2011 NARPI Western Region & National Reunion Albuquerque NM September 27 - 29, 2011   Click here to view the registration form. The reunion registration cutoff date has been extended to August 27th. The hotel cutoff remains August 2nd.   Click here to view the Attendee List.   Tuesday, September 27 Registration will be in the main lobby from 1:00 - 6:00 pm., after 6 pm. in the hospitality room which will be open from 1 - 10 pm.   Wednesday, September 28 On Wednesday you have a choice of Golf or a day trip.  The golfers will carpool to the UNM Championship Golf Course at 8 a.m. and will return by 2 p.m. The sightseers will leave the hotel in a bus at 9:00 am. and proceed to Indian Pueblo Culture Center (IPCC) located in the center of the city.  There you will be able to see some of the history of the 19 different pueblos in the area.  Most of these were in existence long before white man came to America or Mexico. Old Albuquerque for shopping and lunch on our own.  After lunch we will visit the National Nuclear Museum where you will be able to view the history of the making of the Atomic Bomb and see replicas of “Little Man” and “Fat Boy” that were dropped on Japan to end WW II. We will return to the hotel about 3 p.m. The NARPI Board Meeting will be held at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, September 29 A bus will take us west of the city to visit Acoma Pueblo, the most remote and inaccessible pueblo in New Mexico. It is built on the top of a mesa and has been in existence for over 1000 years. The Acoma Tribe will meet us at the bottom of the mesa and transport us in their equipment to the top of the mesa. The tour manager informed us that this is not a tour for those who may be physically or altitude challenged. It is over 7000 feet, and he recommends that all be prepared by wearing hats and sun screen as needed. The Western Region annual meeting at 4:00 p.m. and the NARPI National meeting at 4:30 p.m. A social hour will begin with a cash bar at 6:30 p.m. and the banquet will begin at 7:00 p.m. The name of the speaker will be announced at a later date. Friday, September 30 We have arranged with the tour manager to provide a tour on Friday, September 30, for those who may be interested. This tour will travel from Albuquerque to Santa Fe via the Turquoise Trail with a stop in the art colony town of Madrid. Madrid's rich history, dating from the early 1800's, has taken it from the discovery of coal, to a mining town, to today's distinctive artist's community. It became a ghost town. In the early 1970's, artists and craftspeople arrived. They converted old company stores and houses into quality shops and galleries and services. In Santa Fe, our tour will include admission to the Chapel of Loretto with the “miraculous spiral staircase”. Lunch will be on your own, with shopping downtown where you may visit the Palace of the Governor’s that was built in the early 1600’s. Originally constructed in the early 17th century as Spain's seat of government for what is today the American Southwest, the Palace of the Governors chronicles the history of Santa Fe, as well as New Mexico and the region. THIS TOUR HAS BEEN CONFIRMED. Airport Transportation It is about 16 miles from the Albuquerque Airport to our hotel. The hotel does not provide shuttle service. Travel from the airport to the hotel can be arranged by contacting Sunport Shuttle at 505-883-4966 or 866-505-4966. The current rates are available on their website. We were quoted a rate of $22 O/W or $42 R/T per person for shuttle. Yellow Cab gave an estimate of $30-31 (plus $1.07 for each extra person) for taxi service to the NATIVO LODGE. Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Fiesta The fameous nine-day fiesta begins October 1st, 2011. Due to its increasing popularity, “the powers to be” have limited it to 900 Balloons. Early-Early morning is flight time. AJ Bird has arranged for a special rate in the hotel if you stay over for the Balloon Fiesta. If reservations are made, your bill will only increase by $24 a night. This may be a once in a lifetime experience for you. My personal recommendation is get your reservations in early while there are rooms available. We have guaranteed a certain number of rooms at the quoted rate, and if you procrastinate you may find that there are no rooms at the inn or the rate has increased. Our Hotel Our reunion is being held at the Nativo Lodge, 6000 Pan American Freeway NE, Albuquerque, NM.  It is located just east of the I-25 and about 4 miles north of the I-40.  It is a 146 room hotel with all of the conveniences.  It has an fitness center, indoor/outdoor heated swimming pool and a jacuzzi.  The Sprit Winds Cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Room service is available if desired. The reunion room rate is $95 plus taxes and includes a daily breakfast.  The NARPI rate is good from September 24th (3 days prior) to the 29th.  Your stay can be extended into the Balloon Fiesta for an addtional $24 per night.  Our room block will expire on August 2nd.  Please make your room reservations early as we have a limited number of rooms at this rate. The hotel room rate will not be extended. Rooms are limited to cancellations at this time. Make your reservations by calling the hotel directly at 505-798-4300.   Click here to view the registration form. The reunion registration cutoff date has been extended to August 27th. The hotel cutoff remains August 2nd.   Click here to view the Attendee List.   Click here for information on 5% discount on American Airlines. For additional information: Email/call AJ Bird at ajbird2@q.com or 623-815-8104 or Burel Carney at rediclown@cox.net