FESTIVAL OF ILLUMINATION
Albuquerque Tricentennial
The goal is to have Albuquerque aglow with over 3 million holiday lights, luminarias,
menorahs and candles at precisely 6:00 pm on December 24.  Be a part of this illuminating experience by proudly displaying your holiday lights in honor of our city and its diversity of cultures and traditions.  Also, in an effort to commemorate this magical event, an aerial photo will be taken of our "illuminated" city.

THE BEST OF ALBUQUERQUE
Albuquerque Magazine has just published its best of for 2005.  Residents from around the city voted on their favorites. 

Here are a few, starting with "New Mexican" food:

Best New Mexican Food:  Sadie's Cantina
Runner's up include El Charitos, Barelas Coffee House, Padillas, and Casa Benavidez

Best Red Chile:  Duran's Central Pharmacy
Best Green Chile:  El Pinto Restaurant
Best Enchilada:  Barelas Coffee House
Best Taco:  Little Anita's
Best Burrito:  Twisters Grill
Best Breakfast Burrito:  Frontier Restaurant
Best Guacamole:  Garcia's Kitchen
Best Chips and Salsa:  Sadie's Cantina

Other Restaurants:

Best Comfort Food:  The Range Cafe
Best Pizza:  Saggios
Best Vegetarian Dish:  Annapurna Ayurvedic Cuisine and Chai House
Best Steak House:  Gruet Steak House
Best Soup:  Gold Street Cafe
Best Sandwich:  Relish Cheese Market and Sandwich Shop
Best Salad:  Il Vicino Wood Oven Pizza and Brewery
Best New Restaurant:  Slate Street Cafe
Best Outdoor Dining:  El Pinto Restaurant
Best Thai:  Orchid Thai Cuisine
Best Sushi:  Samurai Grill and Sushi Bar
Best Italian Restaurant:  Trombino's Bistro Italiano
Best Dive:  El Sabor de Juarez
Best Chinese Restaurant:  Chow's Chinese Bistro
Best Restaurant for a Date:  Antiquity Restaurant
Best Chef:  Sam Etheridge, Ambrozia Cafe and Wine Bar
Best Margarita:  Gardunos Restaurant
Best Coffee Drink:  Satellite Coffee
Best Happy Hour:  Seasons Rotisserie and Grill

Best of Nightlife:

Best Live Music Venue:  The Launchpad
Best Sports Bar:  Coaches Sports Grill and Hooters
Best Wine Bar:  Zinc Wine Bar and Bistro
Best Dance Venue:  OPM

And a Few Editors Picks:

Best Way to Get Wine on the Cheap:  Nickel Sale at Jubilation Wine and Spirits
Best Place to Fall Off Your Diet:  Le French Corner
Best Store to Jetson-ize Your Pad:  Abode
Best Day Trip Worth Filling Up Your Tank For:  Jemez Springs
Best Place to Dine with Your Dog:  The Bone Bistro

Pick up a copy of "Albuquerque The Magazine" for the scoop on over 200 winners.
www.abqthemag.com

SKI SEASON TRAINING REGIME

The ski season is finally here. This list of exercises will help you get ready...

-Visit your local butcher and pay $30 to sit in the walk-in freezer for half an hour. Afterwards, burn two $50 dollar bills to warm up.

-Soak your gloves and store them in the freezer after every use.
 
-If you wear glasses, begin wearing them with glue smeared on the lenses.

- Throw away a hundred dollar bill - RIGHT NOW!

- Find the nearest ice rink and walk across the ice 20 times in your ski boots carrying two pairs of skis, accessory bag and poles. Pretend you are looking for your car. Sporadically drop things.

- Buy a new pair of gloves and IMMEDIATELY THROW ONE AWAY!

- Secure one of your ankles to a bedpost and ask a friend to run into you at high speed.

- Go to McDonald's and insist on paying $8.50 for a hamburger. Be sure you are in the longest line.

- Drive slowly for five hours - anywhere - as long as it's in a snowstorm and you're following an 18-wheeler.

-Repeat all of the above every Saturday and Sunday until you're ready for the real thing!

2005 HOT TOYS FOR CHRISTMAS

Toy Wishes Hot Dozen 2005, a list which forecasts the best-selling and most popular toys of the year, has accurately predicted the market's hottest toys, for the past six years. Toys which are featured on the Hot Dozen list are most likely to be sold out during the Christmas and holiday season. So, without any further delay, here are the hottest toys of 2005:

Leapster L-Max Learning System

The Magnetix World

Shell Shocker

V Cam Now

V Smile Pocket

Black Belts Karate Home Studio

Dora's Talking Kitchen

Pixel Chix

Fly Wheels Assortment

Furby

I-Dog

iZ

GESUNDHEIT

With flu season on its way, microbiologists warn that it is easy to catch a cold or the flu by shaking hands with someone who just used that hand to cover a sneeze.  The viruses can stay alive for 2 hours on hands, and for 20 minutes on hard surfaces.  So sneeze into your elbow, wash your hands frequently and say "Gesundheit", which is a German wish for "good health."

SANTA FE STYLE IS BACK…WITH AN EDGE

Santa Fe style never left New Mexico, but it's back on the runways and high fashion ads around the world.  Most of the retailers polled do not think the new trend will be as pervasive as it was in the 1980s.  One major difference from the 1980s when cowboy boots were first paired with long broomstick skirts, is that now the boots are paired with short skirts.  A real cowboy wouldn't be caught dead in the trendy new cowboy boots that are often bejeweled, come in outrageous colors and feature chile peppers, cacti and sunsets. 

PHASE 2
Working for Fun
In today's ever-changing society, it is common for a person to have two, three, or even four careers over a lifetime.  Lawyers are packing it up at 50 to become chefs; accountants are calling it quits to become river rafting guides.  The trend is for people who have become financially comfortable to switch their careers to something they are passionate about.

What is the best "Phase 2" career for you?  If you have passion in life, think of ways to make a living at it.  If you haven't yet found your passion, we'll be highlighting some different "fun" careers every month in the Phase 2 section of The Piñon Post.

If you are thinking of a second career but are unsure what career is right for you, take the "Discover your Perfect Career" quiz at http://tools.monster.com/perfectcareer/

THE REALTOR
Real estate can make a fantastic Phase 2 career.  After spending 20 years cooped up in an office, I have found working as a Realtor to be much more fun and challenging than working as a CPA. 

My love of people, architecture, and New Mexico has made this the perfect Phase 2 career for me.  Wherever you live, if you think you might be interested in a real estate career, please give me a call or e-mail.  I would love to share my experiences with you.

(800)843-7040 Toll Free
Annie@2NewMexico.com

Thank you for viewing the Winter 2005/2006 issue of The Piñon Post.  If you have any questions or suggestions for future additions of the Post, please give a call or e-mail.  We would love to hear from you.