By DeBorah Fox

News-Bulletin Staff Writer

dfox@news-bulletin.com
Belen
There will be dancing in the streets at the 2012 Rio
Abajo Becker Street Festival Saturday, Sept. 29.
The free event starts at 10 a.m. and ends at midnight.
Live music and a whole host of activities are planned
to entertain and offer fun for the whole family.
The annual Belen Rio Abajo festival is a long-time
community tradition, celebrating the good things of
the previous year, said Robert Auge, a former presi-
dent of the Greater Belen Chamber of Commerce.
About eight years ago, members from an earlier
board of directors for the chamber started the Rio
Abajo festival.
Auge and another chamber member initiated the idea
and the whole board got involved, supported it and
worked hard to make it a success, Auge said.
Russell Griego and the rest of us were trying to
find something that would inspire activity within the
city and bring visitors, Auge said. I had come up
with this idea based on a venue I had attended out in
California, called Vision Mule Days.
We tried to put something together that would
incorporate rodeo and western type activities, because
there are a lot of people involved with that here in the
county.
Cindy Clark, who was the chambers director at the
time, worked very hard on that festival, he said.
But the history goes even further back, to the late
1970s or early 80s when a previous chamber direc-
tor, Jolene Dillow, had a festival she called Rio Abajo,
Auge said.
We kind of borrowed the name from her, he said.
2 Rio Abajo Days 2012 Valencia County News-Bulletin September 22, 2012
n See Rio Abajo, Page 3
Deborah Fox-News-Bulletin photo
RHONA BACA ESPINOZA, the executive director of the Greater Belen Chamber of Commerce, is excited to present the 2012 Rio Abajo Becker Street Festival. The free
event begins at 10 a.m. and will last until 11 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 29. A variety of activities are planned to entertain and provide fun for the whole family.
Rio Abajo Becker Street Festival is an event for all ages
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September 22, 2012 Valencia County News-Bulletin Rio Abajo Days 2012 3
Rio Abajo: Some of the events include music, arm wrestling and cars
from PAGE 2
At that particular time, there was a little bit of
emphasis going on about some of the Centennial
things that were being talked about, and the name Rio
Abajo was associated with it. Some of the local histori-
ans have long referred to this area as the Rio Abajo.
The festival has changed over the years, and the
rodeo isnt always a part of it because the rodeo
finals arent always in this county, said Rhona Baca
Espinoza, the executive director of the Greater Belen
Chamber of Commerce, but the Rio Abajo Becker
Street Festival is always a celebration of the regions
culture and heritage, and celebrates the season of har-
vest as well.
Farmers markets from Belen, Los Lunas and Bosque
Farms will have booths and offer local produce, honey
and other products.
New this year is a three-on-three basketball tourna-
ment that will extend beyond the festival for finals on
Sunday.
It will be all day Saturday and part of Sunday, said
Chamber President Teresa Whittoff.
Were also having a childrens carnival this year.
Thats new, she said. Im hoping it will draw in more
of some of the families.
There is no entry fee for the festival, and most of the
vendors and other venues are reasonably priced, she
said.
Harla Mays Fat Boy Grill is sponsoring the beer
garden this year, and the Southwest Regional Arm
Wrestling Championship will be held inside the estab-
lishment located on Dalies Avenue.
There will be arm wrestlers in from other states
from the surrounding area, Whittoff said. And we
are going to bring back the County Mayors Division
this year, for the second time.
The Classic and Muscle Car Show gained more
popularity and will be bigger and better this year. The
parade of cars will start at 10 a.m. with judging at
noon.
Aristech Acrylics, here in town, has provided us all
of the trophies for the classic and muscle car show for
free, she said. Theyre ruby red and in the shape of
the Route 66 sign.
A new live band has been added to this years
lineup, a local, classic rock band Salvaged. Redeemed
Contemporary Christian band will perform, Reviva,
Keith Sanchez and the Moonthieves, the Jerry
Jaramillo and the Brown River Band and the Desert
Street Band will start everything off at 10 a.m.
DJ Wayne Gallegos will keep the music hopping in
between band sets.
The Belen Academy of Martial Arts will perform,
Boardwalk Gymnastics, Rene Antoinettes School of
Dance, and Belen Goju Ryn Karate will also perform.
Whittoff and former board member Ronnie Torres
are working together to make the Electric Light Parade
longer and better.
