Suite 310. 505.448.8400
*The Rolex's pictured are preowned. We are not an authorized dealer.
Ruby and diamond ring, Gucci purse, Rolex Submariner, Rolex Milgaus, and Rolex Oyster Perpetual
