Attention everyone… New Mexicast has NOT pod-faded! I just took a longer-than-expected break!

Here’s why… for six months my family and I have been living on a boat, mostly in the Bahamas. It has been an adventure unlike anything I’ve ever done before. As far as my reporter’s mind is concerned, I felt like I hit the lottery when it came to finding great stories and I shot some amazing footage along the way. But the reality is that the liveaboard, cruising life (which is what people who do this regularly call it) is a LOT of work, especially with two small children on board. Don’t get me wrong, it is absolutely worth it, but it took some time for me to figure out how to do Cruising, Mommying AND Podcasting all at the same time.

Don Marshall on Hakuna Matata

Well, my friends, I am happy to say I believe I have found a way. His name is Don Marshall. He is a longtime friend who is helping me handle much of the day-to-day stuff that New Mexicast requires so that I can get back to the storytelling. With Don’s help I will be in touch more regularly regardless of which exotic ports of call we visit. Everyone say: “Hi Don!” Seriously, drop him a line at: Don@NewMexicast.com

As for what is on the horizon for New Mexicast, the next episode will be posted within the week. And the new website will be launched shortly thereafter. We’ve taken all your wonderful feedback and turned it into something great! I know you won’t be disappointed.

I hope you will share this adventure with us. The best way to do that is to subscribe to this podcast:

• by Email: http://tiny.cc/NMemail
• in iTunes: http://tiny.cc/NMiTunes

Also, for more frequent updates:

• follow us on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/NewMexicast
• become a fan on Facebook: http://Facebook.com/NewMexicast

And, if you just want to send me a note, I can always be reached at: RLR@NewMexicast.com

Good things are coming! Thanks for sticking around!

Lots of love,
Rosa Linda

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Hello Friends and a belated Happy New Year!

This quick audio episode explains a bit about why things have been so quiet around here lately.

Exciting things are on the horizon! I can’t wait to share them with all of you.

Lots of love,

Rosa Linda

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

Hello Friends!

As mentioned in the last blog post (HM0001 – Blog: Surprises) this next entry was written about a month ago as part of my personal journal. In it, my big secret is revealed. Enjoy:

September 30, 2009 – 5:05am

I should be sleeping. After all, my daughters, dog and husband are still sleeping and they all went to bed at a decent hour last night. I went to bed just 5 hours ago. So why in the world am I awake?

Well, how could I NOT be awake and thinking given the crazy adventure we have embarked on? Remember the secret I mentioned? Well, it’s time to tell the world what we’re really up to…

…drum roll, please….

We moved onto a boat. Seriously. A boat.

Our new floating home

When I take a minute to catch my breath and think about all that has happened in the past month, I realize it’s almost impossible to believe that we are really living the dream. The dream which required uprooting our family, putting all our stuff in storage, the house up for rent and moving onto a boat with my husband, two little girls (2 and 4 years old) and a large German Shepherd.

Our beautiful boat babies

When we finally decided to go for it and move aboard, I really struggled with how to tell my land-locked family and friends about this insanity. I worried about how it would make them worry. I worried no one would understand. I worried that my already fragile resolve to do this would be shattered by naysayers. But the more I worried, the more I realized the only logical approach was to listen to the wisdom of a child.

Our home in New Mexico sits on 75 acres in the mountains outside of Albuquerque. Around that property there’s a jogging trail that my husband built for me right after our first daughter was born. The trail is only 1.3 miles long, but it’s anything but a walk in the park. It is rocky, forested and very steep in places. Still, several times a week I took the BOB double jogger (LOVE that thing!) and pushed my girls around that challenging trail.

Sleeping sisters in BOB Double Jogger

Sometimes, as I struggled to push the 100+ pounds up one particularly difficult section, I would get stuck and stand on the hillside huffing and puffing, not moving an inch. Once, when my insightful little daughter heard me panting like a dog (while the real dog was running circles around us) she said the following:

“You can do it mama! Little by little, bit by bit!”

