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.

Gov. Bill Richardson announced Friday that the production company 26 Films will commence principal photography in New Mexico for “Run For Her Life”, a feature film starring Dermot Mulroney and Diane Kruger, marking the 100th major film production shot in the state during his administration.The film will be directed by Icelandic director, Baltasar Kormakur with Michelle Chydzik Sowa and Nathalie Marciano of 26 Films producing along with Jennifer Kelly.Principal photography begins June 15 in Santa Fe. The production will employ approximately 90 local crew members and 300 local actors.

“Run For Her Life” is a dramatic thriller about Paul Stanton (Mulroney), a successful D.A. on the path to political office who becomes entrenched in a dangerous situation while trying to save the life of his 8 year-old daughter in desperate need of a lung transplant.

“Trappings: Stories of Women Power and Clothing,” created by Two Girls Working, comes to Albuquerque, New Mexico June 13th-August 16th. This unique collection of art creates conversations about the meaning and expression of power.

Two Girls Working, a collaboration between Tiffany Ludwig and Renee Piechocki, examines the way we identify ourselves and others that describe the range and diversity of background, identity and attitude among women. To do this, they begin by asking women to respond to the question: what do you wear that makes you feel powerful? Since they started the project in 2002, the artists have interviewed more than 600 women in 15 states. This year, before coming to Albuquerque, the exhibit has also been displayed in New York, Wyoming and Missouri. The national exhibition tour is in conjunction with the release of their book of the same title.

“I chose to bring Trappings to 516 ARTS to involve Albuquerque in a national dialogue. Our mission at 516 is to help connect Albuquerque with larger cultural trends and discussions — regionally, nationally and occasionally internationally,” said Suzanne Sbarge, Executive Director of 516 ARTS. “I think our local involvement lends important voices to this dialogue — including many Native American and Hispanic women.”

Trappings: Albuquerque will include a two-floor installation at 516 ARTS in downtown Albuquerque as well as an accompanying public art project featuring Trappings bus panels on the downtown D-Ride buses and banners on light posts and buildings. Bus passengers can view images and hear participant interviews by dialing a number from their cell phones.
In addition to the gallery exhibit and public art displays, events will further develop the theme including a panel discussion on July 14 and the Downtown Artscrawl on August 15th.

“By incorporating interviews from local women of all ages and cultures, this exhibition provides a multi-faceted conversation about power,” said Joni Thompson, Chief Operating Officer of the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Exhibitions such as the national tour of ‘Trappings’ contribute to Albuquerque consistently being named as one of the country’s top arts destinations.”

Visit http://www.516arts.org/ and http://www.twogirlsworking.com/ for information on Trappings. For details on more Albuquerque events, go to http://www.itsatrip.org/.

Trappings: Albuquerque is made possible by New Mexico Humanities Council, the City of Albuquerque, McCune Foundation, Clear Channel Outdoor and many general sponsors.

Governor Bill Richardson recently announced that DreamWorks Pictures, Paramount Pictures and director Michael Bay will return to New Mexico to film major sequences for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, expected to hit theaters next summer. Filming in Alamogordo begins in the fall.

“Transformers was a huge success and I am pleased that Dream Works, Paramount Pictures and Michael Bay have decided to return to New Mexico to film the second installment,” said Governor Richardson.

The first film, starring Shia LaBeouf, Tyrese Gibson, Josh Duhamel, Megan Fox and John Turturro, grossed more than $700 million worldwide.

Whether you’re an old hand at fishing or if you feel like testing the waters for the first time, June 7 is the perfect time to get out and make a cast or two at lakes and streams across New Mexico—no license required.

June 7, 2008, is National Fishing Day, and to celebrate, the New Mexico Game Commission is granting all anglers, residents and nonresidents a day of free fishing on public waters statewide. On this special day, no one needs a license or habitat stamp, although all other fishing rules apply.

As a bonus this year, the Department of Game and Fish and its partners will conduct free fishing clinics June 7 at waters across the state. Anglers of all ages are encouraged to participate. All you need is some basic fishing equipment and a desire to fish in New Mexico’s great outdoors. Most clinics will offer prizes for kids who register and attend educational stations.

