Recreation:

Nov. 21-22, On the week-end before Thanksgiving, warm hospitality and high quality arts and crafts will be found at this juried art show. At 3 central locations in the historic village of Placitas, the show includes 82 artists and artisans from throughout the Southwest. Painters, printmakers, clay and glass artists, wood workers, silk painters, photographers, gourd artists, jewelers, metal workers and more will bring their wonderful art to sell. Free wine tasting at Anasazi Fields Winery, food at all locations, art raffle. Exit 242 from I-25, head east on Hwy 165. Follow the signs for 6 miles. Please visit www.placitasholidaysale.com for more information. — Placitas MountainCrafts & Soiree Society

Come visit a working alpaca ranch. Feed and interact with gentle, friendly animals. Unique gift items. Visit the on-site store full of luxuries end products, both Peruvian Imports and one of a kind items made from the fleece of our animals. (Cash and Check only) TOYS, RUGS, SWEATERS, SOCKS, SHAWLS, SCARVES, YARN AND MORE! Call 505-269-6733 for more information. PLEASE PARK ON THE STREET. Can't make it these weekends? Call for an appointment. — Albuquerque Alpacas

Come experience the 22nd Annual Festival of the Cranes at Bosque del Apache and the Holiday Festival of the Cranes Crafts Show in Socorro. This is the largest event held in Socorro County each year and UNM Continuing Education has organized a trip on Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 8am-7pm to expeirence it. An $82 course fee includes a boxed lunch, tour guide (expert, Steve Cox), and transportation. Come prepared to do some holiday shopping bring your cameras to capture the cranes. — UNM Continuing Education

Schedule:TBA MC: Otis Half Moon Arena Director: Leonard Atticity Head Man Dancer : Anthony Parker Head Lady Dancer: Cece Comestaviah Head Gourd Dancer: Ronn Two Feathers Head Southern Singer: Matt Taptto Head Northern Singer: Desert Noise All dancers, drums and public are welcome! Tables $25.00 plus a donation for Veterans raffle For table reservations contact Cecilia Haldane 505-340-1850 cis_130@yahoo.com Address; 9169 Coors Blvd. Albuquerque NM 87184 — SIPI Veterans Club

meet at Rio Rancho high school, ride 20 miles, end at Italian American Association. music, food, refreshments. Bring 1 new toy and 2 non perishables — Rio Rancho Toy Run Inc

Guided Bird Walk Sunday, November 22nd 8:00 AM FREE Join naturalist and long-time birder Nancy Kassner into the Bosque to identify our migrating friends. Time to get out the binoculars and the field guides! Limited pairs of binoculars available for checkout at the visitor center. 505-897-8831 to register. — OPEN SPACE VISITOR CENTER

Come visit a working alpaca ranch. Free to the public. Feed and interact with gentle, friendly animals. Unique gift items. Visit the on-site ranch store full of luxurious alpaca end products, both Peruvian Imports and one of a kind items made from the fleece of our animals. (Cash and check only) TOYS, RUGS, SWEATERS, SOCKS, SHAWLS, SCARVES, YARN,AND MORE! Call 269-6733 for more information. PLEASE PARK ON THE STREET. Can't make it these weekends? Call for an appointment. — Albuquerque Alpacas

New Mexico Solar Energy Association presents a talk by Jim D. Palmer: "Solar Heated Swimming Pools for the City of Albuquerque - An Update" Jim D. Palmer, PE, CEM, GBE, LEED-AP, president of NRG Engineering will provide an update on system types, sizes, dates, BTUs saved and dollars saved on gas bills for the City of Albuquerque by using solar heating for the swimming pools. Jim Palmer was involved in this project from the conceptual through the construction stages. Jim will describe these solar thermal installations (some including Albuquerque public schools) and report on their effectiveness. Cost: FREE (but a $2-$3 donation is always welcome) — New Mexico Solar Energy Association

