PEDALING AGAINST HUNGER

- The Most Enchanting Video Podcast is back in the Land of Enchantment with one Enchanting fellow this week!

Hello Friends!

After 10 months away, I am just moving back to New Mexico with my family. So, I thought it would be the appropriate time to share a neat story I stumbled upon in this enchanting land.

Have you ever met someone who you liked the minute you spoke to them? Or had someone change your perspective for the better before you even knew what hit you? The man I am about to introduce you to did that for me. Charlie Wyche is one-of-a-kind and I am grateful that I happened to pull over on a busy stretch of highway to document his story. He is truly a light in the world and I hope you enjoy the sparkle in his eye and kindness in his heart as much as I did.

But I also hope you will consider doing more than just watching the story. As you will hear in my tag, I am so sad to report that Charlie’s journey took a terrible turn recently. After watching the story, please consider contacting your local food bank to make a donation. This is the best way to support the good work Charlie has been doing. If you don’t know where there’s a food bank in your area, you can find one at: http://foodpantries.org/ I know it would mean so much to Charlie, as it does to me.

Lots of love,

Rosa Linda

P.S. Thanks to all of you that signed up for our email list. If you aren’t on the list, you can sign up at: http://tiny.cc/NMemail

GOLDEN IDOL

- The Most Enchanting Video Podcast takes another trip through the jungle this week!

Hello Friends!

I am humbled by the awesome response to the Jungle Cruise story. We broke viewership records on this one and the number of views is going up and up each day. Not to mention, it was such a blast to relive my own days in the Jungle and at Walt Disney World in general. I’m glad to hear so many of you got to do the same by watching that episode. Hopefully everyone stuck around for the bloopers and outtakes. Those are always crowd favorites, especially with some of the Jungle Cruise Skippers hamming it up!

Speaking of hams… I now bring you part 2 of the Jungle Cruise Skipper Reunion series featuring one of the biggest hams of all; Colonel Wayne Percival McSwagger. (If you haven’t seen part one, please click here to watch that first!) As part of the reunion weekend the skippers were given the “Ultimate Adventureland Golden Idol Challenge.” What is this mysterious golden idol? After you watch the story, you can learn more at the golden idol’s Facebook page. Yes, the idol has it’s own Facebook page!

Sticking with the subject of Facebook, for those that don’t know you can now sign in to New Mexicast using your own Facebook account. It’s a lot of fun for me because then I get to see your picture and know who is commenting. Give it a try now by leaving a comment after you watch this story. Be sure to click the checkbox that allows you to get follow-up comments emailed to you. Then you can see some of the fun comments that others (like some of these crazy Jungle Cruise skippers) leave about the episode.

Thanks to all of you that signed up for our email list. New Mexicast is stronger than ever before thanks to all of you. If you aren’t on the list, you can sign up at: http://tiny.cc/NMemail.

Next up: A return to the Land of Enchantment with a story about one of the most enchanting people I’ve ever met.

Lots of love,

Rosa Linda

JUNGLE CRUISE

- The Most Enchanting Video Podcast takes a journey through the jungle this week!

Hello Friends!

In my excitement over our brand-new website and finishing this oh-so-fun episode on the Jungle Cruise Skippers’ mega reunion at Walt Disney World, I totally neglected to write a post to accompany it! So, for what they’re worth, here are my ramblings…

With the help of two amazing gentlemen, Adam W. Warner and Don Marshall, along with input from lots of very smart tech folks, the new New Mexicast website has been launched! Crowd goes WILD (or at least I do)! It took a lot of hard work, but I think the new look really enhances the functionality of New Mexicast. Instead of a standard scroll-down, blog-style it now uses a video-centric theme with lots of great stories accessible right from the home page. If you haven’t seen it yet, please check it out at: www.NewMexicast.com

For those of you on Facebook we have added a new plug-in that allows you to sign in to New Mexicast using your own Facebook profile. In other words, you can write comments as yourself complete with your profile picture, not just as an anonymous viewer (of course, you can always choose anonymity too). There is also a new “LIKE” button after every post. This keeps with Facebook’s new push away from “fans” and toward the “like” button. But don’t worry… I know if you click that you “like” it (and I hope you will!), you are really saying you’re a New Mexicast “fan,” right?  Well, in my mind, at least!

