Friday, November 6

Being First Friday, there are lots of open houses and first of the month activities. Don't miss these:

First Friday Fractals and Fractals Rock
Art and science meet under the planetarium dome for these live presentations. Fractals Rock has more rock music and less talk.
When: Fractal shows at 6, 7 and 8 p.m.; Fractals Rock at 9 p.m.
Where: 1801 Mountain NW, New Mexico Museum Natural History
Cost: $10 adults, $7 seniors, $5 children 3-12.

Chroma Studios Open House
The featured artist for the opener of this monthly series is Betty Dore, with her paintings of "Mostly Koi."
When: 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Where: 600 1st Street, corner Roma and First
Cost: Free.

First Friday ARTScrawl
With over 20 different galleries throughout the city participating, you can choose which ones to visit to find out what's happening with guilds, individual artists and ongoing shows.
When: 5 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Where: Various locations.
Cost: Free.

Find more First Friday events on the November events calendar.

Saturday, November 7

The Center for Grooviness
How can you not love a place that touts itself as groovy? Now officially open in Nob Hill, this space will be another voice for the arts. We can never have enough of those. Opening night brings "Battle of the Experimental Bands," with SPPNM and Cobra//Group. They promise to use improvisation. SPOONM stands for Soundpainting Orchestra of New Mexico. I know I'm intigured. There will also be two visual exhibits, a video piece by Deian McBryde and an installation by Elizabeth Smith.
When: 7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Where: 4118 Central SE

Sunday, November 8

Dia de Los Muertos
Day of the Dead festivities continue in Old Town. Enjoy live music that includes Los Primos and Wagogo. The Folklorico dance group Zemblanzas will be on hand as well as Mariachi Nuevo Mexico. There will be calavera art on display and a costume contest.
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Poco a Poco Patio in Old Town
Cost: Free.

Doggie Dash & Dawdle
The Animal Humane of New Mexico raises funds with this annual event. In addition to running or walking with your dog, there ia a clinic if you want your dog micro-chipped, a Pet Plaza with vendors, and many contests. If you don't have a dog, there will be rental dogs available that are also adoptable as pets.
When: 9, 10 and 11 a.m. for the runs; 12 p.m. for the Dash Bash
Where: Balloon Fiesta Park
Cost: Registration cost varies with event.

Cause of the Week

Ooh La La Christmas Home Tour
Visit eight Albuquerque houses decorated for Christmas. The tour has been organized to raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit organization that helps severely wounded veterans and their families.
When: Saturday, November 7, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Sunday, November 8, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Where: At eight homes throughout Albuquerque
Cost: $20

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The Senate has approved legislation to extend unemployment benefits, and if approved by the House of Representatives, the bill would be signed into law.

The measure would add 14 weeks of relief to New Mexicans whose benefits would be exhausted by December 31. As of September, New Mexico's unemployment rate was at 7.7 percent.

In a press release, New Mexico Senator Jeff Bingaman said he was pleased with the measure, which would bring relief to thousands of New Mexicans hard hit by the faltering economy.

"Like the rest of the country, New Mexico is feeling the effects of the current economic situation," Bingaman said. "While it is not a permanent solution, unemployment benefits provide many families with temporary relief as they continue to look for work. I am pleased it has cleared another hurdle."

The bill also provides measures to encourage purchasing new homes.

The best part of the holiday season is the giving.

The New Mexico Rail Runner will be collecting coats and outerwear for The Storehouse.

If you plan to take the train, bring along any new or used coat and put it in one of the barrels on the train. Barrels will be in the third car from the northern end of the train.

This drive runs from November 5 through the 30th.

Riding over to eternity. Still time to celebrate.

Find out more about Wordless Wednesdays and Where in Albuquerque.

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_{Photo © Aileen O'Catherine}