ABQ Uptown

At the intersection of Uptown Boulevard and Q Street:  It’s ABQ Uptown, the ultimate destination in New Mexico for upscale fashion, home furnishings, entertainment and dining and the perfect place to shop, walk, and eat in a just-right, outdoor environment.  With approximately 220,000 square feet of retail shops, and restaurants, ABQ Uptown has a unique mix of stores that create a completely new and refreshing shopping experience for the community and its citizens.  

(taken from  http://www.abquptown.com/aboutus)
For the store directory, go to http://www.abquptown.com/directory


This is where I went to take pictures for Fashion Fridays for the month of May. 
Here are some pictures of Uptown.  If you have money to burn, this is where you want to spend your day.

ABQ's Playroom

ABQ's Playroom is located at:

8850 Holly Ave NE, Suite C
Albuquerque, NM 87122
505-822-8697
info@abqplayroom.com
Hours
Tuesday - Friday: 10AM-5PM
Saturday, Private Parties: 10AM-6PM
Sunday, Private Parties: 1-3PM & 3:30-5:30PM

My daughter is enrolled in the art and music enrichment classes.  The staff is very enthusiastic and makes the classes enjoyable for the child(ren).  ABQ's Playroom is a great place to take your toddler to play.  It is a great option if your house was just cleaned and you want it to stay that way, to play with new toys without having to buy them, or when your child is restless and it is too cold or windy to play outside.  You can stay and play, and invite other moms to join you, or you can drop your child(ren) for up to 4 hrs if you have an appointment or just want to enjoy a quiet house for a bit of time.  The membership fee is $35.00/family/year.  Drop off rates are $10.00/hour.  Stay and play rates are $8.00 or $5.00/hour for members.  Only members can drop off their child(ren). 
ABQ's Playroom hosted an Easter Egg Hunt for members and nonmembers.  Here are some pictures:

Location or Size? in real estate

What is more important location or size?
I would say location. 
It is not a coincidence that you enjoy your neighbors.  Your children attend the same school.  What appeals to you: the park across the street, the grocery store around the corner, the dog park within walking distance, the proximity to downtown or mainstreet, how far the drive is to the mountain, the river, camping, or to the beach, is also what appeals to your neighbors.  Your values are similar.  The houses in the neighborhood typically are around the same asking price which means most of your neighbors make the same amount of money that you do, have the same saving and spending styles, also reflected in your lifestyle.  Find a location where this is true.  The Fourth of July and Memorial Day, and neighborhood summer BB-Qs will be that much more enjoyable. 
Sometimes neighborhoods turnover.  Elementary/Preschool age become highschool and off to college.  The empty nesters move out, new families move in.  Ask your realtor about recent turnover and what type of families: newlyweds, new families, or emptynesters, are moving in.  Tour the local elementary school and health club.  That will give you an idea of the types of families in the neighborhood and whether you envision yourself living among them.  A house is more than a house.  It is part of a neighborhood, and in most cases,also, an association, a community. 
As far as I am concerned, pick out the size you are comfortable cleaning.  If you are gone working most of the day and only sleep at home, the smaller the better.  If you work from home or often entertain, the house will need to reflect that.  Think about what rooms your family gathers in; those rooms will need to be bigger.  If all the people in your family enjoy his/her privacy, then you focus on large bedrooms.  If your sanctuary is the tub and closet (like me), then the master bath will be what you consider top priority.   If dinner is when you all come together, cook, eat and clean, then the kitchen and dining room will be important. The size also should reflect your values. 
Location and size of the real estate you are considering purchasing should both reflect you and your family's priorities, but if I had to pick one, location is more important.  Once moved in, you can always hire a contractor, changing your neighbors is harder.

Recycle Centers

I had skipped recycling day.  The garbage men only pick up everyother week.  I thought, as usual, that I would wake up early enough to take the trash out, but I missed it.  So when the next time came, I had a month's worth of recycling.  In my household of six, that is 4 large outdoor trashcans. 
Later that day, I was happy to see it all taken away, but I did see a pink note.  That means I did something wrong.  I avoided the note all day (because I don't care for criticism) but decided to take a look.  It was to inform me that the curbside pick up does not recycle glass. 
I was a bit shocked, and worried, due to the high quantities of wine bottles, spaghetti sauce, salsa, and miscellaneous other items that come in glass containers, that my family consumes. 
That was three weeks ago.  Since then, I started a collection in the kitchen of empty, washed out glass containers.  I started to get a bit worried though, when I noticed how many more wine bottles than containers of salsa, there were and threw them all away. 
My concern started to diminish when yesterday at the grocery store, I see a dispensery for plastic grocery bags, and on the box it stated "to find out where to recycle other items in your area, please log onto http://www.earth911.com/ "
So I did, and I found out where to recycle the glass.  I have to take it 2 mi down the road, but that is not a problem at all! very happy.

http://www.earth911.com/ is a website based out of Scotsdale, AZ promoting 'green' living and also sustainable business and lifestyle practices.  Check out all the informative tips and local business that share your same values.