Come visit a working alpaca ranch. Feed and interact with gentle, friendly animals. Unique gift items. Visit the on-site store full of luxurious end products, both Peruvian Imports and one of a kind items made from the fleece of our animals. (Cash and Check only) TOYS, RUGS, SWEATERS, SOCKS, SHAWLS, SCARVES, YARN AND MORE! Call 505-269-6733 for more information. PLEASE PARK ON THE STREET. Can't make it these weekends? Call for an appointment. — Albuquerque Alpacas

Come visit a working alpaca ranch. Feed and interact with gentle, friendly animals. Unique gift items. Visit the on-site store full of luxurious end products, both Peruvian Imports and one of a kind items made from the fleece of our animals. (Cash and Check only) TOYS, RUGS, SWEATERS, SOCKS, SHAWLS, SCARVES, YARN AND MORE! Call 505-269-6733 for more information. PLEASE PARK ON THE STREET. Can't make it these weekends? Call for an appointment. — Albuquerque Alpacas

Rio Grande Botanic Garden visitors can enjoy the magic of hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights and dazzling holiday displays at New Mexico’s largest walk-through light show. Since 1997, the River of Lights has been sparkling and raising funds for the ABQ BioPark's BioVan educational outreach program. (The event is closed December 24 & 25.) You can make special plans to ice skate or attend Holiday Nature Crafts. Many evenings feature live entertainment and the G-scale model railroad. The Shark Reef Cafe will also be open evenings December 14 through 23 and December 26 through 30 for special holiday dining. Adults $7; children $3 (3-12) — Albuquerque Biological Park

Come visit a working alpaca ranch. Feed and interact with gentle, friendly animals. Unique gift items. Visit the on-site store full of luxurious end products, both Peruvian Imports and one of a kind items made from the fleece of our animals. (Cash and Check only) TOYS, RUGS, SWEATERS, SOCKS, SHAWLS, SCARVES, YARN AND MORE! Call 505-269-6733 for more information. PLEASE PARK ON THE STREET. Can't make it these weekends? Call for an appointment. — Albuquerque Alpacas

Held on the first Tuesday of each month, the Newcomer’s Club Welcome Coffees offer new residents, the recently divorced, retired or bereaved, an opportunity to learn of the Newcomers Club’s support systems and events. Participants make new friends while signing up for the Club’s many activities, including monthly luncheons, dining experiences, fun days, book and movie groups, bridge, bunco, mah jongg, and wine tastings. For information, call 505-321-6970. — Albuquerque Newcomers Club

Yoga With A View Introduces EVENINGS! Every Wednesday Evening 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm & Every Sunday Morning 9:00 am There are many ways to connect with Open Space in Albuquerque. One of them is to connect your yoga practice to the city’s wildlife retreat. Ask about our punch cards. First class $5.00 — Open Space Visitor Center

The Tir Conaill Academy of Irish Dance, a new Irish dance school in Albq, is hosting a dance exhibition for those interested in seeing Irish step dancing up close and personal. The children/teen/adults will be invited to join in learning beginner steps and watching all levels of dance performed up to Open Championship world qualifiers. Please wear comfortable clothing and join us for lots of Irish Step Dancing FUN! Bring a FRIEND! — Tir Conaill Academy of Irish Dance

Come register for the first annual Run Rudolph Run 10 K, 5 K and Kids race presented by Bernalillo County Parks and Recreation. The race location is at The Mesa Del Sol Soccer Fields located next to The Journal Pavillon. This challenging run goes through hills, sand and pavement. The registration fee is 10.00 with a 10.00 toy. All the toys will be donated to the PB&J pre school. Awards will be given to over all female and male winners as well as female and male age group winners. The 10 K will take off at 10:00 A.M., the 5 K at 10:15 A.M and kids run at 11:15 A.M. For more information contact Gino Blea at 314-0410 or e-mail at gblea@bernco.gov. — Bernalillo County Parks and Recreation

