It is so crazy to imagine that in only a few days, our school staff will be back in the building planning for the coming school year. The first day of school is August 9 and it’s coming up fast!

As I get my own kiddos ready to return to the classroom, I’ve been thinking about the back to school routine here in Los Alamos when I grew up. You remember. Before Amazon. Before the “Big Smith’s”. Back when every school grade had the same school supply list and the variety of supplies to purchase was so limited that we were all carrying the same lunchbox…

School Lists

Of course, I can only speak for my own experience of school shopping here in Los Alamos. Everyone had their own routine and it certainly changed from decade to decade depending on a lot of things. I’ve had relatives who remember when school supply lists were posted on the front windows of their school along with class lists letting folks know who their next teacher would be. You had to copy these lists long hand, (because there were no hand held cameras back then), and then head off to whatever stores were available to buy supplies.

Most of what I remember involved a class list posted in the school window along with a copy of suggested supplies for each grade. But each student in the district received a very small welcome packet that had a school supply list included. One you had that list of supplies however, you were on your own to find what you needed.

Before Walmart

Some of my acquaintances several years, (in some cases decades), ahead of me, remember shopping at TG&Y back when it was where Ruby K’s is now. When I was young TG&Y was located where the Pajarito Brewpub is located now. I would get some new clothes and maybe a pair of shoes. Some of my friends made a big deal about shopping for a first day of school outfit or a special outfit for picture day. There’s more information about places we used to shop HERE.

Anthony’s could be counted on for some clothing and shoes as well. And there was Revco, a drug store, in case you wanted a slightly different looking pencil or pen. Aspen Copies used to be the Los Alamos Stationery Store. I’m not even sure my kids would know what stationery is these days. But a few folks would get very cool looking pens, pencils, and other office supplies there. The Stationery Store was also where we could pick up a piece of poster board if we needed it.

I’m certain that some folks went off the hill to K-Mart in Santa Fe for school supplies. And there were always a lot more options if your parents were willing to drive to Albuquerque. Clothes were sometimes purchased from the Sears Catalog and delivered to the catalog store which was once located in the vicinity of our current UPEX store. Walmart didn’t appear in Santa Fe until the nineties. If you school shopped in Santa Fe you were probably at the Villa Linda Mall, which used to have quite a few department stores like Mervyn’s, Dillard’s, Sears, and also Millers Outpost where most of us can probably remember purchasing our Levis.

First Day of School

When I was younger, there was no meet the teacher. Through a good portion of elementary school you lugged your school supplies to the classroom on the first day in your backpack and a series of paper or plastic grocery sacks. You didn’t meet your teacher or see your classroom until that first day. The first day of class was almost always on a Monday and you spent most of it talking about which days you had gym, art, and music class and sometimes teachers would write a schedule on the blackboard.

I didn’t think anything of the way we were essentially thrown into the “deep end of the pool” with this method of showing up on the first day with no previous knowledge of where I was going or what the classroom looked like. I have to say that I’ve loved going with my kiddos as they meet their teacher before the first day, set up their desk or locker, and then get a good idea of what the building layout is, or what to expect in the coming school year. We talk a lot more these days about setting kids up for success and keeping them prepared. That’s progress! But I also kind of enjoyed the excitement of getting to school and maybe not knowing exactly what to expect.

The Special Touches

What I can remember rather vividly was how cool it was to have at least one school supply that was different from everyone else’s. When stores didn’t carry a huge variety and there weren’t a lot of stores anyway, everyone had the same stuff. Pencils were almost always yellow, green, or red. Pens were identical. Everyone had the same crayons, or the same color of highlighter.

If you could get a “special” piece, it was generally a pencil someone had given you for a holiday, or even at church or a sports event. Or perhaps you’d found one of those ballpoint pens that wrote in ten colors depending on which button you pushed down. Even a lunchbox or backpack that your parents had bought while out of state was the coolest thing ever!

I have such amazing memories of going to school here in Los Alamos. As I said before, if you came before or after I did, there’s a good chance your experience was different in some way. I’d love to have folks share their memories of back to school! Make a comment below or post one on my Facebook page. I’d love to hear from you! And as always, when you’re buying or selling real estate in Los Alamos, give me a call. I’m your hometown real estate broker!

