One farewell image as we welcome spring Image Courtesy of Judith Hidden Lanius
Connecting People to Build a Stronger Community
The Abiquiu News is brought to you by Carol and Brian Bondy
Courtesy of Judith Hidden Lanius.
judithlaniusphotographer.com
Courtesy of Judith Hidden Lanius.
judithlaniusphotographer.com
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March 28, 2025
In Gratitude
We thank our friends at Dar al Islam for renewing their sponsorship. Dar al Islam is a Platinum sponsor!
Since 1980 Dar al Islam, Abiquiu’s mosque, retreat, and educational facility, has been a proud addition to the region’s many attractions. From its modest beginning on a mesa overlooking the Chama River, Dar al Islam has grown into a complex that has hosted events for more than forty-five years. Many of the early employees were drawn from the local Abiquiu community and helped build the mosque by working with adobe bricks purchased from both Hispanic and indigenous brick makers in the area.
Did you know that Dar al Islam once owned the Abiquiu Inn, and there was a laundromat on the site? There was a time when the madressah housed an elementary school that taught the children of forty Muslim families living in the area. This commitment to education continued through the Dar al Islam Teachers’ Institute, a summer program that hosted more than 600 public school educators who left the campus with a better understanding of how to present Islam within their classrooms and libraries. Today, programs continue to bring visitors from around the world to learn about Islamic art, faith, history, religious practice, or simply to join a retreat that gathers together family and friends.
Since 1980 Dar al Islam, Abiquiu’s mosque, retreat, and educational facility, has been a proud addition to the region’s many attractions. From its modest beginning on a mesa overlooking the Chama River, Dar al Islam has grown into a complex that has hosted events for more than forty-five years. Many of the early employees were drawn from the local Abiquiu community and helped build the mosque by working with adobe bricks purchased from both Hispanic and indigenous brick makers in the area.
Did you know that Dar al Islam once owned the Abiquiu Inn, and there was a laundromat on the site? There was a time when the madressah housed an elementary school that taught the children of forty Muslim families living in the area. This commitment to education continued through the Dar al Islam Teachers’ Institute, a summer program that hosted more than 600 public school educators who left the campus with a better understanding of how to present Islam within their classrooms and libraries. Today, programs continue to bring visitors from around the world to learn about Islamic art, faith, history, religious practice, or simply to join a retreat that gathers together family and friends.
Photo property of Dar al Islam
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Retreat participants. Lanterna Institute 2024. Photo: Property of Dar al Islam
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The Dar al Islam property includes the famed Plaza Blanca, or White City, made famous by the paintings of Georgia O’Keeffe. These fragile sandstone formations, as well as their majestic surroundings, lie beyond a coded gate. To visit, you can register for a code via the Dar al Islam website here.
If you’d like additional information about the history of Dar al Islam, you can turn to several former issues of Abiquiu News. The story of its construction begins with the Feb. 7 article, In Search of a Different Path. Visit the home page of our website at https://daralislam.org/ to learn more.
If you’d like additional information about the history of Dar al Islam, you can turn to several former issues of Abiquiu News. The story of its construction begins with the Feb. 7 article, In Search of a Different Path. Visit the home page of our website at https://daralislam.org/ to learn more.
Photo property of Dar al Islam
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The current campus. Photo property of Dar al Islam
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Thank you Contributors and Paid SubscribersKaty B
Alex B Edward S Zoe R
News and Features
The 60-day New Mexico legislative session came to an end Saturday, with controversy over lawmakers’ urgency to pass public safety bills. A shooting in Las Cruces on the last day of the session prompted Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to inform lawmakers that there will likely be a special legislative session later in the year. Lujan Grisham has signed 22 bills into law so far this year, with more awaiting her signature. Here’s a look at the outcome of some of the bills NM Political Report has been covering.
People with outstanding bench warrants from any magistrate court in New Mexico can safely surrender at the Rio Arriba Magistrate Court, 1127 Santa Clara Peak Road in Española on Friday, April 4 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 5 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Los Luceros Historic Site is hosting its annual Sheep Shearing Day the first Sunday in April, offering people of all ages a great opportunity to see the flock of Navajo-Churro sheep up close and learn more about them.
Hilda Maria Joy nee Unger, 89 passed away on March 5, 2025 in San Diego California.
Born on January 18, 1936, on the Southside of Chicago, Hilda was the daughter of Robert Unger and Maria (Mary) Unger nee Janisch who emigrated from Burgenland, Austria in the 1920s and raised their family and owned a grocery store in the Fuller Park neighborhood.
