NM Rail Express Fall 2015 by Matt Gantner

express Fall / Winter Issue

RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

The official magazine of the New Mexico Rail Runner Express

Balloon Fiesta Rail Runner

Schedule Inside!

www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | FALL/WINTER 2015

FOR FREE! Celebrate Balloon Fiesta with complimentary admission to two of New Mexico’s nearby historic sites: Coronado Historic Site in Bernallillo and Jemez Historic Site in Jemez Springs. Visit the New Mexico True Traveler mobile visitor center at Balloon Fiesta Park to obtain your admission card. Present it for free admission to Coronado and Jemez Historic Sites through October 18, 2015.

In 1540, Francisco Vásquez de Coronado—with 500 soldiers and 2,000 Indian allies—entered the Rio Grande valley near this site. Searching for the fabled Seven Cities of Gold, he instead found a dozen villages inhabited by prosperous native farmers.

A short drive from Albuquerque and Bernalillo, the Jemez National Historic Landmark is one of the most beautiful historic sites in the Southwest. It includes the stone ruins of a 500 year old village and the San José de los Jemez church dating to 1621/2.

NMHistoricSites.org

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RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | FALL/WINTER 2015

INDEX

5: School of Dreams Academy, A Short Ride Away

6: Riding the Rail for Fall and Winter Fun

9: Film Industry All Aboard the Rail Runner Express

11: Full Steam Ahead: Rail

Runner Supports Engine 2926 Restoration

13: Oh Baby! ‘Rail Runner Was

24: It’s the Perfect Time of Year

39: Santa Claran Hotel

25: Feel New Mexico’s Culture

40: Bien Mur Indian Market

for Patio Dining at the Church Street Cafe! at Genuine Southwest Art & Gifts

26: Out of the Driver’s Seat and Loves it

28: Santa Fe’s Violet Crown Cinema Changes Movie Going Experience

There For Us’

14: Farmington Equals Fun For

30: Rail Runner

16: Enchanting Socorro:

31: Rail Runner

The Whole Family!

A Treasure Among NM Destinations

18: New Mexico Tech: Honoring Its Storied History

20: Hotel Cascada: The Ideal Staycation!

21: The Candy Lady Has a New Location In Old Town!

23: Enjoyable and Relaxing

Weekday Schedule

Weekend Schedule

Center: Be Dazzled!

45: Los Lunas: Its Roots Are on the Route

46: Harvey House History Preserved

50: Chama: New Mexico’s

Mecca for Year-Round Fun!

51: Friends of the Cumbres Preserve Rail History

52: The Glories of Nature Are Found at Vermejo Park

32: Rail & Bus

52: The Neighborhood

34: Rail Runner Holiday

54: Local Chamber Balances

35: Rail Runner Q & A

58: Raton is a Small Town with

Connections Guide Schedule, Fares

36: Schedule of Events

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT SIMMONS

in Rio Rancho Stands Out Business With Culture a Large History

62: Route 66 Casino Hotel: The

Ultimate Getaway Destination

Patio Dining at Backstreet Grill in Old Town

PUBLISHERS MATT GANTNER WILLIAM HALSEY

Casino’s Playing in the Big Leagues Now

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS ASHLEY CONNER DANA BENJAMIN

WRITERS BARB ARMIJO KATE MCGRAW

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.NMRAILRUNNER.COM | WWW.TRAVELNEWMEX.COM RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

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

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

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RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

School of Dreams Academy, A Short Ride Away Students from Albuquerque are discovering that they can take the Rail Runner Express to and from Los Lunas, 20 miles to the south, to take advantage of a rare academic opportunity. School of Dreams Academy, a charter school serving students in grades 7-12 from throughout the area, is right on Main Street. The academy is deemed an early-college high school, one of few in the state. Students in grades 9-12 can take college classes, with tuition waived, through the Valencia County branch of the University of New Mexico. This allows them to graduate from high school equipped not only with a diploma, but also with an associate’s degree or vocational certificate, as well as a head start on their futures. One highly motivated individual graduated this year with associate’s degrees in general science and pre-engineering, in addition to a high school diploma. “The mission and vision of School of Dreams Academy Early College High School is to graduate students of the Rio Grande Valley who embrace the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) model while focusing on developing well-rounded individuals with good character ready for post-secondary success. The vision of SODA is to stand as the Rio Grande Valley’s pillar of student achievement, character and success,” says early-college liaison Rita Garcia. “The program is super user-friendly for kids who have

ambition and also for kids that have a vocational ambition, granting them certificates that can take them into the workforce,” she adds. “We offer training in IT and platforms that give certificates in general media, science, technology, preengineering, arts SODA Dance Team, 1st place in 11 categories. Regional competition, Spring 2015 and math.” There are classes available in fine art, including a dance program that has won national awards, brass band and advanced guitar. Students in the robotics program have traveled across the country, sponsored through grants and corporate donations. The academy is not a private school but a public charter high school with a unique program. For more information, go to sodacharter.net.

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Riding the Rail for Fall and Winter Fun Albuquerque tourists spend a lot of time in October doing what New York tourists do all time - they look up. And instead of skyscrapers, they see balloons, sometimes hundreds, of them, dotting the sky. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a world-renowned attraction that is more than four decades old. This year, the event takes place October 3-11, and attracts guests from near and far. “I’ve been volunteering with the fiesta since 1972 and I still go out there every year and view those balloons with childlike eyes,” said Sherry Piperno, one of the hundreds of volunteers who make the fiesta a success each year. Piperno, 62, is a launch director, affectionately called a “zebra,” because of the black and white striped uniforms they wear on the field. A Zebra’s job is to ensure successful launches each day of the fiesta, to answer questions about the event, and to make sure the pilots, crew members and spectators are safe and happy. “I’ve met pilots and spectators from around the world,” Piperno said. “They tell us just how unique we are and how much they love our hospitality.” This year, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express has partnered with the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on a special Balloon Fiesta and Rail Pass. The Pass, which is available for both weekends of the event, includes an all-zone, all-day pass on the train, a shuttle to and from the Los Ranchos/ Journal Center Rail Runner Station, and admission to a morning or afternoon Balloon Fiesta Session. See the special insert in this magazine for the Balloon Fiesta and Rail Pass schedule and more information. Piperno said there are a few things everyone must do when they visit the Balloon Fiesta. First and foremost, she said, “Get there early.” Early means 5 a.m. for a morning mass ascension. Other must-dos for event attendees include: • Walk vendor row, at least once. There you will find food from all over the world and shops with distinct novelties and clothing. One of Piperno’s favorites is the Russian shop, because she adopted her son, Ivan, from Russia 17 years ago. • Talk to the pilots when there is down time. They offer a unique perspective on their hobby and can be a wealth of knowledge. • Work on a crew, either a launch crew or a chase crew. “You won’t have a better time in your life unless you are actually up in a balloon.” • That said, “Take a ride in a balloon,” said Piperno. “It’s the best experience.” Scott Appelman, longtime balloon pilot and owner of the balloon ride company Rainbow Ryders in Albuquerque, said ballooning is now part of what New Mexico is known for. “People get hooked,”said Appleman. “Whether you are a pilot, rider or someone who just loves seeing them in the sky, balloons are now part of our history, our culture and our landscape. It’s a great symbol of New Mexico.” For more information on the fiesta visit balloonfiesta.com. The Balloon Fiesta is definitely the star of the show in the fall, but there are plenty of other New Mexico attractions in the winter as well. Here are a few other events accessible by taking the train: Bugg Lights Display, Belen, NM Albuquerque’s Bugg family believed in the true beauty of Christmas. To them, that meant lights, lights, and more lights. Norman and Joyce Bugg of Albuquerque started a holiday light display at their home in the 1970s. Because of the incredible traffic The motorcycle Santa is part of the Bugg Light it generated in their display at the Belen Harvey House Museum. neighborhood over the Photo courtesy of Donald Woodman. 6

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years, the collection of animated figures, such as Snoopy skating on an ice rink and a Ferris wheel, were donated to the New Mexico Multicultural Foundation in 2002. The display was continued at ¡Traditions! off Interstate 25 at the Budaghers exit for a few more years. But when that property was sold, a statewide search began in 2007 for a new home for the Bugg Lights. With requests from cities across the state, in addition to a few from outside New Mexico, Albuquerque’s Menaul School was selected to receive the Bugg Lights. The Menaul School kept it for a few years until the display moved to Belen, where it has been the last two years. “We are pleased to have the lights,” said Ronnie Torres, museum technician at Belen’s Harvey House Museum, which hosts the Bugg Lights. “This display Piperno with her son, generates hundreds of spectators each night Sherry Ivan Piperno, in 2000. Piperno of the holiday season, and it draws more has been a launch director, people into our town and into the Harvey “zebra,” for 25 years at the House Museum.” Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. In 2000, the For more information on the display, dates and hours of operation for the Harvey field was dirt. Today the launch field is grassy, making House Museum, visit belen-nm.gov. it much more diserable for Santa Fe Railyard pilots and spectators. One of Santa Fe’s growing commercial and social districts is the Santa Fe Railyard, which takes up 50 acres in downtown Santa Fe. It’s just steps from the Santa Fe Depot, the northernmost Rail Runner stop. One of the most popular sections of the Railyard is the large Farmers Market, where visitors can shop for fresh, local produce, homemade goods, and enjoy live entertainment. The Farmers Market is open year-round, and offers warmth during the winter months with an indoor facility. The Railyard also includes a variety of cultural, culinary and shopping destinations. A youth art and cultural center, REI, and Second Street Brewery are all located within the Railyard. They are complemented by contemporary art galleries and shops. At the south end, there is a plaza and pedestrian promenade, as well as children’s play areas and plantings. The newest addition to the Railyard is the trendy Violet Crown Theater, where patrons can watch a movie, order food and beverages, including beer and wine, and have them delivered to their seats. For more information, visit railyardsantafe.com. Can’t Get Enough Art Winter doesn’t slow down the arts scene in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. At Winter Spanish Market, November 27-28 in Albuquerque, more than 100 of the finest artists participate who embrace the traditional Spanish Colonial arts. Visitors can expect to see santos, tinwork, straw appliqué, weaving, pottery, precious metal, colcha, bone carving, furniture, woodcarving and utilitarian objects, all traditions endorsed by Spanish Colonial Arts of New Mexico. Several live demonstrations by some of the artists will be offered, and visitors will have the opportunity to meet and talk with the artists throughout the event. spanishcolonialblog.org. The Annual Winter Indian Market® is held every Thanksgiving weekend at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center in Santa Fe. A smaller, more intimate version of summer Santa Fe Indian Market®, Winter Indian Market is held during Santa Fe’s magical winter season. It takes place November 27-28, and gives visitors an opportunity to spend time interacting with their favorite artists and the opportunity to discover new ones. swaia.org For more events this fall and winter that are easy to access from various Rail Runner stations, please see the calendar listing on page 36.

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

RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

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

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v i si t

santa fe

Georgia O’Keeffe, Spring Tree No. 1, 1945, oil on canvas, 30 x 36 in. Collection of the New Mexico Museum of Art. Gift of the Georgia O’Keeffe Estate, 1987 (1987.312.3)

New Mexico Museum 0f Art O’Keeffe In Process on the Plaza • 505.476.5072 • nmartmuseum.org

Museum of Indian Arts and Culture Indian Country: The Art of David Bradley on Museum Hill • 505.476.1250 • indianartsandculture.org

Museum of International Folk Art Pottery of the U.S. South: A Living Tradition on Museum Hill • 505.476.1200 • internationalfolkart.org

New Mexico History Museum/Palace of the Governors Poetics of Light: Pinhole Photography on the Plaza • 505.476.5100 • nmhistorymuseum.org

ENJOY THE NEW SUMMER OF COLOR MENU AT MUSEUM HILL CAFÉ Partially funded by the City of Santa Fe Arts Commission and the 1% Lodgers Tax.

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museumofnewmexico.org summerofcolorsantafe.org

RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

Film Industry All Aboard the Rail Runner Express

The television and film industry discovered New Mexico, and now it has found the commuter train cuts a mighty fine figure on screen as well. The Rail Runner appeared in the background of several episodes of the Emmy Award winning series Breaking Bad. The show’s spin-off, Better Call Saul, also took a shine to the train and was highlighted in an episode in the first season. It seems that trains, at least the one in New Mexico with its modern look and roadrunner design, looks quite fetching to producers and directors. “There is something special about a train on the big screen,” said Jim Graebner, a production specialist who has been part of New Mexico’s film industry growth since the beginning. He also is the director of the film technicians training program for Central New Mexico Community College. Actor Jonathan Banks filming an episode of “Better Call Saul.” “I think the Rail Runner has a streamlined 1930s look to it with futuristic Art Deco lines,” he said. “That makes it a good fit for film and showcase the Rail Runner in this new series, it is not the first TV hearkening back to the movies like ‘20th time the train has been part of a film or television show,” said Century’ with John Barrymore and Carole Lombard spending Marketing Manager Jay Faught. “There has been at least a half most of their time in the flick on a train.” dozen times when crews have reserved the train for filming. One Last August, crews with Better Call Saul reserved the train for time, they even used our office.” an eight-hour shoot in Downtown Albuquerque. The new series The Rail Runner appeared in the opening scene of the USA debuted in February 2015. Network series pilot, In Plain Sight. In that scene, the two main The episode with the Rail Runner showed aerial footage of characters of the show were picking up a person at the Downtown the train traveling through Waldo Canyon, south of Santa Fe. But most of the scene takes place onboard the train and at the Alvarado ABQ Station who had just traveled across the country to Transportation Center in Albuquerque. One of the show’s major continued on page 22 characters, Mike Ehrmantraut, played by Jonathan Banks, appears in the scene. There are even a few Rail Runner employees in the scene who were cast as extras. Catch it online- it’s worth the look back. There was an additional scene filmed inside the ABQ RIDE lobby at the Alvarado Transportation Center. Since the show is a Jewelry by Kenneth Aguilar, prequel to Breaking Shawn Bluejacket, Bob SeBad, the Rail Runner staff supplied the Better cakuku, and Mark Roanhorse Call Saul production Crawford crew with posters and ads of the New Mexico Rail Runner to cover up dated materials on the flat screen LED panels inside the lobby. “While we are very excited about the opportunity to www.wrightsgallery.com Pottery by Thomas Tenorio

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GeorGia o’Keeffe, Patio Door with Green Leaf, 1956. oil on canvas, 36 x 30 in. Gift of the Burnett foundation and the GeorGia o’Keeffe foundation. © GeorGia o’Keeffe MuseuM.

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RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

Full Steam Ahead: Rail Runner Supports Engine 2926 Restoration The largest steam engine passenger train in the world may soon grace the New Mexico railway system before the end of 2015, and the Rail Runner Express supports the efforts. The New Mexico Steam Locomotive and Railroad Historical Society is spearheading the restoration of Engine 2926. It was built in 1944, and is one of the last 30 left in the world. This engine was once parked at Coronado Park in the downtown Albuquerque area. It has since been moved to its reconditioning home near 8th Street and I-40. “Many of us old guys worried about the engine,” said Steven Bradford, community liaison for the society. “In 1999, the mayor sold us the engine for $1. We moved it out of the park and it cost us $165,000 to move. But we did it because it is so important.” The restoration project has cost about $1.9 million dollars, and those who believe in it hope others will be able to see the value in keeping this piece of history alive. “We could conceivably be back in steam in 2015, for the continued on page 12

The original 2926 engine. Photo by Stan Kistler.

