Santa Fe Restaurant Week Feb 28 – Mar 6

If you’re up in Santa Fe next week, check out the Santa Fe Restaurant Week promotion, which runs in the City Different from February 28 to March 6, 2010. (Albuquerque has its own promotion starting March 7 – we’ll fill you in on the Duke City deals next week.) 
 
Santa Fe Restaurant Week offers discounted rates at many of the city’s best known restaurants, for three course meals with several options, including vegetarian choices. These include:

• Two eat for $25 at casual restaurants including Blue Corn Café, Rooftop Pizzeria, Zia Diner.
• $25 per person at restaurants including Andiamo!, El Meson, La Boca, O’Keeffe Cafe, Vanessie of Santa Fe.
•  $40 per person at fine-dining restaurants including The Compound, Geronimo, Trattoria Nostrani.

I’d make reservations – this’ll be a busy week!  Find all participating Santa Fe restaurants here.
There are also Santa Fe lodging specials for the week if you want to stay over.

–Tania

Santa Fe Opera Tickets at 2009 Prices till Feb 28

Opera lovers, buy your tickets for the 2010 Santa Fe Opera season through February to guarantee 2009 prices. Ticket prices go up on March 1.

It ain’t over till the fat lady sings, but the 2009 ticket rates are most definitely over if you delay booking past February 28, 2010.  So, opera buffs, if you’re planning a spin up to the City Different for Santa Fe Opera’s summer 2010 performances, it’s best to nab your early bird opera tickets  now, before prices go up on March 1. The summer season includes Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, Mozart’s The Magic Flute, and Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffmann.

Bonus: you’ll also secure better seats by getting in fast.

–Tania

Ghost Ranch 30% off B&B in Abiquiu & Santa Fe

Save 30% on B&B lodging through March 31 at one of our favorite places. We recall that Ms. Georgia O’Keeffe was pretty fond of it too…

Take a break amongst the gorgeous red rocks at Ghost Ranch Abiquiu, or at the Ghost Ranch property in smart Santa Fe (just three blocks from the plaza) and get 30% off your bed and breakfast stay through February and March 2010.

Just quote the promotion code GETAWAY2010 when you make reservations – the discount is valid for visits through March 31. Here’s the scoop and numbers to call for the Ghost Ranch 30% off B&B deal. Room rates vary according to the accommodations you choose, but with the 30% discount you’re paying bare bone prices (sorry!) so give yourself a tripette and come back with photos to make us all jealous.

Lodging at Ghost Ranch Abiquiu (about 130 miles north of Albuquerque)
Lodging at Ghost Ranch Santa Fe

–Tania

$10 Off Coupon: Office Depot

If you need to stock up on supplies for your home office or business, here’s a goodie.

Use this coupon for $10 off a $50 purchase at Office Depot! Expires 11/12/09. Valid in-store or online (coupon code 15767686). Please carefully review the many restrictions on this coupon, including the fact it’s not valid on technology or accessories — including software.

However, if you’re in the market for paper, pens, school supplies, or any of that jazz, this coupon nets you a nifty 20% discount!

There are six Office Depot stores in Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

–Elizabeth Hanes

Free Events: Celebrate! The Jewish Experience in Spanish-Speaking Countries

Here’s a big, unique event that mixes free and paid activities and takes place in multiple venues in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Taos from November 5 (2009) through the 15th.

¡Celébrate! The Jewish Experience in Spanish-Speaking Countries is “[a]n unprecedented week of film, music, art, theater, food, exhibits and lectures highlighting the extraordinary historic and contemporary journey of the Jewish people after their expulsion from Spain in 1492.” Organized by the New Mexico Anti-Defamation League, with major funding by the Isaac Liberman Foundation, the event is the first of its kind in New Mexico and looks to have some fascinating components. We’re choosing to highlight the free events, but we highly recommend you read the flyer for other, paid events that might be of interest.

Free events:

• Thursday, November 5, 7:00pm: Opening night film and reception – El último Sefardí (The Last Sephardic Jew); National Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque; free but tickets required*
• Saturday, November 7, 5:00 – 7:00pm: Art exhibit opening reception – “Unified Field: The Border”; El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe
• Sunday, November 8, 3:00pm: Film – Un Beso a Esta Tierra (A Kiss to This Land); National Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque; free but tickets required*
• Tuesday, November 10, 5:30 – 7:00pm: History exhibit opening reception – “Voyages to Freedom: 500 Years of Jewish Life in Latin America and the Caribbean”; The Ronald Gardenswartz Jewish Community Center, Albuquerque
• Thursday, November 12, 1:00 – 5:00pm: Conference – Unlikely Neighbors? The Jewish Experience in the “New World”; light refreshments served; register through the UNM Latin American & Iberian Institute website; Albuquerque
  
• Thursday, November 12, 7:00pm: Film – Adio Kerida (Good-bye My Love, The Jews of Cuba); National Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque; free but tickets required*
• Friday, November 13, 8:00pm: Service – Sephardic Shabbat Service; Congregation Nahalat Shalom, Albuquerque
• Sunday, November 15, 4:00pm: Lecture – “The Jewish Experience in Latin America,” presented by Ilan Stavans, the world’s leading essayist on Jewish-Latino culture; National Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque; free but tickets required*

*Tickets are available from the NHCC Box Office, 505-724-4771, or through Ticketmaster (but be forewarned that Ticketmaster may assess service charges).

