Love ‘em, hate ‘em or indifferent about ‘em — it doesn’t matter — the opening of any Trader Joe’s makes news. I mean, what other grocer offers gluten-free organic TV dinners precooked frozen meals and two dollar bottles of wine? Exactly.

So, we all know the the sole Trader Joe’s in Albuquerque has gone completely gangbusters from day one. Heck, that wasn’t too hard to predict. SoCal ex-pats + -(Trader Joe’s) = Demand. Not very surprising, TJ opened their first Burque store smack dab in the middle of the most affluent part of town. Tightly held private corporation — yeah, forgive them for being risk adverse. Anyway, after the Albuquerque store’s first week of operation the obvious question was, “Where are they opening the next one?”

Look, Trader Joe’s is a fifty year old company. If they wanted to be everywhere, they could have easily raised the capital and done it by now. …”So, where are they opening the next one?” Yeah, easy there cowboy. Let everything marinade for a minute… ah, Trader Joe’s gestation period is a little longer than Starbucks.

So, are we getting another Trader Joe’s? Well, yes… to the best of my shaky/what you might call/close enough to knowledge.

Trader Joe’s locations are popping up a little faster around the country. TJ isn’t committed to a one store per town policy. So, more store openings and a bona fide hit in Albuquerque… we’re getting another Trader Joe’s, right?

Yeah, those are good indicators, but we don’t know until we know — you know? Um, yeah. So here is what I know: no one has said there won’t be more Trader Joe’s in Albuquerque’s future. BAM! How is that for insight?!

We’ve all heard murmurs about a new grocery store in Huning Highlands East Downtown… a Whole Foods? Trader Joe’s? Tesco’s Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market? We’ve also all heard a grocer won’t move in because there aren’t enough people. (*Cough* Bullshit. Residential density, while an important part of the equation, isn’t the only part of this here algebra. When you have scores of people driving in and out of Downtown, to and from work everyday, you have plenty of available people dollar-backed consumers.) It isn’t that the city and developers haven’t tried; it’s just that nothing has happened, yet.

People are moving Downtown. Naysayers, do what you do, but folks are buying square footage in Albuquerque’s core — (relatively) expensive square footage, too. It is only a matter of time before Downtown strikes a grocer (besides Lowe’s). The hot action is still near Old Albuquerque High. While I like the idea, I have my doubts. Namely, traffic. Grocery stores are busy. Where are you going to put the cars? What are you going to do when the intersections back up? I’ve heard several folks suggest a store on Arno St. Well, the only space with the right footprint seems like the ABQ High Arts building. Nice pad, but you can’t have grocery store traffic there (unless you maybe block auto access to/from Central Ave.). I’ve seen other downtown grocery stores with underground or rooftop parking, but I think it’s safe to say we won’t get anything like that at Old ABQ High. Don’t get me wrong, I like the idea, but logistically I don’t see it happening. Someone, show me how it is suppose to work.

Back to Trader Joe’s. Last year I spent several months working in California. My temporary residence was across the street from a TJ. I’d stop in every two or three days to pick up some carbs, protein and other various nutrients and vitamins. Anyway, checking out one day, the manager rung me up. He wanted an ID for the booze. Scoping it, my bearded clerk voluntarily voiced, “New Mexico? Don’t see to many of those. You live in Albuquerque– we opened a store there not too far back. It’s doing hella good business. We’re going to open at least another there.”

And there you have it. Some store manager out in California says we’re getting another Trader Joe’s. It’s gotta be true, right? Yeah. Well, we’ll see.

I like the EDo idea. It’s the whole fruition part I’m waiting for— we’re waiting for. There has to be something behind it… you’ve heard it, I’ve heard it, we’ve all heard it. Golly-gee. Enough hearing, let’s see something.

In other grocery store news, I think we’re a day or two from seeing our second Whole Foods proper. Peep the Carlisle/Indian School Wild Oats, yo.

You know… What the big ass capital F. Seriously. What? I’ve taken care of my responsibilities for the week. If I want to have an afternoon beer then dammit I’m going to have one ten. The Golden West is ashed out, the El Rey’s terracotta roof is a little over baked, and the Launchpad is grounded indefinitely. You can’t judge me.

The video is just unreal. I can’t believe it.

Not that any of the venues are the 8th Wonder of the World, but the Golden West and El Rey are grossly historic. I hate to say it, but the old adage (revised — what I was in the middle of the wake when I wrote this) is true: you don’t know [what you] have until its gone. I think a lot of folks took the history of the El Rey for granted. Always a little outshined by the KiMo, you know.

