Horse Tail Trails

In our culture, there is probably nothing more central to gatherings and parties than food.  Birthday parties, weddings, anniversaries, and many other events use cake as an almost universal centerpiece to the feasting.  So why not turn this central focus point into an absolute work of art to be remembered?  There are lots of places that make designer cakes, which can include just about anything and everything, from simple images to full on sculpture-like works.  What many people don’t know is that there’s such a shop right in the Espanola valley.  Kaylee Cakes is a business that makes truly unique, designer cakes for all occasions.

The mastermind behind Kaylee Cakes is Michaela Maestas-Livermore.  She started the business in April of 2010, naming it after her 10-month-old daughter. “She keeps my drive up to make this business a success,” Michaela says.  She was inspired to start this business because baking is something she has a passion for.  “I took a cake decorating course a few years back.  I love doing it and people kept saying I always did a great job so I figured I should do something I love doing and the extra income is nice too.”

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There is nothing in the world quite like an apple fresh from the tree.  The fruit has crispness unlike anything in a supermarket and all the sweetness nature intended.  Getting produce while it’s still farm fresh makes all the difference.  There’s a quality to it that is far above and beyond store-bought fruits and vegetables.   

Farmer’s Markets are a great way to get fresh produce and help to boost the local economy.  When you shop at the market, you know that the money is going to local farmers and families that really need the support.  The Farmer’s Market is more than just another trip to get groceries, it’s a community experience.

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Animal shelters are designed to provide caring, safe homes for animals that are between owners for whatever reason.  Countless numbers of cats and dogs end up at shelters, but the good news is that they can find new homes from there.  Without the help of the community, however, shelters wouldn’t be able to run.

Stray Hearts Animal Center in Taos has been providing quality care for lost, abandoned and abused pets since its first incarnation in 1991.  There was a brief period of three months in 2004 when the shelter closed down due to lack of funding, but members of the Taos community promptly banded together to bring it back.  It is this kind of caring, community spirit that animal shelters need.  Today, Stray Hearts is running strong, thanks to the community, and plans to continue to do so for a very long time.

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Jazz is probably not the first thing most people think of when they think of New Mexico.  However, there is a thriving Jazz community in the state and has been for some time.  This year marks the 5th annual New Mexico Jazz Festival, held as a collaboration between Outpost Performance Space in Albuquerque, Santa Fe’s Performing Art’s Space, the Lensic of Santa Fe, and the Santa Fe Jazz Foundation.  These non-profit organizations have created a two-week long festival in the end of July, showcasing both local and international talent.  With events taking place in both cities and plenty of independent people in the surrounding communities taking advantage of the jazz spirit, this could become a state-wide event.

Originally, from 2000 to 2005, there was a Santa Fe Jazz and International Music Festival that was held by the Open Arts Foundation.  When this festival came to an end, the fan-base for the jazz genre was still here.  The New Mexico Jazz Festival was created in 2006 to pick up where the other festival had left off. 

This year’s line-up has a variety of musicians, from traditional to unconventional, from this state and well beyond.  There’s also dance and art exhibits in the works, so there’s something for everyone.

 

 

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