Double Eagle Elementary Fundraiser

On Saturday, April 16, I attended the Double Eagle Elementary School Spring Hoe Down. Here is a picture of my daughter, Evelyn with her friend. One of the activities was hat making. There was also a bbq dinner, jumpies, and a silent auction. 

All public schools need volunteers.  The volunteers add to the success of each student because it allows a student to experience one on one attention.  The Albuquerque Chamber , http://www.abqchamber.org/

http://www.abqchamber.com/content.asp?CustComKey=371114&CategoryKey=379425&pn=webform&domname=abqchamber.com

has an Albuquerque Reads Commitee.  If you contact this commitee to help, they will assign you to an elementary school that needs you to tutor local kindergartners.  Training is provided.  Significantly improve a child's life by helping him/her to read.
Become a Albuquerque Reads Tutor!!

This Month in Real Estate- April 2011

This Month in Real Estate, a monthly video created by Keller Williams, covers the topic of buyer consultations.  Some questions that you might present to an agent when determining which one you would like to help you find a home are:
1.  What is more important location or size?
2.  What are some benefits of a fixer upper vs a turnkey?
3.  Is neighborhood stability a priority?
4.  What are some features and amenities that help with resale value?
5.  How do I maximize home value appreciation?

Over the next few weeks, I will be answering these questions for you.  If your questions cannot wait, please call me at 651-894-2312.

Generation Love

On Saturday, April 9, 2011, my three girls and I headed to Coronado Mall to see Jennette McCurdy, you know, Sam from iCarly.  She is selling a 2-song CD for $10.00.  All proceeds go to Jude's Children Hospitals. 
We arrived at the mall at 1:50 pm.  She was supposed to start at 2:00pm.  The mall was packed, but the line to buy the CD was not long.  I bought 3 CDs, one for each girl, and also received a poster and a wristband.  The wristband allowed us to get the posters autographed after the show. 
The show started at 2:20 pm.  She played three songs.  We were in line to get our posters signed at 245 pm.  I brought some string to make friendship bracelets while we waited.  Ainslee, my oldest daughter, told me friendship bracelets were too hard and too boring to make.  The other two liked it. 
We had our posters signed at 315 pm. 
My girls were happy!! While we watched iCarly that night, Evelyn, my second oldest, kept reminding her that we met her 'for real'. 

If you have children ages 5-14, I recommend this event. 
Here is the link to future tour dates:

http://www.myspace.com/jennettemccurdy

Her song Generation Love is really good. 
Here are some pics of the event.

Spring 2011 Fashion Trends

According to Ken Downing, senior vice president and fashion director for Neiman Marcus, this season’s must-haves include:
* The color coral
* The white wardrobe - that’s zero color head-to-toe style
* Boho influences
* Flat sandals
* Florals
* Crossbody bags
* Stripes
* The spring face - sun-kissed bliss in shades of coral, peach and apricot
* Wide-leg pants
* Long necklaces - jewelry goes the distance with pretty beads, bold chains and oversized pendants.

Please Follow Me as ClimbingMaslow finds everyday people looking great out and about.  Fashion Fridays will be posting WHAT TO WEAR.  Here is a picture of me in my favorite maxi dress wearing two of spring's hottest trends:  stripes and flat sandals.  Dress and hat from TJMaxx, Belt from another dress from BCBG. 

Please post pics of yourself if you feel you are a fashion leader.  Post where you live, where you shop, and who you wear.  Thanks!

Government Shutdown

I want to be clear.  I highly recommend being actively involved in government.  The term 'actively involved' means staying informed and voting.  Voting is our right and privilege as Americans.  I am going to present facts and well as my perspective.  I offer my point of view to get you interested or to provoke thoughts and feelings on the subject.  The facts are most important.  Absorb them. 
People don't want to 'get involved' because they do not want to take the time, feel their vote doesn't count, feel that politicians follow their own agendas no matter what you say, or feel that debates can get too heated, offend others, and they would rather focus on e!news. 
Please CARE.  GET INVOLVED. 

