In this issue, we dove into the world of turquoise and found some of the finest silversmiths around to show us what they have been up to with their craft. I also got a chance to talk with a couple of collectors who are passionate about their jewelry and are big fans of the people who make it. We could have made it a double issue there was so much we could have covered.
We also go behind the scenes for the making of the Night of the Living Coverbands. I don’t use the word juggernaut lightly, but it has become a major happening. I still find the logistics of this event staggering. The four weekends that fill October are packed with moving over 100 bands on and off stage at the Launchpad, all in costumes. If you’ve never been, go for a night. Odds are you will see more than a few bands you like. I’ll also note that it was fun to see all the photos (we could only run so many) from bands over the past few years.
Per usual, I got a chance to talk with plenty of people this month that are really into things you may not have thought too much about. One was certainly Max Havelka who likes to talk about lizards. Obviously, we talked a bit about the state reptile, the New Mexico Whiptail (Cnemidophorus neomexianus), but I wanted to hear about the horned lizards out by the volcanos. These creatures eat fire ants and shoot blood out of their eyes. It’s a Halloween read for sure.
It was great to catch up with Leah Black who has had a wild career and now works out at the Sunport helping the city get out the message about the big remodel underway out there. We sat down for a conversation at Los Ranchos Bakery across from Dan’s Boots and Saddles in Los Ranchos. The place bakes a different specialty bread every day (the bakery, not the saddle shop). Who knew?
Finally, I want to point you to the back of the magazine where we get into a few things about the Albuquerque Astronomical Society or TAAS (not to be confused with the Russian news agency, TASS). Balloons and flying saucers get most of the skyward attention here in New Mexico, but we have some of the darkest skys around making it an excellent spot for amateur astronomers. The group even has loaner telescopes and will teach you how to use them.
Until the next issue, as the astronomers say, keep looking up