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Insurance Professional Sam Aragon Insurance Agency 5115 Coors Blvd. NW Suite # B Albuquerque, NM 87120 Tel 505.792.5300 sam@thearagonagency.com

Ten Years Flying High!

roasted green chile • local produce raw milk • seasonal fr uit • f lowers heirloom tomatoes • grass-fed meats a r t i s a n h on e y • f r e s h e g g s • g i f t s crafts & apothecary • hot food • live music

Furry Friends Fiesta Day/Pet Parade - Oct. 4 • 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Balloons & Breakfast/Dine & glow - VIP Offerings at the Balloon Museum Ten Year Birthday Party Viewing Event - Oct. 10 • 5:30 - 9:30 a.m.

ALL AROUND GOOD TIMES S AT U R DAY S - A L L Y E A R L O N G June-S ept: 7

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In celebration of our 10 year Anniversary, we will host special activities each day during Balloon Fiesta which honor the past and embrace the future. For details visit: www.cabq.gov/balloon. 311 or 505.768.6020 (Relay NM or 711) Open 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., Daily Throughout Fiesta 9201 Balloon Museum Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113 Cultural Services, City of Albuquerque, Richard J. Berry, Mayor.

www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | FALL/WINTER 2015

Full Steam Ahead: Rail Runner Supports Engine 2926 Restoration continued from page 11

first time since 1955,” said Bradford. “This is a genuine slice of history.” At wide open throttle, and an average of 100 gallons of water, this engine could travel about 90 miles per hour. But retrofitted, as it was after WWII was over, these big, bad boys could achieve speeds of about 100 mph. The plan is for the engine to go from Albuquerque to Las Vegas, NM. Then, in order to turn the engine around, it would go further north to York Canyon. The engine’s home was in Albuquerque’s Coronado Park for years before The efforts to restore #2926, have been paid for by donations and the generosity of people who understand the restoration project began. Photo courtesy of The New Mexico Steam Locomotive and Railroad Historical Society. the significance of this endeavor. Donations are always appreciated. get operational, and that is ongoing. “When we steam up and become operational, this will be “We’ve been hiding in plain sight,” Bradford said. “It’s the largest, heaviest, operating passenger steam locomotive ironic that people helping us are either war birds (war in the world,” Bradford said. “We are a very well-kept veterans) or they are the ’57 Chevy types. What they have secret. We are pleased to unveil it in New Mexico.” in common is that they have an appreciation of where things The engine and the adjoining tender weighs about 500 came from and they want to help us restore them.” tons. It has taken more than 120,000 volunteer man hours to

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RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

Oh Baby! ‘Rail Runner Was There For Us’ Bianca Gachupin started having problems with her pregnancy nearly three months before her due date. Her stress and worry about her baby’s health came full circle when she delivered baby Haiden Braylee in March, nearly 13 weeks premature. “She weighed less than two pounds and we were really scared,” Gachupin said. “They told me she was going to have to be in the hospital for a very long time. I knew it was not going to be easy, but we just knew she was a fighter.” Having her baby in the hospital was difficult, and made more so because Gachupin and her boyfriend, Julian Shije, are from Zia Pueblo and do not have a car. For three months, they relied on the New Mexico Rail Runner Express to get them to the hospital and back home. They took the Rio Metro Route 204 bus from Zia Pueblo and caught the Rail Runner at the Sandoval/US 550 Station to Downtown ABQ. From there they boarded a city bus to Presbyterian Hospital, where Haiden was in the neo-natal intensive care unit. Gachupin and Shije had this routine nearly every day for three straight months while their baby fought for her life. “The Rail Runner was there for us when we needed it most,” Gachupin said. “It was transportation that we didn’t have. But with the train, we were able to be there to watch her grow and get healthy. We didn’t have to stay away very long at all, and that was how we wanted it. This was my newborn and I didn’t want to miss a minute without her.” The couple would set out to Albuquerque by 7 a.m. They would return on the Railrunner_1/4 final train for the evening usually back IOTA/Agoyo page 3/31/15and 11:36 AM be Page 1 at

Julian Shije (dad), baby Haiden, and Bianca Gachupin (mom)

Zia Pueblo by 10:30 p.m. “I wouldn’t say it was the easiest thing we have ever done,” said Shije. “But it was necessary, and we were glad the Rail Runner was a convenience we would have not had to see our baby.” The couple is happy to see Haiden thriving. Today, four months old, the baby weighs in at a healthy 8 pounds and has stretched from just 13 inches long at birth to 22 inches long today. She is a feisty, happy, chubby little girl with long eyelashes, said momma. “We still love the train,” Gachupin said. “But now we ride it with smiles on our faces.” And baby on board!

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Farmington Equals Fun For The Whole Family! There is no shortage of activities for all in the family in Farmington. The variety creates a virtual playground for adults and children alike. Outdoor activities? Definitely. What’s your greatest pleasure? Nature photography, hiking, mountain biking, off-roading, fly-fishing in a riverine wonderland, golfing in high-desert beauty, or maybe exploring the mysterious Bisti Badlands? Farmington is surrounded with fascinating national parks and monuments. Visit the Aztec Ruins and Salmon Ruins nearby or take a day trip to the grandest ruins of all at Chaco Canyon. Let your children—and their imaginations—wander among the remains of earlier civilizations. Stay in town and visit the Farmington Museum to learn more about the history of this intriguing area. You’ll discover why Farmington was named “The Official Best Family Getaway in New Mexico – 2013” by www.officialbestof.com. Incorporated in 1901, with a population of 546, Farmington today is a city of about 45,000 people. Its main industries are oil and gas extraction and coal mining. Farmington is also the home of San Juan College, a two-year institution. It is located at the juncture of the Animas, La Plata and San Juan rivers, and is a commercial center for four states. As such, Farmington is the gateway to the Four Corners, a geographic spot where New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado meet in 90-degree angles. Visit the commemorative installation and stand in four states at once! The Four Corners area is the traditional homeland to the Navajo Nation, the largest Indian tribe in the United States, with roughly one-third of its population living in New Mexico. The Navajo reservation covers more than 27,000 square miles throughout Utah, Arizona and New Mexico, and its lands border Farmington. Navajo and other Native American arts can be found in trading posts and galleries in Farmington, and the Navajo culture has added to the fabric of life in the city. Farmington also has a number of signature events each year that add to the excitement of visiting this charming city.

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Upcoming events include: Road Apple Rally – Oct. 3, Lions Wilderness Park. The Road Apple Rally is the longest-running annual mountain bike race in the U.S. Four Corners Storytelling Festival – Oct. 9-10, Berg Park and Totah Theater. Kick back and listen to traditional tales told by some of the very best national and local storytellers. This festival features stories of all varieties: ghost stories, family stories, folklore and myths will delight all ages. Riverglo – 6 p.m. Dec. 4, Berg Park. Luminarias, bell choirs, carolers and a live nativity transform Berg Park for this holiday celebration. San Juan College Luminarias – 6 p.m. Dec. 5, San Juan College campus. Each year, San Juan College thanks the community for its support by displaying more than 40,000 luminarias on the campus grounds and buildings.

RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

Far From ordinary

FarmingtonNM.org www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | FALL/WINTER 2015

Enchanting Socorro: A Treasure Among NM Destinations Enchanting Socorro—the small city with a wonderful name—is a treasure among New Mexico destinations that lies just south of Albuquerque. Socorro means “help,” derived from the word ‘succor.’ That is precisely what Spanish settlers led by pioneer Don Juan de Onate in 1598 received from the Pire Indians in the region. They had traversed a section of the Nuevo Medico Trail so arid and mean that the conquistadores had given it the name Jornado del Muerte, Journey of the Death. Besides being the home of New Mexico Tech, one of American education’s best-kept secrets, Socorro is an outdoor recreation haven. Escondido Lake and Park offers fishing and camping, RV hookups, tent sites, bathrooms and potable water. Box Canyon Recreation Area is a popular site for camping, hiking and rock climbing. Elephant Butte Dam and its recreation sites are to the south. Locales for less strenuous nature walking also exist. In Socorro’s historic district, beautiful Elfego Baca Heritage Park is where you’ll

Local Art — Local Artists Remember: a gift of art lasts a lifetime!

The “Art Wheel” contains Socorro’s history in the form of art. It is located in Socorro’s Elfego Baca Park.

learn about one of New Mexico’s legendary lawmen, and serene Isidro Baca Park honors Socorroans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. There is also a thriving contemporary arts scene in downtown Socorro. The annual downtown Art Stroll is scheduled for Dec. 5. The historic Hammel Museum is open from 9 a.m. to noon the 1st Saturday of each month. According to its website, the museum started as a beer garden and, in the intervening century, became successively a brewery, an ice plant, a soda bottling plant, and finally ended as an active industry still making ice. The ice plant closed in the mid-1950s and is now preserved and managed by the Socorro County Historical Society as a museum. The national Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array, one of the world’s premier astronomical radio observatories, is located on the Plains of San Agustin 50 miles west of Socorro. It consists of twenty-seven 25-meter-diameter radio antennas in a Y-shaped configuration. Guided tours are conducted at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month. The VLA site and Visitor Center are open daily from 8:30 a.m. until sunset.

continued on page 26

vertu FINE ART GALLERY Excellence In Southwestern Fine Art™

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FEATURING CONTEMPORARY SOUTHWEST ART, SCULPTURE, JEWELRY Open 11 to 6, Wednesday through Saturday, Noon to 5 Sunday 102 PLAZA STREET SOCORRO, NM 87801 575-835-4487 info@vertuarts.com www.vertuarts.com

www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | FALL/WINTER 2015

575-835-2858 317 Eaton Ave., Socorro, NM 87801 DosCasitasEnSocorro@aol.com • DosCasitasEnSocorro.com

Socorro Events

Bosque del Apache

RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

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

SAN MIGUEL FIESTA - Sept. 25th – Sept. 27th. This decades long annual tradition is always a hit. Enjoy excellent music, delicious food, arts & crafts and much more!

13TH ANNUAL SOCORROFEST- Oct.10thOct 11th in Socorro’s historic Plaza. Arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, live music all day, spirits tent, childrens activities.

22ND ANNUAL ENCHANTED SKIES STAR PARTY- Oct. 14th- Oct. 17th in Magdalena, NM. Family friendly star viewing by night with daytime activities. Knowledgeable astronomers on hand for fascinating programs.

SOCORRO OCTOBERFEST- Oct. 24th- Oct. 25th All Day in Sedillo Park- Come enjoy live music, great food, arts and crafts vendors and lots of fun! 28TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE CRANESNov.17th- Nov.22 at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. The winter migration of the Sandhill Cranes attracts birders from around the world. Come experience this spectacular annual event that is both fun and interesting.

FESTIVAL OF THE CRANES ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR- Nov. 20th – Nov. 22nd- All day in Socorro at the historic Garcia Opera House. Regional artists display and sell their wide variety of extraordinary arts and crafts. Enjoy local music talent as well.

LUMINARIAS ON THE PLAZA AND CHRISTMAS ELECTRIC LIGHT PARADE-

www.Socorronm.gov

Dec. 5th in Socorro’s Historic Plaza and Sedillo Park. The Christmas spirit comes alive in a spectacular arts & crafts stroll from shop to shop. Enjoy food, beverages and entertainment as well as a magical evening of lights and color with the parade.

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New Mexico Tech: Honoring Its Storied History New Mexico Tech, widely considered one of the best bargains in the competitive world of STEM universities, is honoring its storied history by opening a new Minerals Museum at its Socorro main campus this fall in the new Bureau of Geology building. Noted for its undergraduate and graduate school opportunities, New Mexico Tech offers more than 30 bachelor of science degrees in technology, the sciences, engineering, mathematics, and technical communication, as well as graduate degrees at the master’s and doctoral levels. New Mexico Tech is considered one of the best small STEM universities in North America. Tech has been ranked #2 in The Wall Street Journal as “Best Public University for Return on Investment.” USA Today ranks Tech #2 as a “Best Value College” and the #8 spot for the “Top 10 Engineering Programs, Nationally,” and it is ranked # 3 by U.S. News & World Report in the “Best Value Colleges” category. The National Science Foundation’s Baccalaureate Origins of Science and Engineering Doctorate Recipients ranked New Mexico Tech as the top public university in the nation in percentage of students receiving a bachelor’s degree who go on to receive a Ph.D. As for the museum, its transition has been going on all summer. The mineral museum will double its mineral display from 2,500 specimens to more than 5,000 as the museum relocates to the newly constructed New Mexico Bureau of Geology Building, otherwise known as

www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | FALL/WINTER 2015

the Charles and Jessie Headen Center. May 1 marked the beginning of the transition from the old mineral museum location in the Gold Building to the new, New Mexico Bureau of Geology on the northeast corner of the New Mexico Tech campus. According to a history compiled by Robert Eveleth, the Bureau’s Senior Mining Engineer (retired), the museum was established in 1899 and has since been one of the largest and most luminous collections in the world. The original mineral collection, in fact, won an award in the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Originally designed for educational use, the collection has become a public archive of mineral history. On July 5, 1928, the entire original museum collection was destroyed when the Old Main Building caught fire. Everything except a few vital records in a fire-proof safe was lost to the flames. Edgar H. Wells, the school president in 1925 and the first Bureau of Mines director, commenced rebuilding the museum, relocating it to Brown Hall, Old Main’s replacement. The collection continued its growth over the ensuing decades, and was cataloged on a computerized system around 1970. The complete collection now totals more than 15,000 specimens. Even with so many specimens in the collection, the museum’s new location in the new Bureau of Geology Building accommodates the collection’s increasing size. Overall, the new mineral museum is sure to become another amazing reason to visit Socorro and New Mexico Tech once it reopens this fall.

Mineral Museum NOW OPEN!

The new 85,000 square foot building on the New Mexico Tech Campus houses a collection of 15,000 mineral specimans. Geologic maps and publications are available for sale in the Publications Office. A Silent Auction, sponsored by the Albuquerque Gem and Mineral Club for the benefit of the Mineral Museum, will be held on Sunday afternoon, November 15, 2015. The auction will be open to the public.

801 Leroy Place • Socorro • New Mexico • 575.835.5420 Take I-25S to Exit 150. Merge onto N California .7 mi. Turn Right onto Bullock .6 mi. | www.travelnewmex.com FALL/WINTER 2015 The new Mineral Museum will be on your Left onwww.nmrailrunner.com the corner of Bullock and Leroy| Place.