A few weeks ago we chatted about Derby Dames Roller Derby, the Toughriders Mountain Biking group, and half a dozen musical organizations that would love to add you to their numbers. This week, I want to invite you to two of my favorite groups here in Los Alamos.

Atomic City Road Runners Club

If you want to walk or run, would like to walk or run more, or would like company while you walk or run, this is the place for you! Membership is open to anyone and it’s such a great opportunity to have company on the trails. Find the Atomic City Road Runners on the web HERE.

What if I’m not such a “great” runner?

That’s the beauty of this group! You don’t have to be aiming for an Ultra Marathon. You can just enjoy getting out in nature at your own pace. Meets or races are held regularly and members estimate their times as a way to compete not only with each other, but with themselves. The goal is self improvement and the atmosphere is accepting and encouraging. It’s a great place for long time locals and newcomers to Los Alamos alike.

Los Alamos Auto Club

Ever see a group of super cool cars and trucks gathered in the parking lot at 15th & Central Avenue here in Los Alamos? If you have, you might want to stop next time and introduce yourself!

The Los Alamos Auto Club meets every Sunday other than the first Sunday of the month in the parking lot across from the Bradbury Science Museum on Central Ave. The group is open to anyone who loves to talk about cars. Sometimes the group gets together and caravans to other events in nearby cities like Santa Fe.

My teenaged son loves to talk vehicles of any kind and has been welcomed by the Auto Club members, so age doesn’t matter here folks! It’s such a great way for locals to meet other locals with similar likes, exchange knowledge, and help out with ongoing projects. I hope you’ll check it out this weekend! For more information and to connect with the group, check out their Facebook Page HERE.

So next time you think there’s nothing to do in Los Alamos, reach out to some of these groups we’ve been talking about and get involved! There is so much to do in our little mountain town, so much to see, so much to experience! Science Fest is here, the weather has been beautiful, get out and enjoy! And when you’re ready to talk real estate in Los Alamos, give me a call! I’d love to chat with you.

Yes! You are invited! To what, you ask? This Friday night, June 30, RE/MAX is one of several businesses sponsoring the Friday night concert. Yes, I know. The whole state is invited to see the live performance of Ryan Chrys & the Roughcuts. But RE/MAX customers are invited to a special VIP area before the concert with drinks, food, and fun. So join us at 4PM!

Which customers are invited?

ALL OF THEM! Yes! If you were a customer in the past, are currently searching for your dream home or selling your current home with RE/MAX, or you’re looking for a way to meet and greet fantastic real estate brokers, we want YOU in our VIP section.

I’ve been talking quite a lot lately about the Friday night concerts at Ashley Pond. There’s no doubt these are an amazing local event filled with family fun, food, great music, and a chance to chat with your neighbors. RE/MAX is all about supporting local events and we’d really like you to come out this Friday night and say hello!

The line up for this Friday’s concert should be great fun! The Los Alamos Community Winds will kick off the night at 6:00PM. Next is an amateur country showcase from 7:00PM until Ryan Chrys & the Rough Cuts come on stage at 8:00PM. I just did a post recently about the Los Alamos Community Winds. You can check that out HERE. This Friday is going to be a concert that has a bit of something for everyone!

Who is Ryan Chrys?

The Rough Cuts and their front man Ryan Chrys are passionate about their music, their fans, and their grass roots dedication to Modern Outlaw Country. You can learn more about the band HERE. Listen to a sample of their music and you’ll probably be reminded of what we sometimes think of as “old school” country music.

Chrys grew up on a ranch in Montana. His mother was a folk singer and later he moved to Denver to pursue a music career singing the style of country he’d grown up loving to play. The Rough Cuts pride themselves on producing a traditional country sound. There’s a great interview with Ryan Chrys on Voyage Denver’s website HERE. This concert should be a great opportunity to enjoy old country music in a comfortable local venue with friends, food, and our very own spectacular scenery as a backdrop. What could be better?

Once again, this Friday night – June 30 – RE/MAX is hosting a VIP area for our customers with fun, food, drinks, and a great chance to listen to live music. We’re starting at 4:00 PM and will be enjoying the music until the concert ends at 9:00PM! Come out and say hello, grab a beverage, and enjoy the show. The food will be available until it’s gone! And if you’ve ever considered buying or selling real estate in town, give me a call! I’d love to chat with you this Friday by the pond!

