Taos Aglow 2022

Northern New Mexico Ho liday Traditions

the nightlongest

Festival of Trees

By Mary Gutierrez, UNM–Taos

The Festival of Trees is an annual event that has been held in Taos for many years and has functioned as a gala fundraiser for Taos non-profit organizations.

Leadership for the event has changed hands over the years. In 2013, The Taos Chamber of Commerce sponsored the event, and more recently in 2019, DreamTree sponsored it. In 2022, the Taos Milagro Rotary Club is happy to bring the Festival of Trees back to Taos in a reimagined form.

Taos Milagro Rotary’s focus on service, literacy and educational scholarships are reflected in the family-focused version of the event that will take place this year. Scheduled for Dec. 2 from 3-9 p.m. at UNM–Taos’ Bataan Hall, the Festival of Trees will occur before the Town of Taos tree lighting, and resume following the tree-lighting.

The early hours of the event will feature seasonal performances by youth groups. Families will be served free hot cider and hot chocolate and welcomed to tour the trees before walking to the plaza.

Following the tree lighting, the Festival of Trees will resume with the tree and wreath auction, a silent auction, live music and entertainment as well as a cash bar. The event is intended to be a fun for all members of the Taos Community.

As the Festival of Trees event was passed to the Taos Milagro Rotary Club, there was an opportunity to increase inclusivity and produce an event that was an effective fundraiser for the organization’s scholarship and community grant funds. In previous years with other organizations, the gala event would bring in as much as $30,000. However, it also had significant expenses, as much as $18,000. The Rotary reimagining of this event has a goal of raising $50,000 and engaging 300 community members as guests and/or volunteers. By keeping the event simple and focusing on families and the auctions, we hope to reach these goals.

All that

By Dena Miller

Selecting a holiday gift can be fraught with anxiety, especially if you are shopping without a wish list, but there is one present guaranteed to put a smile on the recipient’s face: jewelry. It is sentimental and celebratory, and there are a number of fine jewelers in Taos ready to help you make a selection to be cherished long after the holidays are over.

MARIA SAMORA exploded onto the scene at the 2005 Santa Fe Indian Market. By 2009 she was selected the coveted poster artist for the international show and, in 2018, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture named the native Taoseña its “Living Treasure.”

Precious metals and stones are exquisitely wrought by the artist into contemporary designs that evoke Native American culture in a timeless manner. The pieces are sophisticated yet wearable for everyday, and sure to achieve keepsake status for generations to come.

Maria Samora

824 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos 575-751-7103 mariasamora.com

Gold, silver, turquoise and diamonds make for a sparkling holiday

This is the season of glistening lights, after all; so why not bestow some sparkle on that special someone? It is guaranteed to make for a memorable holiday for both of you.

Glitters

The shop of LARRY MARTINEZ has been in its present location since 1971, housing the G.I.A.-trained master jeweler and his array of quality vintage American Indian jewelry. There is even more to consider: tribal and estate pieces, and Martinez’s own custom designs which have been represented in museums and private collections throughout the country.

Martinez is expert at translating a client’s vision into a one-of-a-kind treasure using precious metals embellished with diamonds and gemstones. Arrange a consultation and allow him to guide you through the evolution of your design from preliminary sketches to final, gorgeous execution.

Larry Martinez Jewelers

822 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos 575-758-4169

larrymartinezjeweler.com

All that Glitters

FROM

For decades, MESA’S EDGE has been offering the wares of dozens of contemporary fine Southwestern and Native American jewelers, and local studio jewelry artists. Cases lining the shop are filled with carefully curated selections, from traditional silver works to award-winning modern interpretations.

The staff is known for their relationships with the artists themselves and their vast knowledge of the craft, ensuring that your selection will be an informed one, whether looking for the perfect gift or building your own collection of authentic artisan creations.

Taos Feeds Taos

By Dena Miller

For 37 years, the nonprofit organization Taos Feeds Taos has been making the holiday season a little more joyful for families in need in Taos County. And this year, TFT is expecting to gift approximately 1,200 families with free hams and vouchers worth $125 of groceries from Super Save.

“We want to recognize the generosity of the many individual donors that make this program possible,” said Francis and Ernestina Cordova, who have been active in the organization since its beginning. The couple, and the Board of Directors of TFT, oversee several fundraising events during the year — notably, a classic car show and auction at Super Save following Fiestas de Taos, and a pancake breakfast at Bent Lodge #42 — but much of the money they receive is in response to annual appeals such as one included by Kit Carson Electric Cooperative with their billing statements, and local merchants placing donation jars by checkout lines.

When the pandemic struck, TFT departed from distributing food baskets and instead offered the grocery vouchers. They decided to continue doing so as clients “seemed to prefer buying exactly what their family needed, whether baby food or special items for seniors,” explained board member Judy Weinrobe. One elderly client said, by being able to get what her pantry needed, she was able to buy Christmas gifts for her grandchildren, Ernestina recalled.

Virtually every penny received by TFT goes towards feeding our hungry neighbors. (When asked about administrative costs, Francis laughed and said, “Stamps.”) Hands-on assistance comes from New Mexico Army National Guard, LOR Foundation, as well as Kit Carson and Taos High School culinary students.

This year, families will line up at Super Save to collect their free hams on the weekend of Dec. 19-20. Clients have until Christmas Eve to redeem the grocery voucher.

A giving community never allows room for food insecurity and, for decades, the dedicated and hard-working board of TFT has galvanized the county to make sure tables are not bare during the holiday season. Their success, Francis said, is all about “the teamwork we have and the community we have.”

In addition to Francis Cordova, who today serves

as president, the executive board includes Louise Gallegos (vice president); Mike F. Martinez (treasurer); and Cathy Jeantete Aragon (secretary).

Board members, in addition to Ernestina Cordova and Judy Weinrobe, include Anita Bringas, Andrea Chavez, Mary Trujillo Mascarenas, Pauline Mondragon and Gloria Salazar.

To contact Taos Feeds Taos, call 575-770-1141.

