Albuquerque, NM

If these 3 blogs seem a bit scattered, it could be a reflection of the atmosphere for the upcoming year. You may after reading these have a lot of ????’s. Call Elissa Haymen for help.

It may be a little late, but Elissa Heyman can work with you all year long if toy like. I just got permission to include her newsletter here. If you read on you will note that she has been in the business of helping people for a very long time, some since 1979. In addition to years of experience, she also offers amny different approaches to helping you learn about your path, spirituality, and a bigger viewpoint beyond ourselves. Make sure to visit her site too. Thanks, and may your year be filled with adventure.

www.elissaheyman.com

Scheduled Circles/Travel:

Santa Fe, Friday, January 23rd, New Moon Solar Eclipse Healing Circle. This Winter Circle is particularly favorable, (Sun conjunct Jupiter), for doing energy-release healing work and spiritual cleaning. We’ll also be looking at the new year…please bring a couple of personal questions, and an object that holds meaning for you now. Limited to eight, $45, 7-9 pm. GO to Elissa’s site for more information.

Las Cruces: Full Moon Circle: Get your energy balanced and put the right foot forward in the new year! Please bring questions; we’ll also be looking at the year through various divination tools. Bring also an object that you associate with a goal or something relevant now. (This circle is full.) Openings for private appointments, January 8th. Please email or call, see above.

Las Vegas: Afternoon circle Saturday March 28th, Limited to eight, $65, 2 ½ hrs. Private appointments Friday March 27th. Please email or call, see above. www.elissaheyman.com

New Orleans: Openings for private appointments May 5th. www.elissaheyman.com

If you’re interested in hosting a circle in your area, contact.

Psychic Predictions and Astrology for 2009

“Eleven” also connotes spiritual growth, and this year many feel they are gaining mastery over their own selves. A lot of people are feeling healed. There’s a big wave of people who are feeling a lot better about where they’re going and what they’re doing in life. Successful action marks the year– in it, a lot of people get set up for future success, and find it’s easier to align their heart, mind, and will.

The Speaking Stones: The stones mystified me. I believe they were portraying a disorganized landscape, like an earthquake, or the ultimate disorganization of some collective body, like a revolution. The Speaking Stones’ reflection of destabilizing and transformative circumstances in 2009 fit various scenarios already in the air: earthquakes in Yellowstone, economic collapse, (and Europe looking more affected than the U.S.); border changes, war.

The Oh Cards: There were many images that showed the same thing, a striking contrast between the soaring spirit of people, their hope, and the state of the world at the moment. One image for America portrayed its renewed spirit and the Obama agenda: It’s a big traffic light hanging over a beautiful highway, and the light’s green and flashing “go”–there’s a straightforward way clearly laid out for things to work. And all around the edges of this beautiful scene are different threats.

Gifts from Outer Space: New concepts, originating from some alien intelligence, seed the air with ideas about how to orchestrate and harmonize larger systems, giving us inspiration to change how we deliver energy and maintain power. There’s the impression that on other planets, there’s some kind of grid and everyone’s plugged into it, and certain amenities are just taken for granted: that people have the right to power, and there’s not such a profit structure around it.

The Earth: Better growing methods are introduced and greater respect shown for the earth. There is more community activity. Wildlife need help from humans more than any other life on earth. (A high-rated charity is www.wwf.org.)

Out in the world: It’s very difficult for the United States to see how they can achieve the goals of balance and effect real change–a way is not provided at first, as if at first some serious you-know-what has to go down. The President of France does have to be careful — he could still be a target. Morocco is in some circumstance that it should wait and see what develops…different people come forward, routes change, and an alliance with another place strengthens systems of delivering things. Alaska’s position will improve: it is destined to benefit from something useful there but not yet realized, and to get more integrated with the rest of the country. There’s still the idea of California getting rescued, something working out for California…California gets bailed out; and if there were any earth changes that affected part of the state, it would get relief. Women come to the forefront whom have the knowledge and healing ways that are needed now.

Heart Openings: There’s a growing and perceptible change in peoples’ attitude towards each other and a greater spirit of cooperation –this is what makes all the difference in the world. Maybe that’s why the prescient Mayans named this time, “when consciousness surpasses technology.” This is when things get interesting– when it becomes apparent that human evolution is a matter of being able to feel more and receive more love– and to give. A mass of hearts open amidst the rubble and chaos and hard realities that litter 2009.

Personal Guidance for 2009:

Another point of view from Barbara:

Now back to Elissa Heyman….think a bit and call Elissa for questions and advice.

At all costs, conserve your energy. Choose peace over power.

If you decide to have a good time this year…well, you certainly can! Creativity is off the hook, and ideas abound–that’s one reason it’s hard to get really depressed about how bad things might look. Expect to have a very good time in 2009, seek what fulfills you, and you shall find it.

2009 Psychic Messages for the Astrological Signs
Read your Sun, Moon, and Rising Signs

Note: Element messages for the year are in December’s newsletter.This is the corrected Water Sign message from the Mayan New Year predictions: There’s a lot of grace to this year, a lot of changes but they are smooth or there’s an order or a sense of orderliness, and you do make it to a comfortable place. This year you are dealing more with what you do know, with what is already on the table–rather than with unknowns that disrupt things. In other words, your work is cut out for you.

Aries: You modernize this year: You get into new markets and use more technology to work with your god-given talents. Partnerships serve social, personal, and professional needs– this is an interesting, highly creative year for collaborations. The part you do is not the final step or end product. Be your own authority and trust your creative instincts. Only be willing to be complicated and intense with creative projects, not relationships. Proceed with authority doing what you see fit; your decisions are good because they’re grounded in self-knowledge.

