A Bright Future for Downtown Albuquerque

Just a short 10-minute drive from The Arbors, downtown Albuquerque has been a great place to work for decades. But soon, it could be home to a lot more, thanks to a new initiative to bring new amenities to downtown Albuquerque.

This Bernalillo County Commission has unanimously voted to consider a $11.3 million industrial revenue bond project. The proposal will include a grocery store, the development of 22,000 mixed use commercial space, and more.

If it moves forward the downtown development project is great news for our community - it is estimated that the project will create 62 full-time jobs and 150 temporary construction jobs.

Perhaps the best news (at least short-term) out of all this is that the project would be funded by private investors rather than taxpayers. Construction is currently slated to begin towards the end of 2014.

The County Commission aren’t the only ones trying to encourage the economic growth of downtown Albuquerque - of course there’s also the Downtown Action team, who work year-round to lobby on behalf of small and local businesses in the downtown area:

• Serve as the management committee for the Business Improvement District (BID) to provide enhanced services to the businesses and properties within the BID
• Provide Clean & Hospitality services to the Business Improvement District
• Attract quality growth and investment in Downtown that benefits greater Albuquerque
• Understand the market and pro-actively collaborate with key players in the community to develop and implement strategies to reach our desired outcomes
• Develop an environment for vibrant Downtown neighborhoods, and enhance the image of Downtown
• Manage the Downtown Growers’ Market, which takes place for 25 weeks of the year and attracts over 40,000 people annually 

To read additional coverage of the new downtown development project, click here.

Science Camps for Winter Break

If you’re looking to keep the kids busy over their winter break, you’re in luck. Don’t scramble to hire a sitter for every day in late December - there are lots of other options for kids in Albuquerque.

One of the coolest things we found at the Winter Day Camps over the the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History. There are a bunch of different camps and dates, depending on your child’s preference - these camps are intended for kids ages 6 to 12.

The camps include:

Air Academy

Monday, December 23

Come learn about the Dynamics of Flight. Practice your piloting skills on the Museum’s Flight Simulator. Become a paper airplane expert and build your very own glider.

Grossology

Friday, December 27

Totally disgusting, but so much fun! We don’t talk about  body functions in polite company, but the questions persist. Do you have questions that no one wants to discuss? Where does snot come from, anyway? Learn more about our anatomy and lots of other gross stuff.

Let’s Move, Science of Sports

Friday, December 27

How does centripetal force affect your skateboard? How fast is a fastball, anyway? What is the best design for a bicycle? Be able to teach your parents the science behind the upcoming Winter Olympics. Science really IS everywhere!

CSI: Camp Scene Investigation

Thursday, January 2

Forensic science takes on a new twist. Search for evidence, gather clues, and discover how science is used to help solve real mysteries. Learn to think like a detective and join the investigation!

Click here to read the full catalog of Winter Camps at the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History!

May the Forecemas be With You

We may be dealing with less daylight this time of year, but don’t let seasonal depression get you down. Laughing is one of the best ways to keep yourself in good spirits throughout the winter months (or any time of year for that matter).

So consider taking a trip over to The Box, one of Albuquerque’s premier comedy theaters. You can take improv classes, and see stand-up or improv shows. For the kids, you can also see youth shows at their Youth Playhouse and send them to comedy Summer Camp.

Starting on December 13, you can take the whole family out for a good laugh that the kids and parents will both enjoy: “A Very Star Wars Christmas,” presented by the Cardboard Playhouse Theater Company.

Here’s the show’s synopsis, courtesy of the Cardboard Playhouse’s website:

When Darth Vader complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees amongst everyone during the Forcemas season, Queen Amadela suggests that he become director of the school Forcemas pageant. Darth Vader accepts, but it proves to be a frustrating struggle. When an attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little Endorean Forcemas tree fails, he needs Yoda's help to learn what the real meaning of Forcemas is.

How will it turn out? We don't even know. This show will be half improvised and half scripted so the show will be different every time. Appropriate for kids of all ages!

Click here to reserve your tickets today! 

IKEA Holiday Decoration Ideas

If you’re expecting guests this holiday season, you might be thinking of getting your awesome apartment in tip-top shape. We like to think one of the best parts of living here at the Resort at Sandia Village is the affordable rent and included amenities, so naturally, we’re always looking out for cheap ways to spruce up your apartments.