And she was right. I always found a way to do it when I just took it little by little.

So, that is how I decided to approach the boat issue with my loved ones and how I will share it here on New Mexicast: Little by little, bit by bit.

I hope you will join us on this wild journey!

Hello Friends!

As I mentioned at the end of the last episode (NM0030 – Llama Trek), I am adding a blogging element to New Mexicast, to start introducing some of the wild family adventures we are experiencing right now. The first several entries were written about a month ago, really just as a personal journal. But I think they help set the stage for future blog entries. So, without further adieux… here is New Mexicast’s first blog entry (crowd goes wild!):

September 21, 2009   -   Monday, 6:25am

I have a crazy secret. Actually, it’s a family secret and we’ve been keeping it for a full 2 months now. You should know, I don’t like secrets.

I do, however, like surprises. I come from a long line of proud, expert surprisers. When I was little every birthday and holiday was filled with unexpected delights whose success depended on the cooperation and sworn secrecy of every other member of the family. My mother was the master of all known surprise-givers. We were her willing apprentices and accomplices.

Then I married an anti-surpriser. Not only was my husband the kind of guy who tried to find his hidden presents before his birthday, but he was incapable of adhering to the most sacred surprise rule of all: never ruin another person’s surprise. After my family and I got over the shock and horror of many spilled beans around the holidays we learned to become better surprise-keepers in the face of such a challenge. We also came to realize that his anti-surprisism was genetic. We had a lot of work to do.

We learned early on that my husband and his parents could not be told even the slightest details of planned surprises. Because of this policy, during our 12 years together we have had some surprise-successes, like the book party I threw for my Mother-in-law which required the secrecy and participation of dozens of her family and friends around the country. Of course, as with any great accomplishments throughout history, that only came after countless surprise-failures along the way. Still, in order to pull that one off, I had to get my husband on board and he did beautifully.

Mind you, I never was so naive that I thought I could actually convert my beloved husband to our way of thinking. We simply agreed to disagree on the importance of surprises and learned to live together in spite of our fundamental differences.

That is, until now.

For 2 straight months my husband has helped me to keep a secret so large even I can barely stand it. I have even gone so far as to tell a few of my friends who don’t know my family, just to release some of the secret-keeping steam that has been building up inside of me. Thankfully, we are in the home stretch of the surprise-delivery phase.

You see, my birthday is in 6 days, which means it is also my sister’s birthday. (Didn’t I tell you my Mom was the Master surprise deliverer? She surprised me on my 3rd birthday with a baby sister!) The same sister that works for an airline and can fly anywhere she wants on a moment’s notice. You see where this is going?

For the entire 2 months of secret-holding, I have been bugging my sister to come down here. My parents too, since they also can use her flight benefits. And for two months no-one has hopped on a plane. With our birthday rapidly approaching I knew it was the perfect time to deliver the surprise, so I started emailing, texting and calling my sister daily to say: “So are you coming down here for our birthday?” But, because school just started and she has 3 kids, she was resisting the idea of throwing one more thing on her plate. I can’t imagine why!

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Last night my husband called her husband and, with my permission, told him our well-kept secret in order to get him in on it. Unlike my husband who needed to be almost beaten into secret-keeping submission, my brother-in-law was a quick-study and has been one of the better surprise-givers our family has ever known, so there is no chance of him blowing it. We are optimistic that this will be the push she needs to get here for the big reveal.

So, my dear reader, the time of greatness is near. By this time next week the world will know my secret. Until then, I will stay busy trying to convince my husband that he really should do something surprising for my upcoming birthday.

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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

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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

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

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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

P.S. New Mexicast is now easier to find on Facebook because we have a custom URL: www.Facebook.com/NewMexicast

Also, don’t forget to check out New Mexicast’s wonderful sponsors. Without their support I wouldn’t be able to keep bringing you great stories like this:

• Boot Camp & Beyond – http://tiny.cc/BCB
• El Pinto Salsas – http://tiny.cc/ElPinto
• New Mexico Candle Company – http://tiny.cc/NMCandle

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New Mexicast’s Most Enchanting Video Podcast takes an audio detour up to the stunning Taos valley for a whirlwind tour.