Another change to the website is that you can now click a handy checkbox when you write a comment which allows you to get an email when there is a follow-up comment posted. This is very Facebook-esque and I really wanted this addition. I can’t tell you the number of times a viewer wrote a wonderful comment and had no idea that I responded to it. So, when leaving a comment, please check the checkbox and/or sign in with your Facebook account. It makes it a lot more fun for me to feel like I’m having ongoing conversations with friends. And after all, isn’t FUN the name of this game?

Now on to the reason you have all gathered here today… the Jungle Cruise Skipper Reunion video! What a crazy, silly, fun and FABULOUS group of people this is. Yes, I was once a skipper myself. When we all got together and stormed the Magic Kingdom, I laughed so much my sides ached. I hope you will also get to laugh as you watch this story. It was actually so much fun that I turned it into a two part series. Next episode to be posted in 2 weeks of course!

For those of you that subscribe to this podcast in iTunes, you probably noticed that all of New Mexicast’s episodes were wiped out for awhile. It had to do with the switch over to the new website and the doing away with an old, not-very-helpful plug-in. But I believe I have fixed the problem and you can find every episode there in itunes. If you use iTunes, but haven’t subscribed yet (free, of course!) here’s how to find us: http://tiny.cc/NMiTunes

Finally, I want to welcome all the new email subscribers that have joined the New Mexicast family lately. I am so glad you are here and I am hopeful you won’t be disappointed. Not on the list yet? Here’s the link for that too (also free, and spam free… of course!): http://tiny.cc/NMemail

It truly is one of the most exciting times yet here on New Mexicast. I can’t wait to share more with you all!

Lots of love,

Rosa Linda

P.S. Please forgive the extra emails of old episodes which you may have received this week. It had to do with the website switchover and I don’t think it will happen again. But if it does, just look at it as an opportunity to see some of the older (still great) episodes you may have missed.

FLY FISHING

- New Mexico’s most enchanting video podcast is no longer a one-woman-band!

After two and a half years of flying solo, I am happy to announce the addition of another team member here on New Mexicast. Up until now every episode was shot, written and edited by me, Rosa Linda Román (except Rainforest Exotics which was shot by my friend Brandon Dent). But now that I am embarking on this new, maritime adventure, I needed help keeping New Mexico in New Mexicast. To that end, I am thrilled to introduce you to Bryan Cady. I tell you all about his extensive experience in the episode, but suffice it to say we are lucky to get this guy. If you want to see some awesome, high definition work please check out his website: www.ListenToTheWind.com

Speaking of quality work, this episode also introduces you to a fabulous fly fishing expert, Noah Parker. He and the other guides at Land of Enchantment Guides will give you the fly fishing experience of a lifetime! Check out their website at: www.LoEGuides.com

I hope you all enjoy this beautiful story that Bryan Cady put together for New Mexicast. If you love it, please leave a comment saying so. Also, I would love to get some feedback on the newly added blogging element to New Mexicast’s website. It gives me a way to share a bit of our cruising adventure with you.

One thing I have already learned in the short time we have been living aboard is that communication can be sporadic in many of the places we visit. So, if there is a longer stretch than usual between episodes, I hope you will forgive me. I will continue to share as much as I can from wherever we are.

Thanks to all of you for your support. I love the feedback, so please keep it coming. Knowing you are all out there watching and reading my work, helps make some of the lonely stretches at sea much more enjoyable.

Love to you all!

Rosa Linda

LLAMA TREK

- New Mexico’s most enchanting video podcast takes you to Taos for lunch with some llamas!

It has been a busy, busy month for my little family and I can’t wait to share some more of what we are up to here on New Mexicast. But first, I am delighted to share an episode that is sure to put a grin on your face.

If you have ever ridden a donkey up or down a mountain, you will understand the picture I had in my mind when I was invited to join Stuart Wilde for one of his Wild Earth Llama Adventures. On this particular day hike, there were about a dozen of us and 7 or 8 llamas. Upon seeing the somewhat silly looking animals I had visions of a tough trek and some granola bars down at the bottom of the Rio Grande Gorge. Boy was I glad to be wrong about this one. This trip was filled with fun, enlightening and delicious surprises. I hope everyone reading this one day gets the chance to take their own llama trek.

In addition to the story this week I hope you will enjoy a few other delicious surprises. First of all, the ad for our newest sponsor, the New Mexico Bed & Breakfast Association. There are so many fabulous B & Bs in New Mexico and I am thrilled to be associated with a group that offers such quality experiences to travelers. I hope you will check them out.