Taurus: The truer understanding you have of yourself and those you love create a change in your relationships and possibly location this year. You are surrounded by the creative spirit but an idea doesn’t quite land, or the full form does not quite manifest at this time–there’s still a debate about what to do, where exactly to direct your energy. You’re not ready yet, but keep on engaging with creative energy, and exploring it. Do not judge yourself according to financial measures of success, or insist that this be a fruitful year in terms of material gain. It’s much better to put energy into making yourself more potent, more creative and spontaneous, and more willing to do new things. Re staying in balance: even more than the last couple of years, your body will need more exercise and maintenance to stay relaxed, flexible and fit. It’s well worth the effort!

Gemini: Be careful this year of overextending yourself or trying to do too much. Everything can still be great and you can take it a little easier. This year, you’re hard at work and right in the middle of your interesting plans and strategies. Everything is on course, because it looks like you’re engaged in what is most true-to-you to do. Even difficult circumstances seem to end you up in a place you can appreciate. You’re happy about where and how you end up in 2009.

Cancer: You may feel you made a mistake in some area, or created a loss for yourself. Perhaps an expectation was not reached. On the other hand, you’ll have some of the most fun times in 2009 with either your work or your significant others. This could be a very high year of experiences that are really like a happier, higher level of your prior experiences. You would see a way to do something that really turns you on–you get backing for something. You may be surprised at how fun this year is.

Leo: 2009 flower reading: This year you will expect a lot, you have delivered a lot, and a lot will be expected of you. You are putting all your cards on the table, letting people know how creative you are and what you can do. You act more maturely, enjoying the challenge of your responsibilities. You are in service this year, but you’re also living it up! Last but not least, you are leaving behind what didn’t work. Tarot: In some way, you are dealing with a difficult situation that you have to think your way out of …something might force you to abandon some goals, some directions, and look to others.

Virgo: Grace enters your life in some profound way. It would be very difficult to think of this year as anything but a success, even though you may be stressed to the max before you succeed. There’s more of a strain in your life in the beginning of the year, Success comes through doing new things, your relationships, new environments, and new directions. Relationships are very important to your well-being this year, and you’re very important to other people. You have to traverse a certain distance for more material success, and must help yourself now and get support to get to a better place. What you lack is not important, only to hang in there and go further than you ever have before, feeling life is better, richer, and more rewarding.

Libra: You get into more joyful circumstances this year, but you do have to make moves to make this happen. Even though you have to be pro-active and recognize and take opportunities, Divine Providence also operates in your life this year. You may find yourself going back and forth between locations; in some way there’s a consideration of changing domains. It could be that with your creativity you need a different venue that appreciates it and will pay for it. There’s something that you’re outgrowing, and are moving towards more money for whatever it is you do–and you are now delivering a lot more for the money that people pay you. You need to spread out and see where else you can operate or perform.

Scorpio: A lot of light comes into the lives of Scorpios in 2009, and even so, there can be the profound end of things. What needs to grow is light in your life, and this might involve quite a change in circumstances can be quite changing. Changes happen when partnerships and alliances are strong, so there is support through change. You receive deep insight, a knowing you didn’t have; there’s tremendous movement within you. Never underestimate yourself…you are reborn this year! Opportunity comes that answers a lot of questions, that really works for you.

Sagittarius: You are forgiven, if you’re feeling guilty about something. There’s no need to be punished, the difficulty you’ve had is enough. You get new chances, and there are better arrangements up ahead. You appear to have no past, no karma…2009 is an in-the-present, opportunistic, inspired and positive time because of what comes your way. You do get opportunities, or have a big brainstorm about what you can do or start. You get a chance to start something new, to begin in a new place and you really like where it goes and the people you meet because of it. Financial opportunity comes when you have a wider view of where you can end up.

Capricorn: 2009 is a clarifying year, and you emerge a finer person. It can be a super-creative and rich time, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re making a lot of money. You’re going to figure out whatever you need to satisfy yourself and deal with reality. In order for you to be happy, you make decisions that make waves…even so, make those decisions for your own happiness, so that things work for you. It’s time to go out of your comfort zone in some way, and you could travel to faraway places. Avoid taking chances or speculating in the beginning of the year. If you’re trying to expand professionally, be patient…it’s likely that trying to expand now would take more energy than it’s worth. This year’s different…enjoy it!!

Aquarius: You benefit in 2009 the moment the Sun goes into your sign: your birthday year begins with a tremendously fortunate astrological aspect meaning you get very clear directions about the right path this year, your new beginnings are blessed, and you begin a cycle of positive growth. This comes on the heels of thinking that you gave up something, but good karma comes your way, you get an awful lot back.

Pisces: You might go in a different direction than you first expected. It’s a year of adventures, and you go exploring, expanding your sense of home, and having experiences that satisfy karmic relationships. You are flourishing but may not cut ties with what is not flourishing– with the past.
Where there’s a will there’s a way, and what has a lot of will this year is your heart. Your heart is opening and magnetizing people and places to you in which you can grow and thrive –and avenues develop, as you find your way back to a strong direction, and it’s a different place, but it feels right.

TAG: Elissa Heyman offers psychic counseling and healing services in person in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and by phone. She also hosts Intuition Circles for small groups, both in Santa Fe and other cities. Please visit Elissa’s website to learn about her services, read the monthly client newsletter with predictions, and test your intuition, plus birthday forecasts for the year for the astrological sign of the month. A full-time professional since 1979, Elissa Heyman is trained in psychological counseling, spiritual healing, shamanism, and metaphysics. Appointment details at www.elissaheyman.com.

