Thursday, June 30, 2016

THE TRAIN MUST BE FED: THE LEGACY OF FRED HARVEY IN NEW MEXICO, FREE TO THE PUBLIC, JUNE 24 – AUGUST 25, 2016



The City of Santa Fe Arts Commission will present two free public programs as part of, “The Train Must Be Fed,” an exhibit that explores the social and cultural legacy of Fred Harvey in New Mexico.  All events take place at the Community Gallery, 201 West Marcy Street, inside the Santa Fe Community Convention Center and are free and open to the public.  For more information call, 505-955-6705 or email rdlambert@santafenm.gov.

Lecture: The Harvey Girls and The Santa Fe Railway -- Myth, Legend And History, Lesley Poling-Kempes, Wednesday, July 13, 6-8 pm
The Santa Fe Railway and the Fred Harvey Company were responsible for the creation and promotion of the Mythic Southwest as a tourist destination. The Harvey Girls' role in the opening of the West has become legendary, their lives forever linked with the Grand Canyon, Santa Fe, and the exotic and elegant resorts built along the railroad in the early years of this century. In this slide show/lecture, learn how Harvey and the Santa Fe influenced the art and architecture of the Southwest, and how the Harvey Girls became synonymous with adventure and romance in the golden years of American railroad travel.
Lesley Poling-Kempes is the author of LADIES OF THE CANYONS (2015) winner of the 2015 Reading the West award and a WWA Spur Award finalist; and BONE HORSES, a novel, winner of the 2014 WILLA Award for Contemporary Fiction and the Tony Hillerman Award.

Lecture:  Mystery & History- Re-Discovering La Fonda, Barbara Felix, Architect, Wednesday, August 17, 6-8 pm in the Community Gallery

What happens when you take on the renovation of a classic Harvey House that's considered the community living room of Santa Fe? All the headaches of any historic-preservation project plus the joy of uncovering the history and unique approach to design by some of the Southwest's best-known architects, untangling mythologies, and then weaving in solutions that balance between preserving historic aesthetics and providing modern amenities. Join Barbara Felix, AIA, for tales from her 10 years of work restoring and rehabilitating Santa Fe's iconic hotel, La Fonda on the Plaza, from its guestrooms and corridors to the recently restored lobby.

Barbara Felix founded Barbara Felix Architecture + Design in 1998.  Originally from Michigan, Barbara worked in Michigan, Virginia, and Chicago before starting her own practice in Santa Fe, providing architecture, interior design, and historic preservation services. She brings a wide variety of experience to her projects, and having lived in Northern New Mexico for more than 18 years, she has a deep respect for the various artistic traditions of the area, from weaving, embroidery, tin and wood work, to pottery, carving, and glass blowing, and is adept at incorporating local artists into her projects. Her work respects the local vernacular, but embodies updated materials and ideas. She is ultimately a story-teller and uses the language of architecture to weave the old with the new. 

As part of the educational outreach opportunities associated with the exhibit, extended interview excerpts from, “The Harvey Girls:  Opportunity Bound” a documentary film are being shown continuously in the Gallery. The film explores how starting in the 1880’s, over 100,000 brave young women, Harvey Girls as they were called, made an unusual decision to leave home and travel west to work as waitresses along the transcontinental railroad opening the doors of both the West and the workplace to women.
The film explores the life of Fred Harvey and his company which left its mark by not only providing work opportunities for women, but by being among the first companies to promote cultural diversity in the workplace by hiring Hispanic and Native American women to be waitresses along with their Anglo peers. The Harvey Girls, whose workforce continued to flourish until the 1960s, were true pioneers and set a new standard of excellence for women in the workplace, paving the way for generations of independent young women to come. This is their story!

All events take place at the Community Gallery, 201 West Marcy Street, inside the Santa Fe Community Convention Center and are free and open to the public.  For more information call, 505-955-6705 or email rdlambert@santafenm.gov.

All libraries closed on Monday, July 4

All locations of the Santa Fe Public Library will be closed on Monday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day. Normal hours will resume on Tuesday, July 5.


Monday, June 27, 2016

Seeking candidates for Santa Fe Public Library Board


The Santa Fe Public Library is seeking candidates for the Library Board. Ideal candidates are actively involved in our community with an open mind to a 21st Century library system in Santa Fe. We are seeking potential Library Board candidates with skills in any of the following: technology, new media, and computer literacy; youth advocacy; knowledge of local government; urban planning; or community development.

There is one City position available to applicants that live within the Santa Fe city limits. Library Board members serve for three years without compensation. 