Hotel Cascada: The Ideal Staycation! If you’re wishing you could stretch the pleasures of summer into fall’s cooler months, you’d do well to check out Albuquerque’s new Hotel Cascada, home of New Mexico’s only indoor water park. Cascada means “cascade” in Spanish, and that could be describing the Flowrider, a fast-moving, double interactive wave rider (think surfing), pumping 32,000 gallons of water per minute into the hotel’s ABQ Surf n’ Slide Waterpark. It will get your heart pumping, too. Conveniently located at Menaul and Carlisle in midtown just off Interstate 40, and only 10 minutes from Albuquerque’s International Sunport, Hotel Cascada is accurately termed an urban resort. It has everything you would expect in an upscale hotel: 295 guest rooms furnished in contemporary comfort, fitness facilities, indoor and outdoor meeting space, an indoor pool and atrium, and for the young at heart, the waterpark.

It took three years and $18.3 million to build this fantasia of 175,000 gallons of water flowing through lazy river rides, fast-twisting water slides, and calm, relaxing wading pools – in addition to the Flowrider. The ABQ Surf n’ Slide Waterpark is open to guests, nonguests and local residents. For times and rates, check www. thehotelcascada.com, or call (505) 888-3311 for more information about Cascada’s Surf School. The hotel also offers Altitude Sports Grill, featuring wide screens in addition to elevated food and bar drinks. Hotel Cascada is a great local asset, a place to enjoy a visit to New Mexico, and an ideal spot for a weekend getaway or staycation. It’s your resort!

The Perfect Southwest Escape to Meet, Work, Relax and Play!

855-978-7226 www.TheHotelCascada.com 2500 Carlisle Boulevard NE Albuquerque, NM 87110

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RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

The Candy Lady Has a New Location In Old Town! The Candy Lady has moved to a new location at 424 San Felipe NW. Albuquerque’s popular sweet shop is still in Old Town, just east of its former location that dates back to 1980. The Candy Lady’s business is firmly based on two things: great candy and great service. “We make several kinds of fudge, with and without chile; bonbons and truffles with caramel and nuts, chocolate-dipped strawberries and we have 60 varieties of licorice,” she says. “When people come in, we greet them and give them samples and visit with them to see what they’d like. I don’t think anybody can beat us for customer service. That’s why people come back.” Most recently, The Candy Lady has gained fame as a onestop shop for “Breaking Bad” items, including crushed blue crystal candy, T-shirts, coffee cups, the Heisenburg hat, custom PEZ dispensers, lapel pins and more. And as always, The Candy Lady retains its X-rated confections that earned the shop widespread media coverage in its early years. (Remember when North Valley churchgoers expressed their objections by picketing in front of the store in the early 80’s?) Debbie Ball is still owner of The Candy Lady and is usually working at the store while giving customers her special perspectives on life and chocolate. Stop and say “hi” when you get a chance!

Delicious chocolate dipped strawberries available everyday! www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | FALL/WINTER 2015

Film Industry All Aboard the Rail Runner Express continued from page 9

Albuquerque so they could enter the witness protection program. In Plain Sight was picked up for five seasons on USA. In the final

season, the train was again part of the show as Mary and Marshall, the show’s main characters, were putting someone on the train at the Sandia Pueblo Station.

S AN TA F E ’ S NE W P L AC E TO ME E T . . .

Films/Shows Featuring the New Mexico Rail Runner Express • • •

THE RAILYARD

• • •

E AN T A F

WWW.R AILYARDSANTAFE .COM

www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | FALL/WINTER 2015

• • • •

Breaking Bad – Television series on the AMC Network starring Bryan Cranston, Anna Gunn and Aaron Paul. In Plain Sight – Television series on the USA Network starring Mary MacCormack and Frederick Weller. Better Call Saul – Television series appearing on the AMC Network starring Bob Odenkirk. Crash – Television series on the Starz Network starring Dennis Hopper. The Messengers- Television series appearing on the CW Network starring Mario Moreno. Killer Women – Television series on ABC starring Tricia Helfer. MacGruber – Major motion film starring Will Forte. Wild Hogs – Major motion film starring Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence and John Travolta. The Great Food Truck Race – Reality TV series on the Food Network. Documentaries – Several programs and documentaries have featured the Rail Runner, including international programs from France, Japan and London.

Enjoyable and Relaxing Patio Dining at Backstreet Grill in Old Town

RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

Some of the best aspects of living or visiting New Mexico are the unfettered vistas possible from various locations around the state. That makes for great road trips and great al fresco dining. Backstreet Grill and Tap Room in Old Town has come on strong in the Albuquerque patio restaurant scene. The restaurant is all about Baja inspired recipes. The menu is hot and the brews are cold and when the weather is warm the patio is where you want to be. With its friendly restaurant management and staff, Backstreet is gaining popularity and lately, its patio is generating kudos from patrons posting on local online dining sites. Executive Chef “Backstreet Grill is a classy place and we chose to enjoy Christopher James Cordova (right) our meal on the patio,” posted one customer. “As we enjoyed Operations Manager the fantastic tacos and great beer the day slowly gave way to the twilight of the evening. John Spencer Jones (left) A storm was quietly blowing in and the light rain pelted the overly large umbrella that covers our table and chairs. It was a perfect example of New Mexican hospitality by both the restaurant and the land itself. As lightening streaked the sky we sat back and enjoyed the closing darkness and could not think of a better place to be.” Backstreet first opened in 2012. In June 2014, owner Joyce Battaglia moved the restaurant into a bigger space adjacent to the Albuquerque Museum on the north side of Old Town that allowed for this type of large patio. The relocation was a good move for chef Christopher James Cordova who expanded the menu to include food that makes for great outdoor eating. With the Sandia Mountains in the background, diners certainly have more than cars and people to look at while they eat. “We know how special this space is,” Cordova said. “Our goal all along has been to combine delicious food and drinks that compliment a lovely evening or afternoon outside on the patio. Our customers are telling us that we are doing a great job meeting our goal.” Cordova said the patio has been generating a lot of excitement. To add to it, the restaurant has a happy hour Sunday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., which includes discounted appetizers and $2 draft beers. We stopped by for happy hour just to take it all in. Tableside guacamole is made for the patio, and this one doesn’t disappoint. It has a non-traditional twist of citrus that is delicious. We also opted for the adult mac n cheese, adding both bacon and green chile. My dinner companion had one of the many brews on tap, and I had a glass of pinot grigio. It was a perfect happy hour and it made us want to stay for dinner. Backstreet may always be known for its selection of tacos, but there are plenty of other options to satisfy various tastes, including specialty gourmet pizza, burgers and sandwiches. The tap room portion of Backstreet offers local craft beers, with an emphasis on those from Albuquerque’s La Cumbre Brewing Co. Wine and spirits are also offered. Backstreet Grill is now found at 1919 Old Town Road NW, Suite 6. The phone number is 842-5434.

(505) 842-5434 1919 Old Town Rd Suite 6 www.BackstreetGrillOT.com

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It’s the Perfect Time of Year for Patio Dining at the Church Street Cafe! Visitors to Church Street Café in Old Town find it difficult to say which they find more enjoyable—the ambiance of a 305-year-old authentic New Mexican adobe house or the sumptuous smells and tastes of fourth-generation New Mexico comidas. The café’s welcoming garden patio - previously the back yard for generations of family and a few chickens - invites relaxation beneath a grand old cottonwood. In these pleasant surroundings, you can treat yourself to food made by recipes handed down for four generations on the Spanish side of owner Marie Emily Coleman’s family. Dishes include calabacitas (squash, onions and chiles), quelites (spinach), carne adovado (baked pork marinated in red chile), posole (a hominy-corn specialty), contemporary-style chiles rellenos (chiles stuffed with cheese) and old-fashion rellenos (shredded pork and cheese battered and fried), plus of course the ubiquitous sopaipillas. Coleman acquired the property in 1993. Built in 1709, the house and land had been in the same family for the previous 284 years. “It was melting into the earth,” she says. Restoring

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

it, she adds, was “probably the most fun I’ve ever had.” A doorknob became the handle on the chimney damper. Wood removed from the old ceilings was used to build the bathroom stalls. Coleman added a glassed atrium that looks out on her lovely back “secret garden.” The restoration evolved into a treasure hunt—a nicho in the adobe wall displays trove-like an old baby shoe, newspapers from the 1920s and a Valentine with a 2-cent stamp. Church Street Café is a natural for tourists, as well as locals who enjoy its evocative surroundings and delicious menu. Coleman says she welcomes a new influx of visitors from the train. “It’s good for us,” she says gratefully – “and we’re good for its passengers.”

Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner! Our featured specialties handed down for four generations include… • Carne Adovada al Horno (oven cooked pork marinated in red chile). • Calabacitas (squash, onions and chiles). • Old Fashion Rellenos (shredded pork and cheese battered and fried). and much more!

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

Monday-Thursday 8am-9pm, Friday & Saturday 8am-10pm and Sunday 8am-4pm 505-247-8522 24

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

Feel New Mexico’s Culture at Genuine Southwest Art & Gifts The gallery vibe at Genuine Southwest Art & Gifts shop is no coincidence. Owners Valerie Isenhower and Charlene Kalbfell have worked over the last two years to create one of the most unique and comfortable local artist-owned shops in the Old Town area. Isenhower is a photographer who captures the culture of New Mexico, and Kalbfell makes jewelry using natural stones and crystals. An additional 30 local artists are represented at the shop, which features eclectic work reflective of the New Mexico culture. Patrons will find hand-punched tin work, tapestries, hand-painted ceramics and wine glasses, paintings, pottery, copper artwork, stained glass and blown glass, bolo ties, stone and glass jewelry, photographs capturing the landscape as well as the culture, Micaceous clay pottery, purses, recycled glass cheese boards and more. The wood work includes everything from hand-turned bowls to bottle stoppers and rolling pins, as well as crosses. Genuine Southwest, which opened in 2013 with 1,000 square feet, added another 500 square feet in February. The rustic space has high wooden beamed tin ceilings and open rafters where tapestries hang. “We wanted to create a space that encouraged our customers to visualize how a beautiful piece of New Mexican art from our store would fit into their lives,” Isenhower said. “The open, comfortable feel allows our customers to browse and see everything we have to offer.” The shop shares a parking lot with the Albuquerque Museum and Backstreet Grill at 1919 Old Town Road in the Hacienda Plaza. For more information on Genuine Southwest Art and Gifts, visit www.genuinesouthwest.com. The store is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.

Genuine SouthweSt ArtS & GiftS

Val Isenhower and Charlene Kalbfell, 1919 Old Town Road, NW, Ste 2, Albuquerque, NM 87104; Located in Plaza Hacienda, Historic Old Town Albuquerque

505-243-1410 www.genuinesouthwest.com

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Out of the Driver’s Seat and Loves it As a conductor and engineer at Amtrak for 20 years, Phillis Worthy said she almost felt invisible to train riders. These days, as a transportation supervisor, Worthy is out there, front and center, as the smiling happy face of the Rail Runner Express. She greets patrons, talks to the crew and listens to riders who have mostly wonderful things to say about New Mexico’s 9-year-old commuter train line. “I just love it,” said Worthy, who is in her seventh year with the Rail Runner. “It’s really great to be in the train, talking to people and getting the chance to see our train in action. I like greeting the riders and they seem to appreciate that we are there too, making sure things run smoothly.” Worthy said riders are happy to tell her what they think of the train. “And I would say that I never hear anything negative,” she said. “They always offer some constructive ideas, and usually they want more trains. That’s a great thing. I’ve never heard anyone say they wish the train would just go away.” As a transportation supervisor, Worthy’s duties include overseeing the conductors and engineers, operational testing, ensuring compliance to all federal and local rules and regulations, and generally making sure the trains are running smoothly. By far, the favorite aspect of her job is meeting the riders. Worthy, who lives in Rio Rancho with her husband, Ferdinand Dawson, was semi-retired when she moved to New Mexico to help her husband run his trucking company. Something about being semi-retired didn’t quite sit well with Worthy.

Phillis Worthy, Transportation Supervisor for the New Mexico Rail Runner Express

“Shoot, I’ve been working since I was 12 years old,” said Worthy, 55. “I wasn’t going to be happy semi-retired. And the fact that I could work for a train company again really made my day.” When she was hired seven years ago, she started where she left off in Los Angeles – as a conductor and engineer. She quickly ascended the ranks and was promoted to transportation supervisor about two years ago. Leaving the driver’s seat was a good decision for Worthy. “I’m just looking forward to more wonderful years on this train,” she said. “New Mexico should be very proud of what it has here in the Rail Runner. I know I’m very proud of it.”

Enchanting Socorro: A Treasure Among NM Destinations continued from page 16

On the evening of each first Saturday, “Night Sky observing” is offered at Etscorn Observatory beginning at dusk on the campus of NM Tech in Socorro. The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is an ornithologists’ paradise, where thousands of sandhill cranes (and the occasional whoopers), snow geese, bald eagles and other birds overwinter in fields and marshes each year. The Festival of the Cranes, just before Thanksgiving in November, celebrates the arrival of the “birds of heaven” with guided tours, unparalleled photography opportunities and lectures. Bosque del Apache is a true conservation success story. Other upcoming Socorro events include: • NM Tech President’s Golf Tournament, Thursday, Sept. 17– Friday, Sept. 18. • San Miguel Mission Fiesta, Friday, Sept. 25 – Sunday, Sept. 27. • Captain Laura S. Haines M Mountain Fly-In, 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 26. • Socorrofest, noon-10 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10 –Sunday, Oct. 11. • Octoberfest, Saturday, Oct. 24th – Sunday, Oct. 25th, all day. • Festival of the Cranes, Tuesday, Nov. 17 – Sunday, Nov. 22, all day; Festival of the Cranes Crafts Fair, at Garcia Opera House, Friday, Nov. 20 – Sunday, Nov. 22, all day. • Luminarias on the Plaza, 4:30 – 8:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5; Christmas Electric Light Parade, 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5. • St. Patrick’s Blues Festival, 2-10 p.m., Saturday, March 12, 2016. • Community Youth Fishing Derby, 7 a.m. Saturday, March 19, 2016. City of Socorro, (575) 835-0240; www.socorronm.gov; www.facebook.com/socorronm 26

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San Lorenzo Canyon, known for its beautiful and interesting rock formations, is an area used for outdoor recreation such as rock climbing, hiking, and camping.

RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

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Unexpected Tamaya Experience a southwest resort as unique as you. Hot air ballooning, mesa top horseback riding, mountain biking and exquisite cuisine are only the very beginning of your Tamaya adventure. Plan your journey today at tamaya.hyatt.com.