Brett Dean, one of the Festival’s upcoming 2009 season guest artists, wins world’s most prestigious competition award

Festival patrons who have already bought their 2009 season tickets will have noticed Australian composer/conductor/violist Brett Dean’s name among the season’s guest artists. The Festival has also commissioned him to write a piece for the 2010 season.
On December 1, it was announced that Mr. Dean, 41, was awarded the 2009 Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition by the University of Louisville, the most prestigious competition award in the world. He is the first Australian to win the award, which carries a prize of $200,000. Founded in 1984 by industrialist, entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist and University alumnus H. Charles Grawemeyer, the award is given annually and honors “powerful ideas in five fields - music composition, ideas improving world order, psychology, education and religion”.

Mr. Dean’s 2006 violin concerto, “The Lost Art of Letter Writing,” commissioned by the Cologne Philharmonic and Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra for violinist Frank Peter Zimmerman, is cited in the award. One of 145 entries submitted, the work’s title is derived from four individual letters - by composers Johannes Brahms and Hugo Wolf, artist Vincent Van Gogh and Australian outlaw Ned Kelly, which inspired the works’ four movements.

Brett Dean is also an international conductor and a violist who played with the Berlin Philharmonic for 15 years, and whose positions include artistic director of the Australian National Academy of Music. Mr. Dean joins a distinguished list of acclaimed composers who have received the Grawemeyer, including Gyorgy Kurtag, Pierre Boulez, and Aaron Jay Kernis.

AN indirect related video….

Ahhhh….

Mr. Dean began composing in 1988. His works include Ariel’s Music, a clarinet concerto that won an award from the UNESCO International Rostrum of Composers and Winter Songs, which won the 2001 Paul Lowin Song Cycle Prize. His most widely-known work is Carlo, a piece for strings, sampler and tape, inspired by the music of Renaissance composer Carlo Gesualdo. Other scores include Beggars and Angels (1999), commissioned by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and Moments of Bliss, which earned Best Composition Award at the 2005 Australian Classical Music Awards.

The Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival will present an all-Dean concert this 2009 season featuring four of his works on Friday, August 14th as part of the Modern Masters series. Included on the program will be Intimate Decisions, performed by Mr. Dean on viola; Demons, performed by flutist Tara Helen O’Connor, Huntington Eulogy performed by cellist Felix Fan and pianist Andrew Russo, and Eclipse, performed by the Orion String Quartet.

Mr. Dean can also be heard as violist in Bruckner’s Quintet for Strings in F Major on August 17th, in Mozart’s String Quintet No. 5 in D Major, K. 593 on August 20th, and in Brahms’ String Sextet No. 1 in B-Flat Major, Op. 18 on August 23rd.

Spotlight on Festival Board

The Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival receives tremendous support from a remarkable group of individuals - The Festival Board. The Festival staff wishes to acknowledge these wonderful people for their time, support, enthusiasm and encouragement. Their efforts have contributed to the growth of the Festival and we heartily thank them.
Should you happen to see any of our Board members, please feel free to join us in thanking them!

Chairman
Carole Brown

President
Toni Zavistovski

Vice Presidents
David K. Ingalls
David Frank

Secretary
Barry M. Beller, M.D.

Treasurer
Herman Siegelaar

Douglas M. Brown
Richard J. Cronin, M.D.
Edgar Foster Daniels
Judy Putman Dirks
Peter Frank
Donna Hankinson
John Hart
Jeri Berger Hertzman
Robert N. Hilgendorf
Susan Horowitz
Nancy Jacobs
Sarah Lawless
Jani Leuschel
Kenneth R. Marvel
Balene McCormick
Mary Mill
Susan Mize
Beth Moise
Lee J. Nash
Scott Nelson, M.D.
Daniel N. Ronel, M.D.
Louisa Stude Sarofim
Fred Simon
Arnold Tenenbaum
Kristin Watson
Jane Ann Welch
William Zeckendorf, Jr.

Emeriti
Gifford Phillips
Dr. Charles M. Weiss
Dr. Shirley F. Weiss

Staff Profile:
Kristen Tidwell

Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival’s Development and Outreach Director Kristen Tidwell just celebrated her eleventh anniversary with the organization this past fall 2008. The Louisville, Kentucky native began her career with SFCMF in the summer of 1996 and was hired full-time in fall 1997. Highly regarded and well-liked by staff, patrons and guest artists alike for her musical knowledge, friendly demeanor and professionalism, Kristen’s background in arts administration has benefited the Festival over the past decade. SFCMF Newsletter interviewed Kristen in between meetings and grant proposals recently.

SFCMFN: You have two masters - an MBA and a master of arts in arts administration from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. What attracted you to the Festival?

I knew, from an early point in my life, that I wanted to be in arts administration. During grad school, there was a required internship component. My folks had been to Santa Fe for the Opera, so I knew of the Festival. I’d also been working with James Tocco of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music faculty chamber music series, and had enjoyed working in the chamber music genre. The Festival was one of the organizations that I approached. The wide variety of music, the international guest artists, the location, and the Festival’s commitment to promoting contemporary works as well as the popular, well-loved works - it all appealed to me. I was first hired as an intern in the artistic department during the summer of 1996 and then returned to do the same internship in 1997 and then was hired on full-time as the Festival’s Education Director in 1997. It turned out to be a great fit!

You also come from a musical family.

Yes - both my parents are professional musicians. My mom was an opera singer, and is currently a voice professor at the University of Louisville. My dad is a clarinetist and also teaches at U of L. I studied violin as a young child, but also began to sing early on, and continue to sing today. I remember doing a school project in junior high on my mom’s manager - and this is when I first learned about the field of arts administration and realized it could be a great career for me and a way to keep music a central component of my life.