Its open to whomever wants to participate,
Whittoff said.
And of course, after dark, the hot air balloon glow
will light up the skies of downtown Belen.
The Biker Poker Run starts off at noon in front of
Harla Mays for a chance to win $100 for the best poker
hand.
More than 6,000 visitors are expected at the festival,
and the Rail Runners last train out of Belen is later
this year 10:30 p.m.
The Rail Runner has been displaying advertise-
ments for Rio Abajo Becker Street on the trains digital
screen. Courtesy vans will pick up visitors at the sta-
tion.
The Valencia County Fair prize hog was purchased
by Wells Fargo Bank to donate to the chamber, and
Mathews Meats butchered and packaged it for free.
The raffle tickets are $5 a piece, or you can buy six
tickets for $20 to win the more than 300 pounds of
meat.
The event is the chambers largest fundraiser. More
than a third of its funding comes from events to raise
money.
Thats the way it is with non profits, Espinoza said.
The money the chamber raises from its membership
and fundraising activities supports operations, scholar-
ships and community projects.
Were also having a childrens carni-
val this year. Thats new. Im hoping
it will draw in more of some of the
families.
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Greater Belen Chamber of Commerce President
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4 Rio Abajo Days 2012 Valencia County News-Bulletin September 22, 2012
Arm wrestlers, mayors, to take center stage at Harla Mays
By Jason W. Brooks
News-Bulletin Staff Writer
jbrooks @news-bulletin.com
Belen
Since arm wrestling was added to
the Rio Abajo Becker Street Festival
in 2008, local competitors have had a
chance to show their strength.
When the 2012 version of the Rio
Abajo event takes place on Saturday,
Sept. 29, arm wrestlers and fans of
the sport will not only have a chance
to see their friends and neighbors in
action, theyll also get to see a local
puller face off against a national cham-
pion.
Belens Nick Garley will face
off against Isaac The Fire Luna
of Colorado in what is called a
Supermatch at about 2 p.m. as a
highlight of the days arm wrestling
action.
The site will be Harla Mays Fat
Boy Grill, 710 West Dalies Ave.
Picking a highlight of all the days
action wont be easy. The Southwest
Pro-Am Championships will precede
the Supermatch, with any arm wrestler
of any age, experience level or gender
able to enter, and the bracket tourna-
ments begin at noon.
At noon, local mayors, including
Belens Rudy Jaramillo, Bob Knowlton
of Bosque Farms and Bryan Olguin
of Peralta will compete against each
other at 5 p.m.
The mayors match-up, won by
Olguin last year, is another event that
Risso hopes will be a compelling and
well-attended part of the event.
We thank the mayors for doing
this, said Risso. I think they have a
lot of fun with it.
Arm wrestlers are true sports-
men, said Paul Risso, the general
manager of the New Mexico Water
Service Company and an organiz-
er of arm wrestling at Rio Abajo.
Nobodys more intense. And Harla
Mays is a perfect venue.
Sign-ups for the Southwest
Regionals will be from 10 to 11:30
a.m. Pullers under the age of 18 can
compete with their parent or guard-
ians permission, and the first 35 youth
or teen pullers to sign up can enter for
free.
The first-place prize for each of
those divisions is a $10 iTunes gift
card.
There is a $10 sign-up fee for the
adult divisions, which include women
and men, right- and left-handed, and
novice, pro and open brackets.
A total of $600 in cash prizes will
be awarded, and Risso has arranged
for antique water meters that have
been polished to be the trophies.
Arm wrestlers frequently travel
great distances to compete. Large
Albuquerque tournaments often draw
in pullers from Colorado, Wyoming,
Texas and Oklahoma.
And some are in constant search
for new events. Risso is hoping the
Supermatch and the consistency of
the sport being featured at Rio Abajo
will lead to increased participation and
spectator attendance.
There is no charge for spectator
admission. Risso expects some excit-
ing matches, which can last several
minutes.
The most exciting match Ive ever
seen was between two little kids, who
were like 8 or 9 years old, said Risso.
Jason W. Brooks-News-Bulletin photo
ANTIQUE WATER METERS, shown here with arm wrestling event organizer Paul Risso, have been cleaned up to use as trophies
at the Southwest Pro-Am Armwrestling Championships. The event, set to begin at noon on Saturday, Sept. 29, will be held at
Harla Mays Fat Boy Bar and Grill as part of Rio Abajo Becker Street Festival.