–Elizabeth Hanes

Free Photowalk in Santa Fe

If you’re a shutterbug, grab your camera and head to Santa Fe on Wednesday, October 7 (2009), at 4:00pm to participate in this unique event.

World-renowned outdoor photographers Andy Biggs and Michael Clark are hosting a FREE photowalk during which they’ll offer tips and tricks for capturing New Mexico’s vibrant landscape on film. Whether you want to shoot classic black-and-white prints or use a high-tech digital camera, you’re welcome to attend — no matter your photography skill level.

The photowalk will begin at the gazebo on the Santa Fe Plaza. The end time will be determined by participants themselves. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, since you’ll be walking large portions of the City Different.

Sounds like a great family event (kids are welcome) or first date!

–Elizabeth Hanes

25% Off Bishop’s Lodge During Balloon Fiesta

Let’s face it: locals have a love-hate relationship with Balloon Fiesta. On the one hand, we all love watching the balloons. On the other hand, we have to contend with the influx of tourists (or the cousins you last saw when you were 9, who now plan to turn your home into their private B&B while they’re vacationing here).

For those who think Balloon Fiesta is the perfect time to get away from Albuquerque, here’s a great Balloon Fiesta lodging deal! Bishop’s Lodge Resort & Spa is offering 25% on rooms during Balloon Fiesta (from October 2 through October 9, 2009). It’s a great opportunity for locals to treat themselves to a little luxury, or for visitors to experience Santa Fe during their Balloon Fiesta trip. Of course, it’s also a great deal for those who can’t find an Albuquerque hotel for Balloon Fiesta.

Just call 505-983-6377 or 800-419-0492 and tell them you’d like the Balloon Fiesta rate. Simple!

Bishop’s Lodge Resort & Spa is located at 1297 Bishops Lodge Rd, Santa Fe.

–Elizabeth Hanes

50% Off Whole Chickens at Whole Foods

If you love chicken, love whole chickens, and especially love Whole Foods Market’s chickens, then this is the deal for you!

One day only, Wednesday, September 30 (2009), you can score a whole chicken for just 99¢ per pound. That’s half off the regular price. While supplies last. Good at both stores in Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

–Elizabeth Hanes

Best Last-Minute Back to School Sales

Sonya asked for it; you got it! We’ve done all the last-minute back-to-school shopping for you and compiled a list of the best current deals on school supplies! This is a mondo list, so buckle your seatbelt….