You’re a singer. Do you sing locally?

I sing at the First Presbyterian Church here in Santa Fe, and I have sung with Santa Fe Symphony Chorus. I’ve given two recitals as part of a noon time series, and I sing solos at the Church - mostly traditional sacred works.

What do your responsibilities here at the Festival entail as the director of development and outreach?

On the education side, I develop and implement all of the Festival’s outreach programs, including Strings in Our Schools, Music In Our Schools and the Summer Youth Concert Series. I also work in the development area - I’m responsible for grant writing, the annual campaign and special events, which Sarah Weiler works with me on.

Having been with the SFCMF for so long, are there any artists that you particularly look forward to hearing when the return to the Festival?

I do have a few “favorites,” so to speak. Two musicians that have become friends are horn player Julie Landsman and bassist Marji Danilow - I met them when I was interning with the Festival in the Artist Services department. I greatly enjoy the Orion String Quartet and their playing. Benny and Eric Kim are also wonderful artists - it’s fun to re-connect with them whenever they return to the Festival.

Was there a particular work or performance that stayed with you from over the past few seasons?

One of the performances that stands out most in my mind in recent years was the 2006 recital by Anne Sophie Von Otter -she is just spectacular and is an artist of top quality. I was particularly struck by her last encore, “Take it With Me,” by popular songwriter Tom Waits - it was incredibly moving and the entire audience was taken by it.

Do you have any hobbies?

Tennis, entertaining and baking. (SFCMFN Note: Whenever Kristen bakes something and brings it in, it’s gone before the end of the day!)

Any favorite local restaurants/things to do that you’d recommend to people from out of town?

There’s the Plaza Southside Café - it has a retro ambiance and a huge menu - New Mexican fare and regular diner fare. There’s also breakfast at Pasqual’s. I’d recommend visiting Bandelier, the Flea Market (just north of the Opera) and a walk around the Plaza is a must!

One last question: If you had to describe the Festival in three words, what would they be?

It’s the best!

Happy New Year!

On joyful night
cold black sky filled with stars
the farillitos called our feet to
wander to a mystical den

candles celebrated
luminous magic
of fires from old

the family pew was strong
and cool and few took time to notice
three hundred years of sermons
while juniper called the wild nerness(t)
in through windows draft.

one by one friends came
sharing stories and fame,
conversations open
sometimes bold
caressed our blessings
being told.

Food abundant
prepared with love,
the sacred space
opened its heart to our doors.

an eve’s new years
connected hopes
joy shared.

outside the air was cold
i could see my breath
like times old.
i laughed thanking the stars.

all those candles glowed
like drawings in ocean’s sand
flickered with spirit’s love
lingering now with my thanks to you.

I withold some personal thoughts, but the night was filled beyond expectation. I did not sleep much as my mind awoke minutes after I laid my head on the pillow. I relished in my post excitement. I may have fallen asleep near dawn and let myself sleep late comforted by cats and bundled beneath warm blankets. Later in the day I composed my poem, a mere shadow from one that emerged earlier in the morning. I called a friend and invited her to dinner, called her back and asked her to invite another friend. We treated him. A friend of his waited on us. This man retired from a large city fire department works at two homeless shelters, and works in the restaurant as well. Some people just keep giving again again to their community. So I return home full of love, and grateful that I have something to share.

From Robin Easton
“Happy New Year, my friends!”

This is my wish for you:

http://nakedineden.com/nakedinedenblog/?p=1008

Robin Easton

Website: www.nakedineden.com

Blog: http://nakedineden.com/nakedinedenblog/ ;

“I believe pure truth can be found in Nature. If we really listen to the trees, rocks and infinite stars, all things are made clear…..and right.”

(© REaston)

As winter is upon part of the world, the time for giving, doesn’t cease with the holidays. And if you were to travel to Africa, Asia, there are plenty of all year round troubles. It can be overwhelming.

What is not overwhelming is taking $5,$10, or more to donate either regularly or occassionally to those places that touch your heart.

If 2000 people donated $10 to their fav organization that’s $20,000.
At our local Food Depot, that would create 80,000 meals! Simply put, this demonstrates how important what you give can be. You do make a difference. Thanks, and do play the 2nd and last video. Feel good. Happy New Year’s. Please feel free to share this post anywhere, with everyone.

Well when yesterday was warm (40 degrees f), I decided to take Pat out for an early New Year’s celebration. We drove just outside of Santa Fe to Harry’s Roadhouse Restaurant. Harry’s Roadhouse is so famous that when they did major road construction awhile back, they created a turn lane for the Restaurant. This is significant since the road otherwise is primarily a country road. Harry’s Roadhouse often has an art show on the walls. Artists of all backgrounds may show there and it definitely is something to look forward to. Last night I admired these wonderful black and white prints by Charles Garcia.

I assumed that they were of New Mexico, and his card says he is from Albuquerque NM. I could not easily locate him through google, and he only had a phone number and address on his card. I did not copy his address. The photographer focused on rural NM and had dramatic compositions. So my default here, is if you are in New Mexico, go to Harry’s Roadhouse Restaurant to see this exquisite show and part of NM that often is fading fast.

Never been to Harry’s Roadhouse? First be prepared to wait unless you hit an off time. We were lucky yesterday afternoon just before 4PM. In Santa Fe this is significant, many restaurants close in the afternoon. It’s a bit funky with several rooms to dine in. The first is a diner style format, with an old fashioned diner counter. Many of the locals fill those seats fast. On the left of the entrance is a small crowded bar area. Expect to be seated there when it is busy and other guests may rub elbows if you are not careful. The primary dining room has a large community table, groups do tend to show up and garner that space. A good number of smaller tables as well. That’s also the gallery. Up a few steps is an enclosed “Portales”. Scenic and I was surprised that it was really warm yesterday. Out back, during the warmer seasons is a sprawling well landscaped outside restaurant. My favorite. More intimate, and very beautiful. Worth waiting for.