With the new Oppenheimer film releasing on July 20, 2023, I thought it might be interesting to take a look back at the rather large number of films that have been shot here in Los Alamos. Since the filming of Oppenheimer was so recent, most of us can recall the excitement of having movies crews, staging equipment, actors, and other film personnel hanging about town. But this isn’t the only large scale film to be shot here, nor were Matt Damon and Robert Downey Jr the “biggest” actors (of their time) who were here on location in Los Alamos.

According to IMDB stats, there are 42 films or filming projects that officially list Los Alamos in their “filming locations”. Some of these include shows like “Longmire” and half a dozen or more documentary series that were filmed here due to our connection to the Manhattan project. In 2017 most of us remember Only the Brave, which was a movie about the Granite Mountain Hotshots. But some of the other films and film projects might surprise you.

Twins

This 1988 comedy starring Arnold Schwartzenegger and Danny DeVito was wildly popular when first released. At one point in the story, the very opposite fraternal twins go in search of their “test tube” origins. They find answers in a very small building at the Los Alamos Laboratory. The building used for filming is the one once located just “beneath” the hospital that was very recently torn down to make way for the new apartments just off Trinity Dr. Residents at that time gathered to gawk at the stars. Of course, many excited fans were trying to get a look at just how “enormous” Arnold’s physique actually was in person! If you haven’t seen this film, it is a funny trip back to the late eighties. The scenes in Los Alamos are tastefully done and the scenery certainly looks genuine, even if those parts of the story were pretty minimal. And, I don’t think anyone here at LANL (or LASL) was ever involved in utilizing test tube babies to create super humans. But I suppose we’ll never know, will we?

Silkwood

This 1983 suspense drama was filmed both in Albuquerque and in Los Alamos. The plot is based on the real life story of Karen Silkwood who worked at a plutonium facility in Oklahoma and was exposed to radiation. The film starred Meryl Streep, Cher, Kurt Russell, and Craig T Nelson as well as many other well known actors. Considering the plot line, I think we can all imagine why they would use areas at LANL as sets for the plutonium facility. It’s still interesting to think that these folks were wandering around town when I was growing up here and I had no idea. But as I think back, we weren’t necessarily as up to date on films being shot on location. Our appetite for celebrity news wasn’t nearly the same in the world before social media.

The Milagro Beanfield War

Also filmed in 1988, the Milagro Beanfield War is a Robert Redford film starring heavy hitters from the time such as Richard Bradford, Christopher Walken, and Melanie Griffith. The story focuses on the difficulties with water rights in a small high desert community. A local tale from that time was that Redford’s horse wrangler was having issues with a horse being used on set up on North Mesa during filming. A local horsewoman helped out by volunteering her own gelding for filming and was thrilled to meet Robert Redford and “work” with him.

Tiger Eyes

Judy Blume’s book, Tiger Eyes, was set in Los Alamos. You can read more about that HERE. But the film adaptation made in 2012 did quite a lot of on location filming here in town. The film has quite a few deviations from the original story, but is well done and worth watching as a “coming of age” story about a teenager trying to overcome a severe family trauma. Judy Blume and her son Lawrence wrote the script together and Lawrence directed. I love this fact about the film because it means the author was able to have direct input on any changes to her original vision. Judy Blume actually lived in Los Alamos for a few years in the mid to late seventies. I wonder if it surprised her to see how much change had happened between her living here and her shooting her film here?

There are plenty more films shot here in Los Alamos. With our unique connections to history, the dramatic scenery, and in some cases the “time capsule quality” of our local flavor, it’s really no wonder we’re popular that way. The Secret City on the Hill has plenty to offer and so much character! When you’re ready to talk more about Los Alamos, give me a call! I’m your hometown real estate broker and I’d love to talk Los Alamos with you!

It’s summer, so it’s easy to think that the music scene here in Los Alamos revolves around the Gordon’s Concerts at Ashley Pond, which it does. Sort of. You can always get more info about the Summer Concert Series, but you probably have no idea just how many ways there are to get musical here in Los Alamos. And our musicality goes back a looooong way! All the way to 1944 in fact!

