West Side November events

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 join DXS Dance Company for an evening of high energy hip hop, jazz and lyrical dance along with local, special guest musicians! $15/General Admission — DXS Dance Company

Annual craft fair with food, door prizes and more the 100 vendors. Free admission. — Sandia High Scholl Band Boosters

Local author Margaret Nava will be signing and selling her books ALONG THE HIGH ROAD, REMEMBERING, and EGRET COVE at the Rio Rancho Arts and Crafts Fair being held at Sabana Grande Recreation Center in Rio Rancho on November 21 from 9am to 4pm. —

Unique and original arts: paintings, photography, and designs in wood, clay, tin, gourds, and jewelry. Refreshments, free admission and parking Event is two days, Saturday 11/21 and Sunday 11/22 from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Look for the red signs. Further information at 505.867.2381 or www.clcedar.com — Clear Light the Cedar Company

Start your holiday shopping with great homemade arts and craft items made by our 40+ vendors, enjoy our silent auction, food and many unique items. A great show on the Westside. Find that perfect gift for your family or yourself at this great event. Call 505-239-2371 with any questions. — Cibola Cheerleaders

A great change to get your holiday shopping started with unique items. Candles, Scarfs, Jewlery, photo's, French pastries and dog treats are just a few of the items that will be available at this event. — Cibola High School Cheerleaders

— Sandia Band Boosters

Cottonwood Classical School will be hosting a craft fair and festival. There will be crafts, food, and games. — Cottonwood Classical Prep School

Fun-Up Your Fall Come out to the Idalia Road Marketplace, Rio Rancho’s open air market, for weekend fun. Open from 9 am to 2 pm Saturday and Sunday through the end of November. This Saturday DJ & William will bring their classic Flaminco and Rumba sound to the Marketplace with their dueling guitars. The Sue Cleveland Football Boosters will be at the Community Booth this weekend raising funds for the football program. And, the Bernalillo International Club will be at the School Booth raising funds with candle sales. Magic Matt will also be on hand to dazzle you with his slight of hand and magic personality. We’re located on Idalia Road just one-half mile north of Northern Blvd. Or, Mapquest us at 1320 Idalia Road NE, Rio Rancho, 87174. — Idalia Road Marketplace

I Never Dry Clean – How I Saved Myself $1250 in One Year! November 21, 2009, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM www.gillianarmour.com 505-246-2457 $25/person. Classes are limited to ten participants and fill fast so enroll asap. My mother was a great innovator and creative thinker. She had to come up with solutions to the enormous expenses of managing a family of ten people! I learned many cost-cutting methods from her especially when it came to taking care of clothes. We can all benefit from a mother’s wisdom in this fashion boot camp class! You will discover how • To save a lot of money just by using the “hand wash” cycle of your washing machine • Many “dry clean only” clothes are marked that way to protect the manufacturer from damage • Which fabrics really are “Dry Clean Only” • Home dry cleaning kits – what they can and cannot do • What about difficult stains? — Gillian Armour Image Consulting

Thousands of survivors of suicide loss will gather together around the world on this day of healing, support, and empowerment. If you have lost someone in your life to suicide, please join us. Hundreds of local conference sites will simultaneously watch a 90-minute broadcast produced by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. On this broadcast, a diverse panel of survivors and mental health professionals will address the questions that so many survivors face. “Why did this happen? How can I cope? Where can I find support? — American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

NEW SOUND IS A CHILDRENS MUSIC MINISTRY DESIGNED TO TEACH CHILDREN AGES 4 THROUGH 5TH GRADE THE JOY OF MUSIC.PRELUDE IS FOR PRE-KINDERGARDEN CHILDREN..FUN MUSICAL ACTIVITIES TO TEACH MUSIC FUNDAMENTALS.. PSALTERY GROUP INCLUDES KINDERGARDEN TO 2ND GRADE THAT CONTINUES TO DEVELOP THEIR MUSICAL FUNDAMENTALS AND EXPLORING INSTRUMENTS..CANTATE IS FOR 3RD TO 5TH GRADE.WE REHEARSE SUNDAY AFTERNOONS AT 4PM..REGISTRATION IS ON GOING ...JOIN US ANYTIME..CALL PAULETA HENDRICKSON AT 883 9717 — ST. JOHNS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