Breaking Bread

FROM

Wild Leaven works with a close-knit community of regional farmers who grow grain, mill flour, and prioritize heritage and heirloom grains. In addition to the Taos Farmers Market, the farmers include Big Wheel Farm, La Villita Farm, Mountain Mama Milling and New Green Organics, who help to ensure Wild Leaven achieves their mission of supporting local farmers to create a thriving, sustainable local food economy with healthy, nutrient-dense foods.

With four to five dedicated bakers at both locations, Wild Leaven serves a range of breads and pastries as well as soups, chai and kombucha. The original sourdough loaf is their most popular items, which is made with organic flours grown in Costilla, Andre’s sourdough starter, and Utah’s Real Salt, an all-natural sea salt that comes from underground salt deposits in central Utah. Unlike other sea salts, Utah’s Real Salt is an ancient sea salt untouched by pollutants found in modern day seas.

Wild Leaven celebrates the winter months with different hours. When the local farmer’s market is closed, the bakery is open Wednesday through Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

During the holidays, Wild Leaven expands its menu to include two European holiday breads. Panettone, the Italian delicacy also known as Italian Christmas Cake, is made with Wild Leaven’s yeast-leavened bread with raisins, candied fruit peels, nuts, and brandy. You’ll also find a German Stollen or Christstollen, which is a holiday hallmark throughout much of Eastern and Western Europe and Scandinavia.

The new year will bring more expansion for Wild Leaven and opportunity for Taos. With a commitment to feeding their community, the bakery will make it even easier to break bread by offering a sit-down space with an expanded menu.

For more information, visit wildleavenbakery.com.

Peace Chanukah

a Gathering

By Bette Myerson

This year the Taos community will gather for the 21st time to pray for peace and celebrate the Lights of the Season.

The 21st Annual Interfaith Peace Chanukah will be held online via Zoom on Sunday, Dec. 18 from 5:30 until 7 p.m.

This is a ceremony based on the Jewish holiday of Chanukah, which begins on that very night, Dec. 18, and includes prayers, lighting of candles, singing and words of peace and wisdom from many different faith traditions including Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Quaker, Muslim and Interfaith groups.

All are welcome to this free online event. Register online at taosjewishcenter.org.

For more information, contact Bette Myerson at 575-758-3376 or bette@taosnet.com.

21st Annual Interfaith Peace Chanukah Dec. 18 5:30-7 p.m.

For more information, visit TaosJewishCenter.org or contact Bette Myerson at 575-758-3376 or bette@taosnet.com.

Fa • ro • li• tos Lu • mi • na • ri • as

There are several debates that are surely unique to New Mexico: red or green; Lobos or Aggies; and, at this time of year, farolitos or luminarias.

While some may use the terms interchangeably, Taoseños will tell you they are distinctly different forms of holiday lighting. As to the others, that is entirely a personal preference.

Lightiug the Holidays

By Dena Miller

Lighting the Holidays

FROM PAGE 20

quí en Taos, the term “farolito” is the preferred reference to small paper bags filled with sand and containing a small votive or tea light candle. The warm and flickering incandescence they invoke — though adopted now by other communities across the U.S. — is truly one of New Mexico’s most magical holiday traditions, steeped in history and culture.

That history is equally intriguing, beginning almost five centuries ago when Spain colonized the Philippine Islands. The Filipinos, as was true with most Asians of the time, used paper lanterns to illuminate sacred ceremonies, and the Spaniards traveled with this tradition through South America, Mexico and, finally, into the territory that would ultimately become New Mexico.

The only problem here was the harsh outdoor conditions that rendered the use of delicate paper impossible. Instead, inspired by the explorer Gaspar Costaño de Sosa, the Spaniards built diminutive bonfires meant to symbolically guide the spirits of the Holy Family along the paths towards houses of worship. And so the naming confusion began.

Some called them luminarias: Spanish for light; other said “farolitos,” derived from the word “farol,” or lantern, in Spanish.

Things got interesting when the flat-bottomed paper bag was patented in 1872 and became a natural substitute for paper lanterns: readily filled with sand to anchor them to the ground and to hold a small candle.

Lanterns. Farols. At least that made sense in Santa Fe and northward. South of Santa Fe, it seems that the name “luminaria” continued to reign supreme.

According to the late Fray Angélico Chávez — the New Mexican Franciscan priest, activist, author and artist — the debate could be summarized in one word: “Whatever.”

There is a truly special magic that happens in Northern New Mexico in December and, whether you claim generations of familial ties or are new to the region, you are never immune to the wonders of December. When the sun sets early and homes and businesses are lit with strands of colorful bulbs, appreciate the many farolitos that also light our roof tops and walkways.

Then, debate which team to root for, or which chile will dress your enchiladas. Above all else, have a holiday blessed with love.

CAV Angel Tree

An enduring holiday tradition

Shop Local

Thank CAV business sponsors who support CAV year-round

LEVEL 1

Centinel Bank CentinelBank.com

Jean Rael, New York Life NewYorkLife.com CID’s Food Market CidsFoodMarket.com

Taos Tennis at Quail Ridge TaosTennis.com

Taos County Association of Realtors TaosCountyAssociationOfRealtors.com

Kit Carson Electric Cooperative KitCarson.com

KTAOS 101.9 KTao.com

Jan Rader, Realtor

ColdwellBanker.com

Randall Lumber Company

RandallTaos.com

Dimond Mortgage & Ted Dimond LPCC

Dimondmortgage.com TedDimondLPCC.com

Blue Rain Gallery BlueRainGallery.com

Salazar Road Veterinary Clinic SalazarRoadVetClinic.com

Wanda Lucero Agency WandaLucero.com

Rachel Singer, NM Real Estate Group ViewTaosHomes.com

Diane Enright, Berkshire Hathaway TaosHomes.com

Taos Lifestyle and Sleep Sanctuary MattressMary.com

Pizaño’s TaosPizza.com

child’s wish during the holidays is a precious thing, and there’s no greater joy in life than helping to fulfill it. For 26 years, the Community Against Violence Angel Tree program has matched children’s wishes with generous donors in the spirit of holiday giving.