From Rosemary O’Connor’s history of the Los Alamos Symphony Orchestra:

During the war years Los Alamos had no organized instrumental group. The residents satisfied their musical hunger with many string quartets, piano quintets, and other such chamber groups. There was also, at that time, a very fine Jazz band which entertained the community weekly.

From January 1945 through 1946, there was a group formed under the direction of Robert Dike, a french hornist. He also wrote special scores for the instrumentation available. The group was comprised of military and civilian personnel. The funding came from the “Special Services” of the Army and was administered by Captain Hugh Martin. Some of the people who performed in this group under Bob Dike were Al and Diz Graves, Moll Flanders, Eric Jette, Robert Richtmyer, Frank Osvath, Frank Bice, Ken Jeusen, Harold Fishbein, Hermond Lacey and Don Lovelace.

Isn’t is amazing to think of the amount of trouble folks went to back then for entertainment? I sometimes feel as if they’d laugh to hear us complain about a lack of “things to do” nowadays! At one point, the Los Alamos and Santa Fe Symphony groups tried to combine to form a larger orchestra. Unfortunately, the transportation up and down “the hill” available in the fifties made that impossible. But the relationship is still strong. And the original spirit of musicians playing for the love of music as a way to share in community has continued forward into more musical organizations than you might imagine!

Los Alamos Symphony Orchestra

These days the Symphony Orchestra includes musicians that are both local and also from Santa Fe. Many of our players belong to the Santa Fe Community Orchestra as well as LASO. LASO welcomes student involvement and hosts guests conductors and soloists from all over. Each year, the Symphony Orchestra awards a scholarship to young musicians graduating from LAHS in an effort to promote music and help the community.

LASO also has a strong connection to the Los Alamos Choral Society, which has been a musical voice locally since 1944. The groups perform a joint concert at least once a year. Whether you like to play or enjoy listening, it might be time to check out the LASO schedule.

Coro de Cámara

Technically a “spin off” of the Los Alamos Choral Society, Coro de Cámara is a premier chamber chorus that performs music from a multitude of eras, styles, and conductors. Singers are from Northern New Mexico, but the group began in Los Alamos and showcases a wealth of local talent. Spots in the chorus are open to auditions and the group performs regularly throughout Santa Fe and Los Alamos.

One exciting bonus of the Santa Fe/Los Alamos relationship is the availability of Santa Fe Opera apprentices for some of the performances. The opportunity to hear and to perform with such talent is usually hard to come by in out of the way places like Los Alamos, but culture is something we do rather well in the Secret City and if you’d like to see Coro de Cámara perform, check out their website for the latest schedule.

The Hill Stompers

Did you play a band instrument for a semester or two in school? Are you looking for an awesome group of folks who just like to play music and enjoy life? Would you be surprised if I told you those two things are all that’s required for you to join the Hill Stompers?

This award winning jazz band ensemble formed in October 2000 just to have fun. They play public venues like bars and parties, participate in parades, and provide music for local events too! Even if you’re just learning an instrument for the first time, you can find a spot in the Hill Stompers.

Los Alamos Community Winds

As I mentioned above, there is a long history of musical ensemble groups here in Los Alamos. As Rosemary O’Connor’s history of the Symphony Orchestra reminds us, many of those original groups were blends of military and civilian musicians who just wanted to play! The Los Alamos Community Winds dates back to those groups from the 1940’s as well!

For those of you who grew up playing in the elementary, middle school, and high school bands, you probably remember Mr. McDonald. Jan McDonald was a conductor in the 70s, 80s, & 90s who often invited students to join the Los Alamos Concert Band. Under his direction, the group played civic concerts during the summer, especially at the Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration. The Community Winds group is the continuation of that tradition. Musicians and music lovers from our local area are invited to join the Community Winds as a player or as an enthusiast! Check their news page for the latest concert information or to find out how to be involved!

I hope you’ve been bookmarking websites and planning your social calendar for the next several months as I run through the amazing list of things to do, see, and experience here in Los Alamos. Whether you’re buying or selling real estate or just chatting about this amazing place we call home, give me a call! I’d love to talk to you!

Summer is here. School is done this week. Graduation is upon us. And the best part of summer is beginning! The Los Alamos Free Concert Series opens on May 26, with Billy Bob Thornton & the Boxmasters.