At least 160 volunteers and more than 30 Department staff members will be at the clinics to provide fishing instruction and information about New Mexico’s fish and fish habitat. Young anglers will learn the basics: how to bait hooks, tie knots, catch fish and the correct way to release fish. They’ll also learn how to be responsible anglers and how to get the most out of the Department’s Fishing Rules and Information Booklet.

The kids fishing clinics will be at waters across the state in lakes and streams of varying sizes—even in a portable swimming pool. Almost all of them will be generously stocked with catchable-sized trout or channel catfish before the events.

For more information about the clinics, contact Kevin Holladay at (505) 476-8095.

Here’s where to find the clinics:

* Glenwood: 8 a.m. to noon, Glenwood Fish Hatchery pond.
* Clovis: 8 a.m. to noon, Ned Houk Pond.
* Las Cruces: 8 a.m. to noon, Alumni Pond.
* Roswell: 8 a.m. to noon, Wal-Mart Super Center, catfish portable pool.
* Corona: 8 a.m. to noon, Corona City Pond.
* Aztec: 8 a.m. to noon, Aztec City Pond.
* Pecos Canyon: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Cowles Pond.
* Questa: 8 a.m. to noon, Eagle Rock Lake.
* Albuquerque: 8 a.m. to noon, Tingley Beach.
* Grants: 8 a.m. to noon, Grants Riverwalk Pond.
* Santa Rosa: 8 a.m. to noon, Blue Hole Park Pond.
* Caballo Lake State Park: Fishing derby, 7 a.m. to noon. Educational activities start at 3 p.m.

You absolutely have to live up to a name like Pie Town and, at the Pie-O-Neer, that’s exactly what Kathy Knapp and her merry band of bakers do.

One of only two pie shops in Pie Town (stay tuned for a review of The Daily Pie, coming soon to this blog near you), the Pie-O-Neer is an Old West-style storefront complete with a porch and a swinging screen door. As we stepped in, Kathy greeted us with a cheery “Come on in, we’re closed!” Fortunately, she still had a couple of slices left of her famous O.P. Pie (that’s oatmeal and pecan) and Apple Crumb Pie. But the highlight of the visit—for me, at least—was the last pie to come out of the oven that day, the Cookie Pie: walnuts and oatmeal and golden raisins and apples, all cooked under a perfectly crunchy crust and served with a wonderful gob of vanilla ice cream on top. Seriously addicting.

Originally from Chicago, Kathy has spent the last 13 years making customers happy with her eclectic pie menu; she also serves a selection of freshly made sandwiches and the ubiquitous chili cheeseburgers. Her bakery/café/shop holds an intriguing collection of new stuff and found objects, and includes a library with titles as varied as the clients who walk through the door—some books are for borrowing, others are for buying, and if you have anything in your car that you’ve already read, donations and trades are encouraged. A display case holds copies of the Pie Town Cookbook, a selection of natural salves and handmade soaps, Native American jewelry, pottery, pine needle baskets and some really cool hand-painted gourds called “Galloping Gourds”. There’s also a small rack of super soft, 100% cotton, hand-dyed T-shirts appropriately named “Cop-a-Feel” for the textured patches they have on the front.

When you order, don’t be surprised if the waitress pulls up a chair to chat while she writes it down. It’s just that kind of a place—and you’ll be so glad it is.

The Pie-O-Neer is open Friday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s right off Highway US 60—you can’t miss it as you drive through town.

PS: In the immortal words of Kathy herself: “If you bake it, they will come”… And some have come from hundreds of miles away! Read on below… Also, here’s a link to a great article on Pie Town published in the Smithsonian Magazine.

http://www.roundamerica.com/pie-places.htm

http://www.joeberkovitz.com/blog/2007/05/16/new-mexico-episode-1-the-church-of-cartesian-space/

http://flapjackflanny.blogspot.com/2007_09_01_archive.html

http://www.sunset.com/sunset/food/package/0,20869,714295,00.html

http://allbutthedissertation.blogspot.com/2007/11/pie-town-part-2.html

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cobalt/351840748/

It’s summer and Snuffy’s over at Quemado Lake (just minutes from Ponderosa Views and Spring Canyon Ranch) has a whole lotta fun stuff going on. For starters, their summer hours are have kicked in and they now serve Breakfast and Lunch (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.), plus Dinner on the weekends (Fridays and Saturdays) is served till 7 p.m.

