St. Patrick's Day in Albuquerque

It’s almost St. Patrick’s Day! There are plenty of events happening in and around the city. Take a look!

Lucille Reilly
Lucille Reilly plays hammered dulcimer, three diatonic autoharps and sings. Advance ticket puchases are recommended. At Apple Mountain Music.
For 2012: March 3

High Desert Pipes and Drums
Music will flow freely at both O'Niell's locations, along with dancing by the Tir Conaill Irish Step Dancers.
For 2012: March 14

Free Beer Tasting
O'Niell's in Nob Hill will have a free beer tasting event features Sierra Nevada brews. The tasting will be followed by some pipers and Celtic fun with High Desert Pipes and Drums. The musicians will perform at both O'Niell's locations. O'Niell's in the Heights will have a free beer tasting with La Cumbre Brewery beers, followed by live music from Donnie, Hoe & Grimes.
For 2012: March 15

The Celtic Tenors
Enjoy the voices and Ireland in this Popejoy show.
For 2012: March 16

St. Patrick's Day at O'Niell's
Music, celebrations and dance will happen at both O'Niell's locations. O'Niell's celebrates St. Patty's Day like no place else.
For 2012: March 17

Brother Mathias Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner
The 61st annual dinner features traditional Irish food. Proceeds benefit the Good Shepherd Center, which helps the area's homeless population. Tickets can be purchased at the door. There will be a full Irish feast, children's games and entertainment. For more information, call Bob Johnson at 994-2690. Cost is $10 adults, children 12 and under, $5. Take out dinners available. Takes place at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
For 2012: March 17

Turtle Mountain Brewing St. Patrick's Day Dinner
The Rio Rancho brewery/restaurant will have a few special brews for the occasion. They also offer a corned beef and cabbage plate, irish stew served in a bread bowl and Rio Grande Pizza, which features corned beef.
For 2012: March 17

Green Suede Shoes
A poetry/music performance by Bill Nevins at the Belen Public Library at 1 p.m. Join in the craic. The show is free.
For 2012: March 17

Mac-Tire of Skye Pipes & Drums
The Albuquerque bagpipe band will be playing at several locations around town on St. Patrick's day. Find them at the Brother Mathias Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner and other spots.
For 2012: March 17

Irish Komedy and Music
The St. Patty's day show at the Embassy Suites features the trio The Luck of the Irish before and after the comedy acts. Sarah Kennedy will open; Kennedy was voted Albuquerque's #1 comic. Mike Kennedy out of Phoenix will be featured, and the headliner, Chris O'Bennett, who has been on Jimmy Kimmel Live. The show will be live streamed to troops overseas and into VA hospitals nationwide. People can do video shout outs to active military relatives and friends. An 18 and older show. Purchase tickets online.
For 2012: March 17

St. Patrick's Day Patio Party
Enjoy a special celebration of the season at the St. Clair bistro in Albuquerque.
For 2012: March 17 and 18

Shamrock Shuffle
The Shamrock Shuffle takes place at the Rio Rancho Aquatic Center. Lace your shoes and go green in a 10 miler, 10K, 5K or Kids K. Don't forget to wear green!
For 2012: March 18

Annual St. Patrick's Day Party
The food will be pot luck, so the luck of the Irish be with you. Bring a dish. Enjoy door prizes, traditional step dancing with the Tir Conaill Irish dancers. And of course, there will be music, by Bill McCoy and Scott Ware, the Celtic Coyotes and Wild Thyme. Ceili dancing with Norita rounds out the fun.
For 2012: March 18

St. Patrick's Day Hot Air Balloon Rally
Every year on St. Patrick's day weekend, the hot air balloons rise over the skies of Belen. Get up close with Smokey the Bear, Shamrock Patty and the Flighthouse balloons.
For 2012: March 18

Journey of St. Patrick: A Springtime Concert by Schola Cantorum of Santa Fe
Hear a concert in the spirit of St. Patrick's day, which includes ancient chants of medieval Ireland, contemporary choral pieces and Irish ballads.
For 2012: March 26

Read more at albuquerque.about.com.