City members are appointed by the Mayor to represent the residents of Santa Fe. The seven member Library Board was created as an advisory board to the City Council and is charged with working with the Library Administration to provide advice on policies such as the use of the library, book selection, acceptance of gifts and bequests, management and operation, and other appropriate matters. The Library Board meets monthly.

 Interested residents may apply by submitting a letter of interest and a resume to:
 Maria Finley
 Santa Fe Public Library
145 Washington Avenue
 Santa Fe, NM 87501

Or hand deliver to the Main Library, 145 Washington Avenue, by 5:00 pm on July 8, 2016.
For more information call 955-6789.

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Summer Reading 2016: Rocky Mountain Puppets, July 8-9


Ceramic Bug Decoration Gone Wild!



City of Santa Fe youth took time out of their busy hot summer to decorate ceramic bugs.  Looks like they had a “cool” time in the “cool” library! 


(Post and photos by WC)

Friday, June 17, 2016

The Hero In You Foundation Honors Santa Fe Firefighters with New R. Hero Sculpture; Dalmatian Sculpture at Fire Station 3 Honors Heroes and First Responders



The Santa Fe Fire Department, City Mayor Javier Gonzales, first responders and local community members will come together at Fire Station 3 on Monday, June 20, 2016 at 2:30p.m. for the public unveiling and dedication of “R. Hero,” a six-foot-tall, red Dalmatian puppy sculpture that honors first responders and inspires youth to become heroes. The large aluminum Dalmatian puppy sculpture seeks to encourage conversation between children and their parents, caregivers and teachers about the traits of a hero – courage, respect, honor and compassion for others.

“The R. Hero public art display is a celebration of our local heroes. As families visit Fire Station 3, we hope this sculpture will serve as a reminder of these heroes and the contributions they make, here in Santa Fe and across the globe,” said Bunni Benaron, founder of The Hero In You Foundation. “But it doesn’t stop there, the Foundation wants to encourage the next generations to become heroes and ‘earn their hero spots’ by doing heroic deeds for others in their daily lives.”

The Hero In You Foundation recently launched “R. Hero’s Rules for Safety,” an educational program, free to the community, that teaches children five safety steps to follow in case of an emergency, as well as an online curriculum. Rocket, an animated Dalmatian puppy, helps children find “the hero in you,” while learning more about the work of all first responders. The dedication is open to the public. All attendees will receive an R. Hero coloring book and additional resources at the event.

As one of 25 unique “R. Hero” locations across the nation, with an additional international placement in El Salvador, Fire Station 3 in Santa Fe joins other fire stations, children’s museums, parks, children’s hospitals and other public venues across the nation as part of the “Dalmatian Nation.”

For more information about The Hero In You Foundation or to view the R. Hero video series and curriculum, please visit www.theheroinyoufoundation.org, Facebook.com/TheHeroInYouFoundation or twitter.com/THIYFoundation.

Summer Reading 2016: Flying Debris Show, June 24-25


Don't Miss Peace Pets, Today and Tomorrow!


Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Seeking Candidates for Santa Fe Public Library Board



The Santa Fe Public Library is seeking candidates for the Library Board. Ideal candidates are actively involved in our community with an open mind to a 21st Century library system in Santa Fe. We are seeking potential Library Board candidates with skills in any of the following: technology, new media, and computer literacy; youth advocacy; knowledge of local government; urban planning; or community development.

There is one City position available to applicants that live within the Santa Fe city limits. Library Board members serve for three years without compensation. 

City members are appointed by the Mayor to represent the residents of Santa Fe. The seven member Library Board was created as an advisory board to the City Council and is charged with working with the Library Administration to provide advice on policies such as the use of the library, book selection, acceptance of gifts and bequests, management and operation, and other appropriate matters. The Library Board meets monthly.

 Interested residents may apply by submitting a letter of interest and a resume to:
 Maria Finley
 Santa Fe Public Library
145 Washington Avenue
 Santa Fe, NM 87501

Or hand deliver to the Main Library, 145 Washington Avenue, by 5:00 pm on July 8, 2016.
For more information call 955-6789.

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

More Summer Reading Photos



As part of the library’s Summer Reading Program, Marlen Magdalenda of Musical Instruments of the Southwest talked about and played different Native American Instruments.  Participants thought it was “cool and interesting!”  They were also fascinated by the beautiful handmade instruments made from different materials such as yucca stalk, pinon sap, bamboo, clay and more. 


(Photos and text by WC)