There’s a brand new Champagne Brunch on the menu for Sundays, served from 12 noon till 2 p.m., with “delectable fare” for $7.95 plus a complimentary glass of Champagne or a mimosa.

Don’t forget the monthly Fishing Derby on Father’s Day and on the 4th of July weekend! Entry fee is $10.00 for adults and only $5.00 for kids under 12. (Latest fishing reports say “it’s good!” Get your fishing license and supplies right at Snuffy’s.)

Also in June:

June 7 – Free Fishing Day

June 20 – First Day of Summer Picnic on the Deck

June 28 – Art on the Lawn from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Stay tuned for July Events!

Two-time Agatha Award nominee Pari Noskin Taichert visited the El Camino Real International Heritage Center today to discuss and sign copies of her latest Sasha Solomon mystery, the Socorro Blast. Readers who have followed Solomon on her first two adventures, The Clovis Incident and The Belen Hitch, head out with her to Socorro this time when she consults with town patriarch Papi Sanchez on how to bring tourism to Socorro County attractions, including the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, El Camino Real International Heritage Center and the Very Large Array telescope field, among others. Along the way, she uncovers some Sanchez family scandals and, of course, a crime: this time involving her favorite niece, Gabi.

“PR sleuth Sasha Solomon takes us on yet another rollercoaster read. Fans of Noskin Taichert will love the unexpected twists right up to the shocking conclusion. The Socorro Blast is her best work yet, as Sasha whips her way through one of New Mexico’s most diverse landscapes.” –Barbara Richardson, First Lady of New Mexico

Visit Paris Noskin Taichert’s website for a closer look at the author and her newest bestseller.

Gold Rush Days-White Oaks

Take a trip back in time to when gold mining was a common way of life. Celebrating the heydays of life in White Oaks, there will be fun, music, gold panning, muzzleloader demonstrations, and parades. May 31st and June 1st in White Oaks, just 12 miles north of Carrizozo.

 

Music in the Parks-Valle Del Sol Gazebo

The second Music in the Parks free concerts will be held at the gazebo at Valle Del Sol, just east of the Golf Course. Featuring the Rich Chorle Blues Band. Free. Bring a hat and water. June 1st Starts at 2pm.

For more details, visit the Carrizozo Chamber of Commerce website.

 

The Trail Of Painted Ponies, by New Mexico film director – producer Elizabeth Gaylynn Baker, celebrates and commemorates the culture, music, and artistic culture of the U.S. Southwest, and New Mexico. The Trail Of Painted Ponies is a highly dramatic, and colorfully done documentary, narrated by Ali MacGraw. The documentary brightly presents life-size statues of horses made as “branded Art for Charity”, and has thrilled the imagination and hearts of thousands. Whether a horse person or art lover, you won’t want to miss experiencing this amazing enriching experience.This astonishing documentary highlights the inspired talents of globally-celebrated artists, including, Star Liana York, Tavlos, Yellowman, JD Challenger, Kevin Redstar, Robert Rivera, Gregory Lomayesva, Roger Montoya, Joel Nakamura, and many others.Each artistically made horse in this astonishing herd of some 120 ponies is totally unique and beautiful to behold. Some are ornamented with radically fantastic accouterments; others have been redesigned and completely remade; some are painted, and some are decorated with complex, glittering inlays of beads and glass. Each painted pony is as unique as the artist that made it, and will delight you. Please view the trailer free, here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHfmvq6qWK8 Operations are based in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and cover all of New Mexico.

About Spirit Productions

A Santa Fe and Albuquerque based, New Mexico movie and documentary production Company, covering all of New Mexico. We also engage in assignments such as TV commercials, film shorts, educational, motivational, and other video – film production.