Latest news with #SantaFeans
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Coming Sunday and Monday
060525 jw horse trainer Santa Fe horse trainer and racing enthusiast Tony Martinez talks about his days working at the Santa Fe Downs in the 1970s recalling the names of horses and jockeys from that era as his wife his wife Lou Martinez fills in gaps during an interview at their home on Thursday, June 6, 2025. Santa Feans remember The Downs Thousands of people gathered at The Downs at Santa Fe as the Grateful Dead stunned a Santa Fe crowd. The afternoon of the legendary concert on Sept. 10, 1983 — one of two shows the Dead performed that weekend — was tempestuous. A prolonged desert shower forced the band to pause. Then a rainbow appeared across the property, viewed as something transcendent by the band's rambling and loyal disciples. "There was this glorious revelation. The sun came out and the Dead came back on," said Don Usner. The show came amid The Downs' heyday, when it doubled as a popular racetrack and entertainment venue southwest of Santa Fe. The old grandstand, sitting vacant along Interstate 25 in La Cienega for the better part of 25 years, recently was demolished, making memories flow for local Deadheads of a certain age. Deadheads aren't the only ones with fond memories of The Downs. A former horse trainer, 83-year-old Tony Martinez has almost perfect recall for races run there. "We had some really, really good times at The Downs," Tony Martinez added. "We really, really miss it. It just gets into your blood." He is one of many longtime local patrons of The Downs who lament its demise and now its disappearance. The faded grandstand has been demolished, toppled in the last few weeks to make way for redevelopment plans by property owner Pojoaque Pueblo. 060525 jw fire train Darvi Soto, left, Andres Davis-Martinez Brandy Huerta and Eddie Mendoza from Station 7 don their gear before a training exercise that closely resembled an escape room challenge in full turnout gear on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at the Santa Fe fire training facility on Siler Road. Recently, the Santa Fe police and fire departments have made significant progress in reducing their vacancy rates. Santa Fe makes progress on police, fire vacancies Although vacancies in the Santa Fe police and fire departments have long been a stubborn problem, the city appears to be making progress on tackling it. The fire department has 10 vacancies currently but is in the process of hiring several new firefighters, which will leave it with four vacancies in its frontline operations division after July 22. The police department has 13 vacancies out of 169 sworn officer positions, but two new officers are expected to join the force June 21, leaving it with 11, Deputy Chief Ben Valdez said. That's down from 38 vacancies in July 2022. "We have a better story than we've had in quite some time," Valdez said. "These are rates that we have not had, I'd say, in at least 10 years for police officers." 060525_MS_Food Depot_003.JPG Bob Wolf, a volunteer at the Food Depot, prepares bags of groceries during a food distribution effort at the Food Depot on Siler Road on June 5, 2025. Local nonprofits face funding cuts Twenty-six trucks were supposed to deliver groceries to The Food Depot between April and December of 2025. Two weeks before the first truck was scheduled to arrive, staff at the Santa Fe food bank learned the food — a mix of expensive and tough-to-source groceries like yogurt, milk, chicken and produce — wasn't coming after all, Executive Director Jill Dixon said. The goods were from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Emergency Food Assistance Program, which in March was hit with $500 million in funding cuts. It's a common story for New Mexico nonprofits these days. A new report commissioned by the Thornburg Foundation, Anchorum Health Foundation and Santa Fe Community Foundation surveyed more than 200 nonprofits across the state, finding "federal funding cuts may disproportionately affect New Mexico." Some $1.1 billion in grants has been awarded to the surveyed New Mexico nonprofits with only about half paid out so far. The other half of that money can be — and in some cases, has been — clawed back, all while philanthropic funders are likely to see a surge of funding requests and steep competition for private dollars. Read it all at
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Leaner and meaner': Nonprofit makes aggressive efforts to preserve low-income housing
Standing near a neon sign that shines at night along a central stretch of Cerrillos Road, Lori Potter Kimball and Robert Wagner reflected on the long journeys that led them to an apartment complex they call home. Kimball was on a waiting list for about four years before a spot came open at the Stage Coach Apartments in Santa Fe, a converted former motel that now serves as quiet and comfortable housing, she said. Wagner, one of her neighbors, was homeless and trekked to Santa Fe from Nashville, walking long stretches with Lily, his amiable pit bull, who was not allowed aboard buses. "I'd be homeless," Wagner said, if not for these apartments and the assistance he receives as a veteran through a federal housing aid program. Stage Coach, long the home of the Stage Coach Motor Inn, is one of a limited number of housing options for low-income Santa Feans, converted into affordable apartments about a decade ago. It's