The Launchpad is well on its way to becoming one of those “must have” played venues for future legends of rock, too.

I hope Joe Anderson can bring “Burque’s Best Music Venue” back to life. Man. And God bless Kathy Zimmer and her family’s effort in recent years to revitalize the Golden West and El Rey. Not that everything was perfect, but did you catch a show there lately? Talk about steps in the right direction.

The Trib shuts down on Saturday and El Rey/Golden West burn down on Thursday? Albuquerque, preserve your freakin’ history.

What a blow to the local music scene.

Nothing gives you street cred like shopping at chain retailer, right? (Ignore the cynicism — haven’t had my coffee yet.) Certain Duke City demographics have clamored for years, begging for urban chic clothiers to infiltrate Burque’s turquoise lined coffers. While ABQ Uptown has fancied a few foreigners, it’s failed to allure a number of the big guys: American Apparel, H&M, Urban Outfitters, and high-end label specialty stores. Well, folks, a new day might be ready to dawn. Through some strange sorcery, Urban Outfitters may actually materialize in Nob Hill.

I know. The legend has circulated for years, and, yes, many passed it off as mere myth. A myth? Maybe no more. Evidence? Urban Outfitters is looking for a store manager in Albuquerque. Granted, this is the only job posting for the Albuquerque manager position I can find. Granted, I can’t find the date for when this job posting was, uh, posted. But you don’t go around posting for positions you don’t intend to exist, right?

Fable, you say? Well, the idea isn’t as far fetched as you may want to believe. Late last year, Urban Outfitters, Inc. opened an Anthropologie in ABQ Uptown. A first dip in the muddied waters of the Rio Grande! Once you go Grande… (I’ll leave that one right there). Anyway, the Company is here; right in your own faux new urban retail center (read: outdoor mall). Do you really think we’re that far removed from an Urban Outfitters proper?

So what is this about Nob Hill? Well, I’ve heard from at least one Nob Hill business owner about some shifty UO operatives creeping around the ‘hood. Something about a spot really close to Il Vicino. Nah, there is no space there. Perhaps a new tenant at The Place? Perhaps. I haven’t heard any announcements on future tenants, yet. We’ll just have to wait and see. Uptown is clearly out. Too shiny, not enough vacant square footage, yet. Downtown? Nope. Downtown is having a chicken or the egg problem. Look, either folks need to move down there or shops need to open up down there. One has to come before the other. Stop waiting for some cosmic big bang to make it all happen at once. So, as it is, Downtown is out because risk adverse companies can’t figure out the chicken or the egg problem. …Nob Hill, it is.

How you like dem apples? Yeah, there is a lot of hocus pocus magic type stuff going on, but there is something going on. What exactly, eh…

Did you know we’re in the middle of V-Day? Ok, forgive the misnomer, but V-Day is actually a month long womens awareness movement celebrated from February 1st to March 8th. During this month long movement, across the globe women collaborate in performances of Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologues. So where can you catch a local V-logues production and show your support? The UNM School of Law, of course.

This Thursday, Friday and Saturday, students and professors from the Women’s Law Caucus at the UNMSOL will hold public performances of the acclaimed play. Tickets are $5 for (UNM?) students and $10 for members of the community. The curtain rises at 6pm in auditorium 2401 at the law school (1117 Standford Dr. NE).

I had the great fortune of catching the WLC’s performance last year. Good stuff. If you’ve never seen the play or maybe it’s been awhile since you’ve caught it, this is a great (and affordable) opportunity to see what all the fuss is about and support a pretty amazing group of women.

Check it out. Two thumbs up, or however you show support for theatre.

Albuquerque is home to no major professional sports franchises. Albuquerque, however, is home to Ben Johnson, a bad MF’ing dude.

Johnson, an Albuquerque Academy senior, is a phenomenal runner. This past weekend Johnson competed in the United States Track and Field Cross Country Championships and World Trials. Actually, Johnson didn’t compete… he dominated. The 18 year old was one of 100 distance runners selected to compete in this past weekend’s event. The field was composed of approximately seventy college freshmen and thirty high school seniors from across these fifty sovereign United States. The top six finishers qualified for he U.S. Jr. National XC Team and will compete next month in the World Cross Country Championships in Edinburgh, Scotland. Johnson finished sixth, 0.10 seconds faster than future teammate Brendan Gregg of Stanford University.