In years past, community members would buy children gifts — now, the Angel Tree program works on gift cards. Please use our local businesses for your gift card purchases.

Pick up your Angel on the tree in the reception area of CAV, 945 Salazar Road. Return your purchased gift cards to CAV by Dec. 16.

Looks Like New Cleaning Services LooksLikeNewLLC.com

Taos News TaosNews.com

LEVEL 2

Poms & Associates PomsAssoc.com

Collignon Roofing CollignonRoofing.com

Piñon Investments PinonInvestmentsOfTaos.com

Taos Spa & Tennis Club TaosSpa.com

Taos Net TaosNet.com

Guadalupe Credit Union GuadalupeCU.com

LEVEL 3

Ryan Trujillo/Page Sullivan Group

Instagram: @HomeinNM

Sagebrush Inn & Suites

SagebrushInn.com

Colonias Chiropractic ColoniasChiropractic.com

Wolfgang’s Spa Works WolfgangSpas.com

KNCE 93.5 FM TrueTaosRadio.com

Ranchos Plaza Grill

Facebook: Ranchos Plaza Grill

Phoenix Mechanical PhoenixMechanical.net

Tom Mastor, Taos Mountain Builders TaosMountainBuilders.com

North Star the reason for the season

By Gary Zientara

We celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day, but how do we know that Dec.

25 is his birthday? The Bible contains no record of the date when Christ was born. During the first three centuries following Jesus’ birth, Christmas was not celebrated at all. Instead, Jan. 6, the Feast of the Epiphany, was a more important date. It wasn’t until the 4th century AD that Dec. 25 was officially accepted as Jesus’ birthday.

There are many different arguments why this date was selected. Here are two of the most popular:

1) It was based on Jesus’ conception. The date of his conception is unknown — however, the Catholic Church selected March 25 so as to

coincide with the date of Jesus’ death, which was tied to the spring equinox and Jewish Passover. Hence, the selection of Dec. 25 — nine months later — to celebrate Jesus’ birth.

2) It was selected to compete with the immensely popular Roman celebration of the winter solstice known as Saturnalia.

Both of these arguments, as well as practically all the lesser ones, ultimately use the seasons to set the liturgical calendars of both Hebrew and Christian faiths.

The argument for Saturnalia as a backdrop for the birth of Christ is compelling. Saturnalia was celebrated in honor of the Roman god, Saturn, who represented agriculture or the sowing of seeds. The winter solstice was recognized as a

time of birth because the days following it began to get longer, allowing the sun to warm the earth, leading to new life.

Since that era, modern astronomy has determined with great accuracy when the winter solstice occurs. It is the moment the northern polar axis of the earth is at maximum tilt away from the sun. This year, that moment occurs on Dec. 21 at 2:48 p.m. MST.

The way we can see this phenomenon is to observe the sunrise. The sun will rise at its farthest location south of east on this day. Each sunrise after that will move farther north, until the summer solstice. So we can say that the axial tilt of the earth plays a pivotal role in making up the reason for the season.

This image helps us visualize the earth’s axis with motion around it. Here we see a time exposure taken from a camera on a fixed mount, which is pointed toward true north. Each arc of blue, white or red light represents a single star smeared out by the rotation of the earth during several minutes of exposure. Polaris, the North Star, is the little bright smudge nearest the center of this cosmic maelstrom.

Location: Sandia Park New Mexico

Camera: Nikon D850

Lens: Nikon 14-24 mm zoom. Shot at 15 mm ISO: 1600

Exposure time: Twenty-five 30-second exposures stacked together

Date: Oct. 28, 2022

Lights along the bottom right are from Santa Fe New Mexico. There is a faint, almost horizontal line going across the star trails. If you zoom in, you’ll see the red and green wingtip lights from a passing airplane. There is also one short bright streak near the glow of the ground lights that’s not in line with the star trails — that streak is a meteor.

STAR TRAILS COURTESY OF MAURICE ROETHEL

Photo: Lenny Foster, The Blessing of Snow

What did Taoseños give in 2022? A lot...

• Taos Mainstreet helped local artists clean and transform utility boxes across the county.

• High school students created wellness spaces to help their peers combat stress.

• Taos Tree Board brought native trees—and much-needed shade—back to Kit Carson Park.

• Talpa Community Center created a new farmers market for local growers.

• Volunteers came together to clean up trash, weeds, and graffiti throughout downtown.

LOR has been proud to support these community projects and many others throughout the year—and we want to do more.

What do you want to give to your community this year? Reach out to Sonya Struck and let’s keep Taos aglow with giving in 2022. lorfoundation.org

The Hear t of the Season

Pueblo winter ceremonials acknowledge the roots of heritage

By Rick Romancito

People begin gathering in the village plaza near sunset. Stacks of pitch wood are erected on both sides of the river, some as high as a building.  Being winter, visitors are bundled up in heavy coats, cowboy hats, some in ski parkas, a few in Pendleton blankets. The Rio Pueblo that bisects the village gurgles under a stained glass mosaic of ice that is dotted along the bank with holes where village residents still gather buckets of water for cooking and drinking.

As dusk settles over the growing crowd, pitch wood bonfires are lit, creating pockets of warmth and flickering golden light. Kids run and play on berms of snow despite the falling temperature. Sparks fill the air, carried aloft in clouds of black smoke. Anticipation builds as tribal officials begin moving through the crowd, creating a path from the San Geronimo Church into the plaza where the procession will soon be led.

When Vespers are concluded in the church, those same tribal officials now hold tall torches that they ignite and head into the pathway. People in the crowd note that some of them are carrying loaded hunting rifles. Then, the Procession of the Virgin begins.

Los Matachines Dances, early 1990s at Taos Pueblo.

RICK ROMANCITO / FOR THE TAOS

At Taos Pueblo, this has been part of a ritual at Christmastime that has gone on for generations. It is a time when family members gather from near and far, and visitors from the nearby towns are invited to partake in a celebration that blends the symbols of Christianity and Native American religion. As such, it is a wondrous, joyful and yet solemn occasion, because this is a time when ancient ties to the land and divine natural life are held near.