The first Cat Dispatch from a Dog Man
In times of crisis, we learn who we really are—and what really matters most. I, for instance, appear to value my snacks above even the rule of law and my own domestic bliss put together.
Official 'firewise' landscape recommendations are truly becoming something to take more urgent action on. From simply removing flammable debris piles and putting safe space between material hazards, to reorganizing relationships between home, landscape, and garden elements, sources everywhere emphasize that the condition of areas immediately surrounding building structures are a significant factor in losses to wildfire.
There are so many scams involving texts and emails. Between Carol and I, we get something every day. I get more texts from mysterious people asking how I’m doing, or wanting to get together as it’s been a long time. I have no idea what that’s about, I just delete them an select report as junk.
Previous News and Features
Colcheras de Abiquiu will meet Sunday, March 30, at the Abiquiu Library. This group is dedicated in learning and doing the Spanish Colonial embroidery art of COLCHA. All are welcome to attend and learn
The New Mexico Acequia Association is accepting applications through March 31st to its Youth Leadership Program, for ages 14~19, that will take place May to August, 2025. Click here for more details and to apply.
The library has teamed with Driving Tests, an online resource for learning and practice tests for driver's licenses. The library is now part of the Smith's Inspiring Donations program. Scroll to the bottom of the Donate page for information. It's that time of year again: State of New Mexico Income Tax Packets are available at the Library.
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Abiquiu News needs you. If you are interested in providing local news for the Abiquiu News on a regular basis, drop us a line. Let's talk!
If you have a story to tell, send it in. If you want, interview your friend, relative, teacher, co-worker. If you think it would be interesting, I bet other people would too. Give it a try and send something in to us. Carol Bondy Scene Around Abiquiu
Image Courtesy of BD Bondy
Courtesy of Jen Harrington
Courtesy of Ruth Ann Johnson
Art, Music, Film and Books
https://abiquiuartistsmarket.com/shop/karen-butts-photography-studio/
El Rito Artists
Just to let you know: While the El Rito Art Association is changing its event plans this year, a group of artists is planning a studio tour. We are planning it for September 27,28 this fall. If you are interested in participating in the tour and helping out, please let us know and we'll keep you informed. You can contact Paul Roberts directly at pwroberts1949@gmail.com and otherwise, watch for developments on the association website: https://www.elritoartassociation.org/ 
The Locals’ Picks Book List
Zach Hively Casa Urraca Press has created a place for locals in our area to recommend books to each other, and a place to find book suggestions with a personal touch.
Have a book to recommend? Send it to Zach at casaurracaltd@gmail.com – title, author, and the reason you suggest it.
The full Locals’ Picks list is available to view here on Bookshop. A purchase from Casa Urraca's link helps support independent bookstores. Abiquiu’s Casa Urraca Press earns a commission from every shopping trip that starts with the above Bookshop link—you can shop the entire Bookshop site in addition to the locals' picks. Plus, a percentage of every book (at least 10%) goes straight to independent bookstores. This is an opportunity to support small businesses with the same convenience as large online retailers.
We’ll learn to pluck the threads that connect unrelated ideas, in order to mine new depths in our writing. This generative workshop, Casa Urraca Press's most popular offering to date, requires no formal training and strengthens writers of all genres. (We will focus on short poetry in order to gain functional practice in a two-hour course. The skills practice can apply to all forms of creative writing.)
Registration is now open. In honor of National Poetry Month, this workshop is just $22. Can't make the live session? No problem! All registered participants will be sent a recording of the workshop, complete with writing exercises. Assistance is available -- contact Zach through the Press website to request. Abiquiu Book Club
The group has compiled the list of books they plan to read for 2025. Check this out and mark your calendar if you wish to join in the discussions.
May - Whiskey Tender: A Memoir by Deborah Jackson Taffa, (5) June - The Women, by Kristen Hannah (5) July - Theo of Golden by Allen Levi (5) August - The Music of Bees by Eileen Garvin (5) September - Cher Ami and Major Whittlesey by Kathleen Rooney (4) October - James: by Percival Everett (4) November - All Fours by Miranda July (4) December - Anthropology of Turquoise by Ellen Meloy (4) January '26 - Eventide by Kent Haruf The group meets the last Tuesday of each month at the Abiquiu Library. Books are recommended by the members. All are welcome to join. Please call Analinda 927-6220 if you have questions 
NYP Update - Broken Arrow Glass Recycling
NYP Interns had a blast with our friends at Broken Arrow Glass Recycling during their community glass drop off event over the weekend! We learned all about their local recycling business, circular economic models, and witnessed the art of glass blowing in action.
