As Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department, I welcome you to New Mexico, a truly diverse destination. The mountains are covered in snow, the ski areas are booming and winter festivities are in full swing. Come celebrate a season like no other in a place like no other: New Mexico, your Land of Enchantment.
Michael Cerletti
Snowfall on many of New Mexico’s ski areas in December 2008 was some of the most ever recorded. The snow started a bit late, coming just after the Thanksgiving holiday period, but since that time the snowfall at the ski resorts has been plentiful.
Sipapu reported over 80 inches in the month of December, which was double the snow fall in December 2007. Taos Ski Valley reported more than 90 inches of snow - second highest on record – and Pajarito near Los Alamos reported 81 inches, the most in the past 15 years. Angel Fire Ski Resort experienced 102 inches of snow in December; and Chama reported 81 inches of snow in December, nearly triple its average.
The Pueblo of Santa Clara is pleased to announce that the Puye Cliffs Dwellings National Historic Landmark is now open for group tours following an eight-year closure. The expansive archaeological site opens to individual visitors in May of 2009.
This ancestral home of Santa Clara Pueblo supported 1,500 people from 1100 A.D. to 1580 A.D. An original Fred Harvey House was built on site in the early 1900s to accommodate guests exploring the American Southwest. Will now house a museum and cultural center.
The New Mexico Museum of Art presents ‘Alternative Spaces,’ February 20 through May 3, 2009, a challenging exhibition that runs counter to the conventional display of artwork in a museum setting. The eight artists in Alternative Spaces will take over various locations in the museum and instill them with their own meaning.
‘Alternative Spaces’ presents contemporary installations in dialogue with the museum’s historic architecture. Eight New Mexico artists will create works in the museum’s architectural nooks and crannies and public spaces not typically used for the display of artwork, including St. Francis Auditorium, the lobby and its fireplace, stairwells, and the façade.
The National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque announces a free public reception for the opening of two exhibitions on Friday, February 6, 2009, 6–8 p.m. in the art museum. The Center is showcasing the work of New Mexico artist Margaret Herrera (Chávez) in a new series entitled Nuestros Maestros (Our Teachers). This showcase is the second exhibition of the Center Community Gallery.
Also on this evening the Center will reacquaint the public with its ever-growing and evolving permanent art collection ¡Aquí Estamos! Works from the Permanent Collection.
The Center’s Visual Arts Program rarely features one-person shows. At times, however, an artist’s legacy demands singular respect. In light of this, the Visual Arts Program has created the Nuestros Maestros Series which will highlight such artists.
Aeromexico, Mexico’s largest airline is beginning non-stop air service between Albuquerque Sunport and Chihuahua City, Chihuahua, Mexico.
The new non-stop flight is the result of an agreement between the chief executives in both states to pursue an international flight route between Albuquerque and Chihuahua City.
Aeromexico will be providing an Embraer aircraft for this much-anticipated route. This plane seats 52 passengers. The flight lasts 80-minutes. The Albuquerque Sunport has already set up a special terminal for international visitors complete with an Immigration check point.
January 2009
23 San Ildefonso Pueblo Feast Day-newmexico.org
24-25 Big Ol’ Texas Weekend, Angel Fire Resort – 800-633-7463
25 St. Paul’s Feast Day, Picuris Pueblo-newmexico.org
February 2009
2 Candelaria Feast Day, Picuris and San Felipe pueblos
6-8 Murder Mystery Weekend, Cloudcroft – 800-395-6343
7-8 Corporate Cup Race, Angel Fire - 800-633-7463
9 Cowboy Poetry Fiesta, Lordsburg – 575-542-9258
14 Mt. Taylor Winter Quadrathlon, Grants – 800-748-2142
19-24 Mardi Gras in the Mountains, Red River – www.redriver.org
20-22 Mardi Gras in the Clouds, Cloudcroft – 866-874-4447
21 Evening with Lucille Ball, Spencer Theater –www.spencertheater.com
21 Fort’s Day, El Camino Real International Center – 575-854-3600
21-22 Art-I-Gras, Ruidoso – 575-257-7272
24 Mardi Gras Celebrations, Angel Fire – 800-633-7463
27-28 NMSU, Jack Ward Invitational Choral Festival – 575-646-1420
27–3/1Fiery Foods Festival, Sandia Casino – 505-873-8680
Pasadena, California (January 1, 2009) - More than one million spectators lining Colorado Blvd. and millions more watching around the world were treated to the New Mexico Tourism Department’s "Hats off to new Mexico – Beep Beep" float, winner of the coveted Bob Hope Humor Award in the 120th Tournament of Roses® Parade.