I really should call these audio episodes “Rosa Linda’s Ramblings” because that’s really what they are!

As our loyal viewers know, audio podcasts like this are occasional additions to the video podcasts which I post here on New Mexicast every other week. In this audio episode I share some of the juggling that needed to be done to arrange a 2 day trip to Taos, New Mexico to shoot three upcoming stories (including; Dennis Hopper at the Harwood, Pueblo Balloon Ride & a Llama Trek). I also talk about a really interesting story I happened upon along the way.

Also, I wanted to announce the winner of the New Mexicast gift bag. Drum roll please… the winner is: Charles Allen Wood from Winter Park, Florida. He got lots of great gifts from some awesome sponsors (including: New Mexico Candle Co., Dr. Mark Arcuri, & Realtor Frank O’Mahony) . Check them out on our New Mexicast page on Facebook where I’ll post some photos. Here’s a link: http://tiny.cc/NMFacebook

Speaking of sponsors, this audio episode is sponsored by: Boot Camp & Beyond. To learn more about them visit: http://tiny.cc/BCB Or just watch their awesome video promo on New Mexicast’s front page!

And the final announcement I have this week is that the next New Mexicast gift bag giveaway will be to one of our loyal viewers from our email subscriber list. Of course it’s absolutely free and simply allows you to get an email whenever I post a new episode. If you are already on the email list, THANK YOU! You are automatically entered in the next drawing. If you are not, here’s a link to get on the list: http://tiny.cc/NMemail (Be sure to watch for a confirmation email from RLR@NewMexicast.com to activate it!)

Well, it’s way past my bedtime so I will just end by saying thank you to all of you that are supporting New Mexicast! Lots of great stories in the queque, so keep tuning in!

Lots of love,
Rosa Linda

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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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Twitter: http://Twitter.com/NewMexicast

Subscribe by email: http://tiny.cc/NMemail

Subscribe by iTunes: http://tiny.cc/NMiTunes

Facebook: http://tiny.cc/NMFacebook

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This week on New Mexicast: a preview of some of the great stories coming up on New Mexico’s most Enchanting video podcast in the coming weeks. Also, a celebration of 1 year since New Mexicast’s launch!

After a very busy trip to Taos, New Mexico for the “Summer of Love” press tour (thanks to Peter St. Cyr & Joanie Griffin of Griffin & Associates for inviting me!) I have 9 great stories shot and ready for editing (including an interview with actors/artists Dennis Hopper & Dean Stockwell). Since that means it will be awhile before some of them make it onto the web, I thought you might enjoy a preview of what’s coming up.

Now let me just say: HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BABY! I can’t believe New Mexicast is about to celebrate its 1-year anniversary. Thank you to everyone that has made this such a wonderful year. Here’s to many more happy years to come! Be sure to watch until the very end of this episode for a fun, WOW-moment!

Lots of love,

Rosa Linda

P.S. If your company would like to sponsor one of the featured episodes just send me a note at: RLR@NewMexicast.com

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As many of you know, New Mexico’s most enchanting video podcast is also an occasional audio podcast.

This week’s audio episode is all about finding balance. Balance between time at home and time for work; between taking the girls with me on a shoot so they can share in the experience and getting the best story possible; and so on. This search for balance is the story of my life, really.

Now that I know that the majority of you would like to hear an occasional audio episode (based on the poll we did that showed about 93% of you would be in favor of it), I am going to create them from time to  time. I think the audio podcasts are the perfect place to not only ramble about whatever is on my mind, but also to update my audience on things like giveaways, surveys and other current news. That will allow me to keep the video podcasts evergreen (i.e. not dated) since they are available on line long after some of the current events are no longer current.

