Green Chile: New Mexico’s Ambassador

Did you know that the New Mexico red chile and it’s brother the green chile are one and the same? The only difference is whether they’re picked when ripe or not! Some particular strains, though, are bred for intended use as red or green chile, but it’s basically the same plant.

Now this staple of New Mexican cooking is making headlines, announcing its intent to spice up the dishes from one end of the country to the other.

Read “New Mexico hopes to get nation hooked on green chile” Just keep a glass of water handy!

Third Annual New Mexico Jazz Festival Keeps Raisin’ the Roof

New Mexico Jazz Festival 2008

A Bit of Background

Founded in 2006, the New Mexico Jazz Festival followed on the work of the Open Arts Foundation’s Santa Fe Jazz and International Music Festival (2000-2005) which produced hundreds of concerts and brought an unprecedented wealth of high quality jazz to Santa Fe.

In 2006, our inaugural effort presented McCoy Tyner, Branford Marsalis, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, the Newport Jazz Allstars, and more. In 2007 we expanded our efforts and presented more concerts in both cities including performances by the legendary Sonny Rollins in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. We also inaugurated a partnership with the City of Albuquerque’s Summerfest by offering 5 hours of music on Civic Plaza— an evening which was free and open to the public and which was capped by a performance by Toumani Diabaté’s Symmetric Orchestra.

This Weekend

July 19, Saturday, 7pm
New Mexico Jazz Workshop presents Blues Under the Stars

Pleasure Pilots • The Memphis PTails
• Alex Maryol
Albuquerque Museum Amphitheater

July 19, Saturday, 6-10:30pm
Albuquerque Summerfest

Allen Toussaint Quintet
plus Hillary Smith’s Hip Pocket • Paul Rivers Bailey
Laryea Addy • Concepto Tambor
Harry E. Kinney Civic Plaza

July 20, Sunday, 7:30pm
Bert Dalton Trio Honoring Chris Calloway
Straight Up Honoring Arlen Asher
The Lensic Performing Arts Center


Week Two
July 22, Tuesday, 6-8:30pm
Perceptions: Kanoa Kaluhiwa’s AfriLatin Jazz Ensemble
Le Chat Lunatique

Santa Fe Plaza

July 23, Wednesday, 7-9:00pm
Jazz in the Evening

Cathryn McGill Quartet
Old Town Plaza Albuquerque

July 23 & 24, Wednesday & Thursday, 7:30pm
Kenny Garrett Quartet

Outpost Performance Space

July 25 & 26, 7pm
New Mexico Jazz Workshop presens Women’s Voices
Friday (25th) Charmed; Dianna Hughes; Patti Littlefield;
Kari Simmons;Hillary Smith
Saturday (26th) The Buckarettes; Jenny Marlow;
Busy McCarroll; Madi Sato; Susan Clark

Albuquerque Museum Amphitheater

July 25, Friday, 7:30pm
Habib Koité & Bamada

The Lensic Performing Arts Center

July 26, Saturday, 7:30pm
Cassandra Wilson

The Lensic Performing Arts Center

July 27, Sunday, 4:30pm
A.B. Spellman & Paquito D’Rivera: Meet the artist
The Lensic Performing Arts Center

July 28, Monday, 2pm
A.B. Spellman: Reading
The Lensic Performing Arts Center

July 27, Sunday, 7:30pm
Paquito D’Rivera’s Funk Tango Quintet

The Lensic Performing Arts Center

July 28, Monday, 7:30pm
Preservation Hall Jazz Band

The Lensic Performing Arts Center


August is Just Around the Corner!

August in New Mexico is a great time to come visit: the rainy season is in full swing and the land is lush, green and absolutely beautiful! Here’s a list of some ongoing happenings throughout the state. For a great detailed calendar of events, visit our friends at Forever Frontier.