The menu is full of weekly specials. Southwest cuisine with many variations. Food here is not matched by other restaurants. The chefs’ usually produce excellent creations, large portions, at reasonable prices. If possible, leave room for dessert. They are famous for pies, and sometimes run out of favorites. Yesterday I had a cranberry crisp that I could not finish! It was presented in a medium sized bowl 16 oz or more. It wasn’t too sweet which was good for my diet. Included walnuts and a mixed grain crisp/”crust”. $4.25. I also added the homemade pistasico ice cream “ala mode” in a separate dish: heavenly.

My Salmon tacos (soft white flour thin taco), black beans, and salad were filling. We were impressed by the site of the salad and loved the mixed greens which added great colors. $9.95.

Staff were friendly and helpful. Marvelous! Dine leisurely, unless there are no tables left. Relax, feel at home, and know the creativity that abounds here in Santa Fe.

Have you been looking for a simple structure for a permanent home or weekend getaway?

Maybe you need a guest house on your property, a yoga or art studio, spiritual retreat, a unique structure for your small business.

A yurt may be your answer.

Where Should You Buy Your Yurt?

Are you looking for:

Quality yurts, affordably priced, compared to other yurts you have looked at?

Yurts that can be designed for your unique tastes and needs, built with options you want, not made in a cookie cutter big company assembly line way? Custom made for you?

Yurts made by a company whose owner has actually lived in a yurt full time, even in harsh mountainous winters? Who understands how a quality yet functional yurt needs to be designed and made? Yurts that can stand up to full time yurt living and provide a comfortable living space?

Yurts that includes standard features that are often options with other companies.

Prices start at only $3,860.00

Then you have finally found the yurt company you’ve been seeking.

Don’t buy another yurt until you have checked our Spirit Mountain Yurts and have made an honest comparison to other yurt companies in regards to features, price and quality. http://spiritmountainyurts.com/

How We Started Making Yurts

By Nalina Uehlein,
Owner Spirit Mountain Yurts

My experiences living in Yurts and also building Yurts are chapters in the story of my love affair with mother nature. I’ve always had a fascination and deep respect for native cultures around the world, and specifically their lifestyles, spirituality, and the homes they live in. I grew up in a very conservative home in the Midwest, so I was always the odd one. I just listened to a different drum.

I quit college at age 19 to seek a more simple and natural lifestyle. This included a vegetarian diet, Yoga, meditation, and many long hikes in nature. This taught me about plants, animals, and natural rhythms. In order to work for myself and maintain the freedom that I craved, I created a line of natural fiber clothing that kept food on the table for over 10 years. In 1989 when my second child was born I decided to semi-retire and be a mom. This helped in my exploration of the natural world and I was able to set up a very simple lifestyle. Five years later my third child was born. Less than a year later I made the very difficult decision to leave my partner (it was not a healthy relationship for any of us) and go about setting up a homestead in the mountains of NW Montana for myself and my children.

My First Yurt Was My Home

I was able to purchase 20 rural acres with a creek running through it! Wow! I had a friend with a Yurt and decided to copy the design and make a Yurt myself. (At this point my children’s ages were 1, 6, and 8.) This initial Yurt took many months to complete, and on the 4th of July in 1995 we moved in! This was a very positive experience and I will always treasure those early Yurt days! We lived with no power, just a wood stove for heat and candles for light. And yes, there was an outhouse out back by the goat barn and the garden. We collected water from the creek with buckets and enjoyed our simple life. This property was very rural, and after four years I decided to sell it and purchase property closer to town so that my home schooled children could be more involved with dance, theater, martial arts, and friends.

I found a beautiful property just 10 minutes from town with a natural spring up high on the land. The first year there we set up our Yurt and developed a gravity fed water system.

Making Yurts for Others

All these years I was doing various types of art work to create an income and allow me to be home to raise my children. Friends began asking me to make Yurts for them and I really enjoyed doing this. I also had a very vivid dream one night that showed me that building Yurts was what I should do, so I started putting more energy into building the Yurt business. Spirit Mountain Yurts was born! Orders just kept coming in and before long I needed to hire friends and family to keep up.

I decided to enhance our Yurt design by creating a heftier lattice structure and building Yurts with taller walls. I also changed the pitch in the roof a few degrees to help the snow fall off easier. This is still part of our design and it works great. Our Yurts are still very “Yurty” looking, yet these two design changes make our yurts unique and more functional.

Spirit Mountain Yurts’ original shop was on our property, which was on a steep mountainside. In the winter the road was very challenging. One year we had a couple of very close calls hauling trailers with lumber and yurts up and down that icy mountain road. It was obvious that we had to move to continue growing this Yurt business, so we decided to move to a warmer climate where our work would be much easier, and where we could also grow gardens all year long! (Organic gardening is an important and enjoyable aspect of creating a sustainable lifestyle).

We are now located in Northern New Mexico and we love it here. We are more centrally located, which makes shipping to many locations more reasonably priced. There are also many pro-active people and groups who are seriously working on earth friendly lifestyles.

We have a great team of Yurt builders and we steadily continue to grow. We are developing a reputation with satisfied customers, so we are able to keep our advertising costs down. We also keep our shop on our property where we live, which is another huge way to save money. Keeping expenses down is key in being able to produce a quality product and sell it at a reasonable price to our customers. We have made many wonderful friends along this yurt building journey and life is good.