Christmas at Taos Pueblo begins with the Procession of the Virgin on Christmas Eve. Then, on Christmas Day, the tribe will either do a Deer Dance or Los Matachines.

The Deer Dance is part of the tribe’s Na-

tive religion, so the utmost respect and homage is asked of visitors who are afforded the honor of observing. Photography and recording are strictly prohibited. Tribal officials may confiscate the cameras or cell phones of those who ignore the ban, with no recourse.

The Matachines is a dance rarely done at Taos Pueblo. It is a very old dance with roots that go back to the Moors and made its way to the New World via Spanish Colonial clergy who used it in their efforts to convert Natives to Catholicism. Today, it is a colorful blend of cultures and traditions that illustrates the evolution of resistance and eventual repossession of core beliefs. Since this dance, which has been done all

over the Southwest and beyond, is not officially part of Native religion, the ban against photography and recording is sometimes lifted. However, it is advised to self-impose the ban because too many cameras during the Matachines can be very intrusive.

In addition to the dances at Christmastime, Taos Pueblo also observes New Year’s Day with a Turtle Dance and Three Kings Day, Jan. 6, with a Buffalo Dance. Please remember, changes to schedules and admittance may occur with no notice.

For more information, contact the Taos Pueblo Tourism Office at 575758-1028 or visit taospueblo.com.

KATHERINE EGLI / FILE PHOTO

Xmas Fires

How to cut, cord and cozy up to a warm winter campfire

By Craig Smith

In Northern New Mexico, campfires have been part of our communities for centuries, dating back at least to the first inhabitants of Taos Pueblo, where fires remain a part of public ceremonies and private rituals.

Types of Wood

IT ALL BEGINS WITH THE WOOD

Our area is home to a number of popular woods, from the long-burning aromatic pinion to the scented cedar and juniper to the easy-to-start Ponderosa pine to the mild “Christmas-y” scent of spruce. A number of companies in the Taos area sell firewood by the cord or fraction of a cord (a basic cord is a tight stack of parallel logs that measures 4x4x8 feet), and will cut wood to your specifications.

If you are a DIY woodperson who wants the experience of gathering your own wood, call the Taos offices of the U.S. Forest Service (575-7586200) to access wood in the national forests, or the Bureau of Land Management (575-7588851) for other cutting locations. Both agencies sell inexpensive permits and can inform you of any rules and regulations in effect. In general, cutting only dead trees is permitted; cutting green trees is prohibited.

35 TAOSNEWS.COM/MAGAZINES/TAOS-AGLOW TAOS AGLOW 2022

THE BEST WAY TO ORGANIZE wood is in orderly stacks that allow logs to breathe and dry. Use only dry wood in a fire. Keep your firewood in a rack out of the weather or in a shed or raised off the ground enough to let the wood breathe and discourage insects. Don’t forget a protective tarp. And speaking of insects, don’t stack wood up against your house. That just invites an infestation by such unwanted pests as termites and carpenter ants.

Stacking Wood Burning Wood

NOW COMES THE ZEN and the Art of Campfire Building. Construct your fire ideally allowing a ten-foot diameter of cleared space around its center. In the end, regardless of how we build campfires — pyramid style, log cabin style or however our parents, grandparents or group leaders did — what is important about them is not how they are built but how they bring us together. As writer David Lubar has written, the campfire is more than just a source of heat or light: “It’s the heart of civilization.”

Here in Northern New Mexico, we are in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Be mindful of that, and let our fires not endanger that beauty, but only illuminate it.

Light & Warmth

By Cindy Brown

Light in the darkness and warmth in the cold: these are some of the comforts we seek as humans when winter arrives. Light and warmth are also the themes of colorful upcoming holiday celebrations in Taos.

This year, the holiday season kicks off with a festive outdoor event that combines the Yuletide Tree Lighting on Taos Plaza and Lighting Ledoux. The tree lighting on the plaza begins at 4 p.m. with speakers and entertainment and an appearance from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, along with the Grinch. The tree lighting itself is scheduled for about 5:30 p.m. This is the 36th year of the annual tree lighting. Mayor Pascual Maestas and the Town Council will welcome the community as the plaza is transformed into a winter wonderland. Complimentary hot chocolate and cookies will be served.

After the tree lighting, the party moves to historic Ledoux Street around where galleries, shops and museums will be welcoming everyone with bonfires and treats. “By combining the events, we hope to fill downtown with lots of family-friendly holiday cheer,” says Gwendolyn Fernandez, one of the event coordinators from the Harwood Museum.

The community has gathered in early December to celebrate Lighting Ledoux for more than 20 years. There are bonfires for warmth and roasting marshmallows. Cider, cookies and other treats are served, and the air is filled with the songs of holiday carolers. Ledoux is lined with farolitos that illuminate the way as friends and family stroll the street under starlit skies.

Taos Plaza yuletide tree lighting and lighting of Ledoux

Light & Warmth

Taos Plaza yuletide tree lighting and lighting of Ledoux

Some of the buildings on Ledoux Street were first constructed in the mid-1700s. The street was named for Antonine Ledoux, a French trapper who settled in the area about 1844. The lights of the bonfires and farolitos cast shadows on the thick adobe walls, creating a memorable setting for this holiday tradition.

At the Hardwood Museum, there will be crafts for kids in the Fern Hogue Mitchell Education Center, and the museum will be open so everyone can visit the new exhibits: “Outriders: Legacy of the Black Cowboy” and “William Herbert ‘Buck’ Dunton: A Mainer Goes West.”

At the Blumenschein Museum, there will be a bonfire in the courtyard and apple cider will be served.

Salon Marjorie is planning an outdoor fire, along with Aveda comforting tea, homemade biscochitos and Marjorie’s famous magical brew made from a secret recipe. Elves will welcome shoppers into the store to look for holiday gifts and there may be music, too.

Many other galleries and shops will be open offering a variety of entertainment and fun. Attending this festive evening is a great way to get into the holiday spirit. Everyone is invited. The events are free.

