Talk about your photo op! If you're in the area and have young ones, the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile will be at Erna Fergusson Library today from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Have a safe and wonderful weekend.

KOB Health Fair
The fair has lots of information on staying healthy, and is a great place for tests and screenings, many free while supplies last. More than 200 vendors will be there, and free flu shots for those 9 and older while supplies last.
When: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, January 28; 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday, January 29
Where: Lujan Exhibit Hall, EXPO New Mexico
Cost: $5 adults, children 12 and under free. EXPO NM charges $5 for parking.

Micronauts Mission
Children ages 6 to 9 can head to the Challenger Center for the first public Micronauts mission. Explore space and gets some hands-on activities just right for younger kids.
When: 9 a.m. Saturday, January 28
Where: Challenger Space Center, Montano Road NW
Cost: $10 per person, ages 6 to 9. Parents are welcome.

Sea Turtle Awareness Day
Find out about sea turtles at the annual Sea Turtle Day, where you can find out about the three turtles at the aquarium (Hawksbill, Kemp's Ridley and Loggerhead). You'll find out about threats to turtles and how you can help protect them.
When: Saturday, January 28, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Where: Aquarium, 2601 Central NW
Cost: With regular admission.

Dvorak's New World Symphony
The New Mexico Philharmonic will play Antonin Dvořák's Symphony No. 9 in E Minor "From the New World", conducted by Dante Anzolini.
When: 6 p.m. January 28
Where: Popejoy Hall, UNM campus
Cost: $17.50 - $62.50

Peter Pan, Or the Boy Who Would Not Grow Up
This is the last weekend for Peter Pan at the Vortex. See the family friendly version of the boy who battles Captain Hook and captures Wendy's heart. The modern adaptation is not the musical or Disney version. Neverland is not a separate setting, but cleverly shown to be part of the children's imaginations.
When: 7:30 p.m. January 27 and 28; 2 p.m. January 29
Where: Vortex Theatre, 2004 1/2 Central SE
Cost: $15, $10 for children under 18 accompanied by an adult.

Lobo Men's Basketball
The Lobos hit the boards with TCU.
When: 4 p.m. January 28
Where: The Pit
Cost: $17 - $100

Peking Acrobats
This is such an amazing show, so no surprise it comes to Popejoy almost every year. See whirling, twirling acrobats as they spin plates, climb ropes, tumble, juggle and more.
When: 3 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. January 29
Where: Popejoy Hall
Cost: $25 - $35

This is the last weekend for the three week long Revolutions theater festival. See Lullabies for My Father, performed by the Tricklock Theater at the Resource Center next door to the Box Performance Space downtown (2nd and Gold). The Verbatim Theater style of taking interviews and creating live theater has just come back to Albuquerque from a European run.
The Teacher Show plays at Theatre X at UNM on January 27 at 8 p.m. or January 28 at 2 p.m. Follow the transformational and funny stories of three teachers who learn as much as they teach.
See what's happening in art galleries and theaters this weekend.

Find other events in the January calendar.

Cause of the Week

Souper Bowl Benefit
The big fundraiser to benefit Roadrunner Food Bank has dozens of participating restaurants. Eat savory soups and desserts while enjoying the entertainment. Prize drawings take place at the event; tickets for drawings available for purchase at the event.
When: Saturday, January 28, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Where: Roadrunner Food Bank, 5840 Office NE
Cost: $40 adults, $10 children 12 and under; $45 adult tickets at the door.

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The FBI publishes an annual Crime in the United States report, and although the numbers are still being compiled for 2011, the 2010 numbers are in. Albuquerque is often cited for being a city with a high crime rate, but what does that mean? The Albuquerque crime statistics for 2010 note there were less homicides than in 2009. There were several categories where the city fared better than the previous year.

How does Albuquerque fare when matched against other cities of the same size? Tucson is comparable in population and for 2010, they had more homicides, robberies, auto thefts and arsons. Denver is slightly larger than Albuquerque, but had less crime overall.

Corrales, Bosque Farms, Edgewood, Estancia and Rio Rancho are a few nearby towns with low crime rates.

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Today marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year, and 2012 is the Year of the Dragon. This dragon is special, as it is a Water Dragon, and occurs only once every 60 years, making it more auspicious than usual. The year is expected to bring prosperity and transformational change.

The celebration of the lunar year began this past weekend, and continues today and into Saturday. Visit Talin Market today at 4 p.m. to see traditional Chinese dragon dances, which help chase away the bad. And be sure to see the celebration at the Chinese Culture Center this Saturday.

May prosperity be with you!

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Did you know Albuquerque has been rated one of the top five places in the U.S. to pop the question? Wanderlust found the Albuquerque experience of proposing in a hot air balloon to be incredibly romantic.

Albuquerque does lend itself to romance. And the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau has a contest that will win a couple the chance to live some romantic dreams. You'll win a hot air balloon ride for two at the Friends and Lovers Hot Air Balloon Rally, two nights at the Crowne Plaza Albuquerque, and a $200 Visa card. There are lots of Valentine's weekend events happening around Albuquerque where it can be spent.

Enter by 11:59 p.m. MST on January 31. The contest drawing takes place February 1. You'll need to be available to fly at 7 a.m. on February 11 or 12. Find out how to enter.

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_{Photo courtesy Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau}