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ABQ BioPark Hosts Annual Obon Festival on August 14

Nolan Rodrigues Walsh
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ABQ BioPark Hosts Annual Obon Festival on August 14

ALBUQUERQUE — On Friday, August 14, the annual Obon Festival returns to the ABQ BioPark Sasebo Japanese Garden. It celebrates Japanese culture and Albuquerque’s partnership with sister city Sasebo, Japan.

ABQ BioPark will host the Obon Festival from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in partnership with Albuquerque Sister Cities Foundation. The event has taken place annually since 2022 to honor the city’s relationship with Sasebo, Japan, which became Albuquerque’s sister city in 1966. It is held within the Sasebo Japanese Garden, a section of the Botanic Garden that was built in September 2007. The annual festival celebrates Obon, a Japanese tradition honoring ancestors through music, dance, art, and floating lanterns.

This year’s Obon Festival will offer traditional tea ceremonies, Taiko drumming, bonsai displays, calligraphy, and origami. Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities such as folding origami cranes for the North American Japanese Garden Association’s Gardens for Peace project, a national initiative advocating for inner peace. Other artistic activities will include painting cherry blossoms, writing haiku, and exploring nature discovery stations hosted by ABQ BioPark educators.

Regardless of weather, the festival is set to begin at 6:25 p.m. with a performance by Bushido Kenyukai, a martial and cultural arts center in Albuquerque. This opening will be followed by performances and demonstrations throughout the ABQ BioPark Japanese Garden. Tea ceremonies are scheduled for 6:45 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 8:15 p.m., and New Mexico Taiko will perform multiple Taiko drum presentations with Bushido Kenyukai during the evening, including a closing performance at 8:40 p.m.

A key feature of the festival is the ceremony of floating lanterns, called toro nagashi, where visitors are invited to honor loved ones by setting artistic lanterns afloat on the Sasebo Japanese Garden pond; event tickets include one floating lantern each. The festival will also include guided encounters with live beetles and a bonsai exhibition by the Albuquerque Bonsai Club.

The Botanic Garden will open their gates for the event from 6:30 to last entry at 8 p.m. Organizers encourage visitors to bring their own lawn chairs and purchase tickets online in advance. General admission tickets for the event cost $25 for adults, $20 for seniors ages 65+ and children ages 3 to 12, and free for children 2 and younger. Admission will be discounted for New Mexico BioPark Society members.

Visit cabq.gov/artsculture/biopark/events/obon-festival for more information.

Nolan Rodrigues Walsh is an Albuquerque-born journalist covering community news and events. They prioritize empathy, transparency, and a community-centered approach. They can be reached on Instagram at @brantonenews.

August Sky Over New Mexico to Feature Perseids, Lunar Eclipse, and Bright Planets

Juan Oliveros
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August Sky Over New Mexico to Feature Perseids, Lunar Eclipse, and Bright Planets

New Mexico’s August sky is a gift for skywatchers. Celestial spectacles such as the Perseid meteor shower, a partial lunar eclipse, bright planetary displays, and views of the Milky Way will dazzle in one of North America’s darkest skies.

Perseid Meteor Shower

Perseid meteor shower is one of the year’s most active meteor displays. It will peak during the night of Aug. 12-13. The peak period coincides with a new moon, creating a dark canvas that allows viewers at remote locations to see 50 to more than 80 meteors per hour.

It is best to watch this celestial spectacle after midnight through dawn when the constellation Perseus rises higher in the northeastern sky.  A location away from the glare of urban lights is ideal for maximum viewing satisfaction.

‘Blood Moon’

The partial lunar eclipse will be visible across New Mexico on the evening of Aug. 27. Only a narrow illuminated edge of the moon will be seen while most of the lunar surface takes on a reddish hue commonly associated with a “blood moon.”

The eclipse will reach maximum around 10:12 p.m. MDT and conclude before midnight across most of the state.

Bright Planets and the Milky Way

In the western sky after sunset throughout August, Venus’ presence can hardly be ignored. The solar system’s second planet will reach its maximum eastern elongation around the middle of the month.

On Aug. 11-12, as many as six planets may be visible before sunrise, although some of the fainter ones will require binoculars. Saturn will remain visible throughout the night, while Mars, Mercury and Jupiter will appear in the predawn hours.

August is one of the best months to observe the Milky Way. During the first half of the month, the galaxy’s bright central region will be prominent in the southwestern sky after darkness falls, especially during the moonless period surrounding the new moon.

Top Viewing Locations

New Mexico has several internationally recognized dark-sky destinations, namely:

  • Capulin Volcano National Monument is a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park known for summer astronomy programs and telescope viewing.
  • Chaco Culture National Historical Park sits beneath some of the darkest skies in the Southwest.
  • Cosmic Campground in the Gila National Forest is the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary established on U.S. National Forest land. It offers nearly unobstructed 360-degree views.
  • Clayton Lake State Park, New Mexico’s first designated dark-sky park, features dinosaur tracks and an on-site observatory.
  • Valles Caldera National Preserve and Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument periodically host ranger-led astronomy programs.
  • The Taos area and Rio Grande Gorge offer guided stargazing events during the summer.

Skywatchers can also find good viewing conditions in rural areas far from the glare of Albuquerque’s city light, Las Cruces, and Santa Fe.

Some Skywatching Tips

Skywatchers should allow 20 to 30 minutes for their eyes to adjust to darkness. They may also use a red flashlight to preserve night vision. A reclining chair or blanket, warm clothing, snacks, and binoculars are essentials to make the experience more satisfying.

Apps such as Stellarium and SkySafari can help identify planets and constellations. But viewing the Perseid meteor shower and lunar eclipse require no specialized equipment.

Visitors should check park advisories, weather forecasts, and road conditions before traveling.

APD Has More Information About Downtown Shooting From Fourth of July Weekend—What You Need to Know

Ruben Reyes
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The Albuquerque police have released new information about a shooting on the 4th of July. This involves the man named Stephen Griego, after police said he shot two men and injured a bystander in downtown.

According to APD, officers shot Griego on July 3, shortly after midnight, after gunfire was heard near Central Avenue and Third Street.

Back before this incident, Griego had reported a June 20 fight to officers patrolling downtown. APD said Griego reported a man who knocked his phone from his hand and a woman pepper-sprayed him, picked up his phone, and ran away with it.

While telling the officers what happened, Griego said he would prepare next time so the same thing won’t happen to him again.

Then, on July 3, a video on social media showed Griego on an e-scooter near the northwest corner of Central Avenue and Third Street, talking with nearby people.

Here Is Where The Situation Went Out Of Hand

While interacting with people, two men suddenly appeared in the video. The two men were Juan Ortega and Richard Thyberg.

Police said Ortega wore a white T-shirt, approached Griego, exchanged words with him, tried to push him, and then hit him.

This is when Griego got off the scooter, moved around a street barrier, and pulled a handgun from his waistband. As a response, Ortega and Thyberg moved around the barrier, but Griego shot Thyberg.

Then, Ortega kept moving toward Griego. However, the person recording the video ran from the area, so it did not capture the rest of the confrontation.

Six Gunshots Were Heard

The first gunshot happened at 11:53 p.m., according to APD. During the first gunshots, there were several officers deployed in the area, watching crowds outside bars.

And in about six seconds, a second gunshot was heard, followed by more. This time, four officers took charge of the incident and ran toward the gunfire and fired their handguns at Griego.

APD determined and confirmed Griego had six gunshot wounds.

Police said they handcuffed both Griego and Ortega after the shooting.

What Happened After the Handcuffs?

Unfortunately, Griego later died at a local hospital, while Ortega went to a hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his hip.

However, Ortega was found dead days later. It is suspected that Ortega died because of an overdose.

Later on, APD said officers found a blood trail going south on Third Street from the area of the first gunshot. But they did not find a victim right away. The following day, they learned that Thyberg was at an urgent care facility for a gunshot wound.

According to the detectives, they interviewed Thyberg and said Griego shot him.

Meanwhile, another bystander was found farther east, on a sidewalk along Central Avenue between Second and Third Streets. He was hit by a stray bullet and taken to a hospital, and he has since been released.