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

A support group for those grieving the loss of an animal companion. $20; sliding scale available; 265-3087 to register or petlosscounselor@aol.com — Pet Loss and Bereavement Counseling

Show Me The Fashion – Creating a 15 Piece Working Wardrobe for Under $500 December 5, 2009, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM www.gillianarmour.com 505-246-2457 $25/person. Classes are limited to ten participants and fill fast so enroll asap. Sound impossible? Not in my book. As a professional shopper it’s my job to work within the budget limitations of my clients so I have learnt to shop at all levels of a fashion budget. • Find out that you don’t have to limit your budget shopping to department and specialty shops. • Discover how to catalog shop, planning coordinates as you peruse your options • Discover how to hunt and pick from the sales racks for “bang for buck” merchandise • Plan out a 15 piece wardrobe graph to mix-n-match and extend your wearable choices • Choose accessories that upgrade, embellish and extend plain looks • Put your personal spin on classic sportswear and look like a million — Gillian Armour Image Consulting

Tellabration 2009! An evening of storytelling, where people around the world gather together in large and small venues to celebrate the art of storytelling and the oral tradition. Featured tellers: Scott & Johanna Hongell-Darsee, Terry Foxx, Bob Kanegis, David Mraz, Steven Pla. Suggested for adults, and families with children age 6 and up. Free Admission. For more info contact: Liz Mangual, 505-890-7075. — Storytellers of New Mexico

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

Enjoy the best of Albuquerque's contemporary folk artists in concert the fourth Sunday of each month. $15 admission. Doors open at 5 pm, come early and bring a picnic (or takeout) supper or purchase light refreshments onsite. Reservations requested. Email music@mp4events.com or call 505-962-2466. Chamberlain/deVall offer a unique blend of several musical styles, diverse and eclectic, creatively meandering from their folk rock roots. — Madeleine's Place

Meet artist Stede Barber at the indoor Northern New Mexico Artisan’s Show for a heartwarming show of light, color, and beauty. Oil paintings, giclee prints, and greeting cards. In the Santa Fe Farmer’s Market building on Paseo de Peralta, 10 am – 4 pm every Sunday. www.stedebarber.com. —

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

Thanksgiving Sunday Services for The First United Methodist Church at Fourth and Lead in Downtown Albuquerque begin at 8:30 a.m. with the contemporary Crossroads Service with 4th Street Sound. At 9:40, there is a Sunday School hour for children, youth, and adults. At 11:00 a.m. a Traditional Service with Chancel Choir is offered. Both services this week will enjoy texts from both old and new testaments with music of praise and thanksgiving from children, adult, and bell choirs to celebrate the blessings of this day and of our lives. Visitors are invited and all are welcome. — First United Methodist Church

A support group for those grieving the loss of an animal companion. $20; sliding scale available; 265-3087 to register or petlosscounselor@aol.com — Pet Loss and Bereavement Counseling

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

An Akathist is a poetic form of sung praise unique to the Orthodox Church. "Glory to God for All Things" was composed in Communist Russia in 1934 and is identified with Fr. Gregory Petrov, who died with the Akathist in his possession in 1940. It expresses gratitude for all God sends to us, for the beauty, the love, the help and even the difficulties which help us to grow. All are welcome. — All Saints of North America Orthodox Church

As our hearts overflow with gratitude to Our Lord, we offer a Rite 2 Eucharistic Service (with Holy Communion). All are welcome. Check our website for upcoming Advent events, or call the church office at 830-0572. — Hope+In+The+Desert Episcopal Church

The Corrales Society of Artists will hold their second annual holiday art event on the weekend following Thanksgiving. Join us in the heated tent at the Parks & Rec Soccer field on Corrales road. The festival will feature approximately 40 artisans presenting art and crafts for sale. The high standards for which the CSA is recognized will ensure the best possible browsing and buying experience. — Corrales Society of Artists