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September 22, 2012 Valencia County News-Bulletin Rio Abajo Days 2012 5
News-Bulletin file photos
THE ARM WRESTLING tournament at this years Rio Abajo Becker Street Festival
will be held at Harla Mays Fat Boy Grill in Belen.
PERALTA MAYOR BRYAN OLGUIN, left, was last years winner of the Mayors
Division. He is slated to defend his title this year on Saturday, Sept. 29. Rhona
Espinoza, the executive director of the Greater Belen Chamber of Commerce, right,
congratulates last years winner.
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News-Bulletin Staff Writer
jdendinger@news-bulletin.com
We all know its going to be a battle
for the ages. Sweaty palm to sweaty
palm, eyeballing each other across the
table, wondering ... who will make it
out alive?
OK maybe no one will die, but there
is a fair chance that egos will be bruised
and reputations made and lost at this
years Rio Abajo Becker Street Festival
during the arm wrestling battle royal
amongst three local mayors Rudy
Jaramillo, Belen; Bryan Olguin, Peralta
and Bob Knowlton, Bosque Farms.
Los Lunas Mayor Robert Vialpando
is unable to attend this year.
For the second year in a row, Valencia
County municipalities will vie for the
bragging rights of Best Mayor. Or at
least mayor with the best strength and
leverage.
Bryan The Machine Olguin
Last years inaugural event saw
Peralta Mayor Bryan Olguin take
home the prize. Better known as The
Machine, Olguin will be back to defend
his title. And his title could almost be
called accidental.
I said I wasnt going to do it last
year. When we went for the practice, I
lost four times and my arm was killing
me, said Olguin. I dont know what I
did, but Ive learned to never say never.
Olguin was cagey about how he has
kept in fighting trim this past year, say-
ing he hasnt been training. But he also
let slip the comment that he would bet
everything on the match.
I think Im going to try mental
power; psych them out, The Machine
said.
Olguin said it was good to see some
new blood in the line up, in the form of
Bosque Farms Mayor Bob Knowlton.
They are our neighboring commu-
nity, so lets take it to the mat, Olguin
said, laughing. But no, its all in good
fun. Its to help Belen, and when it was
all said and done, we had some good
laughs last year.
If Peralta were doing something
like this, I know I would be out begging
people to help, he said.
If he wins again, Olguin said maybe
that would be the legacy he leaves to
Peralta when he is out of office.
Maybe I can leave them some tro-
phies, he said. I dont think theyre
going to build a statue for me.
Bob The Blaster Knowlton
Like Olguin, both Knowlton and
Belen Mayor Rudy Jaramillo denied
training for the upcoming bouts.
I signed up, but I have no idea what
Im getting into, Knowlton said.
To keep the metabolism up,
Knowlton, also known as The Blaster,
works out daily, but the residents of The
Farm wont see him out and about, run-
ning the bike path with a log over his
shoulders a la Rocky.
Its totally indoors, he said.
But dont count the new blood out
completely. Knowlton did disclose that
for several years he practiced the martial
art of kajukenbo, earning a black belt.
The folks who founded it, claim its
the original mixed martial arts, The
Blaster said. We used to do some kick
boxing for training, so maybe if I get
really mad, I could resort to that.
Knowlton said he will have to round
up some screaming fans for the match
as a form of psychological warfare on
his opponents.
They tell me its not necessarily
the strongest who wins, he said. Im
looking forward to the training, so I can
figure out my angle to be more competi-
tive.
Rudy The Rock Jaramillo
Despite claims that his rivalry days
are over with, Jaramillo comes to the
competition with high school wres-
tling experience under his belt. While
it was 45 years ago when he last hit the
mats, were confident those skills have
matured and grown into a lethal power
house, ready to take out the other two
elected officials.
Last year I did it as a fun thing.
We are all going to go for some train-
ing from one of the champions, Mike
Apodaca, to work on our form so we
dont get injured, The Rock Jaramillo
said. I hope we just survive.
Jaramillo could be the underdog to
watch in this years competition. Lets
see if he can recover from his fourth-
place finish of last year.
I had a nice time; Im not going to
say I enjoyed it, Jaramillo said of last
years bout, laughing. The chamber
works hard to make this event commu-
nity wide, not just Belen.
