The Taos Mountain Balloon Rally

From the Taos News:

Katharine Egli, The Taos News

Good times get ready to take flight again this year with the 34th annual Taos Mountain Balloon Rally. This spectacular, not-to-be missed event will be underway Friday through Sunday (Oct. 28-30). Launch site is in the vacant lot along Albright Street, across from The Taos News offices. Admission is free.

On Saturday and Sunday mornings, Mass Ascensions are scheduled for 8:15 a.m. All outdoor events are weather permitting. So, if the autumn winds are gusty this year and liftoff is canceled, don’t be disappointed. This is for everyone’s safety.

The mornings may be chilly to start and then warm up, so dressing in layers is recommended. Parking is plentiful, and there will be vendors on hand serving up tasty breakfast burritos, donuts, coffee and more.

This hot air balloon rally is an invitational with hand-selected pilots each year. Only 35 balloons take flight and the pilots (who fly in larger rallies) enjoy the intimacy of this Taos weekend.

This event is organized by the all-volunteer Taos Mountain Balloon Rally Association (TMBRA), supported by the town of Taos, and held in conjunction with many Taos businesses and local artisans who donate thousands of dollars in sponsorship, lodging and handmade goods.

TMBRA board members are: President Chris Standard, Vice President Dave Doolittle, Secretary Joan Doolittle, Treasurer Neomi Standard, and members Sandy Olsen, Mike Olsen, Dennis Manzanares and Carmel Manzanares.

There is also a long list of yearly, dedicated sponsors. “We would like to acknowledge our town of Taos co-sponsors and also give recognition to the local lodgers who generously provide rooms for our pilots. Michael’s Kitchen bakes our donuts and provides coffee to our pilots,” Sandy Olsen said.

Rick Romancito, The Taos News

For the first time, Enchanted Florist and Electric Sheep Computers are sharing a sponsorship as a new option for local small businesses. “I just really feel that it is important that we support these events that bring visitors to Taos. Every business benefits from a good strong economy. Teaming up with Electric Sheep just seemed natural. They are our new neighbors,” Marjorie Perry, owner of Enchanted Florist, said.

If you think watching balloons ascend is thrilling, nothing compares to the rush of the burners igniting and the soft quiet when drifting. To earn a ride in a hot air balloon during the Taos Mountain Balloon Rally, visit its website to become a sponsor (you actually earn two rides). You’ll get to experience the ride and meet your pilot and their crew at the registration party.

For the first time this year, TMBRA is holding the pilot registration party at the KTAOS Solar Center, 9 State Road 150, north of El Prado. Radio station KTAO-FM 101.9 has been a big sponsor of the balloon rally for many years, and this year it is expanding its involvement.

Every year, TMBRA has a clothing booth and offers apparel with a unique design for each year, which have become collector’s items. “Our prices are competitive and all proceeds are turned back into the community in the form of the ‘Reach for the Sky’ scholarship awarded to a graduating senior. The more we raise, the more students benefit. This year’s recipient was Ian Haimowitz. In 2015 we awarded two scholarships,” Olsen said.

If someone wanted to purchase a balloon ride for a special event such as an anniversary, there are local companies who fly all year and give spectacular experiences in surrounding areas and into the Río Grande Gorge for a “splash and dash” river experience when possible.

One of the local pilots is Kris Braden of the Taos commercial balloon company, Pueblo Balloon. He is a “Pilot in Residence” for the Taos Mountain Balloon Rally Association. In previous years Braden has advised TMBRA on technical flight elements, especially about the weather. He’s had his pilot license since he was 14 years old.

Story continues at The Taos News

Diane Padoven

2016 Schedule of Events

 Friday (Oct. 28)

7-7:30 a.m. Dawn Patrol

8:15 a.m. Mini-Ascension

8:30 a.m. Tether Rides for School Children

4-10 p.m. Pilot and Sponsor Registration at KTAOS

Saturday (Oct. 29)

7-7:30 a.m. Dawn Patrol

8:15-9 a.m. Mass Ascension

1 p.m. Balloon Rally Parade, starts at TMBRA Field, continues along Paseo del Pueblo Norte y Sur, ends at Kit Carson Park. Picnic to follow.

Dusk “Balloomenshine,” inflated, grounded balloons light up; named tongue-in-cheek after Taos Society of Artists founder Ernest Blumenschein.

Sunday (Oct. 29)

 7-7:30 a.m. Dawn Patrol

8:15-9 a.m. Final Mass Ascension

11:30 a.m. Closing Ceremonies

If you go …

• Dogs are forbidden on the site, leave them at home.