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Santa Fe’s Violet Crown Cinema Changes Movie-Going Experience A night out at the movies looks a little different in Santa Fe now that Violet Crown Santa Fe has entered the picture. Boasting 11 auditoriums, 10 that seat 60, and one 150-seat auditorium, the theater in the Santa Fe Railyard district is getting a lot of positive attention. “It is the most enjoyable time I have had in a long time at the movie theater,” said Francis Richards, 80, of Santa Fe. “I went to the movies at least three times in one month. That was something out of the ordinary for me.” Violet Crown Santa Fe is the sister theater to the Violet Crown Austin, a four-screen cinema with 50-seat auditoriums that opened in 2011. It is owned by Bill Banowsky, a businessman based in Austin and Santa Fe, who thought the movie-going culture needed a paradigm shift. “I’ve been in the cinema business for the past 15 years,” he said. “One of the things I noticed years ago was that seldom are there more than 50 people in an auditorium in any theater anywhere Monday through Thursday, day or night. And that 75 percent of the cinema business occurs on the weekend, and cinema buildings are designed and built large for large weekend business.” That means that during the weekdays, large cinemas have a lot of wasted space. “We decided to change the cinema business model in a couple of ways,” Banowsky said. “First, we wanted to elevate the entire evening-out experience, with great hospitality service, excellent food and drinks, and an inviting and warm atmosphere. Second, we wanted to create a different scale for the cinema experience… - wall-to-wall screens, great sight lines, and a large theatrical experience in a smaller, more intimate and comfortable space. It is much more enjoyable to watch a film with 20 others in a 60 seat auditorium than in a 400 seat auditorium.” “It comes down to the quality of the overall

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experience, including film programming, auditorium presentation, customer service, and food and beverage offerings.” Violet Crown Santa Fe’s restaurant offers entrees with an emphasis on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients when available, all delivered in a fast and casual setting. Chefprepared entrees include chicken pibil, grilled New York steak, fresh salads and a variety of gourmet pizzas cooked in a stone hearth oven. Top it off, or start it off, with Violet Crown’s beer and wine bar, which has 30 rotating taps of craft beer, plus wine and cider. For the traditionalist, Violet Crown does have buttery popcorn and boxes of candy. Programming is as varied as the food. Patrons can still get their fill of “Ant Man” and the next 3D holiday blockbuster, but they can also choose from a mix of art, independent, foreign language and documentary films. “Partnering with organizations such as SITE Santa Fe, New Mexico Film Foundation and Santa Fe Independent Film Festival, among others, allows us the opportunity to provide a more diverse film program to the Santa Fe community,” Banowsky said. The theater has 60 employees who help to make comfortable the 732 seated patrons. Ticket prices are on average the same as at conventional theaters. It’s not a luxury ticket price, just a luxury seat and experience. In all, whether you live in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, northern New Mexico, or you are just visiting, you owe yourself a visit to the movies at Violet Crown.

RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

Cinema + CafĂŠ Located in The Railyard in downtown Santa Fe

er d i ,c e in w , r ee rees b t t raf d en c of re a s ms p p u e i a r g t ef p ditor n i h u at c a t , t o 0 r rced he ar ting 3 ou of t er ea s v s O ally ate um i t c d s + ta Lo en s v d + Ele erve s + Re + www.VioletCrownCinemas.com www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | FALL/WINTER 2015

Weekday Schedule LUNES A VIERNES

Schedule Effective April 7th, 2014

Horario efectivo a partir del 7 de abril del 2014 abril 2014

Monday through Friday lunes a viernes

Shown are departure times, unless otherwise noted.

Horario demuestra tiempos de salida a no ser que se indique lo contrario. ESTACIONES DE TREN

#502

#504

#102 EXPRESS

#506

#508

#510

#512

#514

#516

#518

#520

Belen

–

5:39A

6:35A

8:04A

–

3:40P

–

5:51P

7:01P

7:57P

Los Lunas

–

5:49A

6:46A

8:15A

–

3:51P

–

6:01P

7:12P

8:08P

Isleta Pueblo

–

6:02A

6:59A

8:27A

–

4:04P

–

6:16P

7:26P

8:22P

TRAIN STATIONS

READING THE SCHEDULE 1. Decide whether you are going north (at top) or south (at bottom). 2. On the left-hand side, find the station from which you are leaving. 3. Read across to find the times the Rail Runner departs from that station. 4. From there, read down to find what time the Rail Runner will arrive at the station to which you are traveling. COMO LEER EL HORARIO 1. Decida si va a ir hacia el norte o hacia el sur 2. A la izquierda, busque la estación de donde va a salir 3. Lea hacia la derecha hasta encontrar la hora que el tren sale de la estación de su preferencia 4. De alli, lea hacia abajo hasta encontrar la hora que el tren llega a la estación de su preferencia

Northbound / Hacia el Norte

Bernalillo County

–

6:10A

7:06A

8:35A

–

4:11P

–

6:29P

7:35P

8:31P

Downtown ABQ

4:32A

5:02A

6:22A

7:19A

8:42A

9:35A

4:26P

5:34P

6:48P

7:42P

8:38P

Montaño

4:41A

5:11A

–

7:29A

–

9:44A

4:35P

5:43P

6:58P

–

Los Ranchos / JC

4:47A

5:17A

6:34A

7:36A

–

9:50A

4:41P

5:49P

7:06P

–

Sandia Pueblo

4:52A

5:22A

–

7:42A

–

9:55A

4:46P

5:54P

7:12P

–

Downtown Bernalillo

5:01A

5:31A

–

7:52A

–

10:03A

4:54P

6:07P

7:26P

–

Sandoval / US 550

5:05A

5:35A

6:46A

7:58A

–

10:08A

4:59P

6:12P

7:31P

–

Kewa

5:25A

5:55A

7:05A

8:18A

–

10:28A

5:19P

6:34P

7:50P

–

SF County / NM 599

5:48A

6:18A

7:24A

8:39A

–

10:51A

5:43P

6:57P

8:13P

–

South Capitol

6:08A

6:38A

7:40A

8:54A

–

11:11A

5:58P

7:17P

8:33P

–

Santa Fe Depot

6:13A

6:43A

7:45A

8:59A

–

11:16A

6:03P

7:22P

8:38P

–

READ DOWN LEA HACIA ABAJO

ESTACIONES DE TREN TRAIN STATIONS

CONTACT/CONTACTO

866-795-RAIL (7245) www.nmrailrunner.com Customer Service Hrs. Mon.-Fri. 5am-10pm Sat. & Sun. 7am-10pm Horas de Servicio al Cliente: lunes a viernes 5am - 10pm, sábado y domingo 7am - 10pm.

Santa Fe Depot

Southbound / Hacia el Sur

Shown are departure time unless otherwise noted #101 #517 #519 #521 EXPRESS

#501

#503

#507

#509

#511

#513

#515

–

5:39A

7:13A

1:02P

–

4:15P

5:04P

5:30P

6:46P

9:00P

7:18A

1:07P

–

4:20P

5:09P

5:35P

6:51P

9:05P 9:24P

South Capitol

–

5:43A

SF County / NM 599

–

6:01A

7:37A

1:26P

–

4:39P

5:26P

5:54P

7:10P

Kewa

–

6:19A

7:55A

1:44P

–

4:57P

–

6:12P

7:28P

9:42P

8:14A

2:03P

–

5:16P

6:02P

6:31P

7:47P

10:01P

Sandoval / US 550

–

6:38A

Downtown Bernalillo

–

6:43A

8:18A

2:07P

–

5:20P

–

6:35P

7:51P

10:05P

Sandia Pueblo

–

6:52A

8:27A

2:16P

–

5:29P

–

6:44P

8:00P

10:14P

–

6:57A

8:32A

2:21P

–

5:34P

6:14P

6:49P

8:05P

10:19P

Los Ranchos / JC

– –

–

7:02A

8:37A

2:26P

–

5:39P

–

6:54P

8:10P

10:24P

Downtown ABQ

4:45A

5:30A

7:10A

8:45A

2:37P

4:30P

5:50P

6:25P

7:02P

8:18P

10:32P

Bernalillo County

4:53A

5:41A

7:19A

–

2:45P

4:38P

5:57P

–

7:09P

–

Isleta Pueblo

5:01A

5:49A

7:27A

–

2:52P

4:45P

6:06P

–

7:17P

–

Los Lunas

5:13A

6:06A

7:39A

–

3:05P

4:58P

6:22P

–

7:31P

–

Belen

5:24A

6:17A

7:50A

–

3:15P

5:08P

6:33P

–

7:42P

–

Montaño

READ DOWN LEA HACIA ABAJO

Designated QUIET CAR Service Only cars nearest to locomotive are Quiet Cars Means train does not stop

Significa el tren no hace parada

www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | FALL/WINTER 2015

0:00

Train arrives but does not continue

Tren llega hasta este punto pero no continua

RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

FIN DE SEMANA

Weekend Schedule Saturday

Shown are departure times, unless otherwise noted.

sabado

Horario demuestra tiempos de salida a no ser que se indique lo contrario. ESTACIONES DE TREN

Northbound Saturday / Sabado Hacia el Norte

ESTACIONES DE TREN

#702

#704

#706

#708

#710

Belen

8:20A

1:04P

5:49P

7:44P

10:33P

TRAIN STATIONS

#703

#705

#707

#709

#711

–

10:44A

3:27P

–

8:12P

10:07P

Los Lunas

8:30A

1:14P

5:59P

7:54P

10:43P

South Capitol

–

10:49A

3:32P

–

8:17P

10:12P

8:41A

1:25P

6:10P

8:05P

10:54P

SF County / NM 599

–

11:05A

3:48P

–

8:33P

10:28P

Bernalillo County

8:48A

1:32P

6:17P

8:12P

11:01P

Kewa

–

11:23A

4:06P

–

8:51P

10:46P

Downtown ABQ

8:58A

1:42P

6:27P

8:22P

11:09P

Sandoval / US 550

–

11:41A

4:24P

–

9:09P

11:04P

Montaño

9:07A

1:51P

6:36P

8:31P

–

Downtown Bernalillo

–

11:44A

4:27P

–

9:12P

11:07P

Los Ranchos / JC

9:13A

1:57P

6:42P

8:37P

–

Sandia Pueblo

–

11:52A

4:35P

–

9:20P

11:15P

Sandia Pueblo

9:18A

2:02P

6:47P

8:42P

–

Los Ranchos / JC

–

11:57A

4:40P

–

9:25P

11:20P

Downtown Bernalillo

9:26A

2:10P

6:55P

8:50P

–

Montaño

–

12:03P

4:46P

–

9:31P

11:26P

Sandoval / US 550

9:29A

2:13P

6:58P

8:53P

–

Downtown ABQ

7:28A

12:12P

4:57P

6:48P

9:40P

11:34P

Kewa

9:47A

2:31P

7:16P

9:11P

–

Bernalillo County

7:38A

12:22P

5:07P

6:58P

9:50P

–

SF County / NM 599

10:08A

2:52P

7:37P

9:32P

–

Isleta Pueblo

7:45A

12:29P

5:14P

7:05P

9:57P

–

South Capitol

10:24A

3:08P

7:53P

9:48P

–

Los Lunas

7:56A

12:40P

5:25P

7:16P

10:08P

–

Santa Fe Depot

10:29A

3:13P

7:58P

9:53P

–

Belen

8:06A

12:50P

5:35P

7:26P

10:18P

–

READ DOWN

LEA HACIA ABAJO

domingo

#701

Santa Fe Depot

TRAIN STATIONS

Isleta Pueblo

READ DOWN

Sunday

Southbound Saturday / Sabado Hacia el Sur

ESTACIONES DE TREN

Northbound Sunday / Domingo Hacia el Norte

LEA HACIA ABAJO

ESTACIONES DE TREN

Southbound Sunday / Domingo Hacia el Sur

TRAIN STATIONS

#702

#704

#706

TRAIN STATIONS

#701

#703

#705

#709

Belen

8:20A

1:04P

5:49P

Santa Fe Depot

–

10:44A

3:27P

8:12P

Los Lunas

8:30A

1:14P

5:59P

South Capitol

–

10:49A

3:32P

8:17P

Isleta Pueblo

8:41A

1:25P

6:10P

SF County / NM 599

–

11:05A

3:48P

8:33P

Bernalillo County

8:48A

1:32P

6:17P

Kewa

–

11:23A

4:06P

8:51P

Downtown ABQ

8:58A

1:42P

6:27P

Sandoval / US 550

–

11:41A

4:24P

9:09P

Montaño

9:07A

1:51P

6:36P

Downtown Bernalillo

–

11:44A

4:27P

9:12P

–

11:52A

4:35P

9:20P

9:13A

1:57P

6:42P

Sandia Pueblo

9:18A

2:02P

6:47P

Los Ranchos / JC

–

11:57A

4:40P

9:25P

Downtown Bernalillo

9:26A

2:10P

6:55P

Montaño

–

12:03P

4:46P

9:31P

Sandoval / US 550

9:29A

2:13P

6:58P

Downtown ABQ

7:28A

12:12P

4:57P

9:40P

Kewa

9:47A

2:31P

7:16P

Bernalillo County

7:38A

12:22P

5:07P

–

SF County / NM 599

10:08A

2:52P

7:37P

Isleta Pueblo

7:45A

12:29P

5:14P

–

South Capitol

10:24A

3:08P

7:53P

Los Lunas

7:56A

12:40P

5:25P

–

Santa Fe Depot

10:29A

3:13P

7:58P

Belen

8:06A

12:50P

5:35P

–

Los Ranchos / JC

READ DOWN

LEA HACIA ABAJO

The Río Metro Regional Transit District is committed to its Title VI obligations. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color or national origin in the delivery of service. To obtain more information on our nondiscrimination obligations or to file a Title VI complaint, contact us at 809 Copper Avenue NW, ABQ, NM 87102. El Río Metro Regional Transit District esta comprometido a sus obligaciones con Title VI. No discriminamos a base de raza, color o origen nacional al desempeñar nuestro servicio. Para obtener más información sobre nuestra obligación con Title VI o para presentar una queja, favor de contactarnos en 809 Copper NW, ABQ, NM 87102. www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | FALL/WINTER 2015

www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | FALL/WINTER 2015

* *

South Capitol Shuttle - Weekdays to St. Vincent Hospital, the Rodeo Business Park and the District 5 DOT office. NM Park & Ride Blue Route Weekdays to Santa Fe, Pojoaque and Los Alamos. NM Park & Ride Red Route Weekdays to Espanola, Pojoaque and Santa Fe.

NCRTD Mountain Trail Route – Daily service to Ski Santa Fe with stops throughout downtown and at 10,000 Waves. Operates 9/26/15 – 4/3/16. Santa Fe Trails Route 2 (Cerrillos Road) To the West Capitol Complex, the New Mexico School for the Deaf and Santa Fe Place Mall. (connect here to SF Outlet Mall (Route 26). Santa Fe Trails Route 4 (Southside) - To the Santa Fe Convention Center, City and County offices, Santa Fe High School and Santa Fe Place Mall.

South Capitol Station

Santa Fe Trails Route 4 (Southside) To the Santa Fe Convention Center, City and County offices, Santa Fe Place Mall and Santa Fe High School. Santa Fe Trails Route M (Museum Hill) Access to the Museum of Spanish Art, Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, Museum of International Folk Art and the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian. NCRTD Taos Express - To Española and the Town of Taos. Saturdays and Sundays only.

Santa Fe Pick Up - To the Santa Fe Plaza, Downtown Santa Fe, Canyon Road and Museum Hill. Operates daily. Turn left when exiting the train to the shuttle and look for the red truck sign. Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino Shuttle Shuttle stops on Guadalupe right next to Tomasita’s Restaurant. Shuttle meets train daily. Santa Fe Trails Route 2 (Cerrillos Road) To the West Capitol Complex, the New Mexico School for the Deaf and Santa Fe Place Mall. (connect here to SF Outlet Mall (Route 26).