We look forward to visiting again soon to get some hands on experience turning recycled glass into art together. Would your Teen like to join us at Broken Arrow for a glass art workshop? Email us if interested: info@northernyouthproject.org
EventsPlease remember, events will go in for a maximum of three Fridays before the event. Send text, word or publisher file and a separate image, please keep images below 1 mb and send to info@abiquiunews.com. Vertical PDFs or JPGs will be edited for space. Send by Wednesday Noon for inclusion in that Friday's News.
Viernes de Dorlores (Our Lady of Sorrows)
Announcements and ClassesFirewood Permits Available
Firewood Permits Available Monday March 31 The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) will begin selling firewood permits for dead and down, and green juniper at the Forest Supervisor’s Office, and Cuba, Coyote, Jemez, Española, and Pecos/Las Vegas District Offices. Free use permits will also be available. The cost for dead and downed wood is $20 for ten (10) cords, while green juniper wood from Rowe Mesa is available for $10 per one (1) cord. Permits can be purchased in person or over the phone using cash, check, or credit card. Office hours are available on the forest's website; however, they are subject to change, so please call before visiting. https://fs.usda.gov/santafe/
Join us in immersive workshops and spring break or plan to visit us this April for Photo Week which culminates in an keynote lecture from Annie Leibovitz
April 2-6 Bluegrass Camp with Finders-Youngberg Band Bolo Ties: A Western Tradition with Brandon Ruppert Soul Journal: Art, Poetry, Prayer and Prose with Rosemary Kaszans Hiking the Harmonies with Connie B. Burkhart April 4-6 Earth Body: Movement for All with Rulan Tangen USA/Mexico Border - Faith Perspective with Rev. John M. Nelson April 21 Wilderness First Aid with Laura Hand and isabel Chavez April 21-25 Wilderness First Responder with Matthew Angus and Isabel Chavez Photo Week April 27 - May 4 Portrait Photography Amid Nature’s Beauty with David Rider Photo Fundamentals with Sandy Kaplan Cyanotypes: Photography with the Sun with Carol Schrader Immersive Photography and Darkroom Workshop with Kent Bowser Ghost Ranch Astronomy Experience with Wayne Hicks, Wayne Brasure and Philip Mahon Annie Leibovitz: At Work* *Annie Leibovitz is not available as a standalone workshop. You must register for a Photo Week workshop to attend this keynote lecture. 
Soulfire was created as a sacred space to receive—whether that means rest, renewal, well-being, or simply a moment to reconnect with yourself. It is a place to explore movement, energy, and the deeper rhythms of life, all while being held in a field of presence and possibility.
See more of Joy's offerings here. ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ Contact Joy for details or to reserve your spot at 802-855-3003 or joyousOM@gmail.com Soulfire Studio is located at 247 NM 554 in Abiquiu |
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JeremiahJeremiah is a 2-year-old cuddle pro with a sleek black coat and a heart of gold. Despite a tough past that left him a little wary, this gentle soul just wants to be your forever lap dog. Quick movements might make him “pancake” to the ground, but a little patience reveals a snuggle buddy who will melt into your arms like butter. He’s a leash-walking champ and likes other dogs. Jeremiah is dreaming of a home where he can feel safe, cherished, and loved. Ready to give this tender-hearted boy the second chance he deserves? Jeremiah is waiting to be your devoted shadow! He’s available at the shelter to walk-in adopters Monday-Saturday 11am-4:30pm!
www.espanolahumane.org 505-753-8662 
ClaireClaire is a 1-year-old Siamese beauty with a flair for the dramatic and a heart full of love. This charming diva has mastered the art of being adored and isn’t shy about letting you know when it’s time for pets and pampering! A devoted people cat, Claire prefers to be the star of the show — no backstage passes for other felines, please! She dreams of a home where she can be the center of attention, serenading her favorite humans with sweet, chatty meows. If you’re searching for a feline friend who will fill your world with affection and a dash of Siamese sass, Claire just might be your perfect match — let this star steal the spotlight in your heart! We are open to walk-in adopters Monday-Saturday 11am-4:30pm.
www.espanolahumane.org 505-753-8662 
Puppy in search of a young family to play with and be a part of! Australian Cattle Dog, male, 11 weeks old, blue merle coloring. Call or Text
505-901-6208 
Looking for someone to take my dog on a short walk in Santa California 2-3 days a week. Fee negotiable. 505-603-0820
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