All Things 505

A-1 Auto Transport offers rolling scholarships through March 10, 2018.

Albuquerque, NM- A-1 Auto Transport, Inc., a worldwide car shipping company located in Aptos, California, announced this week they are extending their college scholarship opportunity to students residing in New Mexico. The scholarship, in amounts of $250, $500 and $1000 will be awarded to one student annually beginning in early 2018.

Students can enter by writing a 1000 word or more essay/article that is based on a topic of interest in auto transport. This can be anything ranging from car shipping, motorcycle shipping or even ATV shipping to international car shipping, moving overseas, long distance moving and other related topics. Essays/articles must be completely original and not found anywhere else online during plagiarism checks. All essays/articles will be published to the company website showing the student’s name who wrote it and will be voted on by the public. It’s a god idea for students to share their essays once they are posted so those they know can read it and cast a vote.

Joe Webster, Marketing Director for A-1 Auto Transport stated, “We’re happy to be able to offer our scholarship opportunity to students in New Mexico. We know how draining tuition can be on a student’s budget and we want to help.”

He went on to say, “These students are our future and to know we have done our part to help guide the future leaders and workforce is a great feeling.”

To enter, students can send their written essay/article with their full name, contact information and name of the school they will attend to: [email protected].

Entries will be accepted on a rolling basis now through March 10, 2018 and the Scholarship Committee will count votes and name the winner by the end of March 2018 on the website as well as with email notification. Award money will be sent directly to the financial office at the student’s school.

For more information on the scholarship, students may visit the A-1 Auto Transport, Inc. website at:

https://www.a1autotransport.com/a-1-auto-transport-scholarship/

About A-1 Auto Transport, Inc.

A-1 Auto Transport, Inc. has offices throughout the U.S. and their corporate office is in Aptos, California. They have lead the way in the transport industry for over 20 years and offer fast solutions for car shipping locally, long distance and internationally.

To contact A-1 Auto Transport about the scholarship:

A-1 Auto Transport, Inc.

9032 Soquel Drive #200

Aptos, CA 95003

New Mexico State Fair Parade. 2017.

I love late Summer and Fall in our Land of Enchantment.  Cooler nights bring chilled early mornings. The leaves start to turn hues of gold and yellow. Our morning skies are dotted with early Fiesta balloons, and, the smell of roasting green chile permeates the air.  But that isn't all - we have some really nice, free, quality of life events that bring Burquenos together. 

The New Mexico State Fair Parade is one of them.  Each year it gets longer and the floats get bigger.  Each year there are more car clubs driving up Central along with more marching bands, color guards, dance groups, civic associations, and, lots of politicians. 

We captured some cool images this year.  And, we had a really good time.

The Manzano High School Color Guard and marching band.

The Vietnamese community was represented with color, drums, large flags, and, dragons.

The Carpenter's Union had the largest float in the parade.

A marching band from New Mexico Military Institute.

The Belen High School Color Guard.

It wouldn't be a New Mexico Parade if there wasn't a Paletero man pushing his cart.  Ice cream and Chicharrones were his specialties.

This band returned from last year.  The saxaphone player kept the crowd entertained.

Aside from the politicians who walk the parade, this parade had its share of activists. 

Baila!

The Wingate High School band was fabulous.  We were really proud of these kids.

And, this lovely young lady from Wingate High School.

Vietnamese dragons.

The parade line was slow at times which gave us the opportunity to get some photos of the classic car occupants. 

A colorful lowrider - of course!

The Carpenter's Union showed off their mad building skills on this float.

Taking a break.

The prettiest girl in the parade.  Look at those gloves!

Low and slow.

 

Thanks to all of the parade participants for letting us capture your beautiful images and faces. 

The walk. Santuario. Chimayo.

This year I walked.  I didn't walk nearly enough nor did I come close to walking the miles endured by the real pilgrims - the ones who actually walk from Southern New Mexico, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Pojoaque, Nambe, Taos or Alcalde. 

