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Hello Albuquerque! Hope your coffee’s especially good this morning.

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Route 66 neon revival, Barbie Truck tour, and Pokémon GO event day + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Heads up for pet parents: An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.*

📰 In the news

Community lifts a fighter: After a rare cancer diagnosis forced food truck owner Michelle Gutiérrez to close her business, Albuquerque vendors have rallied, donating portions of sales to help cover her mounting medical bills — see how the community rallied.

Public pressure prompts action: After more than two years dark, Nob Hill’s Route 66 arches will finally get repairs in May, with electrical upgrades and transformer fixes scheduled before crews restore the neon lights — learn what’s happening and when.

New healthcare innovation network: New Mexico awarded $844,000 to HealthInno for Health ImpACT, a program with UNM Health Sciences Center to test startup tools and modernize care for providers across the state — read the full story.

Gold just hit record highs. What about your savings? While traditional IRAs have been treading water against inflation, gold has gained over 50% in three years. That gap is why more retirees are rolling a portion of their savings into gold IRAs (the kind that hold physical metal). We compared the top five options and broke down who they’re best for. Check it out here →

Paying hundreds of dollars a month for car insurance? Switching providers could save you up to $600 a year, and shopping around is way faster than it used to be – free comparison tools like this one make it easy.*

Highlights this week:

• Raid, battle, trade at ABQ Food Park
• Build decks at One Piece prerelease
• Enjoy free family fun at Balloon Museum
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home*

💎 Local business spotlight

Big-room vibes, local heart: When you need a proper, sweat-it-out, sing-along night, Sunshine Theater keeps the touring bands and throwback favorites rolling through downtown ABQ. If your week needs a boost, check the calendar and let that packed-room energy do the heavy lifting.

Steep something better: NM Tea Co.keeps locals happily caffeinated (and decaffeinated) with wall-to-wall loose‑leaf options, thoughtful house blends, and the teaware that makes them sing; swing by this week to restock your mug rotation and finally nail that perfect three‑minute steep.

Art fix for locals: Richard Levy Gallery keeps downtown’s creative pulse steady with smart, contemporary shows and a roster that blends New Mexico voices with standout national names. If you’ve been meaning to reconnect with ABQ’s art scene, consider this your nudge to wander in and linger.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 We got your back

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, *their curated kits are worth a look →

Own a piece of Apple for less than a coffee: Every time you buy something from Amazon or Starbucks, you’re putting money in their pocket. Fractional shares flip that: you can own a slice of those companies for as little as a dollar. Most investing apps make it incredibly easy, with zero commissions and no account minimums. See which ones we recommend →

Mom says she’s fine. You’re not so sure: “What if something happens when you’re home alone?” You’ve asked a hundred times, but the outcome’s always the same. I don’t need that. Life Alert’s for old people. The real struggle isn’t finding a medical alert system that’ll work… it’s finding one she won’t fight you on. We looked into five options designed to settle the standoff, from smartwatches to systems with nothing to wear at all. See which ones stood out →

Thinning hair? Your shampoo was never going to fix it: I’ve spent an embarrassing amount of money on hair-loss products, biotin, masks, sprays, you name it. Not one of them lasted. Turns out, most things target the strand, not the follicle (where thinning actually happens). Dermatologists have been prescribing treatments that work for years, but there are now plenty of options available with no office visits required. See our top picks for men and women →

Strangers can buy your personal data for $0.50: Data brokers sell your name, home address, phone number, estimated income, and other personal info to anyone willing to pay. Scammers and identity thieves use these databases to take advantage of you. There are dozens of affordable services that can help you protect yourself. These three are our favorites →

📆 Fun for the whole fam

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.

🎶 Nob Hill Music Series: Route 66 Centennial Celebration @ Triangle Park in Nob Hill | Saturday (3/21) at 10:30 AM – Take a lap down memory lane at Triangle Park as Nob Hill’s Music Series tips a hat to the Route 66 centennial, one artist at a time. It follows the morning Nob Hill Refresh. Bring a chair, your neighbor, and your good side.

🛍 Spring Vintage Market @ Casa Taco ABQ (Academy Location) | Saturday (3/21) at 12:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to ditch big-box sameness for the good stuff, this spring vintage market delivers. Hunt for retro treasures, chat up Rags To Vtg, and fuel up on legit Southwest bites. Family friendly, wallet friendly, locally flavored.

🎮 Pokémon GO Event Day @ ABQ Food Park | Saturday (3/28) at 12:00 PM – Charge your phone and head to ABQ Food Park for a free, community-powered Pokémon GO day with lure parties, raid meetups, battles, trades, and friendly Mystic, Valor, Instinct smack talk. Expect food trucks, giveaways, and more steps than your Fitbit has logged since 2016.

🎶 Cassie & Maggie @ International District Library | Monday (3/30) at 6:00 PM – Acclaimed sister duo Cassie & Maggie bring their contemporary and traditional folk blend to our libraries, and yes, it’s free. Catch them at Erna Fergusson and the International District for toe-tapping tunes, tight harmonies, and great music among stacks, minus the bar tab.

🏃 Color Run @ Albuquerque New Mexico USA | Saturday (4/4) at 9:00 AM – Trade your Bosque loop for a 3-5k color romp where you start in white or black tee and finish as a walking art project. Think cardio your knees approve of, confetti, zero pressure, a music fest with DJ, food vendors, and station to set color.

🚚 Barbie Truck Sports Club Tour @ Coronado Center | Saturday (4/11) at 10:00 AM – Barbie’s rolling into Coronado Center, parked between Container Store and Barnes & Noble, with a pop-up Sports Club Tour and exclusive merch you can’t get online. Duke City nostalgia, pink everything, and just enough sparkle to scandalize your pickleball league, then your book club.

🤠 New Mexico Ranch Fest @ Sid Cutter Pilot Pavilion, Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Park | Sunday (4/12) at 11:00 AM – Ranch Fest is taking over Sid Cutter Pavilion at Balloon Fiesta Park with free entry, free parking, and six hours of live local music. Expect 60+ vendors, eats, coffee, face painting, and a Q&A with Clea the Rancher. Bring the kids, curiosity, and sensible shoes.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Albuquerque report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 84°F – Low: 44°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 84. North wind around 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. Northwest wind 0 to 10 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 88°F – Low: 47°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 88. North wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 47.

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This 5,898-square-foot two-story estate sits inside the gated Tanoan West Country Club on nearly a half-acre backing the golf course. Updated interiors highlight soaring architectural details, dramatic vaulted ceilings, and expansive windows over hardwood floors. Four spacious bedrooms, a private office, and multiple living areas pair with resort-style outdoor spaces to create a refined country club setting.

Take a peek inside →