Happy Holidays From The Land of Enchantment

Traditions - The Christmas holidays in Albuquerque, New Mexico are, like most other places, a time to share traditions by getting together with family and friends, exchanging gifts, and having festive meals together. In New Mexico, however a rich cultural blend of native and newer traditions add enchantment that makes a difference. The traditions of 19 native pueblos combined with enriching ideas from a constant stream of newer residents from across the nation and the world create varied and interesting holiday experiences.

The experiences start in the pueblos. Whenever I visit a pueblo, people invite me to return to celebrate Christmas or New Year's Eve with them because each pueblo has pride in its unique traditions, all of which include light or bonfires. If the weather should permit, this is the year I will make it to one.

The Posadas, probably dating back to the arrival of the first Spanish settlers, and still celebrated in pockets in cities across the state, offer another opportunity to participate in a uniquely New Mexican Christmas tradition. Whether your are Christian or not, on Christmas Eve you can join the party re-enacting the Christmas story and accompany Mary and Joseph going from house to house seeking a shelter or you may choose to simply go to your church as Christians all over the world will do.

Also on Christmas Eve, you can drive through New Mexico city neighborhoods to see the display of lights. Many, giving the landscape the distinctive southwestern appearance, are the farolitas or luminarias that outline sidewalks, driveways, and rooftops. Many are still hand-made, assembeled with sand, paper bags and candles or may be modernised electrical. Nob Hill and Old Town, Albuqueruque, for wxample, close streets to allow people to stroll through and enjoy the enchantment of the glow.

Christmas - On Christmas Day, the pleasures of a rich cultural heritage continue in the interesting flavors of traditional and other foods that grace the holiday dinner table. Whatever else you may have, be prepared for the unique New Mexico red or green chile flavor in dishes like posole and tamales. At The Christmas table, it is a good place to start preparing for the ubiquitous question when dining out in New Mexico - red or green?

Happy Holidays from the Land of Enchantment!

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas! Happy Chanukah! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy New Year!
Eloise Gift www.eloise-yourkwagent.com

Albuquerque Events

Did you know?

In Albuquerque, New Mexico we have a river of lights?
The river of light flows every year from November 29 through December 30 (except on Dec. 24 and Dec. 25) at the Rio Grande Botanic Gardens. The River of Lights is a scintillating walk-through display of thousands of artfully designed twinkling lights. You may view the River of Lights, evenings from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Entrance is $7:00 for adults and $3:00 for children. Some evenings offer additional attractions like ice skating or live entertainment. The River of Lights while a pleasant outing for all, is particularly attractive to kids. Dress warmly.

During the holiday season, the night landscape of the desert is particularly enchanting with its myriad of decorative lights.

Time With my Little - A weeked Off?

Vicky ended up spending almost the whole weekend with me. Vicky is my almost-ten-year-old little sister. She is my match from Big Brothers and Big Sisters (BBBS).

Her mom gave permission for her to spend as much time as she wanted, with me, so she went home with me after her party. She walked into the house, took one look around my office and declared, I can see you have a lot to do. We were and still are in the middle of preparing my holiday mailing that needs go out in time for the holidays.

Yet, I needed to spend some time with Vicky. We have an arrangement to spend an hour per week together. We often don't get to do sequential weeks, but if we averaged out the time it would perhaps turn out to be more than an hour per week. As often happens, planned, two-hour events expand into day-long visits and even sleepovers taking us into the other day.

This weekend, we went to Vicky's party just after mid day. Next we went to my party with my service club and that was a perfect lead into a sleepover. It was getting late. Next day being Sunday, it seemed natural we should go to church in the morning. Work took a back seat. It is no wonder I am now behind in getting my mailing done. But it's all right. I did need a weekend off!

I didn't get to take pictures. Somehow I left both my camera and my phone behind. But Vicki had a new toy, one of the tiniest cameras I ever saw, and she took lots of pictures. Sadly, we did not have the appropriate software on my computer to download them. I'll just have to use a picture from last month's picnic.

Life can be busy in Albuquerque! That's the truth.