• When driving near the launch site, keep your eyes on the road – not the balloons.

• Keep track of your children.

• Do not step on balloon fabric or guide lines.

• Watch out for chase trucks moving through crowds.

• Dress warm and in layers.

• Cameras are allowed, but don’t interfere with launch crews.

• Do volunteer for chase crews. You may even get a ride.

My best,
diane
October 28, 2016

Follow me on Facebook

Please visit my other blogs
MoseyLove!
napa farmhouse 1885
red or green?

October in Taos

From the Taos.org Website

VISIT TAOS. Taos, an art colony, a world-class ski resort, an ancient community and land of Earthships. Taos is a place of convergence – of cultures, of opposites, of like minds and new perspectives. Drawn by clean air and great views, visitors come to experience rich spiritual traditions, fine art and the beauty of the landscape. They come to Taos for creative inspiration and the abundant outdoor recreation. Find your re-creation here.

SOMOS STORYTELLING FESTIVAL  |  October 7-8 This year's theme is humor with a participation-themed StorySLAM. somostaos.org ART UP OPEN STUDIO October 8-9 Open Studios in Angel Fire and Eagle Nest areas. artup-nnm.org   TAOS MOUNTAIN BALLOON RALLY  |  October 28-30 Three festive days with brightly colored hot air balloons. taosballoonrally.com   TAOS COMMUNITY CHORUS – WINTER CONCERTS November 12-13 & 19-20 Performing “Solemn Mass in G”. taoschorus.org   RED RIVER OKTOBERFEST October 7-9  |  Authentic German food, music, arts, entertainment, family activities and more. redriver.org SABOR: A TASTE OF TAOS October 9  |  Taos Plaza. Celebrating flavors from Northern New Mexico kitchens taoschamber.com/sabor   TAOS COMMUNITY HALLOWEEN PARTY  October 31  |  Games, Prizes & Trick or Treat on Taos Plaza, Teresina Lane, John Dunn Shops & Bent St. taos.org FRANK MORGAN TAOS JAZZ FESTIVAL November 16-19 Four Nights / Four Venues taosjazz.org   FALL ANTIQUES SHOW & SALE  |  October 7-9 Millicent Rogers Museum. Show & sale of museum-quality antiques. millicentrogers.org KARLA BONOFF IN CONCERT October 14  |  Hear the velvety voice of one of America’s best singer/songwriters tcataos.org   DIXON STUDIO TOUR November 5-6  |  Embudo Valley. One of the most popular studio tours in the state. dixonarts.org   TAOS TURKEY TROT 5K ROAD RACE & FUN RUN  |  November 19, Taos Youth Center. A super fun morning for the entire family. taosturkeytrot.org

VISIT TAOS.ORG TO PLAN YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE Find out more at TAOS VISITOR CENTER  |  1139 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur, Taos, New Mexico 87571  |  (575) 758-3873 You've received this email because you opted in. You can update your subscription preferences here or unsubscribe here. ©2016 Town of Taos and MarkeTaos, all rights reserved. Fall image by Michael DeYoung.

My best,
diane
October 4, 2016

Follow me on Facebook

Please visit my other blogs
MoseyLove!
napa farmhouse 1885
red or green?

"Cups" A One Woman Play

Ana Chavez, creator of the "Cold as a Witch's Tit" bra

 I had the most lovely day today. After church at St James Episcopal, a group of girlfriends and I met for brunch and then the matinee performance of the wonderful play "Cups".

The description follows, but just let me tell you I literally laughed, cried and loved every minute. And you must arrive in time to see the Bralapalooza Fashion Show, a collection of handcrafted artistic fantasy bras with names such as "horn of plenty", "titty, titty, bang, bang", "cold as a witch's tit" or "teddy pair" to name just a few. These exquisite creations are included in a silent auction with proceeds going to cancer support at Holy Cross Hospital. Want to see the bras? Check out the Taos Onstage Facebook page by clicking here.

Remaining dates for "Cups":  Oct 31st, Nov 1 and Nov 2. I highly recommend this play...Enjoy!