featured among the growing list of properties in the portfolio of the Santa Fe Civic Housing Authority, a more than 60-year-old independent nonprofit that plays a critical role in trying to address a housing affordability crisis that continues to plague the city. 042925_MS_ Ed Romero_001.JPG Ed Romero, executive director of the Santa Fe Civic Housing Authority, at La Resolana Senior Apartments in Santa Fe last week. Increasing its inventory in recent decades — with new projects in the pipeline to preserve the affordable housing stock for low-income residents — the nonprofit is one of just a few housing authorities in New Mexico that remain active in development activities, Executive Director Ed Romero said. He believes his organization is "leaner and meaner and more directed, perhaps, than a typical city housing authority might be." "Santa Fe is a tough town right now" when it comes to rising rent prices, Romero said, and his organization intends to "ensure that there is affordable housing." Projects in the pipeline The Santa Fe Civic Housing Authority has ownership stake in about 1,400 units, most in Santa Fe, and also is tasked with administering federal Housing Choice aid vouchers — previously known as Section 8 vouchers — through U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Founded in 1962 as a division of the city of Santa Fe before breaking off in 1989, the publicly funded organization is involved with about 15 properties in the region, most in Santa Fe, and manages a number of them. In its pipeline are a series of projects — including construction of the new 60-unit Ocate Apartments on the city's south side and the rehabilitation and expansion of Country Club Apartments on Airport Road, bringing it to 84 units. Ocate Apartments rendering An early rendering of the Santa Fe Civic Housing Authority's Ocate Apartments, which it plans to build with the help of a $16.2 million low-income housing tax credit approved by the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority. The authority partners with other entities to help build or remodel affordable housing using the federal government's Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program. It also seeks to control properties that offer affordable housing so those units remain in that status. The housing authority received nearly $29 million in tax credits in May from the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority, also known as Housing New Mexico, including $12.4 million for the renovation of Country Club Apartments. Romero said the housing authority hopes to start construction on Ocate Apartments soon so units can be leased by the end of 2026. The project will cost $22.7 million, with $14.2 million in tax credits. The organization recently purchased for $2.75 million the "general partnership" of three Santa Fe affordable housing apartment complexes with a combined 205 units. The authority will be the general partner in these agreements, owning less than 1% of the complexes, while the limited partners will receive tax credits. The partnerships for the 83-unit Soleras Station off Rail Runner Road, the 62-unit Village Sage across from Capital High School and the 60-unit Stage Coach Apartments were purchased by the housing authority late last year. "What we've done is we've taken over the responsibility to manage these properties for the rest of their [land use restriction agreements] period, in accordance with the limited partnership, so that our limited partner can continue to receive their tax credits," Romero said, adding the goal is to keep affordable units "affordable forever." The organization is trying to find a way to bring 44 acres it owns off Rufina Street into play over the next two years, he said, noting part of it falls within the bounds of Agua Fría village, a state-designated traditional historic community, on one side of the street. "Their zoning requirements are pretty tight — three units to an acre," Romero said. "To do affordable housing, you need 20 units to an acre, so that side street probably won't develop a lot of affordable housing. It might just turn into a homeownership kind of place, and a small affordable apartment complex, maybe nine to 12 units." 061024_LS_HousingAuthority_4_RGB.jpg Country Club Apartments on Airport Road has become so old that the property is going to need 'a complete remodel down to the studs," said Ed Romero, director of the Santa Fe Civic Housing Authority. The portion of the 44-acre property on the other side of the street is within city limits, and the organization wants to do something bigger there, such as 200-unit complex, Romero said. "In the meantime, we just hope for better economic days so we can pull that project off," he said. While the housing authority also administers federal vouchers — about $9 million worth in 2024 — the waitlist for the program has closed; inflation and rising rent costs have raised concerns there will not be enough HUD money to cover costs for those already in the program. "We're concerned that we are not going to have enough subsidy to get through this year, and we don't know what's going to happen next year," Romero said of the vouchers. "Even if we had someone on the waitlist, we can't house anybody for the foreseeable future in the voucher program." Residents feel priced out It is easy to rattle off the ominous statistics for many living in the City Different or looking to move here: The average home