Socorro Farmer’s Market
Main Plaza, Socorro, NM
Each Saturday morning, June to October
575-835-8927

Monte Cristo Gift Shop & Gallery
Chloride, NM, just 35 miles west of Truth or Consequences via Hwy 52.
Open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM
505-743-0493 or montecristo@zianet.com

Las Cruces Farmers Market, downtown mall
Every Wednesday & Saturday
Growers and vendors selling locally grown produce and homemade crafts. www.lascrucescvb.org

Mesilla Mercado
Every Thursday & Sunday
Old Mesilla Plaza, Mesilla, NM.
Growers and vendors selling locally grown produce and homemade crafts. www.lascrucescvb.org

New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum

Las Cruces, NM
Explore farming, ranching, and rural life in New Mexico!
Museum Tours, Seminars and Exhibits.
www.nmfarmandranchmuseum.org
575-522-4100

Deming Livestock Auction
Every Wednesday, 9:30 am
575-546-8851

Summer Chairlift Rides
Taos Ski Valley
From late June through September, enjoy the majestic views of Taos Ski Valley from our lift #1. Once you arrive at the top off load and hike around. Ride the lift or hike down to the base area.
$10 for adults and $6 for juniors. Group rates available. If you have a Taos season pass from last season or for the upcoming season there’s no charge. (You must present pass).
Hours 10am – 4:30pm, Thursdays through Mondays until September 1st, then Saturdays and Sundays from September 6-28, 2008.
Taos, NM
www.taosskivalley.com

Crownpoint Rug Auction

Crownpoint,, NM (east of Gallup)
300-400 hand woven Navajo rugs are auctioned off each month; sponsored by Crownpoint Rug Weavers Association. Rug viewing begins at 4:00 pm and runs until 6:00 pm. Auction begins at 7:00 pm.
Crownpoint Elementary School, 72 miles south of Farmington on Hwy. 371, Call for dates: 505-786-5302, 505-786-7386 www.crownpointrugauction.com

Hiking Season in Taos Ski Valley

May through October are ideal months to hike our surrounding trails. Trail maps available at the Visitor Center or on-line at www.taosskivalley.com
Call for more information (575) 776-1413 or 800-517-9817.
Taos, NM.

New Mexico Revenue Could Increase $392 million for 2009

Thanks to high prices for oil and natural gas, New Mexico could be looking at a big revenue windfall for 2009, according to economists in Gov. Bill Richardson’s administration and the Legislature. The money could go to spending increases or offset permanent tax cuts. The Legislature will convene in January for a 60-day session.

For more details, click here

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Piece of Cake, er, Pie… (Part Two)

As promised, I stopped in to Pie Town’s other famous hot spot, The Daily Pie, to sample the wares. I happened to come in during the lunch hour, which gave me the opportunity to try a meal AND a slice of pie.

Their menu—no printed version—is all up on a white board: scrumptious sandwiches (we tried the BBQ pulled pork and the brisket version—truly finger lickin’ good) and, of course, a variety of pies, neatly labeled on a—what else—colorful pie chart. Today they had Peanut Butter Pie, Plum Pie (I can attest to its tart but sweet appeal), Apple Pie, Key Lime Cream Cheese Pie, Triple Berry, Black Berry and the famous New Mexico Apple Pie, made with green chilies.

But the pie doesn’t stop there. There’s Primo Pie (Creamy Pecan, Chocolate Cream, Strapple and Coconut Cream). Then there’s what owner Mike Rawls calls “Pielets”—miniature 4” versions of some of his most popular pies that “travel much better than a slice.”

“I also added in a $5.00 menu not too long ago to give people a break in this economy,” he says. “It’s all home-style food made from scratch. Much more satisfying than fast food and for about the same price. Leaves room in their bellies and in their pocketbooks for a slice of pie!”

Tool around the restaurant and you’ll also find it’s a bit of a general store. “You gotta offer a bit of everything in a small town,” comments Mike. Browse through the T-shirt rack (hooded pull-on sweatshirts are “buy 1 get a free slice of pie” until they’re out) or thumb through the local Pie Town history and recipe books.

Mike is also a big Pie Town advocate, donating his time and money to setting up and running www.pietown.org, the town’s “official” website, where you can find information and pictures of the famous Pie Town Festival (happening this year on September 13th) and other info such as where to stay, where to buy a good piece of land, and where to find someone to build on it for you.

“It’s all about the Power of Pie,” says Mike.

The Daily Pie café is open Tuesday through Saturday 7am- 6pm and closed on Sundays and Mondays.

The Daily Pie 1