Albuquerque Little Theatre and the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation sponsor the first annual Candy Cane Fun Run on Sunday, December 6. 10K Run, 5K Run/Walk, Kids’ K and Family Fun Walk in Country Club area (starts and ends at ALT). Also features a visit from Santa, musical performances, Marines at water stations, hot drinks, cookies, ChampionChip® timing, awards and live entertainment. Race day registration begins at 7:30am. Race start times: 10K at 9:00am, 5K at 9:05am, Kids’ K at 10:15am, and Family Fun Walk at 10:30am. , followed by awards and live entertainment. The event ends at 12noon. Registration ranges from $10-35. Event details and link to registration site at www.albuquerquelittletheatre.org. — Toys for Tots and ABQ Little Theatre

The Museum of Spanish Colonial Art proudly presents 21st Annual Winter Spanish December 12 & 13, 2009 9am – 4pm Santa Fe Convention Center 201 West Marcy Street Santa Fe, NM – The rich Hispanic culture of New Mexico and Southern Colorado will be celebrated at the 21st annual Winter Spanish Market, Saturday and Sunday, December 12 and 13, 2009 at the Santa Fe Convention & Community Center. A destination event for residents and visitors alike, Winter Market features handmade traditional arts by over 100 Hispanic artists, continuous musical entertainment, art demonstrations and refreshments. Open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. the Market provides a unique opportunity for visitors to enjoy a taste of New Mexico’s vibrant Spanish culture, both past and present. FREE Admission. Members-Only Early Bird Winter Market 8:15- 9 am, Saturday, December 12th. Avoid the crowds - enjoy first opportunity to buy and have more time to visit with artists. Memberships can be purchased by calling 982-2226 or at the door that morning. The traditional art forms featured each year at Winter Market include the following: · Santos – depictions of devotional figures in the form of bultos (carvings in the round) retablos (paintings on wooden panels), and gesso and wood relief-carved panels · Straw Appliqué – crosses, chests and boxes decorated with hand-cut straw · Textiles – hand-woven on looms using handspun yarns · Furniture – usually made of pine using mortise and tenon joints · Hide Paintings – devotional images painted on deer or elk hide · Colcha – unique regional embroideries employing the colcha stitch · Tinwork – decorative and utilitarian objects of cut and punched tin Winter Spanish Market Page Two · Ironwork – tools, fastenings and household objects forged from iron · Precious Metals – silver and gold jewelry, utilitarian and devotional objects · Pottery – hand-sculpted bowls, pots and other ware made from micaceous clay · Bonework – decorative items, anillos (rings) and tool handles carved from animal antlers and bone · Ramilletes – decorative paper garlands Participating artists at Winter Market also display and sell “contemporary expressions” of the traditional colonial art forms thus adding a new dimension to this popular seasonal show. In conjunction with Winter Market, and as the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art’s contribution to the Santa Fe 400th anniversary, the exhibition 'Converging Streams' explores the cross-cultural influences between Hispano and Native American arts of the Southwest. This groundbreaking exhibition illustrates objects from museums across the country in a new and provocative context. Through September 2010. Winter Spanish Market is organized and produced by the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, which supports Hispanic artists through educational programs, grants, and the production of the annual Spanish Market in July. These two major art festivals give visitors a rare opportunity to meet some of the best traditional Hispanic artists working in the region today. In 2010, the 59th annual traditional Spanish Market will take place on July 24 & 25 on the Santa Fe Plaza. The Society’s collection of more than 3500 art objects is housed in the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art at 750 Camino Lejo (Museum Hill) in Santa Fe. The collection includes Spanish colonial art forms covering four centuries and four continents. For complete information on Spanish Market, Winter Market or the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, please contact 505-982-2226 or info@spanishcolonial.org. Winter Market is funded in part by the City of Santa Fe Arts Commission and 1% Lodgers’ Tax, New Mexico Arts, and the New Mexico Department of Tourism. — Spanish Market