Then, after the story please stick around for some announcements and the always entertaining bloopers and outtakes. The announcements have to do with some of the adventures we are having as a family and how I hope to share those with you here on New Mexicast.

Finally, I leave you with another tease… I am about to add someone to the New Mexicast team. Believe me, this is worth sticking around for! Be sure to check back soon for the announcement.

Thanks for all your support. Don’t forget to leave a comment!

Lots of love,

Rosa Linda

SUMMER OF LOVE

- While the rest of you are getting back to your real lives after summer vacation, we here at New Mexicast are still savoring the lovely summer, with a story about the “Summer of Love” in Taos, New Mexico.

You have heard me mention Taos’ big tourism campaign during the last few episodes (if you haven’t seen them yet, go check out the Dennis Hopper and Ballooning in Taos stories and the Totally Taos audio podcast), but this week I wanted to share a really neat story about a woman who was at the original “Summer of Love” and many other significant events from the 60’s. Her name is Lisa Law and for more than 40 years she has been making quite a name for herself through the photos she has taken.

Enjoy a glimpse at the past and then go write a comment somewhere on the website so you can get entered in our next gift bag giveaway. Lisa Law’s book will be in there along with lots of other awesome goodies.

Finally, I leave you with a tease… in the intro I mentioned a little about a “major lifestyle change” that my family is going through. Well, I think “major” may be an understatement. So, if you want to learn the latest, you will just have to stay tuned! That’s right, I want you to stick around for awhile.

I can’t wait to fill you in and share the adventures with you, my loyal viewers.

Lots of love,

Rosa Linda

DENNIS HOPPER

- New Mexico’s most enchanting video podcast heads to the Harwood Museum of Art in Taos, New Mexico to meet up with Actor / Director / Artist, Dennis Hopper.

Dennis Hopper came to town to help kick off the “Taos 2009 Summer of Love” celebration. It’s the 40th anniversary of the release of the movie Easy Rider and the Town of Taos’ 75th anniversary. Lots of reasons to celebrate. One of the big events is “Hopper at the Harwood” featuring work by Dennis Hopper and five of his longtime friends: Ron Cooper, Larry Bell, Robert Dean Stanton, Ronald Davis and Ken Price. After seeing the show up close, I highly recommend anyone within driving distance make it up to Taos before it ends on September 20th.

And, speaking of endings… be sure to stick around for the bloopers. Even Dennis Hopper made the cut this time.

Up next: Summer of Love – featuring Lisa Law and her awesome photos from the original Summer of Love.

Don’t forget to get on the email subscriber list by the end of August to get entered in a drawing for our next New Mexicast gift bag giveaway. In addition to New Mexico Candle Company candles, El Pinto Salsas and Dr. Mark Arcuri’s book there will be natural pain relieving gels from our newest sponsor: Sore No More

Here’s a link to do that now: http://tiny.cc/NMemail

And, speaking of awesome sponsors… I would also like to welcome “Better Healthy Skin” to the New Mexicast family. They sponsored this episode and have been providing great skincare products to me since I was anchoring in Monterey, California. Check them out at: www.BetterHealthySkin.com

Thanks to all of you for all your support. There are some big adventures ahead, so stay tuned!

Have a great week!

Lots of love,

Rosa Linda

BALLOON RIDE

- New Mexico’s most enchanting video podcast takes to the skies this week.

Some of you may only know Taos, New Mexico as home of movie stars like Julia Roberts and Val Kilmer, but if that’s all you know about Taos you are definitely missing out. Recently I had the privilege of participating in the Summer of Love media tour in Taos (which is about an hour and ten minutes north of Santa Fe) and let me tell you, it is just a fantastic place. So fantastic that there’s no way to show it all to you in just one episode. Just check out the Taos Summer of Love website to see what I mean: http://www.taossummeroflove.com/

So consider this the first of several stories from this enchanting place. We begin with a story that’s sure to lift your spirits as we ride in a hot air balloon with Pueblo Balloon Company. You can check them out at: http://www.puebloballoon.com/

This was my very first hot air balloon ride and it seems I saved the best for first. Sit back, relax and enjoy a peaceful trip through Northern New Mexico’s skies!

I hope your summer is soaring!

Lots of love,

Rosa Linda

NAVAJO MISSION

- New Mexico’s most Enchanting Video Podcast visits the Navajo Reservation east of Gallup this week.