Johnson wasn’t the only Burqueño to do the Duke City proud. Matt Tebo, Eldorado ‘07 and University of Colorado freshman, finished tenth, and Johnson’s former teammate, Dustin Martin, Albuquerque Academy ‘07 and Columbia University freshman, finished thirty-fifth. Albuquerque-area distance runners have shown on the national radar for awhile now, but this breakout race is really a huge coming out for locally raised talent.

So, what does it take to kick so much ass? Try running a minimum of nine miles in approximately one hour for two months, everyday, without exception. Yeah, that’s nine consecutive miles at roughly a little more than 4 minute mile 6:40 minute mile pace. Oh, and that is after leading your high school team to the number one spot in the nation… and training at elevation… in the winter… through sand and over mountains. I think I just lost a good twenty pounds trying to wrap my brain around that.

Congratulations, Ben. You’re a freakin’ stud. We’re less than two months into 2008 and you’re, uh, already running away with Albuquerque sportsman of the year.

Tonight the reality of Blue Dot Corporation’s Residences at Packard Place is, well, a little more real. Although I can’t find any new information online, KOB reports the success of Blue Dot’s current project, the Anasazi Downtown, has boosted the developer’s confidence in the ambitious Packard project. (I also can’t find a link on KOB’s site to this story — sorry.) Recalling from the report, 35 of the 45 Anasazi residences are already sold with the project expected to wrap up in another two months.

First announced in June 2007, the purposed Residences at Packard Place, a pair of 30 story tall towers, will include 20 stories of residence, eight levels of parking, one level for “resident amenities” (10th floor), and ground level retail and commercial. If built, the Packard Place towers will be the tallest structures in New Mexico.

I have to admit, I was hopeful but weary when I first heard the Packard news back in June. Our last (and really only) major skyscraper went up in 1990 — 18 years ago. When Packard was first announced, the plan called for the towers’ completion by 2010 — 20 years after the Albuquerque Plaza and Hyatt Regency Albuquerque were built. While this latest bit of news is encouraging, and the city supposedly supports Packard, there is a huge part of me that wants to “see it before I believe it.” The success of Anasazi is fantastic and only strengthens Blue Dot’s impressive resume, but 30 stories is a lot bigger than 9 (21 stories bigger — math whiz, this guy).

In any event, this current turn of events should further fuel the hopeful optimism may Burqueños have for Downtown.

UPDATE: The ABQ Journal ran a story this past Sunday on Anasazi Downtown. In the article, Vincent Garcia of Blue Dot is quotes as saying the company is strongly considering turning Packard into a 35 to 40 story tall building.

The 3rd annual Hyperactive Music Festival & Conference is gearing up to invade Downtown Albuquerque yet again. The event brings hundreds of music industry types to the Duke City for three days of music and mingling. This year’s showcase is slated to take place in the Spring, May 22-24, at all your favorite Downtown venues (albeit, the Launchpad, right?). Artists are encouraged to visit the festival’s website and submit their bid to perform all along Albuquerque’s stretch of Route 66.

The bill for last year’s festival was fantastic. Loads of quality music for your sonic consuming ear canal. Tell your friends and family! What a great way to let loose for a weekend.

Apparently Bugs Bunny should have taken a left at Albuquerque. Bummer, Bugs. Maybe you’ll end up at a Left at Albuquerque restaurant, and if you do, order up an Albuquerque Rocks (under ‘Specialty Drinks’) for me. Let me know how it goes, will ya. A Tecate-tomato-Worcestershire-lime fusion? Who knows?

UPDATE: This is an Albuquerque Rocks, apparently.

Washington, D.C. likes to host conventions on hosting conventions. Genius! Albuquerque likes to bring ‘magic cookies’ to said conventions. Genius-i-er!

Food seems to be a big part of selling a city. There were close-ups of Corpus Christi’s Whataburger and what appeared to be giant sparkly gumdrops at Knoxville’s booth. Albuquerque flew in pastry chef Chris Morales to whip up some “magic cookies” and give away loaves of his green chili bread in burlap bags.

Green chile bread… sure. Yeah, that’s what’s in there…

Just in…

Economic Summit with Barack Obama

Kiva Auditorium
Albuquerque Convention Center
401 2nd Street NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102

Friday, February 1, 2008
Doors Open: 11:30 a.m.

Tickets available online.

Not your typical rockstar; not your typical rock. …Or something like that.