Event Details

FRIDAY, DEC. 2, beginning at 4 p.m on Taos Plaza Tree lighting at Taos Plaza, followed by events on Ledoux Street

For more, visit harwoodmuseum.org. and taosgov.com/calendar

Holiday Bonfires

By Dena Miller

One of Taos’ most beloved December events

John Dunn Shops

Come out and enjoy the annual return of Bonfires on Bent on Saturday (Dec.10).

Polly Raye, the former owner of the John Dunn House Shops, is working with the new owner, Warren Houser, to keep those fires burning in a seamless transition. Raye said, “He understands that Taos is a community built on relationships and he’s looking forward to meeting all the community members that come out to enjoy Bonfires every year.”

THE DAY-LONG EVENT begins in the pedestrian mall, where you will enjoy music, shopping, refreshments and a whole lot of holiday cheer. Look for Aly Hyder’s scrumptious posole and Bent Street Grill’s New Mexican offerings; enjoy the holiday blessings from the Aztec Dancers; and join along with the Taos Community Chorus.

START YOUR WALK through John Dunn at the independently owned op.cit. Books Taos. In addition to journals, calendars and cards, and a selection of intriguing stocking stuffers, books make the perfect gift. The staff will be happy to assist in your selection of a great read from The New York Times “Best of the Year” list.

LA TIERRA MINERAL GALLERY offers truly unique fossils, carvings, rare minerals and Zuni fetishes for the most out-ofthe-ordinary holiday selections to grace any home decor. Plus, you’ll always find a welcome gift among their extensive collection of artisan jewelry. (Insider tip: kids love the rock-collecting section.)

WINTER WEATHER requires great winter boots and Steppin’ Out never disappoints with its trend-worthy yet timeless footwear from brands like Pikolinos, Born, Taos, Miz Mooz and Arcopedico. Ladies clothing and accessories are distinctive and top-notch, and the upstairs sale rack is always a goldmine.

IF YOUR FAVORITE WOMAN or man is looking to accessorize their beloved broken-in jeans, then MODA and Clarke and Co. are the places to go. Specializing in cozy and comfortable clothing for the mountain lifestyle, the his-hers shops now carry Pendleton clothes, bags and yoga mats, and also have flannels, vests and sweaters by dylan and True Grit. Across the way, at Little Place Boutique, you’ll find toasty women’s hats, Irish merino wool sweaters, holiday sabeku tee shirts and more.

SHOPPING FOR KIDS? Amina’s Children’s Boutique is fully stocked with holiday finery for infants to tweens, alongside toys and cuddly stuffed animals. Of course, you’ll find a great selection of everyday wear, warm boots, shoes and jackets for all the youngsters in your life, as well. (Hint: Babies have given their seal of approval to Amina’s charmingly crafted line of teething necklaces. A gift for a harried mom?)

COLORFUL FOLK ART, Dia de los Muertos regalia, block prints and funky jewelry reside sideby-side at Coyote Moon, much of it made by owner Luis Garcia. His neighbor, Ammann Gallery, is stocked with fine New Mexican crafts representing over 24 artisans.

LAS COMADRES GALLERY has tin work, watercolor and acrylic paintings, hand-sewn quilts, stained glass, pottery, jewelry, Taos-designed bags, storytellers and beeswax candles. You’ll

definitely find local treasures in this women’s cooperative, and also have a chance to win a gift or a discount on your purchase.

MAYBE LONG DAYS at home inspired you to take up crafting of your own. Visit Mooncat Fiber for their local, hand-dyed and hand-spun yarns and fibers and knit your loved ones a scarf or mittens. Common Threads has a dizzying array of fabrics for your projects, while Bead Creations will even teach you how to craft your own gifts with earring and hat band patterns and a wide selection of beads. A Stitch in Time can save the day with alterations, ski wear repairs and couture for a special event.

HOME-BAKED GOODIES more your thing? Don’t forget Monet’s Kitchen for the best in cookware and bakeware, kitchen appliances, cutlery, gadgets and a multitude of stocking stuffers.

MAYBE THERE IS SOMEONE on your list that’s dedicated to making a difference in the world. Delight them with something from Seconds Eco Shop’s selection of creative new recycled, upcycled and handmade goods, and the latest in solar camping gear from Luci.

BENT STREET GRILL & Cafe Sagrado (formerly Cici’s Bean) are both under new ownership and continue as wonderful places to stop for refreshment, whether a quick brunch or a steaming latte; they also offer gift certificates.

Holiday Bonfires

One of Taos’ most beloved December events

Bent Street

AT THE HEAD OF BENT STREET, Taos Blue offers fine arts and crafts, many from local artists. Of course you’d expect a gallery to feature paintings and sculptures, but you’ll also find ceramics, cutlery, fetishes, glassworks, jewelry, chimes and wearable art. Check out their collection of cards, ornaments and cozy, holiday-worthy home decor items.

WHAT’S ON EVERY woman’s wish list this year — or any year? Relaxed yet elevated loungewear in luxe fabrics and modern fits are as appropriate for binge-watching Netflix as for a jaunt about town. Boxie Tees has an incredible selection of, among others, NUX activewear, Monrow’s timeless and super-soft leisurewear, and Eberjey pajamas. Make Boxie Tees your destination for Free People as well as the shop’s signature organic cotton tee shirts and french terry loungers.

THE “GROOVIEST little gift shop” might just be fx/18, where you’ll find “unusual and unexpected gifts and goodies” for everyone on your shopping list. And if you’ve got a winter sports enthusiast for which to buy, then your destination must be Mudd ’n Flood Mountain Shop where you’ll find footwear, gear, packs, and women’s and men’s lifestyle and technical clothing.

THE UNDERGROUND has got the men in your life covered from head to toe with on-trend brands like Dr. Martens, Kardo and Alternative Apparel. And for decades, Sam’s Shop has carried unique selections and high-end basics that celebrate the spirit of the independent woman in

your life. If that special someone-who-has-everything is still baffling you, then visit Artemesia for one-of-a-kind wearable art impeccably crafted by New Mexican weavers and fiber artists.