Speaking of changes, I am working on some big ones here on NewMexicast.com. I will be trying new things to see what works and what doesn’t, so if you notice something that is NOT working, please let me know right away.

Don’t forget to:

Follow New Mexicast on Twitter

Become a fan of New Mexicast’s page on Facebook

Subscribe to New Mexicast in iTunes

…and join New Mexicast’s email subscriber list.

See you in two weeks!

Lots of love,

Rosa Linda

P.S. As I mention in this episode, anyone that becomes a fan of New Mexicast’s page on Facebook by the end of April is automatically entered in our next gift bag giveaway. Click here now to join the fun!

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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.

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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:

Twitter

FaceBook

iTunes

or get on our email subscriber list!

Thank you.

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New Mexico’s most Enchanting Video Podcast is now an audio podcast too! Well, at least for this week.

As the title suggests, I am just experimenting with an audio episode of New Mexicast to see what my viewers/subscribers think. Take a listen and let me know what you think by posting a comment here on the website or by sending me an email at RLR@NewMexicast.com

If you hate it, tell me so. If you think it’s a nice addition for the off-weeks, tell me that too. Bottom line is I will keep doing them if more people enjoy them than hate them. Please cast your vote now. (See the survey that says “Would you like to hear (occasional) audio podcasts on New Mexicast” on the side of the website?)

Okay. Experiment’s over… for now.

Next up… Flamenco Dancing. Video, of course!

Lots of love,

Rosa Linda

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New Mexico’s most Enchanting Video Podcast gets even hotter this week with a trip to the Fiery Foods & BBQ Show at the Sandia Resort and Casino in Albuquerque.

I first interviewed Dave DeWitt, Co-Producer of the Fiery Foods & BBQ Show, more than 10 years ago right after I moved to Albuquerque to work at KOAT-7. Back then I didn’t know the first thing about chile (or chili for that matter). That interview was a crash course in Southwestern cuisine for me. While I am still a certified “wimp” when it comes to spicy food, I have come to appreciate the fact that when people leave the state of New Mexico, they have friends mail them green chile because they miss the flavor so much. I hope seeing this story will give you just a “taste” of what this Land of Enchantment has to offer.

After watching the story, consider following Dave DeWitt on Twitter (@FieryFoods) or visiting the Fiery Foods and Barbecue SuperSite where he blogs.

Also, please take the New Mexicast survey. It is not very long and your feedback is so helpful. Plus, you could win a great New Mexicast gift bag with goodies from: Dave DeWitt himself, jewelry maker Gemstar Dezigns, Chavela’s Salsa …and lots of other great stuff from the Land of Enchantment.

Finally, I want to welcome all the spicy new friends from Taste the Fear.com, Twitter, Facebook and anywhere else that brought you to this Enchanting Video Podcast.

Now please go tell 5 friends to sign up for our email updates at: http://tiny.cc/NMemail before I post the next episode and they miss more of this fantastic fun! They, and I, will thank you!

Lots of love,
Rosa Linda

P.S. Don’t forget to watch the bloopers… the last one in particular makes me smile (hmmm… I wonder why! LOL!).

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Dear Friends,

I am so excited to bring you the final installment of the Falk family story. This is part four of a series about Holocaust survivor Gabrielle Falk and her family. This episode focuses on how Gabrielle’s parents, Walther and Ellinor Freund survived the Holocaust and how the family reunited after the war.

While I know my work on this series can never really do the story justice, I hope it will at least give you a glimpse at an amazing person and help us all to never forget.

Thank you to Irene Uffrecht-Peters for the photos from Auschwitz. And, as always, thank you so much to Stephen and Gabrielle Falk for entrusting me with their story.

Lots of love,
Rosa Linda

P.S. Please help us keep New Mexicast the most Enchanting Video Podcast by taking a quick survey. Click here to start it now!

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Hello Friends & Happy Valentine’s week!

