The Golden Eye

With a stunning exterior and a lush interior, this building houses the best of the performing arts that happen in Santa Fe.

For over 90 years ,Santa Fe has hosted the most talented and gifted Native artists at its annual Indian Market.

Every July, the streets of downtown fill with traditional and contemporary Spanish art. A feast for the eyes.

Every July, Santa Fe is transformed into a multi-cultural city, featuring the art, handicrafts, music, and food from 90 countries. "The mission of the International Folk Art Alliance is to celebrate and preserve living folk art traditions and create economic opportunities for and with folk artists worldwide."

Having gained national and international recognition, this museum is home to the largest collection of folk art in the world.

World class performances are viewed in an open air opera house with breathtaking views of the New Mexico skies and sunsets.

Located right next door to The Golden Eye, Pasqual's is truly one of Santa Fe's most popular dining destinations.

The Wildlife Center works to conserve and restore native wildlife and their habitats through action-oriented education, promotion of public awareness, strategic partnerships, and responsible wildlife rehabilitation.

The Wildlife Center just came onto my radar this year. They do fabulous work rehabbing injured birds and other animals and offer great programs for the local schools. A really amazing place! When you are out in their area, drop in to see what they are doing. They welcome visitors.

The Santa Fe Raptor Center is a nonprofit organization that relies on private contributions to finance wildlife care.
"Our main goal is to care for injured birds in order to release them back into their natural habitat. We achieve this in three steps: Rescue, rehabilitation, and release."

Kindred Spirits Animal Sanctuary (KSAS) is dedicated to providing end-of-life care and hospice for older, unwanted dogs, horses, and poultry in a peaceful and serene sanctuary setting.

"Our mission is to improve the quality of life of companion animals in the Espanola Valley. We are committed to helping people find the right companion for their family. And we're here, without judgment, when surrendering a pet has become the only option. Our goal is to find every dog and cat in our care a happy and loving home. In the meantime, no one is turned away at our open doors."

The Espanola Animal Shelter is a valuable resource in Norhtern New Mexico. Their newest fundraising effort, "Look What The Cat Dragged In" consignment store has really high quality secondhand clothing and other goods.

The Heart and Soul Animal Sanctuary is a place of refuge for animals who otherwise would perish: The abandoned, the abused, the sick, the old, the suffering. Located on 130 wooded acres in the Santa Fe National Forest, the Sanctuary is non-profit and tax-exempt.
"We also are an accredited member of The Association of Sanctuaries, a national organization with the highest standards for animal welfare and care. Our founder and director, Natalie Owings, works at the Sanctuary twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week without salary. She and the dogs live, family style, in the 'Giant Doghouse'—essentially a spacious room with 25 or 30 dog beds and one human bed."

The market that began with a handful of farmers in the late 1960's is now by far New Mexico’s largest farmers’ market and one of the most widely recognized markets in the United States and beyond. The Santa Fe Farmers Market represents over 150 active vendors and features hundreds of different agricultural products. Unlike most farmers’ markets in the U.S., the Santa Fe Farmers Market assures that all products sold by its vendors are always locally grown by the people selling them. 100% of the vegetables, fruits, and nursery plants available at the Santa Fe Farmers' Market are grown right here in northern New Mexico. The same goes for at least 80% of the ingredients and materials used to make all processed and craft items.

One of my favorite places to be on a Saturday morning. The market also offers some great educational programs from movies to lectures. What a great resource this is for our community!

Home Grown New Mexico produces events that educate and promote the awareness of nutritious, home grown food. Home Grown New Mexico creates venues where individuals, businesses and organizations that support home grown food production can exchange products, ideas and expertise. Their vision is to enable New Mexicans to take personal responsibility for growing, raising, making, and storing healthy food.

Local food production and distribution is one of the most important things a community can do to make itself more resilient and sustainable. Home Grown offers some really great programs to help us all learn how to make better choices. I especially appreciate the info available that pertains to storing the harvest. The monthly potluck gathering is a great community builder and I had a great time this year at the local garden tour. Sign up for their newsletter – it is full of great info!

The goal of this organization is to support women and conserve endangered species around the world. One of our friends runs this lovely non-profit. She does really necessary work and has some great crafts for sale as well. (OK – I confess, I love to shop her selection for myself and for gifts for my family!) Follow the link to the elephant videos and you'll be hooked too.