By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – Best-selling author Anne Hillerman is joining some of New Mexico’s most celebrated artists as a recipient of the 2026 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts, an honor she says left her both surprised and deeply grateful. “Oh my gosh, I was thrilled, and I guess humbled is the […]
Sara Atencio-Gonzales
Sara Atencio Gonazales is a features reporter for nm.news and The Paper. She is a native of Albuquerque.
Posted inAlbuquerque
Vortex Theater premieres ‘They Must Be Women Now’ for 50th anniversary season
By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – The Vortex Theatre is preparing to raise the curtain on the world premiere of They Must Be Women Now, a new play by Nedra Pezold Roberts that explores family, identity and the forces that shape women’s lives across generations. The production, directed by RayRey Griego, opens Aug. 14 as […]
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Nob Hill’s Guild Cinema Celebrates 60 years on Route 66
By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – For six decades, the Guild Cinema has offered Albuquerque moviegoers something they cannot always find at a multiplex. From independent and foreign films to documentaries, cult classics and local productions, the Nob Hill theater has become a destination for audiences looking for a different kind of movie experience. Now, […]
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Albuquerque-based Horizon Review gets lit
By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – Some art exists only for a moment. A stage performance ends, a gallery exhibit comes down and a reading concludes. For Leah Livingston, editor-in-chief of Horizon Review, those creative moments deserve a life beyond the stage or gallery. That belief inspired the creation of the Albuquerque-based literary and fine […]
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Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute adds to ABQ’s food culture with Indigenous Farmers Market
By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – A new Indigenous market at the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI) is giving Indigenous farmers, artisans, bakers and food vendors a place to connect with customers while supporting entrepreneurship and education. The market, which launched in late July, grew out of a U.S. Department of Agriculture extension grant and […]
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Sneakerheads line up to buy the first Nike official “Hatch Chile” shoes
By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – Sneaker enthusiasts gathered outside Kingswell Nob Hill Friday morning for the exclusive early release of Nike’s new “Hatch Chile” SB Dunk Low, a shoe inspired by New Mexico’s iconic green chile. The Albuquerque skate shop received the shoes a day before the nationwide release through its partnership with Nike, […]
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Plastic Fantastic: Take a trip inside the toy box with vinyl designer Mikee Riggs
By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – For Mikee Riggs, making toys was never supposed to become a career. Fifteen years ago, he was working at GNC, sketching characters between customers and wondering what came next. “I’m not the kind of person that should work at a GNC, so I was very miserable, and I was […]
City Desk ABQ
Posted inAlbuquerque
City Launches “Operation Cooldown” as triple digits hit ABQ
By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – With triple digit temperatures expected across Albuquerque this week, the City is once again rolling out Operation Cooldown, an initiative designed to help residents cool off by activating sprinklers at neighborhood parks. The Parks and Recreation Department will turn on park sprinklers from 1 to 1:30 p.m. each day […]
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Longtime Shriners Hall closes its doors; but for some, a window remains open
By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – After serving Albuquerque for decades as a gathering place for community events, fundraisers and professional wrestling shows, the former New Mexico Shriners property in Albuquerque’s International District is entering a new chapter. The City of Albuquerque has purchased the property at 6600 Zuni Rd. SE and has already issued […]
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Local documentary series looking for stories of New Mexicans overcoming challenges
By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – A new documentary series celebrating stories of hope, healing and resilience in New Mexico has released its first trailer and is inviting residents from across the state to share their experiences. “Through the Fire” will feature New Mexicans telling personal stories about overcoming life’s challenges, including family struggles, relationships, […]