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West District Gathering, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Come help us celebrate the IHA Herb of the Year™ “PEPPERS – Capsicum spp.”
Where better to explore peppers than Albuquerque, New Mexico? The true Southwest awaits you. Come immerse yourself in rich culture and heritage, rooted in centuries of history. Soak in our blue skies and sun that shines 310 days a year - perfect for outdoor activities. Breathe in the high desert air scented with sage and piñon, and you'll understand why Albuquerque is a destination like no other.

Accommodations:
HYATT PLACE ALBUQUERQUE AIRPORT, 1400 Sunport Pl. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106

A limited number of rooms are blocked. Reservations must be made by September 9th. Please call toll free 888-492-8847 and tell the person in reservations you are making a reservation under the Herb Society room block. HSA price is $79 a night. That price is good from Sept 21st thru the 26th. All rooms include, free shuttle service from the airport and within a five mile range of the hotel, Wi-Fi in your room, and complimentary breakfast in lobby. Guestrooms are studio suites with either two double beds or a king bed; both include a couch that converts to a double bed. Rooms also have a business desk, 42” TV, refrigerator, coffee service, and a safe.

Friday Evening:
We will carpool to “old town” where you can join us at St. Claire Bistro for wine and dinner (Dutch Treat) or go on your own. Stroll the Plaza, dine at one of the many restaurants, visit the museums, or shop at over 150 stores and galleries for unique gifts from the Southwest and around the world. Quiet hidden patios, winding brick paths, gardens, and balconies are waiting to be discovered!

Saturday Gathering Site:
Rio Grande Nature Center

Located on the central Rio Grande flyway, Rio Grande Nature Center State Park offers excellent bird watching throughout the year. Visitors can observe about 250 species of birds including roadrunners and wood ducks. A trail system along the river, demonstration gardens and indoor and outdoor wildlife viewing areas add to this valuable public resource.

The Bosque, or riverside forest, features two miles of nature trails which wind through tall cottonwoods and past willow thickets and open sand flats alongside the Rio Grande. Park visitors in winter might observe Sandhill cranes at the river and porcupines in the trees. In summer lizards skitter across the trails and hummingbirds investigate flowering plants.
State Park charges a $3.00 parking fee.

Our Program
We will meet in the lobby of the Hyatt and carpool to the Rio Grande Nature center.
We will start the morning with a tour of the native garden, on to the pollinator garden and then finish up with a river walk. Then we move indoors for a short break and a refreshments before we conduct a business meeting with Rae McKimm, our new HSA Board President presiding.
We will be brought up to date, find out what is new at HSA Headquarters, and the future of HSA.

Next - Lunch!!!

Keynote Speaker
Stephanie Walker
Dr. Stephanie Walker is the Extension Vegetable Specialist at New Mexico State University. Her primary research interests include genetics and breeding of Chile peppers, vegetable mechanization, enhancing pigment content, post-harvest quality and irrigation efficiency. She earned her M.S. in Horticulture and Ph.D. in Agronomy from NMSU, and has extensive experience in the food processing industry. She serves on the advisory board for the Chile Pepper Institute and is the Western SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program) Professional Development Coordinator for New Mexico.

To finish up our gathering, we will have a tasting, "Anything Pepper"
We will have a taste of pepper dishes, jam, bread, and more. If you have a favorite pepper recipe please bring along a sample/s so that we can all taste it or take home something to try.

Later:
Come Toast Our Gathering
Everyone is invited back to Jody’s room where there will be a “Ways and Means” table (bring something to donate if you can) and we will have an Herbal liquor tasting. Jody will have some homemade liquors to try. Feel free to bring your own and share a taste.
We will also have snacks and other beverages.

While in Albuquerque:
ABQ BIO PARK – AQUARIUM, BOTANIC GARDENS, ZOO
903 10th Street
(505) 768-2000

Aquarium - 2601 Central Avenue - Reef fish • invertebrates• reef fish • sandbar • sandtiger • blacktip • nurse sharks
Botanic Gardens - 2601 Central Avenue - Two glass conservatories• formal • children’s fantasy • Butterfly & Japanese gardens• Heritage Farm
Zoo - 903 10th Street - Elephants • rhinos • giraffes • gorillas • birds• wolves • bears • seals • tigers • koalas