Today's topic:  Government shutdown will occur April 8, 2011 if an agreement is not met on budget proposal. 

But:

Vital Services Keep Running: The term “shutdown” substantially overstates the matter. Even if Congress and the President fail to reach agreement, the most essential services continue, such as: (1) providing for national security, (2) conducting foreign affairs, (3) providing for the continuity of mandatory benefit payments, and (4) protecting life and property. These services include military, law enforcement, VA care, and others. Social Security checks are still mailed.
 http://www.heritage.org/Research/Factsheets/2011/03/Government-Shutdown-101-A-Slowdown-Not-a-Shutdown

The federal employees that do not work during the shutdown do get paid once they resume working for the time they were off.  Passport and backruptcy claims are slowed and most of the National Parks are shut down.  At least that is how it was during the shutdown of 1995. 

Here is how Obama's proposed budget compares to past presidents':

The rough bottom line is Republicans would cut about $64 billion from domestic and foreign aid appropriations.
http://dyn.politico.com/members/forums/thread.cfm?catid=1&subcatid=1&threadid=5087018

These cuts would come from the Environmental Protection Agency, Community Development Block Grants, Pell Grants, the National Science Foundation, foreign aid and State Department Funds. 

One thing about a budget, when you spend more in one area, the cuts have to come from another area.  Otherwise, the government is just spending money they do not have, and that is a terrible example to set as precedence for the American people.

Your Save-the-Earth Calendar

Your Save-the-Earth Calendar

• January: Find air leaks by doing a home energy audit.
• February: Buy a water heater blanket ($10-$20) to insulate the storage tank.
• March: Use rain barrels ($100 or more) to save water.
• April: Spring cleaning? Recycle old electronics. Find out where: Earth911.com.
• May: Get help from your garden center to choose plants that need less water.

• June: Try air-drying clothes outside in warm weather.
• July: To cut down on A/C bills, keep drapes closed while you're gone.
• August: Tune up your car to improve mileage, by 4%, says fueleconomy.gov.
• September: Buy notebooks made from recycled paper for the kids.
• October: Turn off the leaf blower; spend the afternoon raking instead.
• November: Use Catalog Choice (catalogchoice.org) to get fewer mailings.
• December: Wrap gifts in recyclable tissue paper that your kids decorate.

Mark your calendars!! for the same day each month! Let each person do little things for a BIG impact.

taken from HouseLogic.com
Read more: http://www.houselogic.com/articles/3-small-steps-to-more-sustainable-living/#ixzz1IgPeHUGd

thrive!ABQ

http://www.cabq.gov/econdev/pdf/thriveABQSummary.pdf

Thrive!ABQ is the city of Albuquerque's initiative to retain and grow business.
The complete summary is in the link above but I copied off two different segments that I thought were interesting.

The first area describes the target industries that the City of Albuquerque is focusing their efforts:
"Technology
ABQ has huge assets in its human capital and technology resources. We will continue to use those assets to our advantage in recruitment of high tech firms. Tech transfer and spinoffs are additional areas for ABQ to capitalize on.
Film
This industry is a prime example of the marketing, incentives and building of infrastructure, used in combination, to develop an industry. We will continue these efforts in order to further grow this industry.
Tourism
ABQ’s tourism assets are tremendous. Working with industry partners, we will continue to build our tourism and convention industry, which brings in valuable, outside dollars and enhances our national profile.
Clean Energy
Between our brainpower, ideal environment and existing assets, we will aggressively grow this industry. Currently, we are developing a strong base for this industry, which will lead to increased investment and related startups in the future."

I think it is beneficial to see the priorities of the city.  Another part of the summary that I felt was interesting was that the city put into their plan the importance of shopping local.  I respect the fact that the city will want to lead by example increasing their efforts to keep consumer spending in Albuquerque.
Here are the facts shared in the summary:
"a. The City spends nearly $250 million annually on good and services;
45% is spent within ABQ city limits.
b. Within Bernalillo County, the City spends 67%.
c. Currently, city departments buy everything from pens to cars based
on price and not location.
d. A directive has been issued that instructs all City directors to by local
first, if they can at competitive prices."

The second phase of thrive!ABQ was launched by Mayor Richard J. Berry, April 1, 2011 and that is:
http://www.thriveabq.com/
This is a database of all registered business in Albuquerque and is a free service for all businesses to set up a profile.  This allows people to know where to shop so that their money is staying in the community. 

A great quote: 
"I understand that it is the private sector, not the government that creates jobs,” Mayor Berry explained. “But government can create an environment that makes doing business easier and that attracts more businesses to Albuquerque.”