TAOS COOKERY is home to kitchen gadgets and giftware galore — not to mention some pretty awesome local food products — so, while you’re shopping for what your own menu may need, don’t forget those on your gift list who love baking, cooking and entertaining as much as you do.

EVERYONE LOVES Chocolate + Cashmere, are we right? Make your selections of luxurious yet affordable items at the shop of the same name; you will be hard-pressed to choose between ladies’ and mens’ sweaters, scarves and hats, or a dozen of small-batch bon bons in dreamy flavors like grapefruit green chile; coconut cardamom; or blackberry sage.

AMPERSAND OLD & NEW is known for their vintage finds and one-of-a-kind pieces that will grace any home with a wink and a nudge. Ampersand — a newcomer to Bent Street — is a can’t-be-missed stop filled with the simplicity and functionality of mid-century; the funky charm of boho and shabby chic; and lots of campy, retro fun.

JONES WALKER OF TAOS is the art gallery you actually look forward to visiting: its friendly, welcoming vibe is unlike no other and you’ll soon feel like family. They represent some of the finest local artists but the gallery also has an abundance of gift ideas, from the functional pottery of Clay Hicks to the hand-poured candles of Angel Fire’s Pinecone Candle

Company. Wood carvings from Daniel Barela and a sweeping assortment of art books are just some of the things that will make their way onto your shopping list.

MOMO TAOS is another gem of the Bent Street corridor, replete with a global aesthetic that permeates the arts and designs offered here. The jewelry of owner Moriah Stanton is featured amongst fine art paintings and sculptures, vintage Native American jewelry, and a collection of giftables made exclusively in the Land of Enchantment. Across the way, the artfully quirky and endearing ennui Gallery is a cooperative venture with a most interesting collection of gift ideas.

VISIT UNTITLED EDITIONS, an atelier and print gallery that features limited edition museum quality reproductions based upon the light-responsive original works of Taos painters Kimberly Webber and K.C. Tebbutt. Find the gorgeous prints in a variety of sizes to work in any decor.

AT THE END of your busy day, a signature cocktail and cozy dinner at Lambert’s will set things right. Maybe purchase a gift certificate for that hard-toshop-for person while you’re there.

There is a reason that Bonfires on Bent Street and the John Dunn Shops continues as a Taos tradition: what better way to start — or finish — your holiday shopping than while sharing festive times with family and friends, and shopping locally. Come out again this year and feel the joy once more.

A PORTION OF ALL THE AD PROCEEDS IN THIS MAGAZINE WILL BE DONATED TO THE ADVERTISERS’ NON-PROFIT OF CHOICE.

5 Star Burgers

Stray Hearts Animal Shelter

Alhambra Heart Of Taos

Artemisia Community Against Violence

Boxie Tees Stray Hearts

Buds Cut Flowers & More Our Lady Of Guadalupe

Chevron Environmental Management Company

Questa Economic Development Fund

Community Against Violence Community Against Violence

Corp. H&A - The Cellar Community Against Violence

Creative Framing Community Against Violence

Dillistone, Inc Youth Heartline In Taos

John Dunn House Shops Taos Search And Rescue

Kit Carson Propane Stray Hearts

Leshem Diamonds & Gold

Taos Men’s Shelter Magpie Taos Men’s Shelter

Mattress Mary’s Taos Lifestyle Stray Hearts Animal Shelter

Michelles Metta Theater

Moxie Fair Trade & Handmade Stray Hearts

Mudd N Flood Rivers & Birds

Nusenda Credit Union Red Willow Center

Ortega’s Jerkey Inc Stray Hearts

Questa Lumber & Hardware Questa Economic Development Fund

Reneux Consignment Taos Education And Career Center

Sabroso Community Against Violence

Salon Marjorie Community Against Violence Seconds Eco Store Stray Hearts

State Senator Roberto “Bobby” Gonzales Talpa Community Center

Studio Zanne Taos Alive

Taos Art Supply Stray Hearts

Taos Ceramics Center

Taos Men’s Shelter

Taos County Chamber Of Commerce Taos County Chamber Of Commerce

Taos Crating Co. Stray Hearts

Taos Mountain Casino Oo-Oo-Nah Art & Cultural Center

Tawni Shuler Stray Hearts

The Ranch At Taos Stray Hearts

Unicorn School Supply & Stationery

Holy Cross Cancer Support Services

UNM Taos

UNM Taos Emergency Student Fund

Bison Empanadas

A New Mexico

By Lucy Herrman

holiday treat

The winter holidays are a great opportunity for families and friends to slow down, hang out and cook together. Here in New Mexico, holiday meals are steeped in centuries-old traditions. Families gather in the kitchen to catch up on news while assembling the ingredients for soul-satisfying recipes that have been passed down for generations.

Bison Empanadas

When I travel, I love to indulge in the regional cuisine. It’s a great way to learn about the area and its customs. Because we have such great food in Taos, I actively encourage visitors to try our local specialties whenever possible. Popular foods of the holiday season include chicken posole, green chile stew, and red chile tamales. And for many Taosenos, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without empanadas.

Empanadas are New Mexico’s tasty little hand pies stuffed with cooked sweet fruit or a savory-sweet meat filling. While Spanish settlers may have brought the Moorish-inspired pastries to these parts centuries ago, today they remain a very important part of many New Mexican tables. And different versions of empanadas are enjoyed throughout the Southwest as well as all over Central and South America. Sweet or savory, empanadas are a delicious addition to a holiday buffet.

So if you want to try a unique local specialty for your holiday get-together, try making your own empanadas. These little gems make a fantastic appetizer. They take a little time, but they are not hard to make, and the result is quite worth the effort. And by preparing the filling ahead of time, putting them together can be an engaging activity for the whole family. When making any regional foods, I like to be mindful of using local and traditional ingredients. My recipe for the empanada meat filling features classic New Mexico flavors, like chile caribe, pine nuts, raisins, cinnamon and cumin, as well as locally-raised ground bison. (Note: you can always substitute lean ground beef if bison isn’t available.)

