El mitote Nov. 30

| The New Mexican

11/29/2008 - 11/25/08

Talk about a list you don't want to make. On MSN, the list of 10 stars who have lost their "dreamy" status includes New Mexico's Val Kilmer. According to the story, "It's not that we expect Val Kilmer to sport the same glistening, muscular physique he showed off as Iceman during that shirtless, homoerotic-subtext-laden volleyball scene in 1986's 'Top Gun.' But we do expect that he not let himself go to the point where we're ... more concerned for his health." Ouch! Of course, to run for governor — a move Kilmer is reportedly mulling — you don't have to be in shape. Right, Bill?


Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland stopped by Back at the Ranch last week. She came in with Sugarland's manager Gail Gelman, who wanted the shop to replicate her favorite old pair of boots. The popular country duo recently won a Country Music Award as, what else, favorite duo. Gelman also recently purchased a pair of Back at the Ranch's popular skull and crossbones boots for Nettles. The singer recently joined with Kristian Bush and Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls and Amos Lee to raise money for Colorado and New Mexico charities. The Santa Fe Concert was at the Armory for the Arts.


On the street: Ronnie Dunn of country music's Brooks and Dunne, walking down Palace Avenue (by the First National Bank) earlier this month.


Locals going national: NewsHour with Jim Lehrer recently featured the poetry group at Santa Fe Indian School, with fairly lengthy coverage of students preparing for a national slam contest and brief interviews with individual students and with their sponsor, Tim McLaughlin.


More locals in the news: Teri Greeves, contemporary Kiowa beadwork artist, was featured on the Martha Stewart Show on Nov. 20. Greeves demonstrated techniques and discussed the current Clothing Exhibition at the National Museum of the American Indian in New York City. Greeves' work can been seen in many art publications and museum exhibitions throughout the country and Europe. She has won Best of Show at Indian Market and is represented locally at the Jane Sauer Gallery.


Still more national notice: Mike Loftin of Homewise is quoted in the Nov. 24 edition of Newsweek in an article titled "When 'Subprime' Isn't a Dirty Word." Mike is listed as one of the ethical subprime lenders. Gregg Bemis (a New Mexican columnist and venture capitalist) was interviewed on Weekend Edition of NPR earlier this month about his ownership and exploration of the Lusitania. The piece focused on whether the Lusitania was carrying military cargo at the time it was torpedoed.


New York faves: Readers wrote to The New York Times about their favorites in Santa Fe. Favorite restaurants include The Compound Restaurant, Tecolote Café, Tomasita's, Santa Fe Baking Co. Café, Posa's El Merendero, Five & Dime General Store and the Horsemen's Haven. Mentioned as places to stay? The Inn of the Governors, Pueblo Bonito Bed and Hotel Plaza Real. Diversions recommended by readers include visiting Nicholas Potter's Bookseller, Todos Santos and Ghost Ranch.


Finally, Rabbi Leonard Helman, known for his bridge prowess, was featured in the Bridge column written by Frank Stewart of the Los Angeles Times syndicate.

Send your news to elmitote@sfnewmexican.com.