<$BlogRSDUrl$>

Thursday, July 19, 2018

Summering In the North: The Lure Of Santa Fe, Española And Taos; Our Travelogue 

In Taos
It doesn't take much to persuade us to head north in the glorious New Mexico summer months so we quickly accepted an invite from the Taos County Democrats to speak before the group about the latest goings on in La Politica.

There was plenty to talk about as we appeared the day after Dem Guv nominee Michelle Lujan Grisham's ABQ Journal interview in which she rebuked key progressive proposals like Medicare for all. Taos is a hotbed of progressivism and there were quite a few misgivings expressed over her statements but optimism that going forward she will be less zealous in her anti-progressive rhetoric.

In the photo. Among those in the crowd were Susan Herrera, fresh off her upset primary win over veteran State Rep. Debbie Rodella. Herrera's election in November is assured as there is no GOP contender in the Rio Arriba and Taos area district. Also on hand were longtime State Rep. Bobby Gonzales, chairman of the House Transportation Committee and Taos Councilman Darien Fernandez who is also chair of the Taos County Dems.

After the meeting we headed over to Lambert's on Bent Street, by far the best restaurant in Taos and actually one of the best in the entire state. Most of the group favored the fresh ruby red trout as they dished out the latest political chatter in the restaurant's Governor's Room. (No, Susana was not in the hood) Lambert's makes its own desserts and offered too many to recount, but a raspberry cobbler topped with homemade ice cream was memorable. That's life at Lambert's.

The Taos Inn remains the go-to spot for a stay in Taos. The historic hotel was recently put up for sale by its longtime owners who have cared for it well. The courtyard rooms are best because they are the largest. The lobby and the adjacent lounge continue to feature music every night during the summer and the Inn is a convenient departure point to take in all of interest in the historic district. The Doc Martin's restaurant at the hotel is a longtime favorite.

We had never toured the UNM Taos campus but thanks to retired PR man and former KOAT-TV report Bill Knief we did and also sat down for a conversation with Dr. Patrick Valdez who has been CEO of the UNM Taos branch for a year. The self-described "Latino from Texas by way of New York City" is one of the fresh faces bringing needed new ideas to higher ed as it faces enrollment and tuition challenges, although UNM Taos remains quite affordable at $78 a credit hour. Its student body is now 6 percent Native American and Valdez is conducting a vigorous effort to reach more students throughout the region.

Dr. Valdez is a convincing salesman for the Taos campus (he says he once peddled insurance for New York Life) and has become popular with legislators who preside over higher ed funding. We met with him at a conference room that had the picturesque Taos Mountain as a stunning backdrop. It's hard not to be inspired by that.

Before we leave Taos, we can't forget Funky Donkey. . .

FUNKY DONKEY


Be on the lookout for Funky Donkey. From George Brown, Treasurer of the Taos County Dems:

The Taos County Democratic Party launched its new face: “Funky Donkey.” The new standard bearer is from a painting by noted local artist Michael Archuleta . . Already established for Funky Donkey is an Instagram identity as funkydonkey_votes and a Twitter account @funkyvotes. The Funky Donkey has appeared in the Arroyo Seco July 4th Parade, at a Questa BBB and at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe, and he’s been seen cavorting with State Rep Bobby Gonzales. Funky Donkey gets around! Wherever Funky Donkey goes people love to have a selfie taken.

That's one of those "Only in Taos" things and makes you look forward to coming back again and again.

A SOARING BUTTERFLY

SF Opera
A night at the storied Santa Fe Opera is always a treat, although like any entertainment venue there can be an occasional miss. Not on our recent visit, however, as we took in the always popular Madame Butterfly, along with a full house of patrons at the extraordinary building and magnificent outdoor setting. Spinto soprano Kelly Kaduce made for a very strong and moving Butterfly as the Opera heads into its 63rd year in 2019 after being nurtured by the retiring Charles MacKay. The grounds and environs show no signs of age as supporters here and worldwide protect and perpetuate this grand NM tradition.

Let's finish up our travelogue with a recent stop in Española at the restaurant Angelina's. That's about the only place we know of where you can find Lamb Costillas (spareribs) as well as lamb chicharrones served, of course, with a generous dose of red chile. They've been doing it for 31 years at the family owned restaurant. The lamb is from north of Española, home to sheep herding for centuries. On our next visit the lamb chops are on our menu.

Even in the midst of a busy election season New Mexico offers up a unique summertime break where the livin' is indeed easy. May it ever be so.

This is the home of New Mexico politics.

E-mail your news and comments. (jmonahan@ix.netcom.com)

Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2018
 
website design by limwebdesign