As promised, this is part three of a four part series on Holocaust survivor Gabrielle Falk and her family. Specifically, this episode focuses on Gabrielle and her parents during the war. The title comes from a night of violence inflicted on Germany’s Jewish community Novemer 9 – 10, 1938, known as Kristallnacht.

I will be honest in telling you this was the toughest episode I’ve done yet. Not only is the subject matter disturbing (maybe it’s appropriate that I’m posting it on Friday the 13th!), but it was also a challenge to find visual elements to compliment the stories Gabrielle shares (in addition to the awesome Falk/Freund family photos provided by her son, Stephen Falk, of course!). Being part of the “New Media” means I have to be very careful about what I use in my stories (Hey, I never said there weren’t some great benefits to working for a big news station… namely, a hefty legal department that handled these issues for me! LOL!).

Which is why two websites are now my new best friends. They are both depositories of images which can be used in projects like mine (and blogs, etc.).

The first one is MorgueFile . Their tagline is: “Where photo reference lives.” It is a treasure trove of artistic photographs that can be used to illustrate just about any point you’re trying to make. And I’m talking GORGEOUS shots! (A special thanks to the “Digital Marketer” for pointing me to this website!)

The second is WikiMedia Commons that seems to be more of a database of archival photos for historic reference (although I imagine there are plenty of artistic ones there too, I just didn’t have time to look). I found this particularly relevant to this story because of an interesting development on their site having to do with the German Federal archives. Here’s what it says on WikiMedia Commons:

• “A 100k image donation from the German Federal archives is currently being uploaded to Commons. Your help is needed categorizing these images. Sample gallery.”

In other words, they are uploading 100,000 German archival photos to WikiMedia. With that many images, they need help sorting it all. So, if you are interested in ensuring history accurately reflects the events surrounding the Holocaust, and if you have the time, they are asking for your help to categorize the images.

That’s it for now. Part four will wrap this all up in two weeks! See you then!

Lots of love,
Rosa Linda

• QuickTime

Hello Friends!

Long time no post. Sorry about that. With the holidays and so many other things going on (see the episode for more details), I needed more time to put this one together. Not to mention this is definitely one of the hardest stories (emotionally and logistically) that I’ve put together so far here on New Mexicast.

What started as a simple recording session to document one woman’s life’s story as a favor to her family has turned into a three part (or maybe more… who knows?) series. After all, how does one tell the story of someone’s 85 very colorful years in one podcast episode? I, for one, obviously can’t!

Seriously, I hope this story moves you as much as it has moved me. Seeing the film from the 1930’s really got to me. A special thanks to Inga Huhn and the Koenig family for allowing me to use the footage. Also, thanks so much to Stephen Falk (and several of his family members) for getting me all the documents and materials for this story (Including sending me an audio cassette! Which prompted my 4 year old daughter to ask, “Mommy, what’s a cassette?” LOL!). I also appreciate the Internet Archive for providing the historical footage. And, of course, Gabrielle for inviting me to interview her in the first place.

Oh, and I am happy to share a few announcements this week:

1. New Mexicast – Episode 14 – is being featured on Roots TV! Click here to check it out!

2. New Mexicast is on Facebook! Click here to become a fan!

Well, it has been a very crazy time in our lives. I hope 2009 calms down sometime soon!

Please know you are appreciated dear viewer! Look for part 3 in two weeks.

Lots of love,

Rosa Linda

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• QuickTime

Happy New Year my dear friends & family!

I must begin this new year with an apology. Sorry that I haven’t posted an episode (or an explanation) in several weeks. As with so many other families during the holiday season, we had too many commitments and not enough time. In fact, I am typing this from my parent’s house in Chicago while the girls (and their cousins) are napping upstairs. I hope you will all understand that this is not a case of “podfading” (the term for podcasts that suddenly disappear into the twilight).

The next episode of New Mexicast will be posted on or before January 27th (it will be part 2 of the “Falk Family History” story). In the meantime, please accept this home video as a digital postcard from across the miles; a smile from my family to yours. It is from our family sledding day about a week and a half ago.