• CVS Pharmacy: FREE filler paper (150 sheets). You pay 99¢ with ExtraCare card, then receive a 99¢ ExtraBucks reward, making the deal free. Limit 2 per household with card. Only valid through Tuesday, August 18 (8/19/09). Other CVS deals: Buy a backpack for $7.99, get a lunch carrier FREE (with ExtraCare card); 39¢ poster board; FREE Paper Mate Write Bros. pens 10-pack; FREE Caliber recycled school box; FREE mini composition book; 29¢ each pencil sharpener, pen/ink eraser, 12″ ruler, No. 2 pencils 10-count, or index dividers; buy 2 get 1 FREE fashion composition books, notebooks, or portfolios; BOGO Bic Wite-Out 0.7-oz bottle, shake-n-squeeze pen, or correction tape. Most of these offers require the ExtraCare card. Three Albuquerque-area CVS stores to serve you.
• Wal-Mart: 15¢ notebook, spiral bound, 70 sheets, college or wide ruled; $4 Five Star notebook, spiral bound, 200 sheets, college or wide ruled; $1.50 Five Star 1-subject notebook, 100 sheets, college or wide ruled; $2.50 each Avery 1″ view binder, Avery 5-tab dividers, Sharpie pens 2-pack, or Pilot G2 2-pack; $69 mini-fridge (Ed. note: When we were in college, there was no such thing as a dorm fridge, only Hot Pots); $39 microwave. Fifteen Wal-Mart stores in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Bernalillo, Los Lunas, Belen, and Edgewood.
• Target: $29 microwave; 50¢ composition book; $2 mechanical pencils or Wite-Out correction tape; $5 dry-erase or cork bulletin board; $4 each Mead Five Star fashion planner or 2-subject fashion notebook; $13 Case it velcro-close binder; 69¢ each 24-count wood #2 pencils or 2-count pink erasers; $2.50 locker accessories, including mesh bin, mirror, or pencil holder; $20 JanSport backpack; $7 licensed lunch kits; $28 Epson Stylus NX100 printer/scanner/copier. Five Target stores in Albuquerque, and three others around New Mexico.
• K-mart: FREE box of Kleenex when you  buy school supplies totaling $15 or more (requires this coupon); 2 for $2 stretchable book covers or school boxes; 99¢ each Crayola 8-count watercolors or 12-count colored pencils; BOGO MX notebooks. Three K-mart stores in Albuquerque, one each in Rio Rancho and Santa Fe, plus five others throughout New Mexico.
• Staples: 25¢ black & white composition books (through Weds 8/19/09 only); $1 each Staples brand highlighter 6-pack, Paper Mate retractable gel pens 4-pack, Staples Comfort Stic ballpoint pens 12-pack, Paper Mate Expressions assorted fashion erasers 4-pack; BOGO Pentel Twist-Erase mechanical pencils 4-pack, Tiger paper clips 100-pack, Elmer’s school glue 4-oz, Westcott 7″ student scissors, Staples writing pads 12-pack, Staedtler Maxum ballpoint pens bold 8-pack, Staples letter-size poly expanding file, Staples finger-grip 12″ ruler. Six Staples stores in Albuquerque, Los Lunas, and Santa Fe.
• Walgreens: BOGO 3-ring binders 1/2 to 1.5 inches; buy one get one 50% off Mead Five Star notebooks 100-200 sheets; 49¢ each tab dividers 5-pack, Paper Mate pens or mechanical pencils 10-pack, crayons various size packs, sheet protectors, letter-size writing pads, pencil boxes, pencil case, index card case, Mirado classic #2 wooden pencils 6-pack, hand-held pencil sharpener, Penway school glue bottle, invisible tape; 99¢ 3-subject notebook (requires coupon in this flyer); six for $1 2-pocket folder (requires coupon in this flyer). There’s practically a Walgreens on every corner. More specifically, there are at least 50 in the Albuquerque area.
• Office Depot: 25¢ each glue sticks, book covers, half-size notebooks; $2.99 each Really Useful Boxes plastic 3-liter storage boxes or Office Depot brand plastic stacking crates; FREE with minimum purchase of $10 Office depot acrylic ruler, eraser caps 12-pack, or Scholastic crayons 8-pack; 99¢ each Fiskars school scissors, Office Depot Value notebook filler paper 150-count, Paper Mate Expressions mini pens 8-pack, stackable organizer trays, 3-hole notebook punch, magnetic rubber calculator, Webster’s mini dictionary, Office Depot correction tape, Gartner fashion portfolios, Paper Mate mechanical pencils 5-pack. Six Office Depot stores in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and Santa Fe.

Important: note that many of these offers have restrictions, such as quantity limitations (e.g.: “limit 2 per household” or “while supplies last”) and time limitations (e.g.: “offer good through Weds 8/19/09 only”). Our advice: pick up a copy of the store’s sale flyer when you arrive; they’re often available as you come in the door. Offers are good only on brands indicated (or the store brand). If you have any questions about whether or not an item is on sale, check with a sales associate before checking out!

Also, we are not an official source for any of the companies listed, so don’t bother brandishing a print-out of this post and thinking the clerk is going to honor any of the prices stated herein. We’re just reporting what we found when we shopped this weekend.

Good luck in hacking your way through the back-to-school supply jungle! And please use the comments section to note other fantastic back-to-school deals we overlooked. We’ll be happy to give you credit for the find!

–Elizabeth Hanes

20% off Native Stone Massage at ShaNah Spa

Oh, come now. You deserve a little indulgence, don’t you? Of course you do! And it’s even better when you can indulge on the cheap!

Through August 31, 2009, get 20% off the Native Stone Massage at SháNah Spa, located at historic Bishop’s Lodge in Santa Fe. Healing with stones is an ancient form of therapy used by many cultures. During the Native Stone Massage, you’ll be massaged using smooth, heated basalt river rocks and Swedish massage techniques. Don’t you feel more relaxed just reading that?

SháNah Spa was honored by Condé Nast in 2004 as “Most Outstanding Spa in North America and Caribbean,” and it’s right in our own backyard. (Another great perk of living in New Mexico.) And The Bishop’s Lodge Ranch Resort & Spa, itself, is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year.

And as if 20% off a hot stone massage isn’t fabulous enough, you also receive one day of Kid’s Camp for one child age 5-11 with your spa reservation! You can request a reservation calling 505-819-4000. Ask for the 20% off Native Stone Massage special.

Remember, this deal expires 8/31/09, and is not valid with any other discounts.

SháNah Spa at The Bishop’s Lodge is located in Santa Fe at 1297 Bishops Lodge Rd.

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