---

Cups

by Joni Sheram

A funny, poignant and uplifting play, Cups traces the milestones in a woman’s life through her bras. Audience members, both female and male, will be able to relate to Nora, the insecure girl who becomes a young mother, a woman betrayed, a cancer survivor. The bras are a perfect metaphor for the changing events that the past few generations have experienced.
The play, though not autobiographical, was an homage to her mother and grandmother.
Bob Bow of the Denver Post said of the play "While this may seem like a 'girls only' show, it isn't. The depth of Sheram's writing transcends gender.”
“Cups” will be among many of the activities during Breast Cancer Awareness month,  and a portion of the proceeds will go to the cancer support services sponsored by Holy Cross Hospital.

In Mural Room at Old County Courthouse

Performance dates:

Oct. 23-26; Oct. 30-31, Nov. 1-2  

Thurs.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m.

GET TICKETS FOR CUPS

My best,
diane
October 26, 2014

Follow me on facebook

Please visit my other blogs
MoseyLove!
napa farmhouse 1885
red or green?

Early Fall in Taos

Warm, Sunny Days.  Freezing Temperatures at Night. A few Rainy Mornings. Harvesting the Last of the Summer Produce. Pinon Wood Fires in Kiva Fireplaces. Fall in Northern New Mexico. Stunningly Beautiful.

Here is this week's email regarding the Farm Share for our local CSA. (Community Supported Agriculture). Gotta go so I can plan some menus... (Salt Roasted Potatoes and Greens, anyone?)

Greetings from Cerro Vista Farm !

This is week 18 of the  18-week Summer Share,  the final week.  Thank you for being part of the Farm this year !

In Cerro, record warmth trumps record cold any time.  We continue to enjoy fabulous harvesting and planting weather as the trees belatedly turn gold. The gamble with row cover three weeks ago paid off……..Greens have been harvested from the fields for the last two weeks.  The fields are now all harvested-out, except for carrots and turnips, at this point.  We will finish planting winter rye and Garlic in the next few days.  This week Shares will include greenhouse-grown Lettuce, Kale, and Bok Choy.

Fall Shares will be distributed NEXT week.  If you purchased a Fall Share I’ll be sending you an email in a few days to remind you about the Fall Share pickup.

     ~ Farmer Daniel ~

Here’s a list of what you will probably receive in your Share this week:

Half Shares:

Lettuce Mix

Carrots

Green Cabbage

Red Potatoes

Kale

Bok Choy

Full Shares add:

Gold or Russet Potatoes

Acorn Squash

Salad Turnips

My best,
diane
October 12, 2014

Follow me on facebook

Please visit my other blogs
MoseyLove!
napa farmhouse 1885
red or green?

Welcome to Taos!

so...here i am.  in taos, new mexico.  living here full-time.  and a bit bewildered as to how fast this happened.  you see, our future plan has been to reside in new mexico "one day".  i fell in love with taos twenty years ago and visited as often as i could.  we bought a home here in 1999 and, for the first few years, came a number of times each year.  then life got crazy with work...the house was used as a vacation rental...and, long story short, 5 years passed before i returned. 

in january of this year my mom was rushed to the hospital and stayed there for 5 days.  her recovery has been slow and we will be dealing with her illness for the rest of her life.  for the past 8 months i have spent 1 week per month traveling from the napa valley of california (where i lived) to southern california to spend time with my parents and the rest of my family.  i have spent a lot of time thinking about what i want to accomplish the rest of my life.  the taos move continued to be one of the top priority items.  after a lot of thought and discussion my husband and i decided to make the move now....life is too short to postpone your dreams.  so "one day" became now.

so...here we are.  now, why this blog?  what is it about?  i received similar reactions from everyone i know...or have met...regarding my move.  the first response is usually "how cool!"  then "why?"  then  "i don't know anything about new mexico".  many people misunderstood what i said and thought i was moving to mexico.  sadly, i had to remind a few that new mexico is a state. 

my mission is to share my adventures here.  taos is so beautiful and full of interesting, creative, talented people.  there are stories every where you look.  in the may 2012 issue, smithsonian magazine picked taos second in their list of the 20 best small towns (less than 25,000) in america.  the taos population is less than 6000k, but swells with tourists who come to ski in winter and hike, fish, spa and try the white water rafting in summer.  year-round there is amazing art...taos has more art galleries per capita than anywhere in the country...and the food!  oh my...the food!   i am a food blogger, love to cook...eat...and write about food.  i so look forward to telling you about the food here.

i am a native californian...lived there all my life. for me, living in taos combines the interesting aspects of living in a foreign country while retaining the best qualities of living in the usa.  please join me on my journey.  maybe you will fall in love with taos too...

my best,
diane
october 29th, 2012

follow me on facebook

please visit my other blogs

napa farmhouse 1885
red or green?