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Hi Santa Fe, we made it to Thursday! In today’s edition: Kavalier & Clay’s comic-book opera, the world’s largest folk art market, Balloon Fiesta, and more.
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
A year of vibrant traditions: New Mexico’s 2026 festival calendar brings Santa Fe flamenco, the world’s largest folk art market, an independent film showcase, Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta, and North America’s biggest Native American powwow — check out the full lineup.
Support for hard-to-place youth: Rep. Rebecca Dow proposes $10 million to help place children statewide in CYFD care, as March 1 order will end office overnights and higher payments for treatment homes are considered — learn what’s in the bill.
Statewide roads and care measures: New Mexico senators approved a $1.5 billion road bonding bill and medical licensure compact, sending them to the House with fee hikes and possibly better doctor access in Santa Fe — get all the details.
Smart prep for winter angling: Following recent cold, ice fishing season has opened at Eagle Nest Lake State Park, with officials urging anglers to fish with a buddy, keep holes small, and use extra caution — get the safety tips.
Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your IRA or portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: Insurance prices drop all the time, but you’ll only know if you check. I assumed my rate was fine until I compared options and realized I was leaving real money on the table. It took a minute to check and instantly showed better offers for where I live. If it’s been more than a few months, you should probably run this comparison tool here.
One pet emergency can easily cost $7,000+ but pet insurance helps ease the financial and emotional burden. It’s something I wish I’d had after spending $10k on last-minute surgery for my cat (her name is Miss Stache). I learned my lesson and signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Leadership shift at City Hall: Santa Fe Mayor Michael J. Garcia has appointed Paul Bustamante to fill the vacant District 2 City Council seat. The vacancy followed Garcia’s swearing-in on December 30. Bustamante is expected to serve about two years, with the seat set for the November 2027 election. Read the full story.
High-desert snow and hot springs: Winter is prime for local escapes. The Taos Winter Wine Festival runs today through February 8 with tastings and dinners. WinterBrew 2026 and Santa Fe Restaurant Week 2026 are on the calendar. Cozy stays include Hotel Chimayó and the Eldorado Hotel and Spa. Explore events and lodging picks.
Treasure hunt that helps: Love a good rummage with a side of warm fuzzies? The Cat Resale Stores refresh closets while supporting local animal care. Browse designer finds, sturdy housewares, and the oddball conversation piece you didn’t know you needed. Consider it a tidy midweek mood lift.
Sushi night upgrade: Craving clean, creative rolls without the ABQ drive? Kai Sushi & Dining delivers thoughtful nigiri and inventive house rolls, plus a relaxed room that fits weeknights or date nights. Fresh fish, careful prep, quiet confidence… the kind of sushi you return to again and again.
A smart way to save on big purchases: When costs hit the tens of thousands, credit card and personal loan interest racks up fast. A HELOC lets you tap into your home’s equity as a flexible line of credit at a lower rate… all without refinancing your mortgage. I’ve been looking into this myself, and Figure’s HELOC stood out for its 100% online application, no in-person appraisal, and quick access to cash.
Your neighbors are Googling you:It’s an uncomfortable thought, but people search names all the time — employers, new friends, other parents at school pickup. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up on the first page, it can shape how people see you before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so the first impression you make actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s not your name, you can help a friend or family member with that too.
Get clarity on financial decisions: Managing retirement, taxes, and investments alone can feel overwhelming, especially during big life transitions. Financial advisors provide holistic guidance, help reduce risk, and keep emotions away from costly decisions. I found a tool called Unbiased that matches you with the right financial advisor based on your personal situation so you can get a second opinion… it never hurts.
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📆 Around town this weekend
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🌶 New Mexico Favorites – Gone Gourmet @ Las Cosas Kitchen Shoppe | Friday (2/6) – Think Norteño favorites in their dress clothes. Chef Johnny Vee walks you through herb blini with Santa Fe smoked salmon, fried green tomatoes, and other craveable upgrades that still taste like home. It’s local comfort, polished, and perfect for a night of good company.
🎭 A Mardi Gras Celebration @ Santa Fe School of Cooking | Friday (2/6) – Skip the bead-throwing chaos and slide into Dave’s Jazz Bistro for a Mardi Gras that actually tastes and sounds good. Think live New Orleans style jazz rooted in blues and ragtime, Creole-inspired plates, a proper Sazerac, and conversation you can hear without shouting.
👪 Free Family Adventure Day! @ Patrick Smith Park | Saturday (2/7) at 11:00 AM – Round up the crew and meet at Patrick Smith Park for a free, family adventure that swaps screens for pine needles. Learn simple outdoor skills, tackle challenges together, and play your way into mountain memories, then RSVP, donate if you like, and beat the couch.
🌿 Lore of the Land @ Sky Railway | Saturday (2/7) at 12:30 PM – All aboard for a nostalgic cruise through the Galisteo Basin, departing from the Santa Fe Depot, with storytellers, live music, and a champagne welcome that says you planned ahead. Settle into enclosed cars, buy a snack, and let the views do the heavy lifting.
❤ Valentine’s Day: A Show of Love @ Railyard Performance Center | Saturday (2/7) at 7:00 PM – Valentine’s at the Railyard means an actually charming night of bellydance, ballet, poetry, and storytelling with Mosaic Dance Company, Cadenza Ballet Studio Company, and Mariella Mariposa. Finally, romance without a prix fixe, supporting Pomegranate SEEDs, with sliding-scale tickets and free admission for kids.
🎶 Mollie O’Brien & Rich Moore @ San Miguel Chapel | Saturday (2/7) at 7:30 PM – Grammy winner Mollie O’Brien and guitar ace Rich Moore play Corrales with an intimate, unplugged set that hops through blues, folk, and jazz, plus his razor wit. Only 50 seats, so snag one before your neighbor with the patio string lights does.
🏁 Grand Closing of The Crow’s Nest @ The Crow’s Nest | Saturday (2/7) at 8:00 PM – Think you can resist one last treasure hunt? The Crow’s Nest is closing, so come dance, snack, and send this beloved oddities haunt out in style, with DJ sets, a $10 cover, 50% off everything, food, and a $5 Ari Aster script fundraiser, unlimited entries.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Santa Fe report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 58°F – Low: 33°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny. High near 58, with temperatures falling to around 54 in the afternoon. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 33. East wind around 5 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 58°F – Low: 34°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 58. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.
This house is wild
This 1.6-acre foothills compound overlooks Santa Fe city lights and mountain vistas. The 2-bed main house blends puebloan character, rounded plaster walls, vigas, latillas, and kiva fireplaces with Japanese accents. Highlights include a glass-walled dining room, a pondside sunroom, an indoor therapy pool, and a light-filled kitchen. A 2-bed casita, studio casita with kitchenette, and a 2-car garage complete it.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
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