In researching Yurts, I have found that the original Yurt living peoples in Mongolia are a very special people. They are Buddhists, and have a belief system that I strongly embrace because its respect for all life and the compassion that one learns with these teachings. In many ways, I believe that these teachings have brought me peace.

It is my hope that this story inspires you to follow your dreams! If you are one of those people who dream of getting out of the rat race and creating a simpler lifestyle, then maybe a Yurt is for you! Most of our customers live in their Yurts, and some of them go on to build homes from natural earthen materials such as straw bales, cob, and cordwood. These earthen homes are very labor intensive to build, and Yurts provide a wonderful and beautiful home during this process! Most people fall in love with their Yurts and continue to use them for art studios, guest houses, and other purposes.

Sort of related

For a better viewpoint, go to mountain spirit yurts!

If so, this might help provoke some new thoughts…

= The 5.75 Questions You’ve Been Avoiding =

=> www.fivebigquestions.com

How’s 2008 been for you?

And how would you like 2009 to be the same … and different?

The questions in this free movie will help you get to the heart of what matters
as you’re making plans

=> www.fivebigquestions.com

And don’t forget to wait for the “0.75″ question … it can help turn intentions
into action.

Meantime - all the very best for an excellent year ahead.

Warm wishes,

Michael
Michael Bungay Stanier
http://www.boxofcrayons.biz
The Home Office
137 Marion St
Toronto, ON M6R 1E6
Canada

Computer recently crashed, and so I’m reviewing some files to see what survived. One winter’s,well almost spring day I went driving on a road off I-25 in NM. I had never been on it before, and I might even have a hard time finding it again. You know the type day where your heart is full and yearning for some intangible experience. I needed to connect with the wild, and earth, and spirit full feeling. I passed ranches, and small villages, and drove up steep hills and down winding narrow roads. Then, just before sunset, I notice some buffalo showing their winter’s wear.

I drove on and then said to self go back! I found a semi safe place and stopped and tried to quietly walk with camera in hand over dry cracking weeds. The buffalo looked up and stared at me. “Uh huh, quiet you are not!” Yet to my amazement they they did not move away. I came closer and started taking pictures, with pregnant pauses. They tolerated my actions and some moved away. However, I had time to stop and share the direct gaze, eye to eye, and “commune” with their spirit. The quiet of the evening set upon us. Our breath freely flowed. I felt one with them and place.

I needed the buffalo to rest and center. To remember the power of the land and spirit in me. I appreciated their focus and presence. I thanked them for being there with me. I travelled far, not knowing where, as we gazed into each other’s eyes.

Hopefully, I have found a buffalo pic to share. Photos by Mary MacIntyre

C O O L J A Z Z
www.straightupjazz.com

Sunday December 28 6:30 PM $10

Michael Hearne & SXSW

New Mexico’s favorite country-western dance band!

Join Michael and the boys for a great evening of dancing as they play their special blend of Southwest Americana and country western dance music! Mike’s headed back to Nashville for a spell soon, and this is their only Pub & Grill appearance for quite awhile, don’t miss it! And don’t forget to pick up your copy of their great new CD! www.michaelhearne.com

DON’T FORGET TO GET YOUR TICKETS NOW FOR SANTA FE’S WILDEST, CRAZIEST, FUNNEST NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY!

Wednesday December 31 -8 PM -$20

THE PUB & GRILL at the SFBC

NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY
with

HAPPY GLUE YEAR!

They were a mysterious explosion of comedy, kitsch, experimental theater, neo-Beat poetry, and pop culture run amok - backed by a supertight band navigating a turbulent sea of funk, hip-hop, metal, blues, tango, and whatever else floated by. They were funny and outrageous. They were insightful, often-poignant storytellers, celebrating hustlers, street people, burnouts, and even the occasional dental hygienist with love on her mind. Not only that, they were snazzy dressers - in a riot-at-the-Goodwill-store kind of way. Hands down, The Gluey Brothers were the most original band to ever call Santa Fe their home. The two frontmen, King Hummus (Logan Richards) and MC Tahini (Jim Goulden) disappeared around the turn of the century, ending up in California, where they continued the path of The Gluey. But they’re back. (Actually Tahini has been living in Santa Fe for the last year or so, though Hummus remains in Los Angeles.) They’ve got a cool new DVD, Rio Vista: Visuals, Volume One, which features Gluey music videos, footage from live performances from 1994 to 2005, a documentary, an interview, and assorted weirdness. The DVD captures a big chunk of the old Gluey magic. There’s the Brothers’ 1998 national-television debut on Penn & Teller’s Sin City Spectacular (a short-lived FX network series and that’s no BS.) They do a seven-minute version of their signature tune and classic show opener, “Gluey Brothers Creep.” One of my favorite Gluey Santa Fe songs is here - a 2000 live performance of “Piñon Lurker,” a high-charged guitar boogie about a guy you shouldn’t make eye contact with if you see him walking down Agua Fría. The DVD wouldn’t be complete without “Coffee Shop Tribute,” which features some of the Brothers’ funniest, if most obscure, trivia references: “I saw Reuben Kincaid with a shoddy perm” is one of my favorite lines in contemporary music. Unfortunately, the song is abbreviated, coupled with a snatch of “Freedom Rap.” Mark Sommerville created a surreal Flash cartoon for “Stabbing Trilogy (in Five Parts).” My favorite part is the talking-catfish segment. Lots of Gluey tunes would make great cartoons, so I hope to see more of these. In putting this together, Sean “Momma Bates” Browning reached way back in the Gluey archives. There are versions of “Donut Quota” and “Hash House Line” from the boys’ second performance (in Van Nuys, California, 1992), when it was just Hummus and Tahini with a drum machine. The initial version of Rio Vista: Visuals, Volume One is a limited-edition run. Each copy is numbered and hand-signed. Steve Terrell- The Santa Fe New Mexican - August 8, 2008 www.myspace.com/glueybros