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'Topes Reveal 2012 Promotions

What are you most excited for?

The Albuquerque Isotopes have unveiled their highly anticipated 2012 promotions schedule which is once again packed with great giveaways, exciting entertainment, and a whopping total of 13 fireworks shows.


After beginning the 2012 campaign on the road on April 5, the Isotopes open their home season on April 13 with the first of eight straight games. The opening homestand includes Isotopes scarf and beanie hat giveaways, as well as a Negro Leagues tribute and a School Day Matinee.


While every day at Isotopes Park is a reason to celebrate, the 'Topes will be home over both the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend holidays, with an action-packed Military Appreciation Weekend through Memorial Day that includes fireworks and a camo jersey auction and Fan Appreciation Weekend through Labor Day. Of course, no Independence Day would be complete without the 'Topes' annual spectacular fireworks show. This July 4th, fans will be able to leave their seats and watch the fireworks show from the field.


Some popular promotions from last year will also be making a return for 2012, including a Celebrity Softball game on May 19 hosted by "Friend of the 'Topes" Bryan Cranston benefiting a local charity and Bark In The Park, where fans will be invited to bring their canine friends to the game on May 20.


As part of the team's 10th season celebration, the Isotopes will be featuring a special bobblehead series sponsored by Sandia Resort, featuring Albuquerque Baseball Hall of Famer Jason Wood, the fan-favorite Green Chile from the popular in-game "El Pinto Chile Pepper Race", and a never-before-seen Isotopes Bobble-Logo.


In addition to the new items, 'Topes fans can expect more the promotions they've come to know and love, including live performances by Myron Noodleman and BBoy Mcoy, as well as 50¢ Hot Dog Night, and Dukes Retro Night.


2012 Isotopes Promotions
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Read more at MILB.com.

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Practical Tips for Organizing Mud Rooms & Entryways @ Apartment Therapy

There's a reason each kid gets his or her own cubby or a locker at school: Because otherwise the hallways and classrooms would become an explosion of muddled coats and backpacks. Same goes for mud rooms and entryways in your own home. Here are some fun ways to nudge (read: coerce) family members (and that means grow-ups as well!) to put their coats and bags and scarves where they belong.


Here are some pretty and practical ways to use harness the chaos of your entryway using personalized bins, hooks or cubby spaces. And of course, if you have the time or inclination, a little DIY magic can go a long way in this part of the home.

Counting Your Blessings has a nice before-and-after of her mud room (see left). Once a mess of cork boards and white boards, the space is now very organized and pretty. Each family member gets a personalized hook, which is framed nicely by wood panelling, which was installed by the blogger.

This one, with personalized bins, comes from organizer extraordinaire Martha Stewart.

Ann-Marie in Washington DC uses this simple letter system for her entryway built-ins (see below). 

See more at http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/organized-mudrooms-166680

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Wrap It Up: 3 Ways to Use Decorative Paper at Home

Who knew that pretty paper had so many different uses!

Shopping at stationery stores, the beautiful paper sold by the sheet in brilliant colors and patterns always catches my eye. Many times they are thicker, more decorative and more expensive than the thinner gift wrap that is sold on a roll, but are so pretty that I would love to find an excuse to buy them.

Here are three ideas for using paper to transform, protect and decorate in the home.

(1) In a step-by-step DIY, Blue Eyed Yonder shows us how to transform cloth into stiff material akin to paper that works beautifully to line drawers. This can be done with either paper or cloth and both serves to protect your things and adds a little beauty to an otherwise overlooked spot.

 

(2) I love the idea of turning something as common as a brick into a chic book end as demonstrated by Design Sponge. Adding a touch of color or a pattern that would feel too bold on a grander scale is perfect when done easily and affordably.

(3) These decorative clip boards double as a display area in place of a cork board and are an easy DIY via Martha Stewart that can be changed on a whim.