Are you tired of making New Year’s resolutions that don’t get accomplished? Have you been telling yourself year after year about losing that last 5 to 10 pounds, but have never done it? If this sounds like you, then you are not alone. Let this New Year be the year that you finally get those New Year’s resolutions resolved. Upward Motion will teach you the major pitfalls that everyone goes through when they start an exercise plan that always ends up failing, and how to avoid those pitfalls with 7 easy strategies that will get finally get your resolutions resolved. Where: Upward Motion Personal Training, 336 Adams Street SE FREE: Call 268-1231 or email luis@upwardmotionpt.com to register — Upward Motion Personal Training

15th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE SATURDAY DECEMBER 12, 6:30 PM Elephant Butte Lake State Park BRING THE FAMILY LUMINARIA BEACH WALK * BONFIRES * FIREWORKS * Decorated RV’S — Lago Rico

Come visit a working alpaca ranch. Free to the public. Feed and interact with gentle, friendly animals. Unique gift items. Visit the on-site ranch store full of luxurious alpaca end products, both Peruvian Imports and one of a kind items made from the fleece of our animals. (Cash and check only) TOYS, RUGS, SWEATERS, SOCKS, SHAWLS, SCARVES, YARN,AND MORE! Call 269-6733 for more information. PLEASE PARK ON THE STREET. Can't make it these weekends? Call for an appointment. — Albuquerque Alpacas

Come visit a working alpaca ranch. Free to the public. Feed and interact with gentle, friendly animals. Unique gift items. Visit the on-site ranch store full of luxurious alpaca end products, both Peruvian Imports and one of a kind items made from the fleece of our animals. (Cash and check only) TOYS, RUGS, SWEATERS, SOCKS, SHAWLS, SCARVES, YARN,AND MORE! Call 269-6733 for more information. PLEASE PARK ON THE STREET. Can't make it these weekends? Call for an appointment. — Albuquerque Alpacas

Learn how to unlock your inner fat burning potential by increasing your metabolism with cardiovascular exercise, diet and overall nutritional health. Also, find out what is myth and what is fact in fat and weight loss. Where: Upward Motion Personal Training, 336 Adams Street SE FREE: Call 268-1231 or email luis@upwardmotionpt.com to register — Upward Motion Personal Training

On Thursday, December 17th, the Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra & Chorus will present a free concert and sing-a-long at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis Assisi in downtown Santa Fe. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy a wonderful evening, full of beloved music of the holiday season. Audience members will be warmly invited to sing along with the chorus as they perform "Glory to God" and the "Hallelujia" chorus, as well as Quien las da Posada, Oh Come All Ye Faithful, and many more carols ¯ all accompanied by the glorious sounds of brass and organ. — The Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra & Chorus

This interactive workshop will teach you how to completely stretch out a muscle. You will learn new techniques on how to properly stretch a muscle as well as train the muscle they way it is properly made to train. This is a great workshop for anyone that wants to develop a more advanced stretching routine and wants to prevent any physical injuries within their physical exercise routine. Where: Upward Motion Personal Training, 336 Adams Street SE FREE: Call 268-1231 or email luis@upwardmotionpt.com to register — Upward Motion Personal Training

Push your limits with precise, short, and intense workouts. With 20- 30 minutes, 3-4 times a week, you’ll fatigue your muscles for a more effective exercise. Join us to find out how! Where: Upward Motion Personal Training, 336 Adams Street SE FREE: Call 268-1231 or email luis@upwardmotionpt.com to register — Upward Motion Personal Training