While you can use your own homemade pie crust recipe, I recommend to save time, buy the refrigerated pie crust sheets available at the grocery store. Just unroll the room-temperature dough, roll out until thin and use a 3-inch or larger round cookie cutter or water glass to cut out circles. Paint the disks with egg wash, place filling in the center, fold over the crust and crimp to seal shut. Some people fry the pastries until crisp. But I prefer to brush the tops with more egg wash, chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes, and bake them until flaky and golden.

Empanadas are so delicious, you’ll want to eat all of them straight out of the oven. But the recipe creates quite a few, especially if you make them small. So you may want to freeze some of them and cook them later as needed. And once you’ve mastered the sweet and savory meat filling, try using apricot or prune puree for a dessert version. Or pick your own favorite — shredded barbecue brisket, anyone? You really can’t go wrong.

I hope you’ll give this yummy New Mexico treat a try this year. You may find that it becomes a treasured holiday tradition for your family, too. Buon Provecho!

New Mexico Bison Empanadas

1 pound ground bison

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 teaspoon chopped garlic

2 tablespoons bacon fat or lard

1 tablespoon chile caribe

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 cup pine nuts

1/2 cup raisins

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1/2 cup apple cider

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Dough for 2-3 pie crusts

1 egg beaten with 1 teaspoon water

Brown the bison over medium-high heat in a 3 quart saucepan with the onion, garlic and bacon fat until the bison is no longer pink and the onions are tender, about 5-8 minutes. Add the chile caribe, the cinnamon, the cumin and the pine nuts, and stir. Cook for about two minutes more. Add the raisins and apple cider and stir to combine. Bring to a boil and add the salt and pepper. Cover and reduce to a simmer for about 5-8 minutes. Remove from heat. The mixture should be moist.

Roll out the pie crusts on a lightly-floured surface so they are fairly thin. Using a circular biscuit cutter or large round cookie cutter, cut 3-inch circles from the dough. Brush a bit of egg wash over the edge of each circle. Place a rounded teaspoon of filling in the center of the circle. Fold the dough in half to make a halfmoon, then crimp the edge with your fingers or a fork. Place the empanada on a cookie sheet lined with parchment. Repeat with remaining filling and dough, gathering the scraps of dough and re-rolling as needed. Brush all the empanadas with egg wash, and use a knife to place 3 little slits in the top. Refrigerate for 20 minutes before baking. (May make to this point and freeze on the cookie sheets. When frozen, remove from sheet and place in a freezer bag.)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake empanadas for 20-30 minutes until golden. (If cooking from frozen, cook for about 10 minutes more, until the filling is hot.)

Makes 36 or more empanadas

1 Museum Roundup

Holiday happenings, exhibits and other art adventures

By Jocelyne Kizziar

Harwood Museum of Art

During the holiday season, the Harwood Museum of Art will be host to three exciting evenings of classical music.

On Dec. 9, Gleb Ivanov will be performing a solo piano recital featuring wintery works from Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and Grünfeld. On the evenings of Dec. 10 and Dec. 11, Ivanov will join the Taos Chamber Music Group for a program “replete with sparkle and sorrow” from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tickets may be purchased from the museum’s website.

The Harwood will also be the last stop

on the beloved Lighting of Ledoux celebration. Beginning at the holiday tree lighting in Taos Plaza on Dec. 2 and traveling down a farolito and bonfireladen Ledoux Street, the museum will host a craft-making event for revelers to remember the evening by.

Two exhibits that debuted in the fall, “Outriders: Legacy of the Black Cowboy” and “William Herbert ‘Buck’ Dunton: A Mainer Goes West” will still be showcased in the main rooms of the museum and warrant a visit this winter season.

The Couse-Sharp Historic Site will be adding to the merriment of the annual Kit Carson Road Holiday Celebration on Dec. 17 from 3-6:30 p.m. There will be complimentary offerings of s’mores and hot apple cider at their spot in front of the Lunder Research Center. All are invited to partake in the festivities and have a chat around the fire pit, while also enjoying musical accompaniment from strolling musicians.

This night will also be an opportune

2

Couse Sharp Historic Site

time to visit Jivan Lee’s “The Infinite Landscape” exhibition on view in the Dean Porter Gallery at the museum. The Taos artist’s work is a study of landscape and its elements and includes towering pieces and panels that evolved with the outdoors. If you can’t make the Holiday Celebration, the exhibit is open to visitors Tuesdays through Saturdays from 1-5 p.m. with the exception of Dec. 23-26 and Dec. 31. “The Infinite Landscape” only runs through January and is not to be missed.

This winter, the Millicent Rogers Museum delves deeply into relationships with the surrounding environment and the products that come from those willing to seek, interpret and work with its beauty.

Two exhibitions will be on display in the museums many gallery spaces that highlight the museum's commitment to highlighting Southwestern works of art. The first is “Southwest Reflections: In Between Shadows of the Land” that runs through Jan. 29, 2023 in Galleries 9 and 10. This exhibition is the second installment of the “New Mexico Artists” and is both metaphorical and literal interpretations in various media of

Millicent Rogers Museum

shadows that grace this world.

Also showing is “A Part of the Earth: New Acquisitions at the Millicent Rogers Museum, Part One.” The first of a twopart series, the museum has curated an extensive showing of recent notable additions to their permanent collections.

Part one of the exhibition runs through Jan. 8 of 2023 and Part two will begin Jan. 18, 2023 and runs through May.

A perfect day to visit these temporary exhibits and the continuing collections is Dec. 3 — Community Day. The museum is open and free to all and will offer special holiday cheer with a goody giveaway for the young and young-atheart.

This image helps us visualize the earth’s axis with motion around it. Here we see a time exposure taken from a camera on a fixed mount, which is pointed toward true north. Each arc of blue, white or red light represents a single star smeared out by the rotation of the earth during several minutes of exposure. Polaris, the North Star, is the little bright smudge nearest the center of this cosmic maelstrom.

