I hope you'll fill in your cell phone number in the form below so that you can become a subscriber to one or more of these lists for Taos deals texts.  It's just getting started, but be one of the first to receive Taos deals texts for money saving coupons and offers from Taos businesses.

If you're a Taos business owner, contact me, as this is extremely effective marketing to drive customers to your business when you want them.  And, it's very inexpensive as well.  For the cost of one newspaper ad you can run thousands of text messages in multiple campaigns.

[wufoo username="jimkimmons" formhash="z7x1w3" autoresize="true" height="493" header="show" ssl="true"]

via Georgia O’Keeffe Museum Exhibits ‘Moments in Modernism: Paul Strand, Southwest’ | Abstract Art.

Group Using Social Media To Determine Song Selection For New CD

via World Music Jazz Group Sama Duo Previews Material, Launches Crowdsourced CD Project At Taos Performance - Sama Duo - pitchengine.com.

via New Mexico Daily Lobo :: Carnival folk come to Taos.

I've tried with others in the past to interest the town and other organizations in a single event site for the area where tourists could find everything going on. Unfortunately, even when I was willing to donate the domain TaosCalendar.com, we couldn't get the town or other major players involved.

Some have businesses which sell space on calendars, so they didn't want a free one. Others just don't seem to grasp the value of a single "place to go" to learn about Taos, plan a visit, or check out local photos and videos. There are fine sites out there, like the Taos News site, and they have a calendar, but I wanted more, like discussion forums and the ability for members to participate, no matter how large or small their business, or just individual artists and other residents.

There is now a brand new site at TaosTalk.com, and it's open to anyone who wants to join, and will always be free.  In sponsoring this site, I'm hoping that the many talented individual artists and writers in the area will get involved, as well as all residents and businesses.  The site allows individual members to:

• have their own blog
• participate in discussion forums by group interest
• upload photos, videos and music
• promote a business via a blog or discussion participation

Please consider joining the site and participating.  It's small because it's just days old as I write this, but it should grow quickly.  Check out the features and for those who do not have a Web presence, try blogging there.  If you're an artist, upload photos of your work, if a musician, upload samples of your music.

I took a few photos, and wanted to share them with you here.

Sitting right beside the highway, with a beautiful view from their patio and decks, you can sip some really fine wine made in New Mexico.  In fact, I was really happy to find that their Chardonnay was "European style," with no oak.

A remodeled old barn, the wine bar is a friendly place with knowledgeable hosts to help you in sampling a variety of wines.  For a bonus Saturday night, there was great live music and pot luck dinner brought in by the locals who find this to be a watering hole far superior to the fanciest of settings.  Call them for information at 575-377-6658.  Here are a couple of shots mapped if you click on them.

1)

2) Illegal Substances: Yesterday, the Town of Taos Police Department’s Canine Officer, Brady, effectively found a small amount of marijuana, allegedly (and creatively) stashed by a student in a restroom at Vista Grande Charter High School.  The student is facing charges.  Brady’s handler, Officer Mark Archuletta, participated in the successful search.  Officers Brady and Archuletta have been visiting area schools to discourage just such illegal drug activities, and to put students on alert that Brady (and her nose) are on the job.  The marijuana was found by Brady in a stash hidden inside a feminine sanitary products box nested among many other such boxes of actual products in the restroom.  Brady was purchased for the Department through the actions of an anonymous donor.  Questions about the incident, and Brady, should be directed to the Town of Taos Police Department, 575-758-4656.

3) Tourism: Below are three ‘e-magazine’ blasts from Taos tourism entities.  As you find their content useful for your own efforts, please use/forward them as you do Griffin’s on behalf of the Town of Taos.  Note: Through Griffin & Associates’ efforts, Taos finally made it into the State of New Mexico’s Tourism Departments’ email by Secretary Cerletti.  Congrats to all.

BELOW - Griffin & Associates has done great work in getting us featured in the State of New Mexico’s Tourism Department newsletter.  Congrats to all.