Even though I’ve been spending half my time in Gallup, and driving right past Smith Lake every other week, I have a Chicagoan to thank for this episode: my Mom, Barb. One of her longtime friends, Teresa Adams, mentioned that she was heading to New Mexico. When my Mom told me Teresa was coming to the Land of Enchantment my reporter’s brain immediately asked, “What for?”

Glad I asked.

Teresa was one of 15 volunteers from a church in West Virginia who came to New Mexico to make a difference in the Navajo community of Smith Lake. They joined forces with Cornerstone Ministries to transform a burned-out elementary school into a community center. You can learn more about Cornerstone Ministries by clicking here.

By the way, did you notice the AWESOME new sponsor we have here on New Mexicast? It is a terrific boot camp that is so much more than a typical exercise program. It’s called “Boot Camp & Beyond” and it helps you transform your body, mind and soul to start living the way you have always dreamed of. I am confident that I will go through this boot camp in the near future (Anyone want to be featured going through the boot camp? It could make a GREAT story!), but for now I am delighted to give you the chance to check it out. Click here to see what it’s all about. Please show them how much we appreciate their support of New Mexicast by visiting them today.

And, speaking of sponsors… Later this week we will be giving away the New Mexicast gift bag filled with goodies from some enchanting sponsors, including: New Mexico Candle Co., Dr. Mark Arcuri (Co-Creator of Boot Camp & Beyond), and Santa Fe Realtor Frank O’Mahony. Thank you to all of these sponsors and to all of you for becoming fans of our New Mexicast page on Facebook! (Not a fan yet? Click here!)

Lots of love,

Rosa Linda

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FLAMENCO ENCORE

- New Mexico’s most Enchanting Video Podcast is back with a Flamenco encore!

After posting the previous episode of New Mexicast about “Flamenco in New Mexico,” I got the following email from a viewer:

“This was a fascinating episode. I have one criticism – we did not get a sense of the power of the flamenco dance and music -the podcast is all a little too “sweet” maybe. Odd that this midwestern Jewish old lady knows about flamenco. But I saw it several times on the stage as an adult. I went to those performances because I had heard the sounds of the gypsy women singing/shouting when I was just a kid. My Dad played recordings of great flamenco singers.

But Rosa Linda, I may be looking at this from an impossibly demanding level. Your program is not a segment of “Sunday Morning”, or a pbs segment on dance in New Mexico. “

And this wasn’t the only email/comment that expressed disappointment over not seeing any of the actual performances. So, for my loyal viewers who were left wanting more last time, this episode is for you. I may not have the staff or resources of PBS or “Sunday Morning” but I hope this comes closer to what you had in mind.

I hope you all enjoy this encore!

Lots of love,

Rosa Linda

P.S. I LOVE feedback (yes, even criticism), so please leave a comment after you watch the video! Thanks.

FLAMENCO

- New Mexico’s most Enchanting Video Podcast brings you some fantastic flamenco fun this week.

While the historic connection between Spain and New Mexico is no secret (after all, the city of Albuquerque gets it’s name from the Spanish Duke of Alburquerque… hence the nickname “The Duke City”), until I started working on this story I didn’t realize the very real connections that still exist today thanks to the art of flamenco. However, those connections suffered a serious blow recently as the annual flamenco festival which brings many of Spain’s top artists to New Mexico, Festival Flamenco Internacional de Alburquerque was canceled mostly due to financial reasons.

Still, the proud tradition lives on through the National Institute of Flamenco and the National Conservatory of Flamenco Arts in Albuquerque. The Institute produces amazing Flamenco programs through projects like Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company (which is having performances April 2 – 4, 2009 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque), and the Conservatory opens its doors to the public, thereby opening lots of hearts and minds. Both of these programs would not be possible without the untiring efforts of flamenco artist, Eva Encinias Sandoval. I am honored to introduce you to her and the amazing community she has helped create.

Also this week we pick a winner of the New Mexicast gift bag (with prizes from Dave DeWitt, Chavela’s Salsa & Gemstar Dezigns, among others!), so stay tuned to the end of the episode to see if you are the lucky winner. But, of course, with those adorable bloopers at the end, you were going to stick around anyway, right? LOL!

I also wanted to thank the folks at ShopTalk (the TV News Industry’s Insider Newsletter) for mentioning New Mexicast in their iBlog section this week. It’s nice to reconnect with so many old colleagues.

Thanks to all of you who are supporting New Mexicast in so many ways. Your comments and feedback are appreciated so much!

Lots of love,

Rosa Linda

P.S. Don’t forget to find/friend/fan & follow New Mexicast on:

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Thank you.