I hope the new year brings you and yours an abundance of health and happiness! May 2009 be the best year yet!

Lots of love,
Rosa Linda

P.S. New Mexicast is finally on FaceBook! Become a “Fan” at: New Mexicast on Facebook

• QuickTime

Hello Friends!

Have you ever undertaken a project that you were excited about only to wonder if you are out of your league? Well, this week’s story is like that for me. In fact, the story is so important that I have decided to turn it into a two part series (which has never been done before here on New Mexicast).

So this week’s episode is part one. It is about an amazing man named Stephen Falk. He has made it his personal mission to research his family tree and to preserve what he can after so much damage was done during the Holocaust. The information he has provided me with for this story is impressive. I only wish I had the time and resources to turn this amazing life’s work into the documentary that it deserves to be. Hopefully, this two part series will at least do a small part to share his work with the world. If you want to learn more, please check out the Falk Family History page on FamilyHistory.org. Here’s the link:

http://www.familymemory.org/pages/1/index.htm

After you watch Stephen’s story, I know you will be excited about the next episode of New Mexicast, which will be his mother, Gabrielle Falk’s story.

Enjoy!

Lots of love,

Rosa Linda

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Hello friends and happy Thanksgiving!

It is the time of year where our thoughts turn to family, friends and opening our hearts. You know I never ask for anything from you all (Other than watching every episode, subscribing to and spreading the word about New Mexicast, posting comments and taking a survey… okay, so I do ask a lot of you! LOL!) but I thought I would put an appeal out there to help a great cause this holiday season. One year ago this month, we lost my dear father-in-law, Dr. Sam Goldfein. Because he was always dedicated to the pursuit of medicine and helping others to live full and healthy lives, we set up a medical scholarship fund in his honor. The hope is that the fund will help others to help others by giving them the chance to go to medical school. You never know, one of those scholarship recipients could save one of your loved ones’ lives one day. So, as you decide where your generous holiday donations will go, please consider even a small donation to:

Dr. Sam Goldfein Medical School Scholarship Fund
Jewish Community Foundation
5546 East Fourth Street
Tucson, AZ 85711

Speaking of worthy causes… this week’s story highlights the service project of a local Girl Scout Troop. I know it’s not the kind of project that usually makes headlines or gets media attention, but that’s exactly why I love doing this video podcast, because I get to do stories about good works and good people. When you see these adorable Santa’s helpers, I think you will agree they deserve kudos for reaching out to kids who are less fortunate this holiday season.

Thanks again for all your support and kindness.

Sincerely,
Rosa Linda

P.S. I hope you’re not forgetting to stick around for the “Bloopers & Outtakes” at the end of each episode!

• QuickTime

Hello Friends!

I hope you are all enjoying the change of weather as much as we are. We recently traveled to Binghamton, New York where the leaves were changing brillant shades of yellow, orange and red. Back here in New Mexico we have been enjoying pinon picking (pine nuts) and lots of sunshine one day and snow the next.

This week’s episode comes to you a month late (since I forgot to hit “publish” and it never was posted last month) and after plenty of technical mistakes on my part. While on vacation in Puerto Penasco, Mexico my husband graciously shot the intro and tag for this week’s story. Unfortunately, the wind got the best of the audio and I had to reshoot everything.

Still, I hope you will all enjoy the end result. The story is about the Pinto Bean Fiesta in Moriarty, New Mexico. Never before had I been to a celebration of a legume, but it was lots of fun.

Please keep posting comments here on the website (or in iTunes) to let me know what you think of all these stories. I am still looking for a few good sponsors to keep this venture afloat, so if you know of anyone that wants to see their company name up in lights (or at least online in a podcast), please have them email me at: RLR@NewMexicast.com

Thanks again to all of you for watching. See you in two weeks!

Lots of love,

Rosa Linda

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Hello Friends!