Just when you think that you have seen the best that Irish music has to offer, a fresh new show from Ireland is taking the art form to an entirely new level. Celtic Crossroads presents Irish music like never before, set to do to Irish music what Riverdance has done to Irish dance. The name Celtic Crossroads originates from a time in Ireland when neighboring communities met at the crossroads between towns and villages to socialize – long before the pub tradition began. With a focus on keeping the tradition of Irish music alive, each performer nurtures this bygone concept, but by virtue of their young age and raw talent, they high-kick this tradition into the 21st Century. True high-kicking from some of Irelands best-respected Irish dancers also intensifies the pulsating rhythms of the show. The live concerts are a spectacle of talent, displaying how Irish music influenced the global birth of a multitude of musical genres. This show is redefining Irish music by going right to the heart of its rhythms. The inventive arrangements and bass-driven grooves are steering Irish acoustic music into surprising new territory. On its first American visit, word-of mouth alone led to a sell out tour! The show itself, incorporating seven world-class musicians playing over twenty instruments on stage, is a fantastic spectacle. From start to finish you will be captivated by a wonderful fusion of musical genres in the Irish music family, such as eastern European Gypsy, north American Bluegrass, world Classical and Jazz, and the various forms of Celtic music from around Europe and the rest of the world. Magical interludes from the haunting uilleann pipes, whistles, low whistles, and of course the Irish harp, along with some of Ireland's finest exponents of traditional song transport the listener to that crossroads in Ireland. Tempestuous fiddle playing competes with explosive banjo, intricate mandolin, accordion, mandola and bouzouki and awe-inspiring guitar riffs, while silky flute playing remind the audience that these fiercely traditional musicians are also classically trained. Throw in thunderous bodhran rhythms, drum kit, and cajon and the audience finds themselves recklessly and ecstatically stomping along. As the thunder starts to take hold, rhythms beating, Irish dancers defying laws of speed and gravity, musicians swapping instruments before your eyes, building and rising from a slow groove to a climactic, epic and all-encompassing wildness of unadulterated genius, audiences are unable to prevent themselves from jumping to their feet in thunderous ovation. The show’s success is rapidly gathering momentum as it leaves a trail of enthralled audiences behind it. Already, 2009 is shaping up to be the best year yet for Celtic Crossroads with performances scheduled in some of America’s most prestigious venues, as well as further tours in Ireland, Europe, Mexico and Japan. This is an all ages event. — Puccini Productions

This workshop will give you a global perspective of why you have lower back pain and provide new information on the success of resistance training and stretching routine for lower back pain. The workshop covers the most common treatment processes for lower back pain from chiropractic to acupuncture to physical therapy. It will also cover a new treatment process called functional training and corrective exercise. Where: Upward Motion Personal Training, 336 Adams Street SE FREE: Call 268-1231 or email luis@upwardmotionpt.com to register — Upward Motion Personal Training

What is your true core? What techniques improve your core? Learn the answers to these along with the affects of core training, the importance of core training and the myths of scientific core training. Where: Upward Motion Personal Training, 336 Adams Street SE FREE: Call 268-1231 or email luis@upwardmotionpt.com to register — Upward Motion Personal Training

In this workshop you will learn the basic ingredients of the ChiRunning® Technique. We will be guiding you through many exercises and drills designed to leave you with a clear sense of what the ChiRunning technique feels like in your body. We will not be doing lots of running (contrary to what you might imagine), so no matter what condition you’re in, have no fear. We will spend the day alternating between demonstrations, fun exercises and technique drills…the nature of the day will be relaxed, full, and inspiring. 9:00 am – 12:00 pm • The Keys to Effortless, Injury-free Running • The Physics of Running: Run without Using Your Legs • ChiRunning® versus Power Running • Introduction to the ChiRunning® Form • Posture, Lean, Lift • Personal Check-in Tricks and Tools • Learning to Use Your Gears • Core Muscle Drills and Exercises 12:30 – 1:00 pm Bring your lunch - this workshop continues during the lunch hour. 1:00 am – 4:30 pm • Pre-run Body Looseners, Post-run Stretches • Run Various Speeds While Conserving Energy • Build Your Running Program with 4 Essential Workouts: • Interval training (for technique) • Hills (for adaptability) • Tempo run (for efficiency) • Long slow distance (for aerobic conditioning) This workshop will include a video gait analysis of your running form. — ChiRunning