Why You Should Go

I suppose it’s possible to live here in Los Alamos and be unaware of the Los Alamos Concert Series going on at Ashley Pond each Friday. However, for many of you, knowing the concerts are available isn’t necessarily incentive to go. I get that. The crowd is sometimes enormous and it could easily seem overwhelming. But as we kick off this summer’s series, I’d like to give you a few things to consider.

Our concert series has been lauded as the best free concert series in New Mexico. It runs from Friday May 26 until Friday September 1 and there are artists to fit any taste in music. Some are local and well known, some are local and unknown. Several are well known all over the world! But because this is a free concert, you don’t have to feel compelled to stick around for the whole thing. You can make your concert experience pretty much whatever you’d like.

Even If You Don’t Like Crowds

Don’t want to squeeze yourself onto the lawn in front of the pavilion? No problem! Utilize the free shuttle service and eliminate the need to park at all. Or park several blocks away or more and walk to the pond. Wave to your friends and neighbors, get a crazy awesome view of the crowd at twilight from the steps in front of the Justice Center. Listen to the music as you wander through the garden behind Fuller Lodge. Find a slice of the concert atmosphere pretty much anywhere in the downtown area on Friday nights. Part of the charm here in Los Alamos is the option to enjoy the entertainment in a way that works for you.

A Snack For Everyone

Food trucks are a novelty that has resonated with plenty of us these days. And there’s no doubt that the amount and variety of food trucks is almost incentive enough to pop by the pond on a Friday night. Local favorite Senor Tortas got their start in a food truck and they often still make an appearance on Friday nights. Snow cones, slushies, cotton candy, and other carnival style faves are available too. Whether you want dinner or just dessert, you can find something amazing. And that while your kids bounce themselves silly in the bouncy houses and run wild across the lawn like kids are supposed to do!

Something you may not realize is that the Youth Activity Center located in the Community Center basement is open during the concerts. The YAC will be in their parking lot offering treats like popcorn, candy, sodas, slushies, and even cotton candy. The proceeds all go back into free community programs for the YAC and the inside snack bar is available for taquitos, personal pizzas, and other regular menu items. The YAC even offers the opportunity to whip out the credit card for Square payments and their menu is priced significantly lower than many other available options.

On a semi-related side note, the YAC staff would like to remind the local public that if you’re enjoying a jaunt around the pond anytime during operating hours, they’d be happy to sell you a beverage at the snack bar. You don’t have to be a 3rd-8th grader to head inside and purchase a snack or a drink. So stop by during the summer to say hello!

Get Involved

Sometimes it’s easy to feel isolated up here in Los Alamos. I hear from folks all the time that there’s nothing to do and that they have difficulty finding social groups. The truth is that there are things to do all around us here in Los Alamos, but we have to get out and find those things. The summer concert series is an amazing example of that. It’s a huge local event and even if you went every week for the whole season you’d probably not run out of things to do and see!

If you’d like to step it up a notch, check out the concert’s website for job opportunities! They’re hiring everything from opening acts to social media coordinators. It could be a fantastic way to get involved with one of our amazing local traditions.

A Local Legend

A lot of folks might not realize that the Los Alamos Concert Series began as one local businessman’s attempt to bring music to Los Alamos. Russ Gordon and his family opened a record store (that sold ice cream!) in White Rock in 1988. The store eventually moved to the MariMac center in Los Alamos and the first “Gordon’s Stage” was a slapped together wood platform in the parking lot where the entire town gathered on Friday nights for a free concert. Gordon’s Concert series hosted over 500 music acts from all genres and Russ was an incredible influence on so many young people who wandered in and out of his record store over the years. With Russ’s retirement in 2017, the Los Alamos Summer Concert series became a thing, but many of us still call these events “Gordon’s Concerts” and there is a plaque on the pavilion at Ashley Pond celebrating Gordon’s contribution to the fabric of Los Alamos.

We are a tight community with tons of history and so much local flavor it might seem slightly crazy to outsiders. But we are also welcoming and eager to share our history and our amazing amenities and opportunities with everyone. So get out and enjoy the concert series this summer! And when you’re ready to join our community here in Los Alamos, give me a call! I’d love to chat Los Alamos Real Estate with you.