It was a beautiful day.  Ravens played above head in the arroyo currents while pilgrims walked under them barely noticing the commotion overhead.  Cars slowly drove past as parts of the roadway were full of people.  As I passed groups of pilgrims, I heard some of their conversations.  One group of women chanted rosaries in cadence.  A young boy was talking on his cell phone about the week's basketball games and who had beaten who.  Others had labored breath and wiped sweat from their brows. 

Because I am not a Catholic, and my paternal grandfather was, I channeled him.  I wondered what he would be thinking as he walked up and down the steep hills between Pojoaque and Chimayo proper.  I guessed he would be so very focused on the reason for walking and what waited for him at the end of the road.

I turned my walk into a time for contemplation. Because I don't recite rosaries or voice prayers (but I respect those that do) I did other things.  As I walked I made lists of what I was grateful for.  I thought about our state's poverty.  I worried about the scarcity of fresh water. 

It was also time to take pictures - that is how I often express my world view. Here is a view of the walk through my lens.

For each long walk, it is necessary to have a locally crafted walking stick.

The drive through both Pueblos is lovely.  Old growth Cottonwoods and Elms provided early shade for everyone.

The walkers were thin on this stretch.  They were framed by our New Mexico skies.

Bearing crosses.  Commitments to honor someone departed or for contemplation of our own issues.

The crosses are carried the entire distance and then left at the Santuario.

Looking back.

I have always known this stretch is dotted with crosses of various sizes.  What I didn't know was how many of them there are.  Walking gives a unique perspective of the landscape.

The competition for walker funds was fierce.  I came across five different paletero carts.  This one lifted a sugary treat as I took this shot.

Draping in the Pinons.

Once at Chimayo, the landscape changes.  Artisans set up booths and merchants displayed their wares.  Religious shirts for sale.

The Virgin Mary and Frida.  Classic.

Handcrafted artwork.  A cultural trifecta.

The line was long for hotdogs, snow cones and frito pies.

This is an intensely religious community of the extremely faithful. Our Lady is prominently displayed on an adobe wall.  A table of sugary treats were for sale next to her. I bought a pickle from the kids manning the table. 

This young man had a dog he called "Bully."  Bully wasn't the dog's name but a new breed he spoke with us about.  I am pretty convinced this doggie was half Chihuahua and half Pit Bull.  He thanked us for liking his dog.

Travelers from all over.  Most tired yet happy to have made it on Good Friday.

Grandpa and grandson.  A snow covered peak in the background.

He walked to Chimayo from Alcalde.  He found a decomposing cow skull on the way.

The skull was strapped to his back pack.

We each have our own cross to bear.

The informal processions were continuous.  Groups of pilgrims walked together.  They chanted and sang. 

 

The formal procession began at noon.  My talented partner took these beautiful procession shots.

 

I tried to send a text while we were waiting for the formal procession to begin.  There was no service.  About the same time I overheard a pilgrim tell someone "there is no service here.  It is holy ground."

Maybe it was the canyon, or the high mesas, that made cell phone service scarce.  Or, maybe, it really was because of the special spirit this beautiful place has.  Watching these beautiful people brought tears to my eyes.

Mi gente.

Baila! Baila!

June brings the start of fantastic Summer events in the 505.  We love June. 

This weekend you can enjoy the family oriented fundraising events at the San Felipe de Neri Parish's annual Fiesta!  Rides for kids, good food (yesterday the air smelled like my Abuela's kitchen - thick with the aroma of beans and green chile,) and lots of talent in the gazebo on the plaza. 

Baila! Baila! of Albuquerque performed while we ambled around checking out the crowd.  This group was fantastic.  From little ones to young adults, they were dressed in every color imaginable.  They swirled, stomped, and moved like fluid art, around the center of the plaza.  What a treat.

Here they are.

 

Fiestas de Barelas. In the heart of Albuquerque.