Location: Sandia Park New Mexico

Camera: Nikon D850

Lens: Nikon 14-24 mm zoom. Shot at 15 mm

ISO: 1600

Exposure time: Twenty-five 30-second exposures stacked together

Date: Oct. 28, 2022

Lights along the bottom right are from Santa Fe New Mexico. There is a faint, almost horizontal line going across the star trails. If you zoom in, you’ll see the red and green wingtip lights from a passing airplane. There is also one short bright streak near the glow of the ground lights that’s not in line with the star trails — that streak is a meteor.

Events Calendar

Taos Folk

NOV. 18-DEC. 24 11 A.M.-5 P.M.

STABLES ART GALLERY TAOSFOLK.COM

Taos Folk brings local artists out to the local community, and features a dizzying variety of affordable one-of-a-kind handmade arts, crafts and gifts for everyone on your list, including jewelry, aprons, tshirts, soaps, candles, pottery, sculptures, ceramics, greeting cards, magnets, hats, knitted sweaters, scarves, shawls, pillows, prayer flags and wall hangings.

Yuletide Tree Lighting

DEC. 2 4-7 P.M.

TAOS PLAZA 575-751-2037

The 2022 Town of Taos Christmas Season officially kicks off with the lighting of the Town Christmas tree during the 36th Annual Yuletide Tree Lighting event on the Historic Taos Plaza.

Join Mayor Pascual Maestas, our Town Council and the community of Taos at this annual event. The Historic Taos Plaza transforms into a winter wonderland with local entertainment, appearances from Mr. and Mrs. Claus and the Grinch, and complimentary hot chocolate and cookies.

Farolito Lighting

DEC. 2-25 575-751-2037

Farolitos are scheduled to be lit at the Historic Taos Plaza for 24 evenings during the Christmas Holiday Season starting Friday, Dec. 2. Thanks to all the businesses, organizations and families participating, we are able to give our community and visitors a season filled with lights of love and holiday cheer.

Lighting of Ledoux

DEC. 2 5-7 P.M.

LEDOUX STREET

HARWOODMUSEUM.ORG 575-758-9826

Watch historic Ledoux Street come aglow with the light of farolitos, luminaries and bonfires as the community gathers to enjoy warm holiday treats and hot drinks from the galleris, shops and museums that stay open late for this annual Taos holiday tradition.

Millicent Rogers Museum Holiday Community Day

DEC. 3 11 A.M.- 3 P.M.

The museum will be hosting its traditional Holiday Community Day in-person this year, and there is excitement from community members to be a part of this holiday tradition in Taos. There will be holiday arts and crafts tables throughout the museum for families to enjoy making holiday items, along with face painting, a visit from Santa, the Community Wish Tree and a Hanukkah room hosted by the Taos Jewish Community Center. The Fiesta Court will be there with Elma Vigil and Berna Trujillo, and there will be performances throughout the day beginning with Taos Dance Academy at 11:30 a.m.

Taos Chamber Music Group

Winter Scenes with Gleb Ivanov

DEC. 9 5:30 P.M.

HARWOOD MUSEUM OF ART

TAOSCHAMBERMUSICGROUP.ORG

The astonishingly talented pianist, Gleb Ivanov, is featured in a recital of solo piano works that includes Tchaikovsky’s Dumka in C Minor, Op. 59 (Scenes from a Russian village), Rachmaninoff’s Sonata No.1 in D minor, Respighi’s Notturno, Ravel’s Jeux d’eau and, festively capping it all off, Grünfeld's Soirée de Vienne, a paraphrase on Johann Strauss's Fledermaus. Gleb Ivanov, piano.

Events Calendar

Bonfires on Bent Street

DEC. 10

BENT STREET JOHNDUNNSHOPS.COM

The John Dunn Shops and Bent Street Merchants offer holiday cheer, with bonfires and farolitos lighting the way for carolers and shoppers to enjoy hot beverages, entertainment and festivities. Shops will be decked out with holiday décor and visitors can expect a magical evening.

Taos Chamber Music Group Journey Into Winter

DEC. 10-11 5:30 P.M.

HARWOOD MUSEUM OF ART

TAOSCHAMBERMUSICGROUP.ORG

A program replete with sparkle and sorrow features pianist Gleb Ivanov with TCMG musicians in Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Six Morceaux Op. 11 for piano four hands,Philippe Gaubert’s Flute Sonata #2 and Bedřich Smetana’s impassioned Piano Trio in G minor, Op.15. Gleb Ivanov and Kim Bakkum, piano; LP How, violin; Sally Guenther, cello; Nancy Laupheimer, flute.

Ornament and Craft Making

DEC. 16 1-4 P.M.

TAOS YOUTH & FAMILY CENTER  575-751-2037

Christmas is coming and the Town of Taos would like to help children of all ages create Christmas ornaments for their Christmas tree or to give as presents. The free event will feature Mrs. Claus and her elves, and will be held at the Taos Youth & Family Center (407 Paseo del Canon East). An adult must accompany children under the age of eight. Materials and examples will be provided — just bring your imagination!

Procession of the Virgin Mary

DEC. 24 TAOS

PUEBLO

Unchanged and unmatched in wonder and drama, Taos Pueblo holds the annual Procession of the Virgin Mary celebration on Christmas Eve. The scent of burning ocote wood fills the dark winter air and gunshots ring out as part of the tradition of welcoming La Nocha Buena (The Good Night) and La Navidad (Christmas).

Once the riflemen signal the birth of Christ, a procession including drummers, dancers and singers returns a statue of Mary to the historic San Geronimo Chapel. And on Christmas day, visitors are invited to respectfully observe the day’s celebrations.

FROM

New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parades and Fireworks

DEC. 31

Taos Ski Valley, Angel Fire, Sipapu and Red River ski resorts skiers carry lights down the slopes for a magical winter celebration. Watch the procession, repleat with fireworks, and enjoy hot beverages with friends and family. For more information, visit any of the ski resorts’ websites.

clean up project at the El Nogal Recreation Area in partnership Sisters Mountain Region and Taos Mountain Bike Association

difference in the and communities