My Page: Alan Kleinfeld

While dining on eggs benedict recently at a nearby diner, I watched a muted TV as CNN aired Saddam Hussein’s hanging for all to see. They showed all of it except the final seconds, the coup de gras.

I don’t know how I managed to keep my hollandaise and Canadian bacon down, but instead of being upset by the image I began to think how it would affect crime in the US if sentencing like Saddam’s was carried out in this country for those that commit the most heinous of crimes. [more]

Arts en Plein Air

You may or may not know, but this past September the City of Albuquerque recently unveiled its spanking new Open Space Visitor Center. According to a page on the City’s web site, the Visitor Center, “is a work in progress that will offer the public information and resources on the Open Space program and interpret the Piedras Marcadas Pueblo Village. Renovations of the facility were completed in September 2006. The Visitor Center has children's exhibits, a bookstore, and trails to the pueblo site.”

Additionally, renovations on the caretaker’s residence, an existing dwelling next to the Visitor Center, will be completed in 2007 to provide office space for staff. Matt Schmader, Superintendent of Open Space Division, tells me that renovations to change the existing pool house structure into a meeting room and possibly other office space is also planned. “We will also focus on completing connections from the main building to a wildlife viewing platform that will over look agricultural fields and continue to the north side of the building,” Schmader said. [more]

I got a speeding ticket the other day. I was informed that I was going 45 miles per hour in a 30 mph zone. Laser detection rather than radar was used in determining my speed. The name of the officer who issued the ticket is Michael Callahan. I wish I could tell you what officer Callahan looks like or that I got his name off of his badge on his uniform. But I’ve never actually seen him. He never even pulled me over.

The dang ticket came to me in the mail. I didn’t even get to see the face of my accuser. George Orwell is rolling over in his grave. [more]

Road Trips

When friends invited us on a day-trip to Dixon last year about this time, my first thought was, “Alright, apples!” As a child in Albuquerque, Dixon Apples were a seasonal joy, little signs sticking out of the bushels declaring, with a sense of pride, that they were grown right here in the New Mexico sunshine. But to my surprise, Dixon, New Mexico has nothing to do with Dixon Apples (though they do have apples trees in Dixon, New Mexico). [more]

New West Living

With my most recent move, I waded thru my filing cabinets and finally cleared out old check stubs, insurance documents, expired and closed credit account information and even report cards from grade school; stuff I’ve been hauling across country on each move and adding to it along the way.

But with all the media coverage on identity theft, I didn’t want to just toss my personal info onto the curb and hope that Waste Management would take care of it. I had planned to shred it myself using my 7-sheet paper shredder purchased at Office Max for $15. But one credit card and the thing started wining like a five year old who missed naptime. [more]

Downtown is Hip Maybe

There’s a new resident in Downtown Albuquerque. According to some, the first of its kind ever downtown. We’re not talking a single person or another, lowbrow, college-esque bar (thank gawd!) or even a sparkling building of completely unsellable, over-priced lofts. This new resident is Downtown Gourmet, a cool-ass grocery.

Across from Robinson Park (on Saturdays you can find a farmers market there) and just a few steps from Java Joe’s, Carey Smoot opened up Downtown Gourmet June 2006. You can tell when you walk in that she’s just opened from some of the empty shelf space. But it’s filling up quickly. And with good stuff.

Carey makes it extra fun to stop by. After we visit the farmer’s market on Saturday morning, we cross the street to Carey’s place and every time she’s given us free samples of just about every new item she’s put out for sale. We’ve tried more cheeses than I can count (make sure you try the sheep’s milk Gouda and the Norwegian clove) and have sampled some wonderful tasting dips, spreads, olives (as in the kind you put in your martini), crackers, teas, tapenade, salami and even kielbasa.

She gets her stuff from all over the country, but includes local stuff like fresh bread from Sage Bakery in Santa Fe and locally grown fruits and veggies. You’ll also see the learning curve as she samples products and decides what will make it on her shelf and what gets two big thumbs down. The chipotle ketchup was a good choice. As was the Muffaletta Salad. The jury’s still out on the watermelon mustard.

The one thing going against here is she may be too hip, too sophisticated and too urban for Albuquerque. I’m not sure there are enough folks living (or even working) downtown who will appreciate what she has to offer. But those with a little taste, maybe some east coast polish or even a hint of adventure will find something to like at Downtown Gourmet.

By the time you read this, her kitchen should be up and running and she’ll offer freshly prepared entrees for carry out from the deli counter. She’s been a professional chef before, so we’re looking forward to seeing and tasting her menu. I’m both scared and excited. I know whatever she concocts will be daring if not tasty as heck. I got a free sample of the bacon bits she plans to make on the premises. I already see myself chomping them down like a bag of M&Ms. Bad for the waistline. Good for the taste buds.

In the meantime, she doles out samples of dips on crackers and tells you what cheese it goes with best or what beer will make it taste even better (even though she doesn’t sell alcohol). Plans also include exclusive chocolates and candies, made right here in Albuquerque by a friend and colleague.

She’s a transplant to Albuquerque and after two failed jobs, took the advice of her mother and set out to find a niche that would match her skills, talents and attitude. It looks like she’s found it in Downtown Gourmet.

For more information, visit Downtown Gourmet. Parts of it are under construction, but you’ll find the address and phone number.

Phoning Home

Yes, it’s another When-I-Moved-to-Albuquerque story. Sorta.

One of the biggest annoyances of moving back from the east coast was having not to dial 10 digits. That’s right. I missed dialing 10 digits. When asked for my phone number, I’d automatically begin with “five oh five” only to be stopped and asked, “are you outside of Albuquerque?” [more]

Musing

The renowned Booz Allen Golf Classic (formally the Kemper Open) took place for the third decade in a row during the third week of June, 2006 in Potomac, Maryland. I was there. When I signed up to be a volunteer and reserved my uniform, I didn’t know I would be living in Albuquerque and since we don’t have anything remotely close to a PGA Tour event here, I decided that even though I live over 2000 miles away, I would follow through with my commitment to work the 2006 Booz Allen. [more]

Saturday Morning

A new exercise for us on Saturday mornings is strolling down the street to 8th and Central and partaking in a tradition as old as The Partridge Family. Farmers Markets have been in Albuquerque and New Mexico for as long as there have been farmers, but I only recently discovered them. Lucky for me, there’s one within walking distance of my house. Now Saturday morning is a time to stroll through the park, look at the arts and crafts, grab a locally made and very fresh chocolate-filled croissant and scope out the homegrown goodies. [more]

Summer Fun

Jazz probably isn’t one of the cultural items folks think about when they think Albuquerque. More likely, visitors and locals alike would first say Albuquerque offers lots of Southwestern art, Native American jewelry and some awesome local dishes made with the state vegetable, green chile. So it may or may not be a surprise to you that Albuquerque also has a happening and significant jazz scene. And has for years.

Thanks to the New Mexico Jazz Workshop, for nearly 30 years jazz has been bee-bopping in and around the Duke City. Claiming to be the oldest and largest nonprofit jazz organization in the state, the Jazz Workshop sponsors or organizes nearly 40 concerts and programs a year showcasing both local and national jazz, blues and salsa talent. [more]