price has risen by almost 70% since 2018 — with a median price of $570,000 in the first quarter of 2025, according to the Santa Fe Association of Realtors. The website RentCafe reported the city's average monthly rent cost is $1,785. Accessing federal aid to help cover rent payments isn't easy. Eddie Padilla and his wife, Jessica Padilla, lifelong residents of Santa Fe, live in an unsubsidized unit at the Country Club Apartments. That could change soon. Although many who live in the complex receive federal housing vouchers, Eddie Padilla said he does not qualify for the aid. He works two jobs — as a meat cutter and a caregiver — and still struggles to cover his rent and other costs of living in the city where he grew up. "I consider myself middle class. I make OK money, but being able to pay $2,500 for two bedrooms — I can't do that," Padilla said. "I use to live downtown, and I had to move away because rent [was up to] $2,000, $3,000, you know. I'm on the outskirts now. Before you know it, I'm going to be in Albuquerque," Padilla said. Jessica Padilla agreed — and believes it's the longtime residents of Santa Fe, families who have lived in the city for generations, who are being priced out the most. "The people who have been here for so long, we can't live here anymore because of it," she said, adding it seems a higher volume of people are moving into the city from outside the state. "What's happening with that is they are pushing all of us out," her husband added. "We're already considering moving to another town because we can't afford to live here anymore," he said. "I'm working two jobs and we're barely making it. You go try to go get help from somewhere, and they're like, 'Nope, you don't qualify; you make too much money.' ' Long wait for a home Susan Hayes, a tenant at the Stage Coach Apartments, appreciates the aesthetics of the place, with its old neon "Stage Coach Motor Inn" sign on Cerrillos Road. A framed poster for the 1971 cult classic Two-Lane Blacktop, a road movie starring James Taylor that was filmed on Cerrillos Road, hangs on the wall of the office. Hayes moved back to Santa Fe from Pecos in 2021 when her rental situation there fell through. She feared she would have to sleep in her car because of the high housing costs, but someone suggested she call the Stage Coach Apartments. "It's affordable for me," Hayes said of the complex. "I know a lot of it is a sliding scale, depending on what your income is, because I know I pay more than some people but less than others." 050125_GC_StageCoach04rgb.jpg The Stage Coach Apartments on Cerrillos Road. The longtime motel has been converted to low-income housing. She added, "There's so little in the way of housing that's affordable. It's always been terrible in Santa Fe. It's just a really expensive place to live if you're an ordinary person with an ordinary job." Kimball, a retired caregiver, feels she has one of the best units at Stage Coach, but she knows well how daunting the waitlists can be to get into such places. While waiting for a unit to open up, she lived with a woman she had been caring for. Kimball had another client who lived at the Stage Coach with a housing voucher. She decided she wanted to live there, too. But the waitlist was long. Kimball waited nearly four years for a unit. "People come in here and they stay," she said, adding she "never gave up" during those years of waiting. "For us people on Social Security, it's subsidized. So I pay $480, plus my electricity and my water, for this beautiful place," Kimball said of her two-room unit. "It's a dollhouse. I love it," she said.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'The New Mexican' celebrates Earth Day with debut of environment newsletter
There's been 4.5 billion years of Earth. But there's only been a day to celebrate it for 55 years. Welcome to the first edition of 'Earth, Wind and Fire,' The Santa Fe New Mexican's weekly environment newsletter. Today marks the 55th anniversary of Earth Day, which was proposed by Wisconsin Sen. Gaylord Nelson in the wake of a devastating oil spill in Santa Barbara, Calif. Twenty million Americans participated in Earth Day at the time. Santa Feans were aware and concerned; responses to a 1970 survey found that 80% of City Different residents were worried about pollution in general, although just a little over half felt Santa Fe or their children were particularly impacted. In 1971, Leah Harvey Junior High students urging stronger laws to curb pollution had a grim message: 'See you 25 years from now wearing a gas mask.' The gas masks are still in the closet. This year's Earth Day falls after the death of Pope Francis, who in 2015 published the encyclical letter Laudato Si', which urged international action to protect our "common home," Earth. Although some environmental advocates paint a grim picture on Earth Day 2025, hope for a new generation remains.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thousands gather at Capitol for 'Hands Off!' anti-Trump protest