This band lives up to its name and will keep any crowd dancing and laughing. They say some of their fans know their lyrics even better than they do. Uh huh, that’s what the Gluey Brothers say. It’ll be a New Year’s crescendo. Need to let go and be a little crazy??? Life hot wild, crazy crowds? You’ll feel the heat as all the bodies sway almost touching everyone. Don’t think you have them figured out because just as you do, they may change their scene, pull out a few trumpets, and become a racey jazz combo. Rap as you never expected it, and satire from real stories. But what is greatest of all is that then they’ll side up to the microphone and say,”the energy of this crowd that you give to the band is just, ‘pure, HUMAN POWER!!!” Bring the New Year IN with a work out that will make you sleep all morning, if you are lucky. The Gluey brothers are funny too.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW at the PUB & GRILL

THE GLUEY BROTHERS WED DEC 31

NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALL-STARS with the HILL COUNTRY REVUE MON JAN 19

AMY RAY with JENNIFER O’CONNER FRI JAN 23

TAPES N’ TAPES with WILD LIGHT TUES JAN 27

PICK UP YOUR TICKETS TODAY AT THE PUB & GRILL AT THE SFBC, AT THE LENSIC BOX OFFICE -505.988.1234, OR ORDER ONLINE AT www.ticketssantafe.org

UPCOMING AT THE PUB & GRILL AT THE SFBC

2009
FRIDAY JANUARY 2 8 PM $10
JOSH GRIDER

SATURDAY JANUARY 3 8 PM $10
CONDIMENT SANDWICH

SUNDAY JANUARY 4 6:30 PM $10
EMORY QUINN

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 7 7 PM Co Cover
OPEN MIC. NIGHT-HOSTED BY JASON REED

FRIDAY JANUARY 9 8 PM $5
THE SALTINE RAMBLERS
With The SQUASH BLOSSOM BOYS

SUNDAY JANUARY 11 6:30 PM $10
SYD MASTERS & the SWING RIDERS

MONDAY JANUARY 12 7-9 PM No Cover-Donations Appreciated
THE SANTA FE GREAT BIG JAZZ BAND

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 14 7 PM No Cover
OPEN MIC. NIGHT-HOSTED BY JASON REED

FRIDAY JANUARY 16 8 PM $5
ELEVEN-FINGERED CHARLIE

SATURDAY JANUARY 17 8 PM $10
THE GOUGERS

SUNDAY JANUARY 18 6:30 PM $10
BILL HEARNE’S ROADHOUSE REVUE

MONDAY JANUARY 19 7:30 PM $15
THE NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALL-STARS
With THE HILL COUNTRY REVUE

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 21 7 PM No Cover
OPEN MIC. NIGHT-HOSTED BY JASON REED

FRIDAY JANUARY 23 7:30 PM $15
AMY RAY

SATURDAY JANUARY 24 8 PM $10
FUSEBOX LIVE
HOSTED BY HARDGROOVE

SUNDAY JANUARY 25 6:30 PM $10
SYD MASTERS & the SWING RIDERS

TUESDAY JANUARY 27 7:30 PM $13
TAPES ‘N TAPES

I got an email from a publisher who embodies generousity. Many are familiar with these words, but I felt they are definitely worth reading again. Merry Christmas! Carry your joy and abundance in your heart all year long!

In the words of Reinhold Niebuhr:

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
the courage to change the things I can;
and the wisdom to know the difference.

If I can’t change it, then I don’t worry about it.
I (nor you) have no control over the economy. Nor the
weather. What machinations are at work in the world.
Or anything at all like that.

It is out of our hands.

We just have to accept what happens and work
from there. It’s sometimes difficult, but Haanel
provided us the tools and the means to work through
any problem that we may face.

So rest easy with that.

Instead, focus on the things that you CAN change.
The things on which you can have an influence.

In this time when all the media is blaring about
doom and gloom, go out make this the best Christmas
or Chanukah that you can.

You may not be able to control the economy, but you
can certainly put a smile on a child’s face.

You can make someone feel welcomed.

You can throw caution to the wind and make someone’s
dream come true.

You can actually control a lot.

And even though you can’t control the “big” things,
you’ll find that the things that you can control
are the IMPORTANT things.

I wish you and yours a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS.

I wish you a HAPPY CHANUKAH.

I wish you a blessed and loving Holiday.

I wish you all the BEST!

Have fun… Tony M.

–
Anthony R. Michalski
Publisher
Kallisti Publishing
http://www.kallistipublishing.com
(877) 444-6188 / (570) 825-3598
tony@kallistipublishing.com

Visual Arts
Art Exhibits, Studio Tours, and more…

Last Chance to visit Coleman Gallery
Coleman’s 15th and final exhibition ends December 27th. Exhibiting artists Nick Abdalla, Laura Cobb, Debi Dodge and Jeff Laird are presenting 3-dimensional forms, abstract paintings, encaustics, photographs and steel sculpture. Gallery hours are Thursday through Saturday, 11-5.
Exhibition through Saturday, Dec. 27
Coleman Gallery Contemporary Art
4115 Silver Avenue SE
(505) 232-0224
colema ncontemporary.com

First Friday Artscrawl Citywide
Albuquerque’s monthly gallery tour will feature exhibition openings, artist demonstrations, open houses and refreshments at 20 galleries across Albuquerque. Read about all the events on the website.
Receptions Friday, January 2, 5-8:30pm
(505) 244-0362
artscrawlabq.org

