Late Summer Edition 2017-08-21

Pictured above: The City of Brotherly Love responds to Charlottesville

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Happiness Factor as a F[x] of Weather: 4.5

Happening Now:

Happening Later:

Timing is everything - Press Conference scheduled for 7pm NM time. Rumor has it the C-in-C will deploy an additional 3800 troops to Afghanistan. The questions are: will that make any appreciable difference in bringing this 16 yr conflict to a close? And more important, can we believe what we're told? My guess is it will be much Ado About Nothing - high on showmanship and low on substance. And that the timing is both bad and questionable.

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Go Local:

BOSQUE MOONLIGHT HIKE. TUES, AUG 21st - 6:30-8:30

Search the bosque wetlands for bats, owls, and other nocturnal animals. Bring your flashlight and your sense of adventure as we hike through the woods.

Tour begins at Tingley Beach from the Tingley Café Train Station. Meet at the doors facing Tingley Drive.

$15 adults, $10 youth and seniors. NM BioPark Society Members receive a 10 percent discount. Space is limited; pre-registration online is required. No walk-ins at sold-out tours. Tours occur rain or shine! 

NIGHT WALK AT THE BOTANIC GARDEN  TUES, AUG  29th - 6:30-8:30

Bring your family and explore the wonders of nightfall as you walk on a guided tour through the Botanic Garden in search of night-blooming plants, nocturnal animals and night pollinators.  (Cost - see above / No walk-ins at sold-out tours.)

ABQ BioPark : 505-768-2000

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HIP HOPS

10TH ANNUAL ALBUQUERQUE HOPFEST

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

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iWatch

FALL PREMIERES - all you need to know if you're a TV fan, Click Here

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The 30 most anticipated movies for the rest of 2017 - Click for Details

 For a Second Opinion, click here

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theySing

The Met’s 2017–18 season of Live in HD movie-theater transmissions features ten presentations, beginning October 7 with Bellini’s Norma.  The Met's schedule is comprised of 26 Works, with Five New Productions, Including two Met Premieres - if you can't make it to the Big Apple, you can catch 10 of the works at your local theater. This is one of the great bargains out there.

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iVOTE: 

(Cary Kennedy and husband,Saurabh Mangalik - Cary is running for Governor in CO)

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ELECTION DAY is Tues, OCT 3RD / EARLY VOTING: SEPT 13-29

If you live in an odd-numbered City Council District, you have a decision to make at the polls. Amazingly, the average Albuquerque resident has no idea what their District is, and likely knows less about their candidates. This is evidenced by the fact that things come down the pike that seem to be a complete surprise (often not a good one) - things like A.R.T., the proposed Zoning Plan that will likely change the face of Albuquerque in the years ahead, and the proposed SANTOLINA project that is going to need a lot of aqua que no lo tenemos.

AUGUST 22-29: Here's your chance to get informed. These are a good thing. Even though I live in District 2, I'm planning to go to as many as I can. Because what's happening elsewhere in the city, and who makes those decisions, affects me. Just like if I live in the county or Los Ranchos - what's happening in Albuquerque impacts me.

In the last Mayoral Election, less than 20% of eligible voters turned out. Some people think that Mayor Berry has done a swell job, others feel nothing but disdain for a mayor under whose watch our City has risen to one of the most dangerous in the country with a police force under a DOJ consent decree. Personally, I think a lot of our problems are solvable with practical solutions, an involved and innovative mayor,community involvement and coordination, and maybe dialing back the special interest group influence on how decisions are made. Whether you support urban sprawl or believe there's no place in local politics for BIG MONEY, your vote is your voice - Use It.

The above forum is a good one because ALL OF THE CANDIDATES will be there. Wednesday, AUG 23rd, 6-8:30 at the IPCC.There are still a lot of candidates and it's unlikely any will capture the 50% needed to avoid a run-off in November. But those with a chance of securing a reasonable percentage are 4 of the 8. This is worth everyone's time - but if you can't make it, there are others between now andSEPT 13th, when early voting begins.

ON THE BALLOT. Healthy Workforce ABQ(#HWABQ) is a ballot initiative to bring earned sick days to the city of Albuquerque. This is a controversial ordinance with lots of arguing on both sides. Employers say they can't afford it, workers say they deserve it, and members of the public - locally and nationally seem to strongly support it. Why not? If you've ever sat in a plane  next to a sick person, worked with a sneezing co-worker or tried to keep your distance at a party from someone obviously coming down with something, you know where those germs often end up: ON YOU. But it's much more than that. Many people in Albuquerque go to work because they can't afford to miss it. Others can't afford to stay home to care for a sick child.

Learning about this is NOT anything you want to read about in the voting booth - and even that is being made difficult. The entire Ordinance is going to be included on the ballot in ridiculously small print that most people will struggle with. I read it in advance, and suggest you do too. For the record: I am voting a resounding YES.

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A Moveable Feast - This Week's Pick

How to find The Burque Bakehouse

Tuesday & Thursday: Pre-orders (one week in advance) can be made from any items off our menu for pick up at our kitchen from 10am-12pm.  Please call 505.234.6294 to place and confirm orders.

Markets

Saturdays:The Downtown Growers' Market (Robinson Park, 8th & Central) from 8am-12pm, runs April 15 through November 4th

Sundays: The Rail Yards Market (777 1st Street SW) from 10am-2pm, runs May 7 through October 29th

Pre-orders are recommended to ensure your items will be available. Orders must be placed by Thursday at 12pm (noon) for pickup at weekend markets. Please call 505.234.6294 to place and confirm orders.  No email orders accepted.

Our pastries can also be enjoyed at:

Zendo Art & Coffee

Michael Thomas Coffee

Slate Street Café @ The Museum

Editor's Notes: My Faves

• Triple Ginger Cookies
• Twice Baked Almond Croissant
• Scones - any flavor, these are unbelievably good!

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Something different this week: try a little tenderness

There are so many rescue organizations in Albuquerque. They need our support. But most of all, the homeless dogs and cats need our love.