Best Red Hat Winners from left; Barbara Broussard, Mary Friberg and Dolores Ripik. Judges were Prime Time Publisher Dave Rivord and Sales Executive Joe Herrera .

The Red Hat Round-Up, where ladies over 50 get the chance to have fun. “A lot of us have lost husbands and this is a wonderful way for us to go out as a group and do things that we don’t feel comfortable doing alone,” says Ina Saxton, the “Queen of the Royal Gem Dandies” NM Chapter of the Red Hat Society. Kathleen Boles, Executive Director of Las Colinas Village retirement community loves hosting “these high-spirited women. “

NM Red Hat Society at Las Colinas Party

Sue Stone, Las Colinas Resident

Michelle Duval

How do you spend your time? Investigating this question can lead us into one of the most beneficial practices of mindfulness. I was recently on my Netflix account and clicked a button that read ‘past history.’ It took me to a page listing all the movies I had watched in the past six months. Was that an eye opener! I realized just how much time I spend lost in movies about giant squids and romances in Paris and toys that come to life. Hours upon hours upon hours. And here I was thinking I hardly watched movies at all! I was completely unaware of how I was spending a large part of my life.

I took this newfound awareness and dug a little deeper. Why was I spending so much time watching movies, and why had I been so unaware of it? I realized that this increase in movie watching corresponded to the ending of a relationship. I suddenly became aware that I was lonely, and I was seeking more than entertainment from those giant squids.  And I kept myself unaware of it because I didn’t want to face the fact that I was lonely.

When we take the time to truly become mindful of how we are spending our time, many times we realize a meaningless quality to our activities.

Try it for yourself. Take a close look at how you are spending your time, and then see what your reasons are. The final step is to then ask yourself if that activity will ever truly help you to fulfill your reason for doing it. If not, you’ve just become aware of spending your precious time in a meaningless activity. For me, this simple awareness allowed me to drop the incessant movie watching, and now in the evenings I spend my time in activities that can actually help me through my loneliness: meditation, hikes with the dogs, cooking meals for friends. The squid has taken a back seat to what I consider meaningful living. And I don’t even think he’s missed me.

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Upcoming event
October 2
Growing a Practice
Featuring Michelle DuVal and Genla Kelsang Gomlam
10 AM to 1 PM
The Source  1111 Carlisle SE
Call 615-1547 Space is limited.
$25
Mention Prime Time Monthly and get a 10 percent discount!

Instead of addressing specific questions this month, I would like to discuss some of the most important fashion trends for Fall 2010. Ladies, this is the time to take a hard look at what is in your closet – assess the relevance of each and every piece – discard what just won’t work anymore – and then, carefully evaluate what you should purchase to complete your existing wardrobe for fall and winter. In this manner, you will maximize your clothing expenditures.

Tips:
Jackets – The “strong” shoulder, a well structured jacket with a bit of a shoulder pad, emerged last fall and is still stronger. Do not confuse the look of 2010 with the oversized, rounded shoulder pads from a decade ago.

Pants – According to Vogue.com, the mantra is “it’s what looks good on you and not a specific pant width.” The trouser continues to grow in popularity with great style and tailoring. The fuller cut palazzo pant is still popular, whether in tailored fabrics or soft, flowing silks and chiffons. Everyone’s talking about leggings and/or the ultra slim cut pant; however, this year’s version will have zippers, studs or other distinctive detail. The boot cut pant and/or jean is a very strong silhouette as well. Finally, everyone loves just a great fitting, middle-of-the-road clean cut pant to go anywhere and everywhere.

Details – Ruffles abound everywhere, but the upscale fashion houses lean toward oversized, flowing and softer looks versus tightly gathered trims. The ruffle is integrated into the design of the garment rather than trimming the garment. It’s also more dramatic and slimming as well.

Leather – The luxury of leather has spanned the ages, but what’s coming out of the fashion houses today centers around crocodile-embossed leathers and anything python or snakeskin. I’m seeing more of the python and snakeskin in oversized handbags, shoes and belts. The crocodile influence works its magic in both accessories, jackets and skirts. They’re great, classic looks will stand the test of time (and your investment).

Sweaters – The cute little shrugs are still in abundance, but have evolved into “the cocoon.” So what’s the difference? The shrug is short, undersized and covers just the shoulders and upper arm areas. The cocoon, on the other hand, is longer and fuller, having deep armholes and is just a wonderful piece to wrap around you on a cold winter night. In addition to the cocoon, the elongated front cardigan as well as the boyfriend style cardigan are great looks as well and make strong statements in the fall fashion scene.

Don’t forget - the holidays are right around the corner.

It seems that these days everyone is on Facebook. It’s hard to believe that as recently as 2006, Facebook didn’t even exist. Now, even if you don’t have a Facebook account of your own, you’re almost certainly “connected” to someone who does.

If you are a part of this social network phenomenon, we’d like to have you connect with us! Facebook is a great way to stay informed about Social Security and what it means to you.

With more than 400 million active users worldwide, Facebook was ranked as the most-used social network website in the world according to a 2009 study. What better place than Facebook to join Social Security’s network and stay in the know?

In addition to a Facebook page, Social Security also has started “tweeting.”

If you’re not connected to us on Facebook (or even if you are), be sure to follow Social Security on Twitter. Social Security news and information is presented in easily digestible, 140-character bits!

Coincidentally, Twitter found its beginnings in 2006 as well. It was ranked as the third most popular social networking website in 2009 and boasts six million unique monthly visitors and 55 million visits a month.

