Artist Donna Volatile and daughter Laura Volatile have opened Back Country Bar and Bistro in tiny Truchas, north of Santa Fe, on the High Road to Taos.

"It looks like an old-time saloon when you walk in," Donna Volatile said. "It's pretty funky."

The new bar and bistro is on the site of the now-defunct Back Country Bar.

"We kept the name because people know it," Donna Volatile said.

The new establishment attracts visitors and locals alike, Donna Volatile said. "There's nothing between here and Peñasco."

The bistro's menu consists of sandwiches — four on the menu all the time and one special sandwich that changes weekly.

The bar offers wine, beer and hard alcohol, said Donna Volatile, who is a licensed server.

"We know all the rules" for serving alcoholic beverages, she said.

Visitors may also view the paintings of various artists that hang on the walls.

The bistro's hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cantina nights are Thursday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., sometimes until
1 a.m.

The bar "has a reputation for a lot of fights," Donna Volatile said. "We have a one-fight rule, none inside."

But out in the street, fisticuffs are not unknown. "There are some outside," Donna Volatile said.

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Santa Fe P.S., a new gift catalog and gift service based in Santa Fe, is launching its new Web site, santafeps.net, which offers contemporary gifts with a connection to Santa Fe.

Owner Shirley Pisacane has selected gifts from artisans, merchants and designers to create a collection of items that are artistic, creative and clever.

Shirley's hope is that people will look to Santa Fe P.S. for gifts of recognition, appreciation, affection, friendship and fun and make gift giving a pleasure.

Artisans, designers, artists and merchants represented by Santa Fe P.S. include
Norma Andraud, Marty Horowitz, Onorato, Robb Rael, Linda Durante and Good Water Co.

Shirley Pisacane is a longtime Santa Fe resident and a former owner of Periscope restaurant, Kokoman Circus, Angel Food Catering and Circus Catering.

"I wanted to create a business that sells gifts from Santa Fe to people here and to people around the world," Pisacane said in an e-mail.

For more information, visit santafeps.net.