Special Events

Wednesday Events

Thursday Events

Friday Events

Saturday Events

Wednesday, December 2nd

Join President Hinchman along with NRC’s Past Presidents in celebration of our 59th Annual Meeting. Complementary hors d’oeuvres and cash bar will be available in Ballroom C of the Albuquerque Convention Center immediately following the Presidential Address (6:15PM)

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Thursday, December 3rd

Our friends at the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau are providing complementary shuttle transportation to Old Town and Nob Hill from 6:30-11:00PM. Buses will depart from each hotel (DoubleTree and Hyatt) every twenty minutes and make a continous loop all evening. So why not experience some of Albuquerque’s local culture and for some suggestions on where to go, check out George Hruby’s (Utah State University) Albuqueque Dining and Nightlife Guide below.

George Hruby’s Albuquerque Dining and Nightlife Guide (PDF file)

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Friday, December 4th

Dance the night away with the sounds of the “Out of the Blues” band. The band features NRC members Tom Bean (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) and Frank Serafini (Arizona State University). The time and location of this event will be announced soon.

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Saturday, December 5th

Afternoon In Albuquerque

  • Explore the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and consider car-pooling to some of the surrounding open spaces (http://www.cabq.gov/openspace/lands.html) or Indian pueblos and reservations (http://www.itsatrip.org/activities/neighborhood-guide/indian-pueblos.aspx);

  • Examine early literacy at the Petroglyph National Monument (the system of over 20,000 markings probably was not research-based, but it is still around);

  • Take a walking tour of a 19th-century rancho at Casa San Ysidro;

  • Ride the world’s longest Tramway (2.7 miles) to Sandia Peak (and Sandiago’s Mexican Grill) and take in spectacular views, golden eagles, and muledeer;

  • Relax with a local Winery Tasting (e.g., Los Poblanos, Casa Rondeña, etc.);

  • Enjoy New Mexican-styled cusine & Afternoon Margaritas at Los Cuates;

  • If you miss the First Friday Artscrawl (from about 5 -8 or so on Friday), catch up with visits on Saturday (see list of galleries at http://www.artscrawlabq.org/html/current_first_friday.html );

  • Get your kicks on the real Route 66 (http://rt66central.com/route66/old-west.shtml) and mingle with the locals at great haunts like Two Fools Tavern, the very darkened basement at Zinc, the upstairs at the Monte Vista Fire Station, the neighborly O’Neil’s, or, for more earthy ambience and company, Ned’s on Rio Grande (the street not the river)

Evening In Santa Fe (http://www.santafe.org/)

  • Do you know the way to Santa Fe? Well the New Mexico Rail Runner does and why not join your fellow NRCers as we venture north to Santa Fe. The Rail Runner Express (commuter train) departs just a few blocks from the Convention Center and for $4 one-way and 90 minutes of your time you can be in beautiful Santa Fe. See below for train schedules. NRC has negotiated a $99.00 per room per night (good from 12/5/09-12/9/09) rate at the beautiful Hotel Santa Fe (http://www.hotelsantafe.com/) the area’s only Native American owned hotel. The hotel is right next to the Rail Runner depot in Santa Fe and just a few blocks from the heart of Santa Fe’s shopping, cultural and dining district. To book a room at the Hotel Santa Fe, simply call 800-825-9876 (dial “1” to be connected with reservations) and mention that you are looking to book a room under the National Reading Conference block (or booking #1068FJ).

    Saturday Train Schedule

    Depart Albuquerque / Arrive Santa Fe
    2:46pm / 4:18pm
    4:41pm / 6:30pm
    7:45pm / 9:26pm

    Sunday Train Schedule

    Depart Santa Fe / Arrive Albuquerque
    11:25am / 1:01pm
    6:30pm / 8:04pm

    Weekday Train Schedule (in case you might be staying in Santa Fe longer)
    http://www.nmrailrunner.com/schedule.asp

  • Sights: Santa Fe is home to loads of museums, galleries, spas, historic sights, free walking tours, ghost walks, bird tours, an excellent farmer’s market, hiking trails, and a renowned Native American art compound, the Indian Market. Do not miss the Palace of the Governors, possibly the oldest continuously occupied building in the US.

  • Art: As the Santa Fe Visitors Bureau describes it (and folks in Albuquerque, too): “Because Santa Fe is one of the country's hottest art markets, the city is fertile ground for all kinds of work as well as sophisticated shopping. Hundreds of galleries host openings and exhibits year-round and studio tours take place throughout the year. Museums regularly exhibit new shows of work done in the Southwest as well as traveling shows from around the world.”

  • Shops: You betcha, and mostly culturally distinct. And a great flea market near the opera on Saturdays, too.

  • Entertainment & Events: Check out http://www.connectorlocal.com (be sure to enter Santa Fe, or you’ll get events in your own locale). Also Radio Free Santa Fe (98.1 FM; http://www.kbac.com/). And grab a copy of Venue, the free entertainment weekly, while you are still in Albuquerque.

  • Restaurants & Nightlife: Albuquerqians (Albuquerqies?) often travel to Santa Fe for the food, which is generally out of this world. Many cozy restaurants, live music, bars, and night clubs are to be found downtown around the De Vargas Park area (head north on Guadalupe Street from the train station toward the river). Check out http://www.professionaltravelguide.com/Destinations/Santa-Fe/Entertainment and be sure to scroll down to the maps for the links you select.

  • For more info on Santa Fe, check the numerous helpful links at http://www.santafe.org/

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