I want to see us build that connec-
tion between the governing bodies, he
said. I feel that I have a good rapport
with the other mayors.
Arm wrestling moves
No. 1: The Hook: The hook is the
most common move in arm wrestling.
You are probably familiar with the hook,
because it is the move that is used when
arm wrestling is portrayed in bars and
elsewhere on TV.
It is considered an inside move,
meaning you are trying to beat your
opponents arm instead of his hand (as
you do in a toproll). To be successful in
a hook, you should be stronger than or at
least equal to the strength level of your
opponent.
You need not have as good a bench
6 Rio Abajo Days 2012 Valencia County News-Bulletin September 22, 2012
n See Mayors, Page 7A
Belen, Bosque Farms and Peralta mayors
set to battle each other in arm wrestling
Rudy The Rock Jaramillo
Mayor of Belen
Bob The Blaster Knowlton
Mayor of Bosque Farms
Bryan The Machine Olguin
Mayor of Peralta
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September 22, 2012 Valencia County News-Bulletin Rio Abajo Days 2012 7
Mayors: Arm wrestling moves and tips to hopefully inspire training
from PAGE 6
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press or squat as your opponent, because
this strength counts very little in arm
wrestling. Instead, try to gauge your
forearm and bicep strength against that
of your opponent.
If you believe that you are not as
strong as him or her, try toprolling
instead. If, on the other hand, you com-
pare favorably to your opponent, you
can really blast him in an impressive
manner with the hook.
How it is performed: If you have ever
arm wrestled across a kitchen table, you
have probably already used the hook.
To perform the hook, curl your wrist
as hard as you can. Now, get your body
over your arm. Keep your arm close to
your body. To get the pin, push down
with your arm and body.
No. 2: The Toproll: The toproll is a
great move to beat your less experienced
friends with. If you win with a toproll,
you are winning with leverage instead
of brute strength. This is because the
toproll is what is referred to as an out-
side move.
You are trying to put tremendous
pressure on your opponents fingers,
causing his hand to open up and allow-
ing you to gain leverage. When the
opponents hand opens up, it allows you
to get further out on his hand (toward
his finger tips) and makes it very dif-
ficult for him to outmuscle you until
he regains his hand position.
You, of course, should fight to main-
tain and improve your hand position,
thereby taking his (possibly) more pow-
erful arm out of the match! If you do it
quick enough, he will have no idea what
happened!
How it is performed: The key to the
toproll is to get high on your opponents
hand. The higher you get, the more
leverage you gain on your opponents
arm and the easier he or she is to take
down.
There are two types of toprolls, but
to make things simple, remember two
things. 1.) Exert maximum backpressure
throughout the entire match when per-
forming the toproll. This is important.
2.) Try to walk your fingers out on your
opponents hand. Once you have suc-
ceeded in walking your fingers out some
on your opponents hand, regrip his
hand and then begin to walk your fin-
gers out further until you have enough
leverage to take him down.
No. 3: The Press: The press is one of
the purest power moves in arm wres-
tling. Having a bulky upper body cer-
tainly helps with this one.
If you are confident that you have
superior upper body power (especially
chest and triceps) to your opponent and
are at least equal in bicep and forearm
strength, this is a good move to perform.
If, however, your opponent is much
stronger than you are in the chest and
triceps, using the press might be a bad
idea.
This move can be beaten by a quick
toproll, as it is vulnerable to strong,
quick backpressure. This is because
your arm must be close to your body to
perform this move, so if your opponent
can pull your arm across the table you
will not be able to win with a press.
The press is also a good move to use
in a long tournament. Unlike the hook
and toproll, which rely most heavily
upon the biceps and forearms, the pri-
mary muscles used in the hook are the
triceps, shoulders, and chest. Thus, a
good way to give your bis and forearms
a rest during a long tournament is to
throw in a press when you can. Be care-
ful, however, to use it only in situations
where your chest and tricep strength is
superior to that of your opponent!
How it is performed: The key on this
move is to get your opponents palm to
face up toward the ceiling with your
own hand on top of his. If you can get
your opponent into this position, the rest
is simple. Just get your body over your
arm and push down your opponents
hand to the pad, using your upper body
and arm.
(Arm wrestling moves courtesy of
www.armwrestling-supersite.com.)
Arm wrestling tips
Always put your index finger over
your thumbnail when you take your
grip.
Load up on your hand by keeping
your index finger as high up as you can.