Market Update– Albuquerque Westside Paradise Hills Civic Association Area (PHCA)

Overview ─ The real estate market trend in the PHCA area continues to reflect positively that of the rest of Greater Albuquerque. The Greater Albuquerque market is less adversely affected than that of most others regions across the country and was reported by Forbes Magazine to be among the country’s top ten most promising markets. The PHCA is a part of the larger Westside neighborhood of Paradise Hills, and during the last quarter, was one of the highest selling neighborhoods in all of Albuquerque. (Greater Albuquerque Association of Realtors report)

Current Market Activity ─ Since July, 83 homes were sold in the PHCA area. Currently, 13 homes are under contract, awaiting closing and 118 homes are for sale, awaiting offers.

Of the 83 homes sold, 9 were 2-bedrooms, 46 were 3-bedrooms, 27 were 4-bedrooms and 1had 5+ bedrooms. The average square footage for these homes was 2047 and the average price; $226,065. In October (the latest month for which official statics are available) the average price of homes throughout the Greater Albuquerque area was $220,000.

Of the 13 homes under contract (pending) the average square footage is 1761, the average time on the market, 75 days, and the average listing price, $195,377.

The homes for sale - awaiting buyers - include 11 with 2 bedrooms, 61 with 3 bedrooms, 44 with 4 bedrooms and 2 with 5 or more bedrooms. The average price of these homes is $272, 902 and they have been on the market for an average of 90 days. They range in size from an average of 1215 square feet for the 2-bedroom group to 2210 square feet for the 5+ bedroom group.

Conclusion ─ As we approach the holiday season, the sentiments of Charles Dickens in A Christmas Carol seem appropriate for our market. We are likely to look back on this period thinking, it was the best of times; it was the worst of times. Best, because of the large inventory and historically low interest rates. On the other hand, worst, because our economy is in a historically low period with job losses, failed financial institutions, and economic uncertainty. The lending institutions that remain afloat have tightened qualifying requirements and it is more challenging to obtain loans.

Having said all this, Paradise Hills is a comparatively high-selling neighborhood (GAAR report) in one of the top-ten cities for recovery in the nation. (Forbes Magazine)In buying or selling a house in the neighborhood, we need to recognize that difficult times call difficult decisions that may include adjusting expectations and being creative in marketing, making offers, and accepting offers.

The Paradise Hills Civic Association area is defined by Paseo del Norte to the south, Coors Boulevard to the southeast, Calabacillas Arroyo to the north, and the AMAFCA Las Ventanas Dam to the west. The area is a part of the larger Multiple Listing Service (MLS) area of Paradise Hills East.
Eloise Gift

Positive Events _Celebrating the Present, Honoring the Past, Ensuring the Future

I participated in four back-to-back, wonderfully positive events over the course of two days - positive for our economy and for the quality of life in our city. The first event was the significant ribbon-cutting event cutting for the opening of Fidelity Investments workspace at Mesa del Sol, the master-planned community that promises o be the city's poster child for green. Fidelityarrived in Albuquerque less than 1 year ago with a promise of creation jobs just at the time when fear of job losses began to creep across the country. The firm has been occupying temporary quarters while awaiting the completion of its building at Mesa del Sol. Completed in record time, all the company has to do now is move into its new space and and complete its hiring of the 300 workers they anticipated they would need.

Then the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce organized a luncheon to celebrate the Rodey Law Firm's 125th birthday. The speeches and reminiscences were inspirational. One speaker reflected on the possibilities of a combination of vision and values to contribute to the success and sustainability of institutions like the Rodey Law Firm, and I couldn't help thinking that Albuquerque, recently identified as an ideal place to work and raise a family, has enjoyed that status for much longer. Law firm founder, Rodey recognized that quality 125 years ago ever since he set up practice in Albuquerque.

The luncheon followed an early morning tour of the best water treatment facility in the whole nation. Four hundred fourth graders visited last year to see a room-size diorama that shows the course of the water we use, from its source at the continental divide to its delivery into our homes. The tour made me a believer out of me. I left the water treatment facility convinced I will no longer need bottled water. Expert and dedicated workers are hard at work every day at the facility, overseeing and treating the water supply to ensure its purity and safety.

At the end of the day, I had the opportunity to attend the celebration of the completion of the refurbishing of areas of Cibola, the first high school built on the Westside of Albuquerque. The makeover with a state-of-the-art, green, energy- efficient cafeteria and other spaces was impressive. Community leaders, legislators, and administrators reiterated their commitment to preserving the institution, and student musicians and dancers performed surrounded by student art in the new open space provided by the enovation.

If we are able to create jobs, we take care of today's needs. As we continue to protect our environment and non-renewable resources and prepare our children to love responsible and consequential lives, we take care of the future.