Under a heavy snowfall in front of the state Capitol Saturday afternoon, about 2,000 gathered to protest the Trump administration, wrapping halfway around the building, stretching to the parking lot in front and crowding the sidewalks adjacent. Taking place from Trafalgar Square to Taos, the "Hands Off!" protest in Santa Fe was part of a worldwide series of demonstrations and one of at least a dozen statewide in opposition to President Donald Trump's policies. Despite the singular target, for protestors, the reasons for coming were numerous, even 'infinitesimal,' said Laura Bohn, 66. 040525 jw trump protest DeCoy Gallerina waves her Trump effigy as she chants alongside thousands of Santa Feans at the state Capital during a 'mass mobilization' protest on Saturday, April 5, 2025, against President Donald Trump. The event was echoed around the country with over one thousand protests in large cities and small towns alike to speak out against tariffs, DOGE, mass firings in the government and foreign policy. As such, protestors' signs ranged from 'man-child in chief,' to 'Free Luigi,' alluding to Luigi Mangione, accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Bohn carried a sign signaling support for Ukraine. 'People showed up here in the freezing cold because you're pissed — you're pissed, and you wanna resist,' said Max Thurston, a member of the group organizing the event, Indivisible Santa Fe. Speakers included Heidi Feldman, a Georgetown law professor who spoke against attacks on the legal profession. 040525 jw trump protest Protesters line Paseo De Peralta as thousands of Santa Feans gather at the state Capital for a 'mass mobilization' protest on Saturday, April 5, 2025, against President Donald Trump. The event was echoed around the country with over one thousand protests in large cities and small towns alike to speak out against tariffs, DOGE, mass firings in the government and foreign policy. 'What we are confronting in Donald Trump is a reign of lawlessness,' she said, going on to list five ways in which 'Trump is trying to institute a tyranny,' including interference with already-approved congressional funding, his ' repeated resistance to obeying judicial orders,' a 'disregard for civil rights' and 'oppressing the legal profession.' ' Singling out specific law firms for punitive actions because they represent people and causes he doesn't like — that's the whim of the dictator," she said. Jessica Aguirre — an immigration lawyer for the Santa Fe Dreamers Project, talked about Trump's immigration rhetoric and policies. 040525 jw trump protest Kevin Klix pounds his makeshift drum in solidarity as thousands of Santa Feans gather at the state Capital for a 'mass mobilization' protest on Saturday, April 5, 2025, against President Donald Trump. The event was echoed around the country with over one thousand protests in large cities and small towns alike to speak out against tariffs, DOGE, mass firings in the government and foreign policy. 'At minimum, these tactics serve to terrify our communities. At their worst, they rip families apart,' she said. Alana Cartier, president of the National Education Association of Santa Fe teachers union, worried about the impact of funding cuts for school meals. 'Every day. I see children that are hungry," she said. "They often are relying on the breakfast, lunch programs that schools provide. What's going to happen when these programs are cut and they no longer receive free or reduced cost meals?' Among the thousands, there were some children — as well as some dogs, an incense burner wafting the smoke as she moved throughout the crowds, and a few large-scale puppets, made by Wise Fool New Mexico. There were also some younger people. 'We just want to not die,' said Bri Tweet, 16. Bianca Sopoci-Belknap, co-director of Earth Care, talked about climate change — our world 'riddled' with toxins from repeated 'climate disaster' — but her primary message was one denouncing current means of political representation, including elements of the Democratic Party. 040525 jw trump protest Thousands of Santa Feans gather at the state Capital for a 'mass mobilization' protest on Saturday, April 5, 2025, against President Donald Trump. The event was echoed around the country with over one thousand protests in large cities and small towns alike to speak out against tariffs, DOGE, mass firings in the government and foreign policy. ' I wish I could say that we have amazing Democratic leadership in our state, but I have to tell you instead that we watched … amazing environmental and climate justice bills get killed by this Democratically controlled Legislature because this Legislature … has been captured by industry,' she said. ' The hard truth is that we have not built the alternative populist movement that is necessary to meet this moment, but we're starting now. Right?' she said to cheers. U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández reiterated a point she made at a town hall she held last weekend, noting a swing of only three House Republicans voting with Democrats would equalize their numbers. 040525 jw trump protest Thousands of Santa Feans gather at the state Capital for a 'mass mobilization' protest on Saturday, April 5, 2025, against President Donald Trump. The event was echoed around the country with over one thousand protests in large cities and small towns alike to speak out against tariffs, DOGE, mass firings in the government and foreign policy. "They always vote for the billionaires," she said. "But they are feeling the heat. They are feeling the heat because across the country we're doing town halls. We are showing up at rallies like this. ... We are not standing by the sidelines, and we only need three." This is a developing story and will be updated.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Santa Fe Jet Center adding seasonal, upscale flight to Dallas in May