Wind Advisory: Gusty Canyon Winds Hit Albuquerque, Blowing Dust and Driving Hazards Overnight

Juan Oliveros
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Wind Advisory: Gusty Canyon Winds Hit Albuquerque, Blowing Dust and Driving Hazards Overnight

Strong gusts continued to sweep through the Albuquerque metro area and the Middle Rio Grande Valley early on Saturday, prompting forecasters to issue a Wind Advisory, with a warning of hazardous travel conditions and the potential for severe thunderstorms later in the day.

The National Weather Service said the advisory remains in effect until 3 a.m. MDT, with sustained east winds of 30 to 40 mph and gusts reaching 55 mph. The strongest winds will be near the mouth of Tijeras Canyon and east of Interstate 25.

Forecasters said the winds could blow around unsecured objects, break tree limbs and create dangerous crosswinds, particularly for high-profile vehicles traveling on Interstates 25 and 40. Blowing dust could also reduce visibility in some areas. Residents were advised to secure outdoor items, and motorists were urged to use extra caution.

The gust will likely bring higher humidity to the region, and thunderstorms across central and eastern New Mexico later Saturday will increase. The weather service said some parts of the state are under a marginal risk for severe storms, with large hail and damaging winds. A slight risk of excessive rainfall also increased the likelihood of localized flash flooding.

Meanwhile, forecasters issued a separate Heat Advisory for far western New Mexico, including the Gallup and Farmington areas, where temperatures will reach the upper 90s and lower 100s.

Albuquerque will experience partly cloudy skies. The temperatures will settle in the mid-70s early Saturday. Sustained east winds near 26 mph and gusts up to 44 mph were reported at Albuquerque International Sunport.

Forecasters said temperatures would briefly cool down on Saturday before climbing back to around 100 degrees early next week.

PNM Warns of Summer Utility Scams, Urges Residents to Report Suspicious Encounters

Gregg Morgan
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PNM Warns of Summer Utility Scams, Urges Residents to Report Suspicious Encounters

If you encounter suspicious individuals claiming to work for the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM), report them to PNM or local authorities. PNM says summer brings many good things, but it also attracts scammers. 

In a recent post on Nextdoor, a resident called out three men allegedly posing as PNM workers going around Nob Hill. Nextdoor is a neighborhood discussion platform where users share updates, post polls and events, and ask for recommendations. 

The poster claimed the three men drove around to see who was home and who was away. He also shared a photo showing one of them making an obscene gesture at him.

According to the post, he asked to see the men’s PNM badges, which is exactly the step you should take in such situations. 

“Our employees always carry proper identification. That includes their badge. And they’ll always present that badge if they’re asked, so that’s another sign. If you’re unsure if it’s a PNM employee, you can ask for their badge,” PNM Spokesperson Eric Chavez told KOB 4. 

One commenter believes the same three men recently approached his mother-in-law and asked for her social security number.

How to Spot Legitimate PNM Workers

Whether they seek access to your property or personal information, PNM said its employees will never show up unannounced.

“That’s kind of the first thing and the main thing that we tell our customers, is that we will not go to your home unless we have a scheduled appointment,” said Chavez. “Did you schedule an appointment with PNM? No? Then it’s not gonna be PNM knocking at your door.”

According to KOB 4, PNM said you may receive a phone call instead of an in-person visit. Chavez noted the time of the call can reveal whether you are speaking with an actual employee.

“You know, outside of the normal 9-5, 8-5 area, we’re not gonna be calling customers to disconnect their power,” said Chavez.

He also stated that PNM never asks customers for money over the phone. If someone does, it is a scam.

Report Possible Scams

Chavez said PNM encourages customers to report potential scams so the utility can stay ahead of them. You can report a scam by filling out this online form. You can also learn how to protect yourself at PNM.com/scams. To contact police, call the non-emergency line at 505-242-COPS.

Chavez added customers can also use social media to spread the word. 

“Communicate with each other. Talk with your neighbor,” he said. “You know, this is a good example of one, right? You know, Nextdoor is getting the word out. ‘Hey, these people are going around pretending to be PNM.’ It’s always great to have that community backing, right?”