Apply some backpressure pull
your hand toward yourself. An easy
way to train this is to do a lot of ham-
mer curls.
If the start is ready, go try to make
sure your hit is on the y of ready.
You are allowed three fast starts, and the
fastest competitor wins a large percent-
age of the time.
Keep your arm as close to your
body as possible without touching your
hand to your shoulder. Once you open
up your arm, you lose your leverage and
position.
(Tips courtesy of www.tlyn.tripod.
com/armwrestling.)
1
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8 Rio Abajo Days 2012 Valencia County News-Bulletin September 22, 2012
2010 Rio AbAjo beckeR StReet FeStivAl
Schedule oF eventS
Saturday, Sept. 29; Becker Avenue in Belen
News-Bulletin file photo
KEITH SANCHEZ and the Moonthieves will once again perform at this years Rio
Abajo Becker Street Festival at 8:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 29. Sanchez, a native of
Belen, performs regularly at the Luna Mansion in Los Lunas. Other bands that will
perform include Redeemed, Salvaged, Reviva and the Brown River Band.
10 a.m.
Desert Street Band (to 11:30 a.m.)
Food vendors and non-food
vendors
Classic and Muscle Car Show
(judging at noon)
3-on-3 basketball Tournament
begins
Childrens Carnival
11:30 a.m.
Renee Antoinettes School of
Dance (to noon)
12 noon
Redeemed Contemporary
Christian Band (to 1:30)
Arm Wrestling Tournament
(until 9 p.m.)
Poker Bike Run
(last bike out at 2 p.m.)
Belen Art League opening recep-
tion, sale and photography show
Classic and Muscle Car Show and
judging
1:30 p.m.
Belen Academy of Martial Arts
demos
Horseshoe Tournament
2 p.m.
Classic and Muscle Car Show
awards, parade to follow
Reviva (to 3:30)
N.M. Arm Wrestling
Championships
Horse Drawn Carriage Rides
(to 6 p.m.)
3:30 p.m.
Jazzercise (to 4 p.m.)
Last bike in Poker Bike Run
4 p.m.
Brown River Band - Jerry
Jaramillo (to 6 p.m.)
5 p.m.
Special Event: Valencia County
Mayors Division Arm Wrestling
Tournament
6 p.m.
Belen Goju Ryu Karate
(to 6:30 p.m.)
6:30 p.m.
Boardwalk Gymnastics (to 7 p.m.)
7 p.m.
Salvaged
(to 8:30 p.m.)
8 p.m.
Balloon Glow
Electric Light Parade
8:30 p.m.
Keith Sanchez and the
Moonthieves (to 11 p.m.)
9 p.m.
Drawing for prize hog
304 Rio Communities
Owners: Gerard & Kymberlee Lopez
505-264-6516 By Appt Only
September 22, 2012 Valencia County News-Bulletin Rio Abajo Days 2012 9
2012 RIO ABAJO
BECKER STREET FESTIVAL
Greater
Belen
Chamber of
Commerce
Becker and Main Street Belen
Saturday, September 29th
10:00am to 11:00pm!
Classic Muscle Car Show 50+ Mile 3rd Poker Bike Run
SW Regional Arm Wrestling Pro-Am Championships
3 on 3 Basketball Tournaments
___________________________________________________________________________________
DJ & Six Live Bands Dancing & Lots More
Entertainment Throughout Event
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Food and Craft Vendors Art Shows and Demos
Local Martial Arts & Dance Performances Carnival
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
For more information Call GBCC Offce: 864-8091
belenchamber@belenchamber.org;
Full schedule of festival events: www.belenchamber.org
S
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l

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s

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e

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n
t
r
y
!
C
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i
l
e
S
h
o
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w
n
Rail Runner Train Service throughout the day Last Rail Runner
Train from Belen back to Albuquerque station leaves at 10:30pm
10 Rio Abajo Days 2012 Valencia County News-Bulletin September 22, 2012
Car show brings color and excitement to Rio Abajo
By Mike StearnS
News-Bulletin Staff Writer
mstearns@news-bulletin.com
Belen
From muscle cars to the vintage VW Beetle, one
can get an appreciation for classic automobiles at the
Rio Abajo Becker Street Festival Car Show.
The cars will start arriving early with roll-in time
set for 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday. All of the entrants
in place before noon will be eligible for the popular
Peoples Choice Award and the award ceremony will
be at 2 p.m.