New Mexico Tourism Department December 2009

Having problems viewing this e-mail? View the online version here. To ensure delivery to your inbox, please add enchantment@newmexico.org to your address book or spam filter approved list.
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Photo courtesy of Jim Orr

In this issue

• Ski Season is here
• New Mexico State Parks Light Up the Holidays
• Celebrate Holidays with Baumann Marionettes
• Taos Winter Wine Festival
• Rock of Ages Event at Carlsbad Caverns
• Taos Lights Ledoux Street December 12
• Fun for Everyone at Museum of New Mexico, State Monuments
• Holiday Celebrations on Tap
• Escape to the Crossroads - Las Cruces, New Mexico - Vacation Giveaway
• Upcoming Events

Welcome

As Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department, I welcome you to New Mexico, a truly diverse destination. Winter is upon us and holiday festivities are right around the corner. Come celebrate a season like no other in a place like no other: New Mexico, your Land of Enchantment.

Michael Cerletti

Ski Season is Here

Move over fall, winter is here. New Mexico's ski season is cranking up, and excitement is in the air.

High altitudes, coupled with New Mexico's light, fluffy snow and brilliant sunshine, create some of the finest ski conditions in the West. There is no reason to spend an extra five or six long hours in the car heading further north to stand in long lift lines when you could already be skiing New Mexico's incredible ski slopes.

Make your reservations now. Come ski and ride the Winter Sun.

Please read the entire story...

New Mexico State Parks Light Up the Holidays

Holiday traditions sparkle at New Mexico State Parks as farolitos light up walkways, beaches and riverfronts in parks from Raton to Deming. Hot cocoa, caroling, holiday bells and luminaria await visitors seeking a festive return to old-fashioned customs or modern-day star gazing.

Living Desert Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Carlsbad celebrates Holidays with the Animals, 1- 3 p.m., December 12, when children make holiday cards and treats for their favorite Living Desert animals. The event is free, but regular admission fees apply or each visitor may donate a new book, toy, or nonperishable food item to be distributed to local charities. Call 575-887-5516 for details.

Please read the entire story ...

Celebrate Holidays with Baumann Marionette Performance at NM Museum of Art

The Gustave Baumann marionettes have entertained generations of Santa Feans every Christmas since 1935 and they will do so again this year on Sunday (December 20, 2009), 1 to 4 p.m., in the St. Francis Auditorium at the New Mexico Museum of Art in Santa Fe.

Originally intended to amuse their daughter Anne in their home, Baumann's marionettes quickly became well-known in the Santa Fe community and performances were soon offered annually.

The puppets used today are exact replicas of the originals on view in the Museum's second floor gallery exhibition, "Pulling String: The Marionettes and Art of Gustave Baumann."

Please read the entire story...

Taos Winter Wine Festival Offers Fine Wine, Incredible Skiing

One of the most highly respected festivals in the wine industry, the annual Taos Winter Wine Festival is January 20-25, 2010.

The Festival has evolved into one of the premier wine events in the in the region. Drawing more than 3,000 wine enthusiasts, the festival is filled with spectacular wine and food events throughout Taos Ski Valley and the Town of Taos, where restaurants host wine dinners and chefs pair dishes that compliment the wines they are featuring. Daily seminars give the participants an opportunity to meet and interact with the winemakers and vineyard owners on a personal basis.

"Skier, wine connoisseur or gourmet, the Taos Winter Wine Festival has something for everyone," said Michael Cerletti, Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department. "Perhaps best of all, during the day you can ski Taos, where the conditions are nearly perfect."

Please read the entire story ...

Holiday Tours, Rock of Ages Event Offered at Carlsbad Caverns

Carlsbad Caverns National Park will celebrate the holiday season by offering special tours in addition to the regular schedule.

The most popular of these is the Rock of Ages Tour on Saturday (December 19) and Sunday (December 27), 5 to 6:30 p.m. Limited to 60 people. Fees are $15 for adults and $7.50 for children ages 4-15. Children under age 4 are not allowed. Park Rangers will lead the group by lantern light through the Big Room and provide a black out experience reminiscent of the Rock of Ages Ceremony as it was conducted on guided tours during the 1930s and 40s. Also, the tour will be visited by historical characters from Carlsbad Cavern's past.

Please read the entire story ...

Upcoming Holiday Events

Taos Lights Ledoux Street December 12

Celebrate the beauty of Taos and ring in the holiday season with the annual Lighting of Ledoux Street off Taos Plaza on Saturday (December 12), 5-7:30 p.m.