Xcel Energy Expands Wind, Solar Portfolio to Shield Customers From Fuel Price Swings

Juan Oliveros
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Xcel Energy Expands Wind, Solar Portfolio to Shield Customers From Fuel Price Swings

Xcel Energy is increasing its investment in wind and solar power projects in Texas and New Mexico. The goal is to protect customers from changing fuel prices and meet the rising need for electricity.

The utility has selected new projects that will add up to 3,928 megawatts of power, such as one solar project with battery storage, five solar plants, four wind farms, and one natural gas plant.

Xcel Energy is eyeing to begin these projects by 2030, pending regulatory approval.

This investment is part of Xcel Energy’s plan to get ready for higher electricity demand. More people, new businesses, and energy-hungry sites like data centers are driving this growth. The company also wants to keep the grid reliable and control customer costs.

The Minneapolis-based company said it selected these projects after reviewing over 50 proposals in a competitive process. The company aims to deliver reliable power that is both affordable and valuable over time.

Xcel Energy said these projects allow it to take advantage of good market conditions and energy incentives from the federal government.

The company said its investments in renewable energy have already generated revenue. Since 2017, Xcel’s wind farms have saved customers in Texas and New Mexico about $1.3 billion by avoiding fuel costs and using federal tax credits.

The utility also said it plans to file large-load tariffs in Texas and New Mexico to ensure that major new electricity users, including data centers, pay the costs associated with serving their growing electricity demand.

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Free School Supply Giveaways Start 3 PM Today; More Events Scheduled for Aug. 1 and Aug. 8 

Gregg Morgan
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Free School Supply Giveaways Start 3 PM Today; More Events Scheduled for Aug. 1 and Aug. 8 

Are you a parent or student looking for free school supplies in Albuquerque? The Presbyterian Health Plan and Presbyterian Medical Group are hosting two back-to-school events. There, you can receive free school supplies. Attendees can also access vaccinations and community resources. 

KOAT Action News reported that the free celebrations will take place on Friday, July 31, and Saturday, Aug. 8. Children can get backpacks filled with school supplies while supplies last. They can also access health services, enjoy family activities, and connect with local organizations before the upcoming academic year.

Additionally, families will receive more than free backpacks and supplies. They can also enjoy complimentary food, interactive cooking demonstrations, games, active play activities, face painting, and other family-friendly entertainment.

The first event takes place on Friday, July 31, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Health Plan Place – Winrock, 2100 Louisiana Blvd. NE.

The second celebration will happen on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Health Plan Place on 6100 Pan American Freeway NE.

Saturday School Supply Distribution

According to a separate KOAT Action News report, the city of Albuquerque will hold its annual “Cruzin’ Into the School Year” event on Saturday, Aug. 1. The event aims to help families prepare for the new school year. 

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Families can visit the West Mesa Community Center at 5500 Glenrio Road NW or the Community Center at 7505 Kathryn Ave. SE.

Organizers will distribute thousands of free backpacks and school supplies to students while supplies last.

West Mesa Community Center leaders say they distribute at least 1,500 backpacks annually. 

“As we all know, everything is very expensive these days,” Therese Chavez said. “So we’re just hoping that this event can ease that financial burden for families and also just to hear from different resources that will help them throughout the school year.”

Families must pre-register to receive free backpacks and school supplies while supplies last. Students must be present to receive their backpack and supplies.

Saving Up For Back-to-School Supplies? This Could Be Your Answer

Ruben Reyes
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The annual tax-free holiday weekend is happening from July 31 to August 2. This is your perfect chance to splurge on your kids’ school supplies at a low cost.

This great news is from the state: they will suspend the collection of the gross receipts tax on sales. During this time, plenty of back-to-school items will be tax-free.

There are selected items that qualify for the tax deduction, such as shoes or clothing that must be priced below $100 per unit, desktop computers, laptop computers, and tablet and notebook computers up to $1,000, computer hardware up to $500, and school supplies used by the majority must be under $30 per item.

There are many more qualifications for an item to be tax-exempt; you can visit the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department for the full list.

What are you waiting for? Get the best school supplies for your child this back-to-school season!