The Santa Fe Regional Airport will soon be adding a new flight to Dallas through the public charter jet service JSX. The flight will operate out of the airport's Jet Center as the airport continues to work on adding additional commercial flights following the completion of the first phase of a terminal expansion. The JSX flight has been in the works for about a year, and was driven by demand from passengers at the carrier's other locations. "Over the past few years, we've seen an increasing interest in travel to Santa Fe," said Ben Kaufman, senior director of customer experience and brand partnerships for JSX, who said the City Different has been at "the top of the list" of requests for new flights. "... As we add aircraft to fleet, the stars aligned for us to be able to make it happen this year." Flights went on sale Tuesday and will start May 22. They will run once per day, five days a week on a seasonal basis, with tickets starting at $349 one-way. Headquartered in Dallas, JSX operates flights in the United States and Mexico, mostly in the American Southwest. In New Mexico, it also operates out of Taos Regional Airport. The company has 47 aircraft, all of which seat 30 passengers, and flies between private airport terminals. Kaufman described its business model as providing the benefits of private jet service at a more attainable price. Fares include two checked bags, in-flight Wi-Fi and snacks and alcohol. "The real joy of our model is we bring a lot of those perks and make it attainable," he said. "If you compare our introductory price of $349 one-way to what you see from network airlines, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised." The air carrier is also certified by Autism Double-Checked, he said, and employees dealing with customers are trained in how to support and interact with travelers on the autism spectrum. Kaufman described JSX's customer base as affluent and interested in arts and culture, making Santa Fe a natural fit. "Santa Fe offers a lot of natural beauty that's a short flight away for our Dallas-based customers, but it's also an area that, much like the state of New Mexico at large, is just full of incredible arts, culture, rich heritage and fabulous cuisine," he said. For Santa Feans who are Dallas-bound, Kaufman said visitors can take advantage of the city's booming dining scene and growing financial services sector, which he said has developed the tongue-in-cheek name "Y'all Street." "Whether for business or pleasure, Dallas really has something for everybody," he said. The Dallas-Santa Fe flight will fly into the Dallas Love Field Airport, which Kaufman noted is closer to the city center than the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. The airport has an existing flight into Dallas Fort Worth on American Airlines. Kaufman said most seasonal JSX flights run from about Memorial Day through Labor Day, but because of October attractions in New Mexico, primarily the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the flight to Santa Fe will run through the end of October. Depending on demand, he said there's a possibility the route could be extended. "If there's good, strong indicators that the market can sustain for the winter season as well, that's definitely something that we would consider," Kaufman said. Airport Manager James Harris said the new flight "fits perfectly" at the airport and speaks to growing demand. Over the past several years, the airport has seen a significant increase in both revenue and passengers. This year, he said it expects to exceed 400,000 passengers. The city last year completed the first phase of an expansion to the airport, which grew its footprint by 8,000 square feet and added additional gates, seating, parking and other amenities. Design work on the second phase is anticipated to start later this year with $2 million in capital outlay. As of now, Harris said the airport has been told by the New Mexico Department of Transportation that it is not going to be affected by any federal funding changes. The airport has been very successful at securing state funding over the past several years. Another aspect of the airport's work has been growing its passenger base, said Stuart C. Kirk, executive director of the Northern New Mexico Air Alliance. That effort has led the airport to now have about 1,000 daily passengers, he said. Kirk said the airport is particularly interested in a flight to the Los Angeles International Airport or Hollywood Burbank Airport due to demand from the film industry, something Santa Fe is trying to cultivate with the development of a large film studio at the midtown campus and other initiatives. He said the airport has met with American Airlines about the possibility of a flight to LAX. Nothing has been promised, but he said he's optimistic. "For a while the limitation was the capacity of our terminal, but now that we've got this nice new terminal, more parking and when we're getting started on a next phase, that makes us more and more attractive," Kirk said. Kirk said JSX also operates out of Burbank, and he would love for the carrier to begin offering that as a destination from Santa Fe. Kaufman said JSX typically enters new markets with one route, but has "every intention" of expanding if the Santa Fe-Dallas flight proves successful. He said the demand for a flight to the Los Angeles area is on the company's radar. "It's definitely top of mind for us," Kaufman said.
