Home + Design

Las Ventanas

Scott Ashcroft designs and builds New Mexico style Article by Richard Lakin | Photography by Fotovan Las Ventanas Homes is an Albuquerque custom home builder that designs innovative and eco-friendly houses. The company chose the name Las Ventanas, Spanish for windows, because, as owner Scott Ashcroft told us, “We live in New Mexico where we have over 300 days a year of sunshine and blue skies. You should have a home with amazing big windows, letting all that natural light in.” Scott is a...

Travel

Santa Fe

Exploring our state capital Article by Richard Lakin | Photography by Courtesy City of Santa Fe Every month, we take a look at day trips that Albuquerque residents might find interesting. With Santa Fe’s recent win as Travel and Leisure magazine’s number one travel destination, we thought it was time to feature our state capital. We asked Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber why he thinks Travel and Leisure’s readers voted the city as their favorite destination. He told us, “We have so much to offer...

Life + Culture

Classic Cars and Lowriders

Cruising in style Article and Photography by Richard Lakin Restored classic cars, tricked-out customized vehicles, and lowriders are a part of New Mexico culture. Española, in northern New Mexico, is considered the lowrider capital of the world. A blend of Latino and old school American car culture influences, many of these cars are meticulously maintained works of art and a source of community pride. There is some contention as to whether this started in Los Angeles or here in New Mexico. ...

Home + Design

The Collective Santa Fe

Lisa Barker’s unique furnishings tell a beautiful story Photography by Gabriella Marks Walking into Lisa Barker’s Collective is quite an experience for the senses. She advertises elevated home furnishings which are there in abundance, but the showroom offers all kinds of highly unique, one of a kind, rather exotic items. I noticed an albino peacock, many large fossils, and a mannequin covered in wine corks and feathers. Eight feet tall ceramic wine vessels from 1700’s Spain flank the front...

Local Services

Happy Cat Hotel and Spa

Taking care of kitties when you're traveling Article and Photography by Richard Lakin Martha Plummer, the owner of Happy Cat Hotel and Spa, was looking for a new career.  She was a sales rep for a veterinary pharmaceutical company that required a great deal of travel, and she was finding it difficult to provide care for an aging mom and a special needs sister. She tells us, “I spent nights out of town, and something would happen with my mom or sister, and I'd have to quickly come home. I...

Life + Culture

Adopt a pet

The animal shelters are full Article by Richard Lakin | Photography by Autumn Oglesby and Carlie Klepach Thinking of adopting a pet? We’ll give you some information that will help you to make a decision and, hopefully, you can provide a rescue animal it’s forever home. We talked to Tiffany Chamblee, the Engagement and Outreach Manager of Bernalillo County Animal Care Services. She told us, “All shelters nationwide are bursting at the seams. We’re waiving fees, which include spaying or...

Health + Wellness

Eyes of NM and Eye Think Vision Therapy

Helping kids enjoy reading Article by Richard Lakin | Photography by Courtesy of Eyes of NM It’s hard to get kids to enjoy reading or even learning in general if they’re having trouble with their vision. Moreover, if their vision problems are never properly diagnosed, it could affect their comprehension well into adulthood. Dr. Tiffany Garcia Martinez has two vision clinics: Eyes of NM, a family optometry practice, and Eye Think Vision Therapy, which specializes in diagnosing vision problems...

Arts + Culture

A classical experience for kids

the Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program Article by Richard Lakin | Photography by Jennifer Castillo and Howard George Cellist Yo-Yo Ma said, “Music enhances the education of our children by helping them to make connections and broadening the depth with which they think and feel. If we are to hope for a society of culturally literate people, music must be a vital part of our children’s education.” Fortunately, these benefits are available to kids in Albuquerque through the music programs at the...

Arts + Culture

Autumn Oglesby

Our photographer shares images for our Kids and Pets issue Article and Photography by Autumn Oglesby This month, we wanted to introduce you to our photographer, Autumn Oglesby. We asked her to tell us about her background, artistic philosophy, and influences. -editor Hello, my name is Autumn Oglesby. I’m a traveler, mother, sister, yogini, energy worker, and freelance photographer—capturing the essence of emotion and connection in the Albuquerque area since 2002. Raised close to the...

Travel

Jemez Springs

A scenic day drive Article by Richard Lakin | Photography by Autumn Oglesby and Richard Lakin This month we continue our series on New Mexico day drives by exploring Jemez Springs (pronounced HEE-mez locally). About an hour's drive from Albuquerque, it offers hot springs, mountain forests with hiking trails, alpine meadows, a river with trout, and a rich history. The Jemez Mountain Trail Scenic Byway travels along Route 4, following the Jemez River, and provides some great views of the Red...