The Fiestas de Barelas were celebrated, today, in the heart of Albuquerque.  A couple of city blocks, on 4th Street, were closed down for fiesta-goers to enjoy one of the oldest neighborhoods in the 505.  Just west of the Albuquerque Rail Yards, lies a thriving little community that is the anchor of Albuquerque's history.  It was a fabulous Autumn day on 4th Street.

The vendors were out, in force, displaying their works of art, handmade crafts, and, local produce.

It wouldn't be a proper New Mexican fiesta without green chile.

And, Helados.

San Jose Mariachi, from Washington Middle School, performed - incredibly talented young people.

Lots of vecinos.

 

..and then the best tamales we have had in a very long time (from Senor Tortas.)

Of course, the customary car show with exceptional rides.

There is so much color in Barelas.

Barelas is home.

Getting outside. 505 Autumn. 2015.

Albuquerque has so much to offer in Autumn.  We have lots of public open space areas, state parks, and, fabulous trails - packed with color - this time of year.

Today we enjoyed the Bachechi Open Space area at Alameda and Rio Grande Boulevard.  We also hung out at the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park.  It was fabulous.

Get out there, Albuquerque!

New Mexico State Fair Parade 2015

New Mexico Septembers are wonderful - roasting green chile scent wafts through the air, hot air balloons dot the morning skies, and, the New Mexico State Fair begins. And, with the State Fair comes the State Fair parade - it went down today.  The parade traveled east, from the intersection of Louisiana and Central, towards Eubank and Central.  This year's parade was rich - full of colorful floats and people - just the way we like our parades in the Land of Enchantment.

Here you go, Burqueños.  The 2015 parade participants.

San Miguel County Sheriff's Posse.

It would not be a New Mexican parade without a Paleta guy.

Vietnamese American Association represented.

Los tres

Baila!  Baila!

Colfax County young Marines.

Musica!

Las Vegas Dons High School marching band. 

It just isn't a state fair parade without a John Deere tractor.

Squee!  Excited about candy falling from the sky.

Running for the finish line.

Brute force boxing.

Soon on a highway...

Raider on the hood

Three wheels

Sharp

Hopping

They call him mellow yellow

And, last but not least, the first female motorcycle officer in the State of New Mexico, Officer Vanessa Martinez.  You go, girl!

Time to head to the fair - pie is waiting.

Rt. 66 West Fest.

The Rt. 66 West Fest happened yesterday at Unser and Central.  It was a celebration of deep-rooted West Side, and South Valley, cultural past times - boxing, classic cars, music, and community centered activism. The colorful event was well attended - folks seemed to be having a good time. Kudos to the West Central Community Development Group for being the foundation for this event.

We would also like to shout out a big thank you to our friend, La Familia Car Club member and classic car guy, Joe Garza.  He turned us on to the event.  Despite the soaring temperatures that caused our heels to sink into the asphalt, we really enjoyed ourselves. 

Joe Garza.

Matthew Prieto preparing for his bout with Max Moya.  Proud Prieto Papa standing by.

Matthew in the ring Float like a butterfly... Sting like a bee...

Other boxers preparing

A young athlete listening to his trainer
Spectators.

Rt. 66 Vintage.  The 505 has great cars and great car clubs.

Chevy Impala Lowrider and New Mexico blue skies.  Life is good.

Shade talk.

And a dog, because everybody loves dogs...

Venture out and see what is going down west of the Rio Grande.  You will be surprised.

In Memoriam....

We saw this stunning, yet sobering, window display at Off Broadway on Central.  Nine roses.  Remembering the tragedy in Charleston.

Love is Love - ABQ Pride 2015

 Without the ACLU many rights would not exist.

Pride gives wings to some...

Tutus to others...

There were the Duke City roller derby players

the Brujos rugby players

and a rodeo cowboy

Sandia National Labs sent Einstein

There was Posh club

and a posh dog

Some have rythm...
Some have speed

And many have crowns...

Happy Pride day!