For cheap basic furniture, IKEA is always a given, but did you know that you can use IKEA items to create a classy, holiday theme for your apartment? It’s true! Apartment Therapy published anice guide including 10 ways to utilize IKEA products for some professional-quality holiday decor:

Pair Contrasting Surfaces: Gold and matte black are total opposites, but when combined make for a nice balance of shiny and grounded.

Make It Messy: The holidays are all about making merry — not perfection. It’s okay if things fall out of line or don’t match entirely.

Group Decorations in Clusters for More Impact: This collection of otherwise basic gift-wrapped presents is made more dramatic and note-worthy when grouped and stacked all together.

Click here to see the full guide to IKEA-inspired holidaydecorating ideas!

Downtown Growers Market’s Extended Season

Buying your food from local farmers is a great way to support the Albuquerque community and maintain a healthy diet. Sure, peak season for most fruits and vegetables is the summer, but fortunately, we have a temperate climate down here, so fresh produce is possible, even at the beginning of winter.

If you’re looking to get your farmers market fix, even in the cooler weather, you’re in luck—the Albuquerque Downtown Growers’ Market is open until December 21, 2013, offering city residents a wide variety of produce and prepared foods considering the time of year.

The Winter Market moves from its usual location on Route 66 to the parking lot behind Java Joe’s and Firenze Pizzeria, at 906 Park Ave. SW in Albuquerque. Just like during the regular growing season, there will be lots to enjoy besides the food.

If you’re unfamiliar with the Downtown Growers Market:

The Downtown Growers’ Market is run by the Downtown Action Team. The Market began in 1996, and continues to grow exponentially thanks to our vibrant community. The market is home to over 45 New Mexican growers offering the highest quality produce available in Albuquerque, along with a wide array of talented local artists and a delicious mix of prepared food artisans.

Every week we feature a live band, community nonprofits, a bike valet service, and lots of community spirit! All are welcome! We accept EBT/SNAP funds, which can be processed at our Information Booth, as well as WIC and Senior checks. Also, if you forgot cash- we got you covered! Visit the Info Booth to learn how you can use your debit card to acquire market tokens.

Click here for more information on the Winter Market!

Pueblo of Isleta Elder Center Arts & Craft Fair

What happens when you combine Albuquerque’s local ethnic culture and its love of art?

At the Isleta Resort and Casino this Sunday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, you can find out for yourself! The Pueblo of Isleta Elder Center’s annual Arts & Craft fair is sure to be a great time for aficionados of Native American culture and art buffs alike.

Drop by the Grand Ballroom and support over 100 local artists selling their original arts and crafts, completely free of state and local tax, with free admission. You really have nothing to lose! This is a fantastic opportunity if you’re looking to get a great deal on some unique holiday gifts.

If you’re not familiar with the Pueblo of Isleta Elder Center:

The Pueblo of Isleta is nestled in the scenic Rio Grande Valley, 15 miles south of Albuquerque on Interstate 25 Exit 215.  It is one of the larger 19 Pueblos within New Mexico and was established in the 1300s.  Isleta Pueblo covers an area of more than 329 square miles, surrounded by the Manzano Mountains to the east and to the desert mesa lands of the Rio Puerco on the west. The name Isleta comes from the Spanish language which means "Little Island."  Visit Isleta Pueblo to learn more about the history and culture. 

Click here for more information on the event over at NewMexico.org. 

How to Arrange Inexpensive Flowers for Your Apartment

So you’re walking through the aisles of a grocery store and you see some flowers that actually look halfway decent. Sure, you could find better quality flowers at a florist or perhaps elsewhere, but there’s an art to making grocery store flowers look presentable.

At ApartmentTherapy.com, we found a fantastic guide written by Tess Wilson, on how to arrange cheap grocery store flowers into an arrangement that can really make your apartment pop. The first thing you’ll need to do is grab all the flowers of the same color that you can get your hands on:

1. Strip all of the leaves off the stems, including the long leaves.

2. Arrange the stems in your hand. Try to get the flowers to look natural, yet random. At this point, the stems should still be long.

3. Decide on a vase to use, and then chop the stems down to an appropriate length for the vase - if in doubt, leave the stems longer than shorter, so there’s room to cut if they’re still too long. Secure the arrangement with a rubber band, and make some final trimmings.

Got your own tip for turning inexpensive flowers into a presentable arrangement? Remember to share it with fellow residents on our Facebook page!