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

Get ready to discover a delightful show that's as fresh and rare as newly fallen snow! This classic holiday tradition comes to the Albuquerque stage at last direct from Broadway for the first time! Brimming with such Berlin hits as Blue Skies, How Deep is the Ocean? and, of course, the unforgettable title song. Irving Berlin’s White Christmas tells the story of two showbiz buddies putting on a show in a magical Vermont inn and finding their perfect mates in the bargain. Full of dancing, laughter and some of the greatest songs ever written, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas promises to be a merry and bright theatrical experience for the whole family! — Albuquerque Little Theatre

Wildlife Photography: Slideshow and Discussion Saturday, November 28th 2:00 pm FREE Renowned wildlife photographer Jerry Goffe will show slides and discuss his experiences photographing Sandhill cranes and other wildlife. Bringing this appreciation for nature and love of animals closer to home, he is not only associated with Albuquerque Open Spaces and the Rio Grande Nature Center, but is a volunteer, guide and photo instructor at Bosque Del Apache. — Open Space Visitor Center

A one to seven day silent retreat, “Clarifying Meditative Work – An Extended Retreat”, will be held from Sunday, 11/29 to Sunday, 12/6 on ten quiet acres in Tijeras, just outside of Albuquerque. Fees range from $50 to $230, depending on the number of days you come. It is alright to come for one day or more. Advance registration is required. The retreat will bring together people interested in meditation from any tradition - including Tibetan, Zen, Vipassana, Hindu and Western – as well as people meditating without any traditional context. The spirit of the retreat should appeal to people who enjoy the writings of Pema Chodron, Toni Packer, Thich Nhat Hanh, Eckhart Tolle, Byron Katie and Krishnamurti, among others. Both experienced sitters and those newly interested in meditation will have a chance to explore directly what meditative work is and how it sheds light on the concerns of our lives. The retreat does not focus on teaching techniques or spiritual theory, although it will be fine if these topics come up for discussion. Instead participants can share issues and concerns in their lives or issues from or about their meditation and we can discover directly what is helpful and what is not. The group will explore the possibility of shedding fresh light on issues of our lives, not theoretically, but from a quiet, meditative listening to each other and to oneself. Each retreat day will include quiet sitting, group discussion, a short talk and some time to meet one on one. The day is held in silence, without talking, except for the morning talk, the afternoon discussion and one on one meetings. None of the activities are required and participants are free to find their own way. The facilitator is Jay Cutts, who has attended retreats with Toni Packer for over 30 years. Jay says, “Meditative work is, in its deepest sense, not theoretical, not goal oriented, not a matter of time or progress. It is the direct opening, fully complete in this moment now, to a simple, compassionate, open awareness that allows the myriad fears, clingings, confusions of the mind that we all suffer from to be revealed in a new way and at the same time brings us intimately, undividedly and lovingly in touch with the wide universe in all its profound stillness. I feel that, in our deepest hearts, it is the possibility of this openness that we come together to clarify.” There is an introductory workshop on 11/14 from 2 to 5 pm in Albuquerque. For reservations or more info, or to be on the mailing list for future workshops, please call Jay at 281-0684 or visit: www.cuttsreviews.com/meditation/ — NM Center for Meditative Inquiry and Retreat

Meet artist Stede Barber at the indoor Northern New Mexico Artisan’s Show for a heartwarming show of light, color, and beauty. Oil paintings, giclee prints, and greeting cards. In the Santa Fe Farmer’s Market building on Paseo de Peralta, 10 am – 4 pm every Sunday. www.stedebarber.com. —

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

Get ready to discover a delightful show that's as fresh and rare as newly fallen snow! This classic holiday tradition comes to the Albuquerque stage at last direct from Broadway for the first time! Brimming with such Berlin hits as Blue Skies, How Deep is the Ocean? and, of course, the unforgettable title song. Irving Berlin’s White Christmas tells the story of two showbiz buddies putting on a show in a magical Vermont inn and finding their perfect mates in the bargain. Full of dancing, laughter and some of the greatest songs ever written, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas promises to be a merry and bright theatrical experience for the whole family! — Albuquerque Little Theatre

Come to Isleta Resort for the biggest bridal show of the season! See wedding accessories from over 40 professional vendors, enjoy complimetary appetizers, get fabulous ideas on wedding apparel during the fashion show, and win prizes. Brides and grooms get in free, general admission is $5. For more information, please call 1.8.777.ISLETA or 848.1954 — Isleta Casino and Resort