Whether you’re a fan of Facebook or you tend toward Twitter, we hope these electronic avenues will help us reach more people who can benefit from our online information and services.

To follow us on Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/socialsecurity and click “like.”

To follow us on Twitter, go to www.twitter.com/socialsecurity and select “Follow Social Security” to receive our messages.

Or, visit www.socialsecurity.gov and look for the Facebook and Twitter icons. While you’re there, take a look at the icon that links to our YouTube page where you can watch Social Security videos, including public service announcements featuring rock and roll icon Chubby Checker and academy award winning actress Patty Duke.

Eva Lujan is the Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Albuquerque

Click the image above to find out whats happening at the 2010 New Mexico State Fair!

Click the image above to download a PDF of the 2010 Mind Research Network Report

One of the most intriguing theatrical events coming up in Albuquerque as the Fall live theatrical season gets underway is Moby Dick which will play at The Filling Station on 4th St. this month. The Mother Road Theatre Company, one several new professional theatres that have come to Albuquerque over the last few years, is bringing us Herman Melville’s classic American novel in a bare stage adaptation with music – sea shanties. It was created by writer Julian Rad and premiered in New York City in 2003 where it was nominated for three 2004 Drama Desk Awards including Outstanding Play. Now, due to a fortuitous connection between the playwright and Mother Road’s Artistic Director, Julia Thudium, Albuquerque is the site of its western regional premiere.

Nicholas Ballas who plays Captain Ahab

When I met with Thudium, who’s directing the Albuquerque production, she was just about to leave on a trip to visit the Bedford Whaling Museum to expand her understanding of what life on a whaling ship was like. Her excitement about the project was palpable as she explained how the vastness of this great novel and the sea will be created in the tiny space of the Filling Station’s theatre, through  the physicality of the actors’ movements. The only prop in the play is Captain Ahab’s harpoon; the rest are created in our imaginations.

She has assembled a cast of well-known Albuquerque actors including Peter Diseth as Starbuck and Kelly O’Keefe as Ismael and others, and has brought in Santa Fe actor Nicholas Bellas to play Ahab. Together they will create what she calls “the ultimate American adventure story.”

Moby Dick opens on September 3 and plays Thursdays and Fridays at 8 PM, Saturdays at 6 PM, and Sundays at 2 PM through September 26.  For information and reservations go to their website at www.motherroad.org

Dr. Carl R. Soderberg, Minister of the First Presbyterian Church will present the story of the Orphan Train.

Shortly before the Civil War, an experiment began sending destitute children by train to the new west for a new lease on life. Members are urged to attend and bring guests.
Volunteers are present most days to help you with your research and if you have any questions on this event call 505-768-5141 or visit website at www.abqgen.com

This year, the scheduled launch for the race will move from its traditional slot on the first weekend to Tuesday evening, October 5th. The launch is scheduled for 6:30 PM from Balloon Fiesta Park. The change of schedule will give members of the American team who are also competing in the world’s other major gas balloon distance race, the Coupe Gordon Bennett, time to return to Albuquerque after the conclusion of that event.

The object of the America’s Challenge is to fly the greatest distance from Albuquerque while competing within the event rules. The balloonists often stay aloft more than two days and must use the winds and weather systems to their best advantage to gain the greatest distance. Flights of more than 1,000 miles are not unusual, and the winners sometimes travel as far as Canada and the East Coast.

Nine teams, including 2008 winners Mark Sullivan and Cheri White, are scheduled to complete in this year’s America’s Challenge and they include ballooners from the US, Canada, United Kingdom.

Sullivan and White are the defending champions, since the 2009 competition had to be cancelled due to high winds that prevented the balloons from launching safely. Former winners Abruzzo/Johnson, Bradley, and Fricke/Cuneo are also in the field.

The America’s Challenge is the U.S. qualifier for the Coupe Gordon Bennett, the international gas balloon distance race first run in 1906. The top three American pilots will earn the right to represent the United States in the 2011 Gordon Bennett, which will be held in France.

The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Web site, www.balloonfiesta.com, features regular race updates and live computerized tracking of all the balloons during the competition.

Also a part of the race are New Mexicans Richard Abruzzo and Gary Johnson.

For questions call Kathie Leyendecker at 505-228-9874.

The first training date is Thurs. Sept. 16th from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM or Thurs. Sept. 23rd from 8:30 PM-4:30 PM.
Both classes will be held at the Manzano Mesa Multi-Generational Center at 501 Elizabeth SE. Registration is
required by calling the OASIS office at 889-0927 and is limited to the first 20 trainees per class.

The training is free to interested volunteers; however there is a charge for the background check required and administered by APS for all volunteers who work with students and a small cost for lunch. The total tutor trainees are asked to pay is $25.

OASIS tutor training curriculum will prepare tutors to work individually with an elementary school student who is struggling with reading. OASIS currently has more than 130 tutors tutoring 200+ students in 27 Albuquerque area schools. Tutors receive ongoing training through monthly meetings, offered on the third Wednesday of each month from 1:30-3 PM.

Tutors chose the day, time and school where they will tutor a child at least once a week throughout the school year.
Tutors complete an extensive training program based on an established six-part activity plan. Training includes instruction in student motivation and communication and ways tutors can draw on their own knowledge and experience to enrich the lives of their students. “We know from years of evaluation and experience that staying active and engaged in their community helps volunteers remain vital and healthy.

Through the OASIS Intergenerational Tutoring program, volunteers work to help children build reading skills, self-esteem and positive attitudes toward learning. If you love to read, you will be a great tutor. And you will make a difference in a child’s life.

Contact: Donella Maez Irby at 505-480-6229