Article in The Albuquerque Tribune: Cafe life

To give an idea of what the Blue Dragon Cafe is all about, co-owner Norman Everett, sitting in overalls and a ski cap at one of the cafe’s tables, tells a story from October. It was around the presidential debates. The Dragon was packed. In one room, poets recited their work for a contest of … Read more

Article in The Albuquerque Tribune: Water savers earn free movie tickets

Some Albuquerque residents who have been watching their water use may soon be watching movies – for free. Customers of the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority who participated in the conservation program will be eligible to win one of 1,000 $9 gift certificates to Century Theatres in Albuquerque, Mayor Martin Chavez announced Monday. The … Read more

Article in The Albuquerque Tribune: The Tort Tangle

Former Gov. Gary Johnson has been through it.

Neil Hise, president of an Albuquerque manufacturing firm, has been through it.

It is getting sued, and though statistically on the decline, a fear of crippling lawsuits pervades the New Mexico business community.

It’s a fear driven in part by high-profile tort cases – the McDonald’s hot coffee spill being legendary – that some call the end of personal responsibility and others call justice being served. It’s a fear that has real effects: bigger liability insurance policies for worried businesses.

It’s a fear that the New Mexico Alliance for Legal Reform, a nonprofit organization watching over New Mexico’s courts, wants to do something about.

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Article in The Albuquerque Tribune: Little pink house

When Jane Putnam painted her mobile home pink, it was all part of her plan. The plastic pink flamingo in the yard was, too. When Jane Putnam painted her mobile home pink, it was all part of her plan. The plastic pink flamingo in the yard was, too. “It’s just like trailer perfect,” jokes the … Read more

Article in The Albuquerque Tribune: Worth a million

A box of crayons and colored pencils sits atop a $2,500 table in a formal dining room. A toy truck is parked in front of a four-car garage. A worn basketball and football rest in a sunken room attached to the downstairs master bedroom. For restaurateur Frank Marcello, owning a $1.3 million, 6,300-square-foot, five-bedroom, 4-bath … Read more

Article in The Albuquerque Tribune: Tall tales

They dot the streets like the abandoned toys of giants. There’s a bowling ball and pin big as a house. There’s a lumberjack tall as a tree. There’s John Wayne times 10. There’s a red arrow massive enough to make a missile cower. From humble beginnings as attention grabbers, these business signs and sculptures have … Read more