I have to say I don’t know what’s more frustrating… the fact that my brain is so fried that I forgot to hit “publish” for the last episode and managed to not post any story at all (which means there have been no updates here for a month), or the fact that it took me two weeks to notice. So, dear viewers, please accept my sincere apologies for shortchanging you this month.

Still, despite my gross oversight, because it is almost Halloween I am going to go ahead and post the episode I was planning to post today (Pumpkin Patch) and then post the previous episode (Pinto Bean Fiesta) in two weeks. Confusing yes. But hopefully they both will not only entertain you, but will keep you smiling through this spooky holiday season!

So, for this week’s episode there are really two subjects; A pumpkin patch and a local daycare that took their kids there on a field trip. 

The pumpkin patch is a very cool, working pumpkin farm in Moriarty, New Mexico called McCall’s Pumpkin Patch. Their website is: www.mccallpumpkinpatch.com 

The daycare is Manzano Mountain Early Learning Center, or “Vicki’s House” in Tijeras, New Mexico. The Director, Vicki Burns, was kind enough to let me tag along and videotape the adorable 2, 3 & 4 year old kids while they were on their field trip.

I hope you enjoy the story and have a very happy and safe Halloween!

Lots of love,

Rosa Linda

P.S. I can’t wait to see what new comments and surveys come in in response to my WHAT list! Thank you!

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Hello Friends!

This week I am happy to share with you one of the reasons I fell in love with New Mexico more than 10 years ago; The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. It is an annual tradition unlike anything I have ever seen. As waves of hot air balloons take flight (more than 700 in all!) spectators get to walk among them. It is a beautiful experience for people of all ages.

For more information about the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, visit www.BalloonFiesta.com 

Now I would like to ask for feedback from all of you wonderful viewers. Recently a few people mentioned they had problems seeing the stories I am posting. If you have any trouble with the media file please let me know (you do need the latest version of QuickTIme… if you don’t have it, click here to download it). Please either send me an email at RLR@NewMexicast.com or post a comment anywhere here on the website. If you don’t tell me there are problems, I won’t know and I can’t fix them.

Thanks to all of you who are spreading the word about New Mexicast. It is a labor of love that I could not do without your support.

Next up in two weeks… a Pinto Bean Parade! Be sure to stay tuned.

Lots of Love,

Rosa Linda

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Hello Friends!

I am excited to welcome all of the new viewers who have recently found New Mexicast through Podcast Pickle. I must admit that I have been so focused on getting the stories done that I have been very lax in the marketing and promotion departments of this podcasting venture. Being added to the Podcast Pickle directory was very exciting for me. Hopefully, if you like what you discover here, you can all help me spread the word about this bi-monthly video podcast.

While New Mexicast isn’t only about this great state of New Mexico, I do think this week’s episode is a good example of the many unexpected things you can find in this enchanting land. After all, who would expect to see exotic animals from the rainforest right here in the desert?

Specifically, the story is about two companies in Rio Rancho, New Mexico dedicated to helping protect birds and other rainforest critters. The first is “Exotics of the Rainforest” which is owned by Carolyn and Sparky Newell. They put on an impressive show for lots of different occasions and organizations with dozens of animals. They will even come to your child’s birthday party (which sounds like great fun to me)! Although they don’t have a website, you can get more information by emailing Carolyn at: carolynmacaw@connectionone.net

The other company is “Hatch’s Parrot Place” owned by Trina and Wayne Hatcher. They raise parrots as “companions” and try to match each bird with the right home.  If you’re in the market for a parrot, email them at: hatchsparrotplace@msn.com

As I mention in the tag, this week’s story was the only one that I didn’t shoot myself (normally, everything you see on this website is reported, hosted, shot and edited by me). Back in my broadcasting days one of the things I enjoyed the most was the camaraderie between reporter and videographer, so I thought I would see how it was to work with someone else on these New Mexicast reports. The videographer who worked with me on this story is Brandon Dent (He had done some work on a short film I directed). In his day job, Brandon is a realtor, so if you are in the market for a videographer or a home, contact him at: www.MyPropertyNow.com

Finally, let me say thanks to all of you who keep tuning in and checking out these stories every two weeks. There’s no way for me to express how much it means to me to have this opportunity to venture out on my own. As long as you keep watching I get to keep this dream alive.