Visit the shops, galleries, salons and museums located along one of Taos' most picturesque streets as they throw open their doors to music, food and fun. Experience a centuries-old tradition with farolitos lining the street and luminarias burning in courtyards. This free event is sponsored in part by the Town of Taos and the members of the Ledoux Street Association.

More information ...

Fun for Everyone at Museum of New Mexico, State Monuments

There are holiday events that occur at all of our state monuments.

Monument grounds are lit with hundreds of flickering farolitos and thousands of Christmas lights. Activities start at 5:30 p.m. with Santa's Workshop, where children, assisted by a few kindly elves, make ornaments. Following are music, traditional Pueblo dancing, and Native American storytelling. Enjoy biscochitos and hot apple cider around a bonfire. Free. 505-867-5351

San Jose de los Jemez Mission Church and Giusewa Village shine with hundreds of traditional farolitos. Festivities include traditional Native American flute music, a Jemez Pueblo dance performance, free cookies and cider, and a visit by Santa Claus. Free. 800-426-7850

Be a part of the annual candlelight procession of Las Posadas as it moves around the Santa Fe Plaza and into the Palace courtyard. Stay for caroling, cookies, and refreshments. Free. 505-476-5100

Click for a complete list of events at the state monuments...

Holiday Celebrations on Tap

Canyon Road Christmas Eve Walk (Santa Fe) - Walk up Santa Fe's Canyon Road, stopping off at bonfires to catch a bit of warmth and perhaps sing a few carols. Businesses and friends along the way offer hot cider, hot chocolate and posole (a traditional Christmas stew).

Christmas in Madrid (Madrid) - Christmas in Madrid started in the 1920s, when Madrid was a mining town run by Oscar Huber. The whole town would decorate homes and businesses with more than 100,000 lights and create a winter wonderland filled with decorations and blinking lights at the ballpark. That tradition continues today with lights and a Christmas Parade.

Las Posadas (statewide) - Under the glow of colored lights strung in trees on the Santa Fe Plaza, several hundred spectators cradled candles Sunday as they watched an annual re-enactment of a story on which the Christian faith is founded.

Click for more events...

Department News, Announcements & Links

Escape to the Crossroads - Las Cruces, New Mexico - Vacation Giveaway.

Las Cruces is perfect for your next getaway. Enter the "Escape to the Crossroads Getaway" and be our guest.

This package includes a two night stay at Meson de Mesilla, New Mexico's finest boutique hotel; dining at Meson de Mesilla, La Posta de Mesilla, and the Texas Roadhouse; and lunch at the Sunset Grill at Sonoma Ranch.

Activities include two treatments at the Fountain of Youth Day Spa; two rounds of golf with cart at the Sonoma Ranch Golf Course; two rounds of golf with cart at the New Mexico State University Golf Course; admission for two to the Rio Grande Theater; a walking tour of Old Mesilla with La Morena Walking Tours; complimentary day passes at White Sands National Monument; and one new sled and wax at the White Sands Trading Company.

ENTER NOW!!!

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New Mexico Tourism Department Information

Upcoming Events

Dont forget to mark you calendar for these upcoming events:

December 2009 Events

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Train Rides, Chama - cumbrestoltec.com

Christmas in Madrid, 12/6-7, 13-14 and 20-21 visitmadridnm.com
12        Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day, Pojoaque Pueblo - indianpueblo.org
Riverglow, Farmington - 800-448-1240
Floating Lights Parade, Elephant Butte - elephantchamberofcommerce.com
Navajo Nativity, Farmington - 800-448-1240
20        New Mexico Bowl, Albuquerque newmexicobowl.com
Farolito/Luminaria Tours, Santa Fe & Albuquerque - newmexico.org
Lighting of Luminaria, Carrizozo - townofcarrizzo.org
Christmas Carols & Luminarias, Old Mesilla - 575-524-3262
24-28   Dances at various pueblos indianpueblo.org
28-29   Santa Fe Spanish Market ' www.spanishcolonial.org
31        New Year's Eve Dances at various pueblos - indianpueblo.org
Torchlight Parades at various ski areas - skinewmexico.com

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Thank you from the New Mexico Tourism Department.

And the last one from Ojo Caliente –

From: Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs [mailto:waters@ojospa.com]
Sent: Wednesday, December 09, 2009 1:33 PM
Subject: Spa La-La-La-La!