Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Could Expo New Mexico’s makeover erase long-time Central Avenue businesses?

Coming up: Winter Cocktail Specials at Rio Grande Lounge on the Albuquerque Patch calendar

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Morning Albuquerque! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Could Expo New Mexico’s makeover erase long-time Central Avenue businesses?
  • Why did an Albuquerque Sun Van end up wrecked on I-40?
  • How 400 burritos brought warmth to Albuquerque’s International District

Also on today's calendar: Winter Cocktail Specials at Rio Grande Lounge and 5 more events.

Find out what's happening in Albuquerquefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Kath F.!

Today's riddle: What did the clock say when it ran out of batteries? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Albuquerquefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 60 and low of 46 degrees.
  • Saturday: Beautiful with clouds and sun, temps: high: 59, low: 39.
  • Sunday: Cooler; breezy in the p.m., with a high of 46 and low of 26 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Property owners fear potential Expo New Mexico redevelopment could push them out (krqe.com) — Business and property owners at San Pedro and Central in Albuquerque say they’re alarmed that Expo New Mexico’s planned fairgrounds redevelopment could force them out without meaningful input. While the state has approved bond funds and hired an appraiser, owners in the historic Microsoft building worry about demolition plans, compensation, and the future of their long-established businesses.
   

2. Man is charged with intentionally crashing a city owned Sun Van (koat.com) — An Albuquerque man is accused of intentionally crashing a city-owned Sun Van into a guardrail on I-40 near the 98th Street exit, then trying to jump into traffic. Police say he later admitted using cocaine and described the crash as a suicide attempt. He now faces charges including DWI, drug possession, and leaving the scene of an accident.
   

3. Volunteers prepare meals for those without a home on Christmas (kob.com) — On Christmas morning, local volunteers from La Luna and ABQ Give Grub cooked and handed out 400 breakfast burritos to people experiencing homelessness in Albuquerque’s International District. Working from a borrowed kitchen with donated ingredients, they focused on food, conversation, and neighborhood cleanup. Organizers say they’ll be back with more outreach on Valentine’s Day and invite interested residents to connect via social media.
   

4. Breaking Bad special shape balloon may take flight at 2026 Balloon Fiesta (krqe.com) — Albuquerque’s International Balloon Fiesta could feature a new star in 2026: a special-shape hot air balloon modeled after the Breaking Bad RV. Local tour operators Frank and Jackie Sandoval are racing to raise about $200,000, seeking sponsors and small donations by February 15 to get their “Crystal Ship” into the sky.
   

5. UNM professor pushing forward research into sign language (krqe.com) — At the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, deaf linguistics professor Erin Wilkinson is reshaping how students think about communication and sign language. By sometimes teaching ASL structure courses without interpreters, she puts hearing students in a position similar to many deaf learners, forcing them to adapt and notice nonverbal cues. Her approach aims to broaden understanding of how people connect beyond spoken language.
   

📸 Around Albuquerque

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📸 Sunset sky in Albuquerque —Kath F. Like

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Albuquerque

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Albuquerque PatchAM possible:

  • Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • So grateful to all the people who spend the time and energy setting up awesome light displays.
    Every year, my kiddo and I make tea/cocoa and we drive around to all the musical displays and through the more decorated neighborhoods. It makes up… (Nextdoor Sandia Vista)
  • What a great night along Ridgecest tonight.
    A band, carolers just about five blocks away hundreds of people walking and enjoying the luminarios along all the sidewalks and houses, friendly… (Nextdoor Parkland Hills)
  • SBM Management posted a job opening for Day Porter in Albuquerque. Apply here.
  • ServiceMaster Clean posted a job opening for Vacuum Cleaners / Part Time Evenings in Albuquerque. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Albuquerque here.

Ok Albuquerque! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I guess I’m out of time.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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