Crawl Over to ABQ BioPark

Let’s face it - Albuquerque is in the desert. Sure, we’ve built a sprawling metropolis despite that, but the mysteries of the desert still remain.

Fortunately, if you go to the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden from October 4 to November 3, you can enjoy the creepy, crawly dangers of the New Mexico desert without any actual danger. The Creeping, Crawling, and Carnivorous Show will feature some of the most interesting creatures that are part of our natural environment:

"This special show features nature's darkest and most dangerous insects, arachnids and flesh-eating plants. Get a bug's eye-view and learn how these creatures are a vital part of our environment. 

This year's show will provide a sneak peek into the Insectarium that is scheduled to open at the Botanic Garden in 2014. The new year-round exhibit will feature fascinating stories of bugs from all corners of the Earth."

This is the perfect activity to get yourself, friends, or family excited for Halloween, too! Click here for more information on the Creeping, Crawling, and Carnivorous Show.

Don’t “Squash” Squash!

It may be the beginning green chile season, but New Mexico has lots more to offer as far as local specialty produce. One lesser appreciated season dish that you can find in Albuquerque this time of year is summer squash. Delicious, versatile, and healthy, New Mexico squash can be cooked lots of different ways. It’s also a great, healthier alternative to potatoes--and you can substitute it in a lot of recipes.

The Daily Lobo had some great ideas last week that use summer squash, including squash fritters, squash hummus, and plain old grilled summer squash.

Here’s the recipe for grilled summer squash, which can be the basis of a complete meal, a side dish, or just a snack:

Grilled Summer Squash(serves 8 as a side dish)
4 medium summer squash, washed with ends removed
1-1/2 cups soy sauce
1 cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons white pepper
2 Tablespoons minced fresh herbs such as oregano, parsley, marjoram, sage or tarragon
(or 2 teaspoons dry herbs)
  

Blend all the marinade ingredients (everything save the squash) and set aside. Slice the squash lengthwise about 1/4 to 1/8 inch thick. Toss in the marinade and seal in a large zipper bag. 

Refrigerate, turning occasionally for at least 20 minutes. The squash will be best if it is marinated for 45 minutes to an hour, but no longer than a few hours, as the vinegar will ruin the texture. 

 On a medium-hot grill, either gas or charcoal, cook the squash for two to three minutes and turn. Setting the squash at an angle will leave attractive grill marks and allow the squash to cook evenly. 

 The finished squash will have dark grill marks and be cooked through, but not too soft. Depending on the grill heat, three to four turns will be enough. 

 The grilled squash is good warm or cold. To avoid wasting charcoal, make a large batch of squash and grill it after all the main course dishes are done. This recipe freezes very well and will keep for months. For vegetarians, strips of grilled squash are wonderful with meat substitutes such as veggie burgers. 

To read the rest of the summer squash recipes, click here.

September Events at the Albuquerque Museum of Art & History

Here in Albuquerque, we’re lucky to have a thriving independent arts scene, as you might have seen around town in the form of Free Art Fridays. But in addition to the indie scene, we also have a great art museum here, too: The Albuquerque Museum of Art & History.

Over the coming month, the museum has lots of great exhibits and events kicking off, and we wanted to share some of them with you. (To read the museum’s full September Newsletter, click here.)

Whether you’re looking for a discounted admission ticket to see what the museum is all about, looking for a cultural experience, or photos taken right here in Albuquerque, there’s probably something happening this month that you’ll enjoy.

Among this month’s events are:

UNM Students Get into the Albuquerque Museum FreeIn partnership with Frontier/Golden Pride, the Albuquerque Museum is proud to announce that UNM students will receive FREE admission to the Museum when they show their student ID during the 2013-2014 school year. If you are a student, or have one in your family, be sure to check out all of the exciting events and exhibitions we will have at the Museum during the coming year.

Opening Soon: Vernacular Architecture of New Mexico: Photographs by Robert ChristensenSeptember 21, 2013 to March 16, 2014 In 52 stunning black and white photographs, Belen-based photographer Robert Christensen has documented in a spare composition format, spontaneously designed buildings such as gas stations, garages, barns, bars, sheds, and shops. The artist states, "While quite a few of these buildings still stand, as a genus they are fading away, along with the individualism and self-reliance that produced them. Some have been chicly remodeled at the expense of their original allure, and some have just vanished." 

Last Chance: Estampas de la Raza
Exhibition closes September 29Don't miss out on a chance to see Estampas de la Raza: Contemporary Prints from the Romo Collection. The exhibition comprises more than 60 prints chronicling the Latino experience in the U.S. The exhibition covers five distinct themes: "Identity," "Struggle," "Tradition, Culture, Memory," "Icons," and "Other Voices." The exhibit features 44 artists, including John A. Hernandez, Leticia V. Huerta, Juan Miguel Ramos, Alex Rubio, Vincent Valdez, Joe Lopez, Michael Menchaca, Rolando Briseño, and Celina Hinojosa do San Antonio.

To read a more complete list of events at the Albuquerque Museum of History & Art, click here.

Get to Know The Courtyards Apartments

Here at The Courtyards Apartments, we’re pretty proud of everything we offer our residents. Sure, we’ve got one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments with extensive amenities. But we also offer a great residential community and excellent service, so you can be sure that you’ll be getting the most out of your residency here.

In addition to your beautiful apartment, we also offer our residents a communal room with a big screen TV, a fitness center, a playground, free WiFi, a picnic area with a grill, and not one, but TWO refreshing swimming pools. We also have a fully equipped business center, so for your work meetings, there’s no need to rent hotel space: you can do it right here at The Courtyards

And, of course, then there’s our location, right near I-25, and just a short walk from all the restaurants and shopping on San Mateo Boulevard. (Click here to browse our interactive neighborhood map!)

For more information about The Courtyards Apartments, including a photo gallery of our units and premises, click here. And be sure to “Like” our Facebook page, Twitter feed, and our Google Plus pages for updates and promotions - we currently have a great resident referral program, so if you already live here, help us spread the word!

The Courtyards Apartments are located at:
6001 TOPKE NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109