Santa Fe Depot Station

All our bus connections are FREE unless otherwise noted

ABQ RIDE Route 766 - (Rapid Ride Red Line) Express route to access Old Town, the ABQ BioPark, UNM, Nob Hill and Uptown. Located in front of the building. ABQ RIDE Route 777 - (Rapid Ride Green Line) Express route to access UNM, Nob Hill, and the foothills near Tramway. Located in front of the building.

Downtown Albuquerque Station

ABQ RIDE Route 157 - To Cottonwood Mall, Coronado Center, ABQ Uptown and Kirkland Air Force Base.

Montaño Station

ABQ RIDE Route 251 - Weekdays to the Journal Center business district, Century 24 Theatre, Cottonwood Mall, Intel and Rio Rancho. Rio Metro Route 505-B - Weekdays to Albuquerque, Los Lunas and Belen before the first southbound train run.

Los Ranchos/Journal Center Station

Sandia Resort & Casino Shuttle Meets every train, seven days a week.

Sandia Pueblo Station

Rio Metro Route 202 - Weekedays to Bernalillo, Rio Rancho, Santa Ana Pueblo, Algodones, Santo Domingo Pueblo, Cochiti Pueblo and the Town of Cohiti Lake. Jemez Tribal Transit Route - Weekends to Bernalillo, Zia Pueblo, San Ysidro, Jemez Pueblo, Jemez Springs, La Queva and Valles Caldera National Preserve.

Route 505-A - Weekday express service to Downtown Albuquerque before the first southbound train of the morning. Santa Ana Star Casino Shuttle Meets every train, seven days a week. Hollywood Casino Shuttle at San Felipe Meets northbound trains 7 days a week. Call for shuttle times. Rio Metro Route 201 - Weekdays to Bernalillo and Enchanted Hills. Rio Metro Route 204 - Weekdays to Bernalillo, northern Rio Rancho, Zia Pueblo, San Ysidro, Jemez Pueblo and Jemez Springs.

Sandoval County/US 550 Station

Rail & Bus Connections Guide p Santa Fe Depot

SYSTEM MAP

Rio Metro Route 206 - Weekday service for Belen residents to connect to the Rail Runner station and other nearby work centers during peak commute times. Rio Metro Dial-A-Ride - Weekday curb-to-curb service in Valencia County. Rides must be requested by 12 NOON one business day prior. Call 505-352-3595. $1 each way. Rio Metro Route 504 - Weekdays to Downtown ABQ. Departs the station at 3:55 a.m. Bus is timed to meet the nortbound train from Downtown ABQ at 5:02 a.m.

Belen Station

Rio Metro Route 207 - Weekday service for Los Lunas residents to connect to the Rail Runner station and other nearby work centers during peak commute times. Rio Metro Route 209 - Weekdays between Los Lunas Transportation Center and the UNM Valencia Campus. Rio Metro Dial-A-Ride - Weekday curb-to-curb service in Valencia County. Rides must be requested by 12 NOON one business day prior. Call 505-352-3595. $1 each way. Rio Metro Route 504 - Weekdays to Downtown ABQ. Departs the station at 4:15 a.m. Bus is timed to meet the nortbound train from Downtown ABQ at 5:02 a.m. Rio Metro Route 505-B - Weekdays to Belen before the first southbound train.

Los Lunas

Isleta Hotel & Casino Shuttle - A bus meets every train seven days a week. Rio Metro Route 504 - Weekdays to Downtown ABQ. Departs the station at 4:35 a.m. Bus is timed to meet the nortbound train from Downtown ABQ at 5:02 a.m. Rio Metro Route 505-B - Weekdays to Los Lunas and Belen before the first southbound train. Board this bus at the Isleta Casino south parking lot.

Isleta Pueblo Station

www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | FALL/WINTER 2015

Santa Fe Trails (505) 955-2001 santafenm.gov

Santa Fe Pick Up City of Santa Fe (505) 231-2573 santafenm.gov

Taos Express (505) 629-4725 (866) 206-0754 taosexpress.com ncrtd.org

NM Park & Ride (866) 551-7433 nmparkandride.com

Please contact the connection provider for fares.

ABQ RIDE Route 222 - Weekdays to the South Valley, VA Hospital, Kirtland Air Force Base and the airport business district. Can also be used to access the Albuquerque International Sunport for passengers coming from and going to Valencia County. Rio Metro Route 504 - Weekdays to Downtown ABQ. Departs the station at 4:45 a.m. Bus is timed to meet the nortbound train from Downtown ABQ at 5:02 a.m. Rio Metro Route 505-B - Weekdays to Los Lunas and Belen before the first southbound train.

Bernalillo County Station

ABQ RIDE Route 66 - Access to locations along Central Ave. including Central & Unser Park & Ride, City and County buildings, UNM and EXPO NM. Located in front of the building. ABQ RIDE Route 40 - (The D-RIDE) Free downtown circulator that runs every 7 minutes Monday- Friday. ABQ RIDE Route 53 - To Isleta Blvd, the Albuquerque Zoo and the National Hispanic Cultural Center. ABQ RIDE Route 217 - To Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) and Kirtland Air Force Base. ABQ RIDE Route 250 - Airport Express. Direct route to the Albuquerque International Sunport. Rio Metro Route 505-B - Weekdays to Isleta Pueblo, Los Lunas and Belen. Bus leaves daily at 6:25 a.m. Board this route at Bus Bay “N”. Other ABQ RIDE Routes - There are nearly 40 other ABQ RIDE bus routes that get you just about anywhere in the city.

North Central Regional Transit District (NCRTD) (866) 206-0754 (505) 629-4725 ncrtd.org

Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino Shuttle (505) 819-2292 buffalothunderresort.com

Santa Ana Star Casino Shuttle (505) 771-5336 (505) 867-0000 Hollywood Casino Shuttle at santaanastar.com San Felipe Sandia Resort & Casino (505) 991-5247 Shuttle (877) 529-2946 (505) 796-7500 sanfelipecasino.com sandiacasino.com

Rio Metro Regional Transit District (866) 795-7245 riometro.org

Belen

Los Lunas

Station Coming Soon

Socorro Shuttle (575) 835-1501 socorronm.gov

Rio Metro Valencia (505) 352-3595 riometro.org

Isleta Pueblo

Bernalillo Co.

Downtown Albuquerque

Montaño

Los Ranchos Journal Center

Sandia Pueblo

Downtown Bernalillo

Sandoval Co. / US 550

Kewa Pueblo

Santa Fe Co. NM 599

Zia Road

South Capitol

Isleta Resort & Casino Shuttle (877) 747-5382 isleta.com

ABQ RIDE (505) 243-7433 myabqride.com

For more information, fares and connections not listed, please contact these providers:

Rio Metro Route 202 - Weekdays to Bernalillo, Rio Rancho, Santa Ana Pueblo, Algodones, Santo Domingo Pueblo, Cochiti Pueblo and the town of Cochiti Lake. Hollywood Casino Shuttle at San Felipe Meets southbound trains 7 days a week. Call for shuttle times.

Kewa Station at Santo Domingo Pueblo

* *

Santa Fe Trails Route 22 - Weekdays to Santa Fe Community College, Rancho Viejo and IAIA. NM Park & Ride Purple Route - Weekday direct connection between the Rail Runner and Los Alamos. NM Park & Ride Purple Shuttle Route to connect from the first run of the morning on the NM Park & Ride Purple Bus Route to the South Capitol & Santa Fe Depot Stations. Weekday departure at 5:11 a.m.

NM 599 Station Shuttle - Weekdays to Bisbee Court, the New Mexican Plaza, Jaguar, Camino Entrada, and Santa Fe Place Mall. Meets most trains. NCRTD Route 270 - Weekdays to the NM Department of Corrections, Oñate Complex (National Guard) and the Santa Fe County Detention Center.

Santa Fe County/NM 599 Station

NCRTD Route 160 - Weekdays between Santa Fe, Española and Santa Clara Pueblo. NCRTD Route 200 - Weekdays between Santa Fe and Española. NCRTD Route 220 - Weekdays between Santa Fe, Tesuque, Pojoaque and Española. NCRTD Route 280 - Weekdays between Santa Fe, Eldorado, Galisteo, Stanley, Moriarity and Edgewood. NCRTD Route 290 - Weekdays between Santa Fe, Eldorado, Galisteo, Stanley, Moriarty and Edgewood. NCRTD Santa Fe to Taos - Weekdays between Santa Fe and Taos.

NM Park & Ride Orange Route Weekdays between Las Vegas and Santa Fe.

RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

Thursday, December 31, 2015 - REGULAR WEEKDAY SCHEDULE

Holiday Schedule

New Year’s Eve

New Year's Day

Friday, January 1, 2016 - NO SERVICE

Columbus Day

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Veterans Day

Presidents’ Day

Thanksgiving Day

Memorial Day

Day After Thanksgiving

Independence Day

Christmas Eve

Labor Day Weekend

Monday, October 12, 2015 - SATURDAY SCHEDULE

Monday, January 18, 2016 - SATURDAY SCHEDULE

Wednesday, November 11, 2015 - SATURDAY SCHEDULE

Monday, February 15, 2016 - REGULAR WEEKDAY SCHEDULE

Thursday, November 26, 2015 - NO SERVICE

Monday, May 30, 2016 - No Service

Friday, November 27, 2015 - SATURDAY SCHEDULE

Monday, July 4, 2016 - SATURDAY SCHEDULE

Thursday, December 24, 2015 - REGULAR WEEKDAY SCHEDULE

Saturday, Sept. 3 to Monday, Sept. 5, 2016 - TBD

Christmas Day

Friday, December 25, 2015 - NO SERVICE

Fares

SYSTEM MAP Santa Fe Depot

(Receive Discount Online)

South Capitol

HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR FARE

Zia Road

Step 1: Count the number of zones Count the number of zones through which you will travel. Step 2: Pick the type of fare you need Do you want a one-way ticket, a day pass, or a monthly or annual pass? Are you eligible for a reduced fare? Step 3: Check the chart below and see how much your fare is

Santa Fe Co. NM 599

Kewa Pueblo

FULL FARE 1 zone 2 zones 3 zones 4 zones 5 zones 6 zones

one-way $2 $3 $5 $8 $9 $10

day pass $3 $4 $6 $9 $10 $11

monthly pass $39 $55 $72 $105 $110 $121

annual pass $385 $550 $715 $1045 $1100 $1210

REDUCED FARE 1 zone 2 zones 3 zones 4 zones 5 zones 6 zones

one-way $1 $1 $2 $4 $4 $5

day pass $2 $2 $3 $6 $7 $8

monthly pass $19 $28 $36 $52 $55 $61

annual pass $187 $275 $352 $517 $550 $605

Sandoval Co. / US 550

REDUCED FARES ARE AVAILABLE TO • Youth ages 10-17 • Students with a valid student ID • Seniors age 62+ • Medicare Card holders • People with disabilities who show: - An NM Motor Vehicle Department notification - A letter from doctor indicating the disability (with exp. date) - An ABQ RIDE Honored Citizen Card - A Santa Fe Ride Card or Santa Fe Trails Half Fare Card - A disabled veteran ID card

Children

9 and under ride free!

Downtown Bernalillo

Sandia Pueblo Los Ranchos Journal Center Montaño Downtown Albuquerque Bernalillo Co. Isleta Pueblo

Los Lunas Belen Station Coming Soon

www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | FALL/WINTER 2015

RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

Questions & Answers

How do I buy tickets? Tickets can be purchased online at nmrailrunner.com or onboard the train from the ticket agents wearing yellow vests. We accept cash, debit and credit cards (except American Express). Are discounted tickets available? Reduced fares are available to youth ages 10-17, students with a valid ID, seniors age 62+, and people with disabilities. Children 9 and under ride free. Please see the fare information listed in this magazine for details and a list of acceptable ID cards. Discounted tickets are also available to groups of 25 or more through the Customer Service Department. Call 866-795-RAIL (7245) for information about group travel. Is my ticket refundable if I don’t use it? Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Can I buy a ticket for someone else? Yes, you may purchase a ticket for another person. You will need to email the ticket to the person you are buying it for; they can either print it out or show it to the ticket agent on their mobile device. Is there parking available at the train stations? Free onsite parking is available at all of the Rail Runner stations with the exception of Downtown ABQ and the Santa Fe Depot. Parking at Downtown ABQ and the Santa Fe Depot is available for a fee at adjacent parking facilities. Which door do I use to board and exit the train? You can use any open door to board or exit the train. Please allow all passengers to exit the train first before boarding. Are there restrooms on the train? At least one restroom is available on every New Mexico Rail Runner Express train. Longer trains will have more than one restroom. Can I bring or buy food on the train? Passengers are welcome to bring and consume food and beverages (excluding alcohol) on the train. Each train car is equipped with tables on the mezzanine and upper levels. Food and beverages are not available for purchase on the train.