New Mexico Weavers come to Open Space Gallery
Open Space partners with members of the weaving and tapestry community for this exhibition featuring Donna Loraine Contractor and Pat Dozier in the main Open Space Visitor Center Gallery. Members of the Las Aranas Spinners and Weavers Guild have also been invited to exhibit many different representations of textiles - experimenting and stretching boundaries to weave the finest representation of this ancient art. The use of natural fibers and traditional techniques was emphasized. This portion of the show will fill the halls and interpretive space of the Center.
Reception Saturday, January 3, 1-4pm
Open Space Visitors Center
6500 Coors between Montano and Paseo
(505) 897-8831
cabq.gov/open space

Vote for Albuquerque Last year Albuquerque was ranked the #7 arts destinations among large American cities by American Style Magazine, only beat out by the likes of New York and San Francisco. To vote, go to AmericanStyle and click on the box that says Top 25 Arts Destinations. All ballots received by January 31, 2009 will be entered to win a $500 travel certificate. Help spread the word!

Performing Arts
Theater, Dance, Lectures, Poetry and more …

River of Lights at the Botanic Gardens
The River of Lights continues through December 30 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). You can park at Tingley Beach and ride the train to and from the Aquarium/Garden station. Come out and enjoy the magic of hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights and dazzling holiday displays at New Mexico’s largest walk-through light show! Each year’s show unveils a number of ingenious new sculptures and stunning displays designed and constructed by Albuquerque BioPark artists and craftsmen.
Special Event Dec. 26-30, 6-9pm
Rio Grande Botanic Gardens
2601 Central Ave NW
(505) 764-6212
cabq.gov/biopark/garden/lights

The Nutcracker at the KiMo
Presented by Ballet Repertory Theatre, this special Christmas Eve performance includes a tea reception.
Performance Wednesday, Dec. 24, 1pm
KiMo Theatre
423 Central NW
(505) 768-3522
cabq.gov/kimo

Scrooge, The Musical
Musical Theatre Southwest presents a musical version of Scrooge, starring Hi Tillery. Call for showtimes and ticket information. Continues through December 28.
Performance Fr-Sa Dec. 26-27, 8pm, Su Dec. 28, 2pm African American Performance Art Center
San Pedro at Copper (entrance to Expo NM)
(505) 265-9119
musicaltheat resw.com

A Christmas Carol at the KiMo
Southwest Jazz Dance Company and Elite Dance Company with Cheri Costales, Director, put on a performance based on the classic by Charles Dickens.
Performance Sat, Dec. 27-7pm, Sun, Dec. 28- 2:30
KiMo Theatre
423 Central NW
(505) 768-3522
cabq.gov/kimo

For more about on-going performances not being highlighted in undergroundARTS, visit the albuquerqueARTS website.
abqarts.com

Music
musical performances, workshops and festivals

Cowapalooza Concert and Food Drive
The Wooden Cow Gallery and Art Space and 1Kind Studios present an evening concert and canned food drive in support of Albuquerque’s art and music scene and Albuquerque’s homeless population. $5 at the door gets you in for an evening of live music featuring local bands and musicians. There will also be arts and crafts on sale as well as refreshments. Bring a can or two for the food drive. It’s going to be a cold winter and our homeless need help even after the holidays. Doors open at 6pm and stay open until they run out of bands.
Special event Friday, Dec. 26, 6pm
1Kind Studios
1016 Coal Ave. SE, #3
(505) 999-1280

Le Chat and Concepto Tambor play at The Launchpad
Don’t miss the big New Year’s Eve Show at The Launchpad featuring Le Chat Lunatique, Concepto Tambor and Element 37.
Special event Wednesday, Dec. 31, 8pm
The Launchpad
Central Avenue near 6th Downtown
Tickets at launchpadrock s.com and Natural Sound

2009 New Mexico Music Awards nominees
The 2009 NM Music Awards program will begin accepting entries January 1, 2009 through February 6, 2009. Entry forms are available on line. A $20 check or money order payable to New Mexico Music Awards must accompany each entry. Entry fees are not refundable. For complete information, visit the web site.
Deadline February 6, 2009
new mexicomusicawards.com

For more about on-going performances not being highlighted in undergroundARTS, visit the albuquerqueARTS website.
abqarts.com

Take a Road Trip
You have asked for some out of town coverage too

Technically, Algodones isn’t exactly a road trip, but if you combine it with a good lunch at the Range or the FlyingStar in Bernalillo, it can make for a pleasant afternoon.

A 1951 Chevy pickup emerging from an enormous block of limestone near Algodones caught my eye recently as I was out in search of wild horses. A bit of googling revealed the details and I plan a visit with the artists after the holidays.

The pickup is 10 feet long, 5 feet wide and 5 feet high and features a driver and passenger in front and two passengers and a dog in the back. Well-known sculptor Mark Padilla designed the piece.

Two other artists are working on the project. Kevin Sears is creating a 10-ft. long work that includes two dolphins and a mermaid, crafted from Indiana limestone. Jon DeCelles is crafting a 10-ft. tall Shawl Dancer out of three tons of Kansas limestone.

The stone sculptures in progress are located on private land on the east frontage road of I-25 in Algodones between Santa Fe and Albuquerque. Public viewing is welcome.

For more information contact the artists:
Jon DeCelles: (480) 221-2864
Kevin Sears: (505) 438-6283
Mark Padilla: (505) 795-4572

Read on…

Workshops, calls for entry, workshops and more opportunities
A complete listing of auditions and other calls for artists as well as every type of arts event can be referenced at the Arts Alliance website where you can also subscribe to their all new Something to Do Online Newsletter.
www.abqarts.org

Read on…