See you again in two weeks!

Sincerely,
Rosa Linda

• QuickTime

Hello Friends!

I am just returning to the wonderful Land of Enchantment from the Windy City where I was visiting my family. It was great to see everyone, but it is always great to be home too.

As you may have noticed, we have been traveling a LOT this summer. One of the places we visited was Montreal, Canada. While there, I learned that our dear friend’s mother, Mina Kupferberg, has a house that looks like a dollhouse museum. She shared her collection with my daughters and they were delighted. I was amazed to hear that she has created every single one by hand. Thankfully, she allowed me to record her story with no advanced notice.

I hope you enjoy the episode. Oh, and the cute kids in the intro are my nieces, Sofi and Lia, and the lovely lady with them is my sister, Rebecca. I put them on the spot while they were visiting us from Chicago. They also gave me some pretty funny bloopers this week! Enjoy!

Lots of love,

Rosa Linda

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Hello friends!

For those of you that are watching the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, you should appreciate this week’s episode of New Mexicast. It is about a 14 year old hockey player with big dreams. Sure there are plenty of amazing hockey players his age who have big dreams, but this is Jade Castello’s story. He works hard and with his mother’s help, he is overcoming lots of obstacles as he pursues his goal of making it to the NHL.

I hope you enjoy meeting this young man and his mom. I certainly did.

To my loyal viewers, as always your support is greatly appreciated. In addition to watching the episodes, there are a few other ways you can help support this video podcast. You can (click on any of the list items for more info):

• Buy a t-shirt
• Subscribe to the podcast
• Take a survey
• Sponsor an Episode (just email me: RLR@NewMexicast.com )
• Tell all your friends

Thanks again for all your support as I work to keep New Mexicast going strong.

Lots of love,

Rosa Linda

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• iPod

Hello Friends!

And welcome to all you Manic Mommies’ fans that are just discovering the New Mexicast!

If you’re like me, you have long felt like Erin and Kristin were kindred spirits because you’ve listened to every single episode of their awesome podcast. As you struggle through endless parenting challenges, they have probably felt like two of your girlfriends who just tell it like it is. Well, if this sounds like you, then I think you’re going to love this episode of New Mexicast. Because, as much as Erin and Kristin share with their listeners on the show each week, I think seeing them on video along with their families, makes them feel even more familiar.

For those New Mexicast viewers that have no idea what I’m talking about (especially of the male variety), this week I have the priveledge of introducing you to two ladies who host a wonderful audio podcast about the challenges of parenting, called the “Manic Mommies.” I highly recommend you check out (and subscribe to) their podcast in iTunes. Or you can visit their website: www.ManicMommies.com

Also, if you haven’t yet heard it, please check out the Manic Mommies’ episode: MM 125 – When Manic Mommies Meet. It is an episode of the Manic Mommies’ podcast where they turn the tables and interview me. Look for the link on the sidebar of www.NewMexicast.com called ”Rosa Linda on Manic Mommies.”

I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I enjoyed doing it! And I hope those of you who are just here to see Erin and Kristin will stay and check out the rest of New Mexicast (I recommend starting with NM0000 – New Mexicast Promo because it explains what this is all about).

For those that have been around from the beginning you may have noticed that I have a new ad in this episode. It is for a project called IndieLab. It’s a really great project that offers free blogs and websites for media creators (photographers, musicians, podcasters, etc.). Check out their website at: www.IndieLab.org 

As the Manic Mommies would say,  “if you like our show, please help spread the word and tell three friends, or leave a review for us on iTunes… and have a great manic week” (can you tell I love that podcast?)!

Lots of love,

Rosa Linda

P.S. Be sure to watch until the very end of this episode, there are some GREAT bloopers at the end!