Can I charge my cell phone/laptop/tablet on the train? Electrical outlets are available for passenger use at each of the tables on the train. Tables are located on the mezzanine and upper levels only. How do I store my luggage or packages on the train? Passengers may store luggage or packages under the seat or in the overhead racks. Please do not block an aisle or take up an extra seat with luggage or packages. Can I take my bicycle on the train? Is there a charge? Bicycles are welcome on the train. Each New Mexico Rail Runner Express train car has space for up to 8 bicycles. Please store your bike in the designated storage area marked with a bicycle symbol. There is no charge – this is a free service offered to bicyclists. Are pets allowed on the train? Pets are not allowed onboard, only service animals. Can I take a stroller on the train? Strollers are welcome on the train. Please store large strollers in the bicycle storage area marked with a bicycle symbol. How old do children need to be to ride alone? Children must be at least 10 years old to ride the train without a supervising adult. What happens if I leave something on the train? If you leave an item on the train, please contact our Customer Service office at 866-795-RAIL (7245), Monday-Friday 8 a.m – 5 p.m. Lost items are turned in to the Customer Service office and are held for 60 days. If you find an item on the train, please turn it in to a ticket agent or conductor. How can I find out if the train is delayed? There are several options for passengers to stay informed about the status of the train. Rider Alerts are posted on the home page of the Rail Runner website. You can sign up to receive text alerts for specific train routes and be notified of any delays longer than 10 minutes. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to receive updates about train delays and other information. Can I use the train to get to the airport? Passengers can travel between the Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) and the New Mexico Rail Runner Express using ABQ RIDE buses. Connections are available Monday-Saturday. Visit nmrailrunner.com or call (866) 795-RAIL (7245) for a complete list of airport connections. www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | FALL/WINTER 2015

Schedule of Events ONGOING EVENTS Santa Fe Farmers Market Santa Fe Railyard Every Saturday year-round Tuesdays thru November 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Exit the train at the Santa Fe Depot. (505) 983-4098 santafefarmersmarket.com

Railyard Artisan Market Santa Fe Railyard Every Sunday year-round 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Exit the train at the Santa Fe Depot. (505) 983-4098 artmarketsantafe.com Santa Fe Artists Market Santa Fe Railyard Saturdays through December 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Exit the train at the Santa Fe Depot. (505) 414-8544 santafeartistsmarket.com Downtown Growers Market Robinson Park, Albuquerque Saturdays through November 7 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and walk to 8th & Central. (505) 252-2959 downtowngrowers.com Rail Yards Market Albuquerque RailYard 1st – 4th Sunday of each month through October 25, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and walk south to 1st & Hazeldine. (505) 600-1109 railyardsmarket.org

SEPTEMBER September 10-20 New Mexico State Fair The State Fairgrounds at Expo NM Sun-Thurs: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Fri-Sat: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and board ABQ RIDE Rapid Ride Red Line, Green Line or Route 66 bus to Central & Louisiana. (505) 222-9700 exponm.com 36

September 26 ¡Globalquerque! National Hispanic Cultural Center Free Global Fiesta, 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and board ABQ RIDE Route 53 or 54 to 8th & Bridge. globalquerque.org September 26 Rio Abajo Becker Street Festival Becker Street, Belen Exit the train at the Belen Station and walk over the pedestrian overpass to downtown Belen. (505) 864-8091 belenchamber.com September 26-27 Santa Fe Society of Artists Art Shows Santa Fe, West of the Plaza 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Exit the train at the Santa Fe Depot and take the Santa Fe Pick-up or a short walk to San Francisco and Don Gaspar. santafesocietyofartists.com

OCTOBER October 7 Career Fair NM Workforce Connection 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and take ABQ RIDE Route 5 to Mountain & Edith. (866) 795-7245 nmrailrunner.com October 2-4 Albuquerque Grecian Festival St. George Greek Orthodox Church Fri-Sat: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sun: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and take ABQ RIDE Rapid Ride Red, Green Line or Route 66 to Central & Edith, then take a short walk to 308 High St. SE. 505-247-9411 abqgreekfest.com

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October 3-11 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Balloon Fiesta Park Special Balloon Fiesta & Rail Pass available for each weekend. Includes train pass, shuttle connection and admission to one session of Fiesta. (505) 821-1000 balloonfiesta.com nmrailrunner.com October 14-18 Santa Fe Independent Film Festival Locations across Santa Fe Exit the train at the Santa Fe Depot and take a short walk to different venues. (505) 349-1414 santafeindependentfilmfestival.com October 31 Zoo Boo Albuquerque BioPark Zoo 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and board ABQ RIDE Route 53 to 8th & Atlantic. (505) 768-2000 cabq.gov

NOVEMBER November 7 Art in the Afternoon Albuquerque Museum 2-5 p.m. Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and take ABQ RIDE Route 66 or Rapid Ride Red Line to Central & Rio Grande. (505) 243-7255 cabq.gov November 20-22 Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival Santa Fe Community Convention Center Fri: 5-9 p.m., Sat-Sun: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Exit the train at the Santa Fe Depot and take the Santa Fe Pick-up Shuttle or a short walk to the convention center. recyclesantafe.org November 27-29 Rio Grande Arts and Crafts Festival Expo NM 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and take ABQ RIDE Rapid Ride Red Line, Green Line or Route 66 to EXPO NM to Central & San Pedro. riograndefestivals.com

RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

Schedule of Events November 28 – January 4 River of Lights Albuquerque BioPark Botanic Garden Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and board ABQ RIDE Route 66, Rapid Ride Red Line or Blue Line to Central &Tingley. (505) 768-2000 cabq.gov

DECEMBER All Month River of Lights Albuquerque BioPark Botanic Garden Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and board ABQ RIDE Route 66, Rapid Ride Red Line or Blue Line to Central &Tingley. (505) 768-2000 cabq.gov All Month Bugg Lights Display Belen Harvey House Museum Sun-Thurs: 5:30-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat: 5:30-10 p.m. Exit the train at the Belen Station and walk over the pedestrian overpass to the Harvey House Museum. (505) 861-0581 belen-nm.gov December 6 Old Town Holiday Stroll Old Town Albuquerque 5-9 p.m. Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and board ABQ RIDE Route 66 or Rapid Ride Red Line to Central & Rio Grande. (505) 768-2000 albuquerqueoldtown.com December 11 Christmas at the Palace Palace of the Governors 5:30-8 p.m. Exit the train at the Santa Fe Depot and take a short walk to Palace Ave. (505) 476-5100 nmhistorymuseum.org

December 13 Las Posadas New Mexico History Museum 5:30-7 p.m. Exit the train at the Santa Fe Depot and a short walk to Lincoln and W. Palace. (505) 476-5200 nmhistorymuseum.org

JANUARY January 1-10 Poetics of Light: Pinhole Photography NM History Museum Tues-Sun: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Exit the train at the Santa Fe Depot and take the Santa Fe Pick-up Shuttle or a short walk to to Lincoln & W. Palace. (505) 476-5200 nmhistorymuseum.org January 8-10 Albuquerque Comic Con Albuquerque Convention Center Fri: 4-9 p.m.; Sat: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sun: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and take a short walk toTijeras & 3rd. albuquerquecomiccon.com January 13 Quilting Demonstrations ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and board ABQ RIDE Route 66 or Rapid Ride Red Line to Central &Tingley. (505) 768-2000 cabq.gov

FEBRUARY All Month Exhibition: Only in Albuquerque Albuquerque Museum Tues-Sun: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and take the ABQ RIDE Route 66 or Rapid Ride Red Line to Central & Rio Grande. (505) 243-7255 cabq.gov

All Month Exhibition: Visionary Concepts Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Daily: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and take ABQ RIDE Route 8 to 12th & Indian School. (505) 724-3539 indianpueblo.org All Month Exhibition: Painting the Divine NM History Museum Tues-Sun: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Exit the train at the Santa Fe Depot and take the Santa Fe Pick-up Shuttle or a short walk to the museum. (505) 476-5200 nmhistorymuseum.org

MARCH All Month Exhibition: Along the Pecos NM History Museum Tues-Sun: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Exit the train at the Santa Fe Depot and take the Santa Fe Pick-up Shuttle or a short walk to Lincoln & W. Palace. (505) 476-5200 nmhistorymuseum.org March 4-6 Fiery Foods and Barbeque Show Sandia Resort and Casino Fri: 4-8 p.m.; Sat: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sun: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Exit the train at the Sandia Pueblo Station and take the free shuttle to the casino. (505) 873-8680 fieryfoodsshow.com March 19-20 Southwest Coffee & Chocolate Fest Expo NM 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Exit the train at Downtown ABQ and board the ABQ RIDE Rapid Ride Red Line, Green Line or Route 66 to Central & San Pedro. (505) 510-1312 chocolateandcoffeefest.com

www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | FALL/WINTER 2015

RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

Santa Claran Hotel Casino’s Playing in the Big Leagues Now There’s a diamond in the rough in New Mexico’s hotel/casino world, and it is shining brightly in Northern New Mexico’s Española Valley. The Santa Claran Hotel and Casino has shaped up to be a destination resort that meets the needs of both locals and visitors far and wide. The pueblo’s Santa Clara Development Company, is the driving force behind the Santa Claran’s unique concept. The hotel and casino, combined with a nearby championship golf course, historic Puye Cliff Dwellings, a bowling center and the pueblo’s cultural events make the Santa Claran a place for families to reconnect or romance to be rekindled. There’s enough to do in the hotel and casino or just outside its doors. The total southwest experience from the Santa Claran includes New Mexico historical attractions, great dining on site and nearby, gaming, shopping, a round of golf at the Black Mesa Golf Club in La Mesilla, N.M. All this and it is a 30-minute drive to Santa Fe and about 40 minutes to Taos. “We envisioned that the hotel would be the home base for people to get out there and enjoy an authentic New Mexico vacation,” said Adelmo Lopez, brand supervisor for the Santa Claran. “Setting out to offer a lot of outside opportunities, in addition to big-time casino gaming, was no easy task, but thanks to our partners at the Pueblo and the golf course, we think we have a lot to offer our guests.” First opened as the Big Rock Casino in 2001, there was an expansion in 2007 that led to the final remodel of the hotel/casino, which was completed in 2009. With that, the Santa Claran was born and has grown to be one of the most hospitable and beautiful destinations in New Mexico, despite the fact that it isn’t always mentioned in the same breath as the bigger venues. But look out: The Santa Claran might not be such a hidden gem anymore. Locals flock there, and thanks to New Mexico’s booming movie industry, word is spreading. The Netflix hit “Longmire,” used the Santa Claran for various scenes it taped over the summer. The attention it brought was welcome, said Lopez. “We really hope other TV and movie productions will consider us. We really convey an authentic setting and we are large enough to accommodate the needs of their production staff.” The Santa Clara Pueblo surrounds the welcoming hotel, which sits in the center of Española. The seven story hotel is 124 rooms with 21 suites, a seventh floor event space with panoramic views that will take your breath away. While the hotel is family friendly, its 16,000 square feet of meeting and event space, also makes it perfect for corporate meetings and events. The architecture and the inside décor is a perfect mix of traditional pueblo and New Mexico style, and modern amenities that make it luxurious. There are balconies, a large indoor pool with sun deck and

a 24-hour fitness center. The bowling center is the only part of the original Big Rock that remains, and it is the only amenity that still carries the Big R name. It is a 24-lane center that hosts leagues and parties and is open seven days a week. Places to eat and drink inside the Santa Claran includes Burgers, Wings and Brews, a sports bar with plenty of specialty beers on tap; The Casino Café, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner; the Center Bar, serving tapas and cocktails and the Java Lounge, brewing Starbucks coffee. Perhaps one of the most beautiful attractions, and one that the Santa Claran promotes through self-guided and guided tours from the hotel, is the Puye Cliff Dwellings, once the ancestral home of the Santa Claran people. This national historic landmark, features early pueblo architecture, an 1800s Harvey House and an awe-inspiring panoramic view of northern New Mexico. Getting back into the swing of things from the adventures at the Puye might include golf at the Baxter Spann-designed 18-hole golf course, which is ranked among America’s top 50 by Golf Magazine. The sandstone ridges and mountain vistas are truly something to behold. In all, the once hidden treasure is now part of New Mexico’s big leagues for hospitality and tourism. As its motto suggests, when you stay and play at the Santa Claran you “Escape to the beauty of the Southwest, experience the hospitality of Santa Clara Pueblo and discover more than you expected to find.” For more information on any of the attractions, the hotel reservations and casino gaming at the Santa Claran, visit santaclaran.com.

www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | FALL/WINTER 2015

Bien Mur Indian Market Center: Be Dazzled! Walk into the dazzle that is Bien Mur Indian Market Center, and experience Indian art, traditional and contemporary, in all of its diversity and beauty. Bien Mur – the name means “Big Mountain” in the Tiwa language – has been an Albuquerque-area landmark for 40 years, since 1975. It was named for the majestic Sandia Mountains that also gave their name to the Pueblo and its Sandia Resort and Casino. Known for exceptional customer service, Bien Mur is a world-class destination for tourists and locals alike who are looking for high-quality, authentic, handmade Native American arts and crafts. Bien Mur is the retail marketing arm of Sandia Pueblo and its nearby resort, located north of Albuquerque on the Sandia reservation. Take I-25 north to Exit 234 and turn east on Tramway Road, then turn right on Rainbow Road. The market is in the circular building next to the Bien Mur Travel Center. Or take the Rail Runner to the Sandia Pueblo Station and catch the shuttle. Those buffalo on the foothills prairieland outside? They’re also part of Sandia Pueblo: specifically, the 107acre Sandia Buffalo Herd, a project established to help restore populations of this once-threatened animal. Indian tribes across the country are cooperating in the resurgence of the American bison, nearly exterminated in the mass slaughters in the 19th century. Still, it is rare to have a buffalo preserve so close to 40

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an urban environment. You are encouraged to experience this magnificent animal in its natural setting. The herd’s westernmost rangeland boundary is near the parking lot east of the center. Photography is allowed from the parking lot without any special permits. Meanwhile, feast your senses on the grandeur inside Bien Mur Market’s lavish, light-filled, kiva-shaped showroom. Bien Mur Indian Market Center is a charter member of the Indian Arts & Crafts Association, a national organization of craftspeople, traders, dealers, museums and collectors concerned with the accurate imaging and marketing of Native American arts and crafts. The association’s members subscribe to a code of ethical business practices and are knowledgeable about the products they sell. That means you can be confident that you are buying genuine, Native American creations at honest prices. Many are extraordinary, one-of-a-kind pieces. All items have reliable quality. In the inventory at Bien Mur, you’ll find Hopi, Navajo, Zuni and Santo Domingo (Kewa) Pueblo jewelry; pottery; storytellers; Navajo rugs; Zuni fetishes; sand paintings; flutes, rattles and drums; war bonnets; moccasins; Pendleton blankets; Zapotec rugs, and American Indian books and music. For more information about Bien Mur, call (505) 821-5400.