The Bob Hope Humor Award, in honor of one of the world’s greatest entertainers, the late Bob Hope, is given to the float that is considered by the judges to be the "most comical and amusing."
Among the float's riders were Jim Garcia of El Pinto Restaurant, Linda Clough Jones and Craig Kausen. Jones and Kausen are the daughter and grandson, respectively, of Chuck Jones, the animation genius behind Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner, the featured performers on New Mexico’s award-winning float. This is the second straight year that the Land of Enchantment's float entry in the Tournament of Roses® Parade has won a major award.
SANTA FE—As New Mexicans observed the 97th anniversary of their statehood January 6, 2009, plans were moving forward for the state’s official centennial celebration just three short years away.
The Centennial of Statehood Steering Committee, a statewide collaborative group led by the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Centennial Task Force, appointed by the Governor and House and Senate leadership, selected a logo from among many designs submitted by students at the Design College of Albuquerque to represent official statewide activities that will commemorate New Mexico’s entry into the union as the 47th state.
The logo design, created by Ryan Rodriguez, a graduate student at the College, will be unveiled at a press conference during “Culture Day” at the New Mexico Legislature on Thursday, February 19 at the Rotunda of the State Capitol in Santa Fe.
Brand new and ready for you - it's the Lodge at Santa Fe/Georgia O’Keeffe Museum Package Giveaway. The Lodge at Santa Fe, located one mile from the Historic Plaza, features guestrooms and suites beautifully decorated in a unique New Mexican style, heated swimming pool, hot pool, fitness center and complimentary shuttle service.
The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum is devoted to the work of the American artist Georgia O’Keeffe, and since its opening in 1997, it has become one of the most popular museums in New Mexico. The package includes:
Enter today click here to go to the entrance form ...
The New Mexico Tourism Department is developing a new division within the Department dedicated to helping develop the state as a leader and visionary of eco-conscience travel in the United States.
The mission of the new division, led by Deputy Secretary Jen Hoffman, is to brand, market and develop the state as a leading ecotourism destination, allowing it to be a major player in the fastest growing market in the tourism industry.
“Ecotourism is a nature-based form of specialty travel defined as ‘responsible travel’ to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of the local community,” Hoffman said. “New Mexico is a natural stage for ecotourism with its grand vistas, vibrant cultures and beautiful wilderness areas.”
Hoffman said ecotourism offers an authentic and engaging experience to travelers who want an off-the-beaten path adventure that connects them with natural beauty and indigenous traditions. For many travelers, it provides a rewarding, hands-on opportunity to give-back to local communities.
“It is our vision that the State of New Mexico be a premier model and destination for ecotourism and conservation initiatives,” Hoffman added.
The New Mexico Tourism Department is offering a new and exciting selection of apparel in its Santa Fe Visitor Information Center.
Stop in and browse the beautiful new selection of embroidered shirts, vests, cinch bags, hats, and more, in addition to the standard clothing and gift line.
For all of you fishing aficionados out there, check out a great new website and toll free phone number where you can get all the latest fishing conditions in New Mexico.
The FishPhone is available on line at www.thefishphone.com, or by calling 877-88 GO FISH. The website has six distinct fishing regions. You can learn what’s biting and what they’re biting on.
Check out the Fish Phone, sponsored in part by the New Mexico Tourism Department.