Read more at ApartmentTherapy.com.

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Papermaking class begins this Sunday at the Hartwood Art Center

Making paper is a blast. Give it a try at the class this weekend!

Learn and practice the art of Western papermaking.  Create one-of-a-kind papers for stationery, cards, lampshades, collage or hand bound books using natural fibers.   We will form sheets using cotton and various cooked plant materials such as leeks, rhubarb, onions and eggplant.  By the end of your session, you will have a beautiful inventory of handmade papers.

It is impossible to make paper without getting wet, so please dress accordingly.  No previous papermaking experience is required.

All levels welcome
Sundays, February 19^th – March 25^th
1 – 4 pm, The Lerma Studio (located off campus, in Albuquerque's North Valley)
Materials: fee of $50 payable to Stephanie Lerma on the first day of class
Tuition: $225 (Harwood members $210)

Register for this class:

Register online or call (505) 242-6367, or email our Administrative Manager, GuruAmrit Khalsa.

Read more at http://harwoodartcenter.org/ss/papermaking-2/

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Share 100 Things For A Chance To Win

I love easy contests. If you have a camera and some creativity, this is right up your alley!

To celebrate New Mexico’s Centennial, take a picture of 100 of the same item… 100 pieces of candy… a 100 year old woman holding 100 pennies… you name it… and upload it to u local for a chance to win a grab bag of Centennial goodies from The New Mexico Tourism Department! Hint: the judges love entries that have New Mexico and Centennial themes!

One winner will be chosen daily each weekday from Monday, February 6th through Friday, February 17th. You can enter as many times as you want up to 3 p.m. on Friday, February 17th. The winner’s name and photo will be posted on this page and at www.getthepicture.newmexico.org.

Upload your photo to the Get The Picture category for it to be entered in the contest and appear in the slideshow below. Please include a brief description of the photo, along with the location of where it was taken. Your upload may be shown on-air!

Click here for official contest rules.

Start sharing your photos today! Not a member? Join u local -- it's free and easy.

Read more http://www.koat.com/r/30331357/detail.html#ixzz1lbeErTSj

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Ultimate Super Bowl food: Wings or nachos?

We’re getting close to the Super Bowl!!

For a day that’s all about the rough and tumble, you need to serve your guests something bold and flavorful, that isn’t afraid to play hard. What is your ultimate pigskin party food - wings or nachos?

CHORIZO AND PINTO BEAN NACHOS

Yield: 8 servings

1 pound Mexican chorizo, casings removed

1 tablespoon chopped garlic

1 teaspoon ground cumin

2 cups cooked pinto beans

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 large bag tortilla chips

2 cups grated cheddar cheese

Chopped onion, jalapenos, sour cream, salsa and chopped black olives, for garnish (optional)

Procedure:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In large skillet, cook chorizo, garlic and cumin until chorizo is thoroughly cooked. Drain most, but not all, of fat and add pinto beans, chili powder and salt. Cook until heated through.

2. On large ovenproof platter or cookie sheet, spread tortilla chips and top with chorizo-bean mixture. Repeat with another layer of each and top with cheese.

3. Bake until cheese is melted. If desired, serve with chopped onions, jalapenos, sour cream, salsa and olives.

Nutrition data not available.

Source: Ellyn Bouts

CHICKEN WINGS

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter or margarine

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup water

3/4 cup soy sauce

1 level teaspoon dry mustard

2-3 pounds chicken wings

Procedure:

1. Combine first five ingredients in a pan to make a marinade, bring to a boil and simmer a few minutes.

2. Pour over cleaned chicken wings in slow cooker and cook 5-6 hours low. Alternative method: Set aside a little marinade, then steep wings in remaining marinade at least 8 hours in refrigerator; bake 1 hour on a flat pan at 350 degrees, basting with the marinade that was set aside.

Read more http://www.pikespeakparent.com/blogs/ultimate-superbowl-food-wings-or-nachos.html

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