The largest retail arts and crafts store in the Southwest; solely owned and operated by the Pueblo of Sandia. -Authenticity GuaranteedInventory of the Bien Mur Indian Market Center: Hopi, Navajo, Santo Domingo, and Zuni Flutes, Rattles & Drums Jewelry War Bonnets Pottery Moccasins Storytellers Pendleton Blankets Navajo Rugs Zapotec Rugs Zuni Fetishes Books & Music Sand Paintings

Retail & Wholesale Association Membership

Bien Mur Indian Market Center 100 Bien Mur Dr NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113 505-821-5400 Monday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Saturday: 9:30am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5:30pm Sundays: 11:00am to 5:30pm. Call for seasonal hours.

www.sandiapueblo.nsn.us

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Experience the Past, Present and Future of Nuclear Science

ou are invited to learn, to imagine, to think and to draw your own conclusions at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History – an intriguing place to learn the story of the Atomic Age, from early research of nuclear development through today’s peaceful uses of nuclear technology. Formerly known as the National Atomic Museum, which opened in 1969 and was charted by Congress in 1991, the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History serves as America’s resource for nuclear history and science through exhibits and educational programs that explore the diversity of individuals and events that shape the historical and technical context of the nuclear age. This nationally accredited, Smithsonian Afﬁliate is located at 601 Eubank Blvd SE in Albuquerque, and it welcomes visitors to explore temporary and permanent exhibits such as “Pioneers of the Atom,” “Manhattan Project,” “Nuclear Medicine,” “Energy Encounter” and more. The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History also hosts “Little Albert’s Lab,” an area where young, inquisitive minds can explore hands-on science activities, as well as the nine-acre outdoor exhibit area, “Heritage Park,” where guests can walk up to such historic artifacts as a B-29 Superfortress, an F-16 Fighting Falcon and a fully restored nuclear submarine sail. Visit New Mexico’s only national Museum, and learn what is happing at the cutting edge of energy, nanotechnology and medicine. The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To learn more about this not-for-proﬁt, educational entity, please visit nuclearmuseum.org. nuclearmuseum.org • 505-245-2137 601 Eubank Blvd SE • Albuquerque, NM

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Explore History Embrace Tradition Experience Community

• Belen Harvey House Museum Bugg Lights November 28 - December 31, 2015 • Miracle on Main Street Parade November 28, 2015 • Hispano Chamber Matanza January 31, 2016 • International Flight, Film & Food Festival March 18-20, 2016 • Belen Farmers Market • Rio Abajo Days September 24, 2016

Call (505) 864-8091 or visit us on the web for information about Belen belenchamber.org • belenmainstreet.com • belen-nm.gov www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | FALL/WINTER 2015

www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | FALL/WINTER 2015

Los Lunas: Its Roots Are on the Route

RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

The Village of Los Lunas, 20 miles south of Albuquerque, serves as the cultural and economic hub for the more than 76,000 residents of Valencia County. Los Lunas, conveniently located along the Rail Runner corridor, is being discovered by various economic interests, with more than 100 new jobs added just this summer. Los Lunas traces its history back to 1808 when the descendants of Don Domingo de Luna assumed legal The Luna Mansion, once the home of the Luna and Otero Families, was built in 1881. It is the only known Victorian Southern Colonial structure possession of the San Clemente Grant and founded a constructed of adobe and terrón bricks. It is now one of Valencia County’s settlement along the Camino Real, or “Royal Road.” culinary crown jewels. In 1880, Don Domingo’s direct descendant negotiated with the Santa Fe Railroad to have them build a new house because the preferred route ran of wine at the county’s only wine tasting room at Camino Real Winery. “Valencia County was once known for its vineyards and through the family’s hacienda. In 1881, Luna’s one of a kind orchards, and for its wines and brandies,” Shetter says. mansion was completed. It still stands today as a reminder of the The museum is one of 25 sites in the nation that will be notable New Mexicans that made an impact on the history of the hosting “Dust, Drought and Dreams Gone Dry” an exhibit based state such as: Solomon Luna, drafter of the state Constitution; on Ken Burn’s documentary “The Dust Bowl” sponsored by Captain Maximiliano Luna, Roughrider; Tranquilino Luna, first the National Endowment for the Humanities; Oklahoma State delegate for the Territory of New Mexico, and more. University; and Mount Holyoke College. One of Los Lunas most vibrant community assets is the “The exhibit opening in January 2016 is designed to help Museum of Heritage & Arts, just a short walk north of the train public audiences engage in discussions about human and station. The museum itself is a Works Progress Administration ecological consequences of one of America’s most disastrous (WPA) building on Pre-1937 Route 66. Under the leadership environmental experiences,” says Shetter. of Director Cynthia Shetter, the Museum has taken a lead role The Museum of Heritage & Arts at 521 Main St. SE is an in educating Los Lunas’ citizens and visitors about the area’s ideal way to become better acquainted with the history of this fascinating history in ways that are fun as well as informative. vibrant community. For more information on upcoming events, A primary delight is the annual “Saints and Sinners” Tour contact the Museum at 505-352-7720. in September and October, highlighting notable churches, featuring lunch at the museum and finishing up with a cool glass

Residents from Los Lunas and Belen utilize the Rail Runner to commute to work www.nmrailrunner.com in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. | www.travelnewmex.com |

FALL/WINTER 2015

Visit our website for other upcoming events! 12th Annual

Last Saturday In September !!!

www.belenchamber.com

Harvey House History Preserved

If the walls could talk – and some Can you see the ghost? She can see you! BOO! people say they do -- at the Harvey House in Belen, New Mexico, they might be saying plenty about the good old days and the happy times shared inside the building that for decades rolled out the welcome mat daily for rail passengers. The Harvey House mystique has been around since 1910, when the railroad built a restaurant near the tracks for passengers to get a good meal. And these days, museum technician and former Belen mayor, Ronnie Torres, has vowed to preserve its history and share it with as many visitors as possible. Two upcoming events that are sure to draw in visitors are the Paranormal Walking Tour on Oct. 30, and the Bugg Light Holiday Display, which opens Nov. 28, 2015 and remains bright through Dec. 31, 2015. “These two events will be a good draw for us,” Torres said. “What excites me most about them is that it is a chance for us to teach more people about the Harvey House and to accomplish our mission of preserving this very special place in history.” The Paranormal tour is new. Paranormal investigators have come to the Harvey House over the past year, and they have determined there are paranormal hot spots in the building. They video tape and record sights and sounds within the walls. “They tell us these are very happy activities, nothing scary,” he said. “They hear women laughing or friendly conversations. We have experienced some of the same things over the years. We see a shadow or we hear voices.” continued on page 59

(505)-831-1496 1517 Coors Blvd. NW Abq, NM 87105 (505)-866-8828 2250 Sun Ranch Village Loop Los Lunas, NM 87031

mariscosaltamarabq.com 46

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Jemez Historic Site

Sometimes the oldest wonders are the newest discoveries. TRUE

FALSE

seemoreofnm.com www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | FALL/WINTER 2015

Native Art. Inspired. Join Us!

Winter Indian Market November 27-29, 2015 Thanksgiving weekend

santafeindianmarket.com 48

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Painter Nocona Burgess (Comanche), Tim Herrera (Cochiti Pueblo), Fritz Casuse (Navajo) and Raymond Yazzie (Navajo)

This is My Century. RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

Gabriel, Musician

MyCenturyBank.com 844.600.5800

You don’t live nine to five, and neither do we. With Online and Mobile Banking 1 you can make deposits, pay bills, and make person-to-person payments with TheWayiPay ® 2. Your time, your bank, your Century. 1 Mobile & data rates may apply, check with your wireless carrier for more information. 2 Speak with a customer representative for details and fees.

Santa Fe Albuquerque Rio Rancho Española Las Cruces

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Chama: New Mexico’s Mecca for Year-Round Fun! One of the best-kept secrets in New Mexico is the enchanting Village of Chama. Sitting at an elevation of 7,860 feet, Chama is nestled high in the Southern Rockies, just a few miles from the Colorado border. The historic Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad steam trains leave the Chama depot daily from Memorial Day weekend to midOctober. Riding the railroad is a day trip of exhilarating mountain views and fall colors. Fishing local trout streams and lakes is a leisurely pleasure, and for a real experience, try salmon sagging in November and ice fishing during the winter. Hikers and mountain bikers find many trails, including the Continental Divide Trail nearby. The Sargent’s Wildlife Area surrounds Chama with meadows and trails for hiking and horseback riding. Hunting adventures with reliable guides are close to town. Chama has a lively Western-style business district with lodging, RV parks and cozy dining establishments. Located at the junction of Highway 17 and U.S. 84 (take the “Chama Highway” out of Española), the Village of Chama is the perfect destination for anyone seeking scenic outdoor recreation.

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Cool times in cool pines are the epitome of summer fun in Chama’s cabins and vacation ranches. Crowds gather in Chama for the famous Fourth of July fireworks display. The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad offers a fireworks train in the evening. Chama Days, the second weekend of August, is always fun with a softball tournament, NMPRC rodeo, dances and parade. Surrounding mountain passes have a reliable base of snow all winter. The varied terrain of the mesas and mountains make the area around Chama ideal for winter recreation. Groomed trails and marked tracks crisscross easily accessible public lands. Cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snow-shoeing, everything but downhill skiing, are abundantly available in Chama’s gorgeous mountains. Every January, on Martin Luther King weekend, Chama hosts the Chama Chile Ski Classic races. Over the holiday weekend, cross-country ski and snowshoe races offer fun for experienced and novice racers. The Sno-ball Hot Air Balloon Rally fills the sky over Chama the last weekend in February. For your safety and comfort, bring layered clothing and check with the local ranger district before heading out to hike or ski. Never travel alone and make sure you are adequately prepared. At these altitudes, the weather can sneak up on you.

RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS

Friends of the Cumbres Preserve Rail History If you’re looking for a new friend to add to your posse, you could do worse than the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. Not surprisingly, that’s the opinion of the Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, a non-profit corporation that shares with the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission the stewardship of this unique and historic railroad property. Built in 1880, and little has changed since, the railroad is among the finest and most spectacular examples of steam-era mountain railroading in North America. Its equipment, structures and vast landscape exist as if frozen in the first half of the 20th century. The Friends are largely responsible for the preservation. “Our mission is to preserve and interpret the railroad and to support its operation for the people of Colorado and New Mexico who own it, and the tens of thousands of visitors who come to be transported back in time through the beauty of the San Juan Mountains,” says Tim Tennant, president and CEO of the Friends. “We are the museum arm of the railroad, so we are stewards over all its historic assets. We encourage railroad enthusiasts and casual visitors to become a member of the Friends. We have more than 2,500 members worldwide. The Cumbres & Toltec is a National Historic Landmark and it is right here in our backyard.” The train leaves from Chama, near the Colorado border, and travels to Antonito, Colo., and back. Trips during the fall leave visitors breathless with the beauty of the foliage along the route.

Putting the final touch on the caboose.

The Friends also have fundraising events such as the annual Moonlight & Wine Tasting Train on the Cumbres & Toltec, scheduled for July 15, 2016. For more information, visit cumbrestoltec.org

Friends of C&T half pg.QXD 8/19/15 5:22 PM Page 1

FRIENDS OF THE CUMBRES & TOLTEC SCENIC RAILROAD, INC.

A NON-PROFIT CORPORATION DEDICATED TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION, RESTORATION AND INTERPRETATION

www.CumbresToltec.org

❖

505-880-1311

The Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

Become a volunteer and make history come alive! Enjoy the beauty of the San Juan Mountains at our world-renowned National Historic Landmark. u Skilled volunteers will mentor you. u Summer work sessions— Outdoors: Learn to be a Interpretive Guide Indoors: Help out in our library or archives u Social events throughout the year u Annual Moonlight and Wine Tasting Train u Private cross-country railcar charters u Annual memberships start at $30.

Ask us about our private car charters! www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | FALL/WINTER 2015

The Glories of Nature Are Found at Vermejo Park Parents and grandparents looking for a way to bring the children together with the glories of nature can look no further than Vermejo Park Ranch, where such encounters are commonplace throughout the summer season. “To take a Wildlife Tour at Vermejo Park Ranch is to have one of the extraordinary experiences in life!” gushed a recent visitor. “We went on a photo tour as well and the kids were entranced. What a way to immerse our kids in the glories of nature.” Vermejo Park is one of the treasures of New Mexico. Owned by Ted Turner Enterprises, the 585,000-acre park began as a part of the huge Maxwell Land Grant in the late 19th century. It subsequently was owned

Coming to Rio Rancho

privately and corporately until the cable television mogul purchased it in 1996 from Pennzoil. As befits a man famed for championing stewardship of conservation, Turner has created a ranch that features exhaustive management of wildlife. He uses much of the former cattle pasturage for 1,200 bison, often called buffalo in North America, but a mammal more properly called bison. Ralphie V, mascot of the University of Colorado Buffaloes, was born at Vermejo Park. The black-footed ferret was declared extinct in 1979, but a remnant population was found in Wyoming. In cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Vermejo Park Ranch introduced ferrets to the ranch in 2008. The goal is to establish a population of 120 ferrets. More than 10,000 acres of short grass prairie on the ranch is occupied by prairie dogs , the chief prey of ferrets. Vermejo Park ranch also has an continued on page 57

A Haverland Carter affiliated community

The Value of LifeCare Co mmunities

LifeCare communities offer an active, independent lifestyle with the peace of mind of long-term care protection. Enjoy living in the private residence with the services and amentities you desire plus a plan for long-term care, if needed. There is no better option than The Neighborhood.

(505) 994-2296

NeighborhoodRioRancho.com

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The Neighborhood in Rio Rancho Stands Out The Neighborhood in Rio Rancho stands out from other communities by its commitment to residents wellness. It is a LifeCare community offering an active, independent lifestyle with the peace of mind of long-term care protection. Enjoy living in the private residence with the services and amenities you desire plus a plan for long-term care, if needed. There are also many reasons to call the fast-growing city of Rio Rancho your home. The Neighborhood in Rio Rancho is one of numerous new developments underway; it is a high-end LifeCare retirement community. The Neighborhood is minutes away from a brand new hospital and medical center, public libraries, shopping center, concert halls, and event venues. Rio Rancho, the City of Vision, is perfect for those who want to be in the middle of all the action! Visit The Neighborhood Information Center where we can show you more reasons you’ll love it here. We believe a full life should include longevity and wellbeing. There is no better option than The Neighborhood. See a complete 3D model of the entire complex and explore all our floor plans at our information center. Call Ashley for directions and schedule a personal tour today at 505-994-2296 Tomorrow never looked so good! Live the life you want today, with no worries tomorrow. That’s the promise of LifeCare.

l… ! oca exico L M op Sh New op Sh Winter Spanish Market November 27–28, 2015 Hotel Albuquerque at Historic Old Town

TheMuseum of Spanish Colonial Art presents Blue on Blue: Indigo and Cobalt in New Spain Open through March 2016

The Museum of Spanish Colonial Art Open 10-5 Tuesday–Sunday Open Daily until Labor Day on Museum Hill in Santa Fe

Tradición, Devoción y Vida:

www.spanishcolonial.org or 505.982.2226 x 109

Closes October 31, 2015

80 Years of Black and White Photography in New Mexico and Mexico

The Spanish Colonial Arts Society thanks our partners:

1501 LOMAS NW The Original Factory Outlet

3300 CENTRAL SE Collection of Jewelry & Antiques

416 2ND STREET SW

www.GertrudeZachary.com

Antiques & Home Decor www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | FALL/WINTER 2015

Local Chamber Balances Business With Culture New Mexico is home to many people of Hispanic heritage, a good percentage of them from families that have been here for 400 years or more. So it should be no surprise that the Hispanic culture has not only influenced, but in many cases also driven, both the business and cultural aspects of Albuquerque. In fact, there are enough Hispanic business people in the city to form the very large and well-respected Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce - ranked the best Hispanic chamber in the country by a national organization of Hispanic chambers. Why is this important to travelers in New Mexico? Because the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce has its own Convention and Tourism Department. It is funded by the City of Albuquerque Lodgers Tax and operated under the chamber’s administrative umbrella. Tourism and travel form one of the most critical economic development drivers for Albuquerque and make up New Mexico’s number two private sector industry. The chamber’s Convention and Tourism Department promotes Albuquerque as a destination to tourists, to Hispanic and Native American conventions, and to big events that help draw visitors to Albuquerque and make them want to return. Albuquerque’s rich and diverse culture is evident in its art, found in an impressive collection of museums, public spaces, traditional and contemporary adobe architecture, and authentic restaurants. A must see is Albuquerque’s Historic Old Town. This cultural heart of the city unfolds around a tree-shaded plaza at San Felipe de Neri Catholic Church, which was built in 1793. With 22 Native American tribes, including 19 pueblos, New Mexico is a mecca for rich Native American culture. Visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center where you can explore the history and traditions of each one. There is also native music, dancing and wonderful Southwestern cuisine. Explore an extensive collection of contemporary Hispanic art, experience traditional dance performances, or see Spanish films at the incredible National Hispanic Cultural Center. While there, don’t miss the 4,000-square-foot Torreon fresco. It celebrates 3,000 years of Hispanic history and is North America’s largest concave fresco. Many events throughout the city of Albuquerque occur during national Hispanic Heritage month. During this time - September 15 to October 15 - people recognize the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States and celebrate the group’s heritage and culture. “Globalquerque,” a world music celebration, celebrates its 10th anniversary and includes artists from as far away as Honduras and Tunisia. This exciting event is set for September 25-26 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center.