Santa Fe Police Charged A Man For Threatening A Store Clerk

Ruben Reyes
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The Santa Fe Police arrested a 44-year-old man after they said he threatened to kill a convenience store clerk and pointed a gun at the worker.

According to the Santa Fe Police Department, they arrested a man named Jeremiah Mayer after a series of confrontations with a clerk at a store near Las Soleras Drive.

Police said Meyer came back on June 18, arguing with the clerk, pulled his firearm at the clerk while saying he didn’t care if he would kill the clerk.

Meyer once again returned on July 29, when the clerk refused him service because of the earlier threats. He previously threatened to kill the clerk before leaving. This is when the clerk called the cops.

Cops later found out a video proving the claim of the aggravated assault case from June 18 and got an arrest warrant for Meyer.

When the cops had the warrant, they, together with the Criminal Intelligence and Analysis Unit, tracked Meyer to a house on Yucca Way. Thanks to the help of the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, the cops arrested him at Yucca Way.

According to the police, Meyer agreed to speak with detectives and officers when he was taken into custody.

Currently, Meyer is facing charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of assault. His case remains active as they continue to serve warrants and do investigations.

New Mexico Department of Justice is Formally Opposing the Proposal to Remove Chaco Canyon’s Protective Buffer

Olivia Woodard
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New Mexico Department of Justice is Formally Opposing the Proposal to Remove Chaco Canyon’s Protective Buffer

SANTA FE, NM – On Wednesday, July 29 New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez announced that the New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDOJ) submitted formal comments opposing the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) proposal to rescind the 10-mile protective buffer surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park. 

Earlier in this month, the Bureau of Land Management proposed to revoke Public Land Order No. 7923, which was issued in June 2023 and closed entry to public land surrounding Chaco Canyon National Historical Park for 20 years. The agency’s proposal is following Executive Order 14154 and Secretary’s Order 3418 to review the land withdrawal under an environmental assessment.

On July 15, the BLM said they were seeking public comments on this proposal: “The BLM welcomes input from stakeholders as we analyze the environmental effects of revoking the withdrawal of public lands surrounding Chaco Canyon National Historical Park,” said BLM Director Stevan Pearce. “Gathering and considering these perspectives is a vital part of our process and to our mission of managing public lands for the benefit of all Americans.” 

The BLM says that the environmental assessment analyzes 3 alternatives: 1), take no action, 2), revoke the withdrawal in full, or 3), revoke the withdrawal to allow leasing and mining beyond a 5-mile buffer rather than the original 10-miles. 

If the withdrawal was revoked, approximately 336,404 acres of the land that surrounds the Chaco Canyon would be accessible for mining and mineral leasing. The NMDOJ’s comments submitted to the BLM argue that this proposal disregards federal law, Tribal consultation requirements, and sufficient public participation, and also threatens one of the state’s most important cultural landscapes. 

For this proposal, the Bureau of Land Management only provided a 14-day public-comment period and a 7-day scoping period, a significantly smaller amount of time from three-years previous when the withdrawal was issued. In 2023, the BLM conducted 150 days for public comment, held eight public meetings, and conducted extensive Tribal consultation before issuing the 10-mile protective buffer. 

Despite the short 14-day public comment period, multiple other New Mexico organizations submitted comments opposing the proposal, such as The Incorporated County of Los Alamos, and the Crow Canyon Archeological Center, as well as national organizations, such as The Society of Architectural Historians. 

The New Mexico Department of Justice’s submitted comments state: “The Attorney General requests that BLM rescind the proposal wholly or adopt the “No Action” alternative. At a minimum, BLM should also provide an extended public comment period and conduct at least one public meeting.”

“Chaco Canyon is one of New Mexico’s greatest cultural and historical treasures,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “The federal government cannot dismantle longstanding protections through a rushed process that sidelines Tribal Nations, ignores the public, and fails to honestly assess the consequences. We will continue to defend New Mexico’s cultural heritage and ensure that federal agencies follow the law.”

Olivia Woodard is a journalist for Brant One News. She can be reached at [email protected] or on Instagram at @brantonenews.

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