Hispanic Heritage Luncheon Thursday, October 15, 2015

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The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic was established to raise money to provide scholarships to Hispanic students attending post secondary institutions in New Mexico.

If you plan to attend the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in early October, make time to visit the American Indian Arts & Crafts Festival October 3-4. See www.indianpueblo.org. The 26th annual Winter Spanish Market returns to Albuquerque on November 28 and 29 with a greatly expanded show at Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town. It is anticipated to be close to 50 percent larger than last year. With well over 100 of the finest artists who embrace the traditional Spanish Colonial arts participating, visitors can expect to see santos, tinwork, straw appliqué, weaving, pottery, precious metal, colcha, bone carving, furniture, woodcarving and utilitarian objects, all traditions endorsed by Spanish Colonial Arts of New Mexico. Then, in November, the 20th annual Dual Language Education of New Mexico/La Cosecha Conference will occur. This national dual language conference brings together educators, parents, researchers and practitioners who support dual language enrichment programs in New Mexico and across the United States. On February 13, the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce presents “La Noche Encantada,” New Mexico’s premier gala and the black-tie event of the year. The theme for the 2016 event is “Havana Nights.” Come and join 1,800 beautifully dressed people for a wonderful dinner and dance at the newly renovated Albuquerque Convention Center. April 18-24 are the dates for the Albuquerque Film and Music Experience where you can view domestic and international movies, listen to engaging industry panelists, and enjoy live music and poetry. In 2015, 77 movies with 12 world premieres and 60 filmmakers from 13 countries were in attendance. One of the bigger events in Albuquerque is the Gathering of Nations Pow-Wow, which occurs annually in Albuquerque in late April. With more than 3,000 participants and 112,000 spectators from around the world attending, it is among the largest Native American festivals in North America. This remarkable presentation highlights the way of powwow life and teachings, which are handed down from the elders to the younger generations.

AHCC La Noche Encantada 2-13-16

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Albuquerque WELCOME TO ONE OF THE FRIENDLIEST CITIES IN AMERICA!

The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce specializes in Hispanic and Native American conventions and events. Let our department connect your attendees with a complimentary cultural experience. Convention & Tourism D e p a r t m e n t

(505) 842-9003 â&#x20AC;˘ WWW.AHCNM.ORG EMAIL: ABQTOURISM@AHCNM.ORG www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com |

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The Glories of Nature Are Found at Vermejo Park continued from page 52

agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help conserve the Rio Grande cutthroat trout throughout the Rio Costilla basin. The Rio Grande cutthroat, New Mexico’s State Fish, is declining in numbers and is only found in about 10 percent of its former range. The ranch also is cooperating with Philmont Scout Ranch to restore Ponil and Bonito Creeks to conditions in which they can support trout populations. The Cimarron Solar Facility on 364 acres at the ranch produces 30 megawatts of energy sufficient for 9,000 homes. The ranch is improving the quality of its Ponderosa pine forest by selective cutting and controlled burning and encouraging the expansion of declining quaking aspen forests. Research on various factors influencing the wildlife on the ranch and reclamation of land impacted by abandoned coal mines are other ongoing projects. The Vermejo Park guest ranch is the most visible component to visitors. It offers unparalleled nature tourism, trout fishing and trophy hunting. Game animals include approximately 8,000 elk, 2,000 mule deer, 500 pronghorn antelope, 1,200 bison, black bear, mountain lions, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and Merriam’s Turkey (a subspecies of wild turkey). For hunters, says program developer and director of nature tourism Nicole Reed, there is a turkey season in spring. During the year, the ranch also offers fair-chase hunts for elk and mule deer, and the chance to cull bison for an additional fee. Game fish include several species of trout. Turkey hunts begin in April, and the annual New Mexico Black Bear hunt is in mid-August. If hunting is not your way to be in nature, the ranch offers a nature tourism program, a design-

your-own itinerary that comes with a guide and vehicle to take guests around the ranch. Visitors can explore the property, including the ruins and remains of settlements. Vermejo offers abundant wildlife, expansive habitat, and spectacular scenery for your family to enjoy. Then there are the photography tours that take place in the summer and fall. At VermejoParkRanch.com, you can learn about such opportunities as the yearly “Babes & Blooms Photo Tour,” generally in mid-July. This photo tour happens in prime wildflower season. There is also an abundance of wildlife babies (think bison calves, elk calf nurseries, and mule deer fawns) that will make even the grown men in your party smile with affection. For the extreme outdoor person, there’s the “4 Peaks in 5 Days Hiking Trek,” which starts around Father’s Day and features “grand vistas by day, soft beds by night.” Participants ascend four signature Vermejo peaks in five days’ time. A signature Vermejo Park photo tour is the “Elk Rut & Aspen Tour,” which is unlike any other photography trip. You can experience the excitement of the elk rut just as archery hunters do, just leave the bow behind and be sure to pack your best wildlife lens. The park’s well-trained guides can provide incredible advantages for those looking to capture spectacular wildlife images, allowing one to relive the drama, again and again. This tour is generally slated for late September, when the aspen are in full, golden glory. So bring your family to Vermejo Park Ranch this fall and next summer. They’ll never lose the memories you make.

It’s a wild place of great mystery, where past and present come to meet.

silvercitytourism.org www.nmrailrunner.com | www.travelnewmex.com | FALL/WINTER 2015

Raton is a small town with a large history, set like a jewel in a mountain setting of accessible adventure. It is a small town full of friendly, knowledgeable people who enjoy helping visitors have a good time. Visitors can delight in the Raton Museum, the Shuler Theater, and a walking tour of historic buildings and locales. Exceptional beauty and fun activities can be found in nearby Sugarite Canyon State Park, Philmont Scout Ranch, the Whittington NRA Goat Hill: When visiting Raton see Center, Capulin Volcano National Monument our sign on top of Goat Hill and and Vermejo Park Ranch. Raton (pronounced Rah-tone) is named the beautiful flag. Drive to the top for the Raton Ridge, a geologic formation, and and hike several trails and view the the natural Raton Pass in the Sangre de Cristo Iridium Layer which signaled the Goat Hill and Train Depot: Ride the Mountains, part of the Rockies chain. The name end of the Age of the Dinosaurs. is an abbreviation of the Spanish word ratoncito, Southwest Chief to and from Raton. The or “little mouse.” Spanish explorers route goes from Chicago to Los Angeles who dubbed the pass by that name with some of the most beautiful scenery apparently were amused by the vast along the way. numbers of chipmunks they encountered. Indians and Spanish used the pass for centuries but it was too narrow for the Santa Fe Trail that opened New Mexico to Anglo-American mercantile trade. The Atcheson, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad, however, found it a natural passageway for the first train to reach the New Mexico Territory, in 1880, and a town grew up around the railroad just south of the pass. Throughout the 20th century, Raton alternately boomed and busted with cycles of coal mining and railroading. Today, it has a population of about 6,600, roughly the same as its altitude, and serves as a commercial center for the parks and the ranching industry around it. Raton is the county seat of Colfax County. The Raton Downtown Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The district covers about 200 acres and contains 95 significant buildings. The district was enlarged in 2015. Twenty-seven of the buildings are listed on a walking tour published by the Raton Visitors Bureau. One of the most active and intriguing is the old Shuler Theater. The historic Shuler Theater in downtown Raton is a state landmark and the center for performing arts in northeastern New Mexico. The historic Shuler Theater is the permanent home for Visit the Historic Shuler Theater. Step back in time the Santa Fe Trail School for the Performing Arts, and the site of and enjoy world class entertainment. performances by local and touring artists. Located at 131 North Second Street, the building originally housed an opera house, the fire station, and city offices. It was named for James Jackson Shuler, a medical doctor who was mayor of Raton from 1899 to 1902 and again from 1910 to 1919. The first production in the Shuler Theater was a national touring company show of “The Red Rose,” a Victorian musical comedy that opened April 27, 1915. The lobby of the theater contains WPA murals of local history painted by artist Manville Chapman. The Shuler was listed on the State Landmarks Register in March 1970. Upcoming events at the Shuler include an appearance by Link Union at 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 5. Since 2002 this eight-member multi-award-winning band has performed in more than 2,000 venues across the United States and Canada with a fusion of old-time musical instruments, stunning vocals and modern beats.

(575) 445-3689 100 Clayton Road, Raton, NM 87740 ratonchamber@ratonnm.us This advertisement was paid for by the Lodger’s Tax Advisory Board of the City of Raton

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Mainstreet: Take a stroll down historic first street in downtown Raton. The MainStreet District of Raton has many shops and restaurants sure to please any traveler!

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Harvey House History

ATV Rentals

continued from page 46

The Bugg Light Display, started in Albuquerque 45 years ago. It moved to Santa Fe for several years, back to Albuquerque and since last year back to Belen. It is set up for the holidays and includes 200,000 individual lights, 50 Christmas trees and several Nativity scenes. The Belen Harvey House was the 86th restaurant in the chain, operated across the country by Fred Harvey. It contained a large lunchroom, a more formal dining room, a newsstand, kitchen facilities, a bakery, and sleeping rooms upstairs for the Harvey Girls who served the meals. Today, inside the Harvey House is memorabilia pertaining to the house and the Santa Fe Railway. It also houses exhibits on local Belen businesses and historic places in the city. Call (505) 861-0581 for more information on the Paranormal Tours and the Bugg Light Display.

& ATVs

575-430-5154

Burro Street Exchange- Featured Business Listings: BLUE WATER REAL ESTATE Judy Jones, Qualifying Broker. We will help you fullfill your dreams for a home or cabin. Come to Cloudcroft where your stress falls away as you drive up the mountain. If you are looking for a 2nd home or to live here year-round, we can help. Call 575-682-3566 or visit www.bluewaterrealestatenm.com

BURRO STREET BAKERY Indulge your sweet tooth with fresh baked pies, pastries, breads, specialty coffee, espresso, latte, cappuccino, frappuccino and MUCH more! Recommended on Yelp, “Best PIES in Town” and TripAdvisor, “Best LATTE’ in the Village” Contact us at 575-682-2777, or facebook.com / BurroStreetBakery

REDWALL JEWELRY A must-see shop specializing in unique handcrafted pieces featuring real Australian Opal, gemstones, and Murano glass set in sterling silver and gold. 505 Burro Avenue, Studio 107 Cloudcroft, NM 575-682-4414 www.redwalljewelry.com

TREE TOP TEEZ & ATVs ATV rentals starting at 145.00 for 24 hours. Embroidery and Screen Printing, hats, t-shirts etc. No order too big or too small. Call Wendy at 575-430-5154 or e-mail us at treetopteez@tularosa.net

For leasing opportunities or a complete list of unique shops, please send inquiries to BurroStreetExchange@yahoo.com

A unique “Must-Stop” shopping experience with a mix of retail shops, eateries and professional offices reflecting the “Old West” ambiance of the Village of Cloudcroft, NM facebook.com/BurroStreetExchange BurroStreetExchange@yahoo.com

505 Burro Avenue Cloudcroft, NM 88317

Featured Businesses in the Burro Street Exchange are: BLUE WATER REAL ESTATE

Will help fulfill your DREAMS 575-682-3566 www.bluewaterrealestatenm.com

BURRO STREET BAKERY

Fresh Pies, Pastries & Specialty Coffees • 575-682-2777 facebook.com/BurroStreetBakery

RED WALL JEWELRY

Unique, Handcrafted Fine Jewelry www.redwalljewelry.com

TREE TOP TEEZ & ATVs

Embroidery, Screen Printing & ATV Rentals • 575-430-5154 treetopteez@Tularosa.net

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Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Underneath it all you can see where time created a room for giants.

Funded in part by the City of Carlsbad Lodgerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tax

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Carlsbadnmtrue.com

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Route 66 Casino Hotel: The Ultimate Getaway Destination Route 66 Casino Hotel is the ultimate destination for a fun-filled day or weekend getaway. Experience the excitement of gaming, indulge in a variety of cuisine, feel the energy of live entertainment, and shop for nostalgic memorabilia all in one place. The best part is, you can stay the night and do it all over again. Route 66 Casino Hotel is a desert oasis, just off the iconic mother road, where an electronic playground of more than 1,700 classic and themed slot machines awaits you. Sharpen your social skills at one of the 20 action-packed table games, or practice your poker face in the Irishthemed Poker Room and Pub. If bingo is calling your name-o, you can experience glowing lights and the best jams in the 500-seat bingo hall every Friday and Saturday night. Satisfy your appetite in one of Route 66’s award-winning dining venues. Voted best buffet in Albuquerque, Buffet 66 features more than 200 menu items, live-action cooking, and nine international food and drink stations. Take a walk on the rustic side at Thunder Road Steakhouse and Cantina. Located in the heart of the casino, this multi-level restaurant serves up sizzling steaks, spicy tacos, and specialty drinks from the tequila bar. Kick-start your meal with freshly made tortillas or dip into one of the complementary salsas. Conveniently located by the hotel, Main Street Restaurant & Bar is the perfect place to grab breakfast or order a home-style special. Enjoy an All-American burger and milkshake in the newly renovated Johnny Rockets restaurant. The 50s-inspired atmosphere

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complete with diner-style seating and oldies music will have you flashing back to the good ol’ days. If you’re looking to simply wet your whistle, swing by the 360 Lounge, Poker Pub, or Main Street Bar, and ask about the drink specials. Route 66 proudly presents Albuquerque with some of the best names in entertainment. Legends Theater, a 2,800-seat venue, offers audiences a unique opportunity to experience intimate performances from top performers including comedians, rock legends, country superstars and premier tribute bands. Coming to the Legends Theater in October is the multi-platinum musician Meatloaf. In November, catch American magicians and entertainers Penn & Teller, and celebrate the best in New Mexican Latin Music at the Los 15 Grandes De Nuevo Mexico Awards Show. Enjoy free entertainment by the best local bands every weekend on the bar-top stage in Thunder Road. The fun doesn’t have to end when the sun goes down. Relax in one of the 154 newly renovated rooms at Route 66 Hotel. Refreshed from floor to ceiling, the $2 million remodel features an inviting ambiance of neutral yet lively designs and color palettes, modern furnishings, and many upgrades to make your stay comfortable. Reenergize with in-room amenities from top brands like Simmons Beautyrest, Starbucks and Bath & Body Works. Plus, with on-site hourly childcare and a nonviolent game arcade available at Kids Quest & Cyber Quest, the entire family can get their kicks at Route 66. All this fun, food and entertainment is just a hop, skip and short 15-minute drive west of Albuquerque exit 140 on Interstate 40. For more information on upcoming happenings, visit www.rt66casino.com.

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