A Classic and Muscle Car Show Parade down
Becker Avenue will take place after the awards.
Relatively new to the festival, the car show has been
growing each of the past three years. Event coordinator
Jessica Hise hopes that participation might double over
the 23 cars entered into last years show.
Our goal would be to have over 40 cars, Hise said.
We have the space for it. The word is starting to get
out. We have increased in size every year.
Hise explained that this event and the Poker Bike
Run were added to diversify the activities and the
opportunities for more fun for festival attendees.
The car show is judged by the participants and each
will receive a ballot when they register.
We have gotten some really cool older cars, some
muscle cars, some little VW bugs, and some really cool
trucks, said Hise of the unusual cars that participate
in the event.
The judging categories will be 1949 and older,
1950-59; 1960-67 and 1968-80. There will be a truck
category and a muscle and modified category, as well.
Categories for foreign cars and motorcycles are also
included.
All cars will be eligible for the Peoples Choice
Award, including the popular hydraulic suspension
cars and trucks.
The fun ones are the Peoples Choice Awards,
Hise said. You get the cars going up and down and
then after the awards presentation, we have them do a
little parade of the cars.
Greater Belen Chamber of Commerce Executive
Director Rhona Baca Espinoza gave some hope to
Hises goal.
We have been getting calls all this week. We are
expecting 35 or 40 for the car show, said Espinoza
of the preparations in the week preceding the street
festival.
Hise hoped that in the future they might get car
clubs to show up en masse for the event.
There are some of the people that come that are
in the car clubs, Hise said. We want to invite the car
clubs. I guess it is in getting the right timing.
For the car show coordinator, it is really about a
chance for people to appreciate all of the work it takes
in order to restore a classic vehicle.
If someone is really proud of their car and what
to come and show it, we are open and not making any
limitations, she said. If you put that effort into your
car and want to come show it off, then we are proud
of you.
She noted that she has a love of a particular model
of car.
I will admit that I drive a Mustang. I like that they
have gone back to the classic line on building these
cars, Hise said. That was back in the day when they
were making the real cars.
They had the sleek lines and aerodynamic. I think
it is cool that they are going back into the classic lines.
It is so neat.
Hise explained that the car show really adds a
unique component to the street festival that has made
the event better over the last three years.
It is a different attraction and we want to have a
little something for the entire community, she said.
We wanted to show that our community is great and
that we are multi-faceted.
She noted that it is an attraction for the festival
attendee.
Also, it lets other people come in and observe and
appreciate this and to be part of the fun and joy, said
Hise. It is here at the end of the summer and it is usu-
ally a beautiful day.
Money raised by the car show will benefit the cham-
bers scholarship fund.
This is one of two major fundraising events for
this, said Hise, noting that money combined with the
funds raised from the spring golf tournament helps
Belen-area students in pursuing higher education.
Mike Stearns-News-Bulletin photo
MARTY OTERO, of Los Lunas, is shows his light blue Camaro at the 2011 Rio Abajo Becker Street Festival Car
Show. Officials are hoping for more than 40 classic cars to participate in this years event.
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BECKER STREET
FESTIVAL
POKER BIKE RUN
Submitted photo
CHECKING IN DURING last years Rio
Abajo Becker Street Festival Poker Bike
Run are Steve and Frances Romero.
They are getting course instruc-
tions from Greater Belen Chamber of
Commerce Executive Director Rhona
Baca Espinoza, right. A $100 top prize
is what the best hand will win this year.
12 Rio Abajo Days 2012 Valencia County News-Bulletin September 22, 2012
Photography show and art sale at Belen Art League Gallery
By Brent ruffner
News-Bulletin Staff Writer
bruffner@news-bulletin.com
Belen
The Rio Abajo Becker Street Festival
will offer some enchantment through
the eyes of some of the areas most tal-
ented artists.
The Enchanted Images Photography
Contest, hosted by the Belen Art
League, will feature the works of local
artists who will display images of New
Mexico.
There will also be a sidewalk sale for
arts and crafts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
in front of the building on 509 Becker
Ave. in Belen. There will be a public
reception at the gallery from 12:30 p.m.
until 4 p.m.
Last year, we had demonstrations as
well, said CeCe Aragon, who helped
organize the event. But we wanted to
sell arts and crafts to bring more people
in.
Residents can peruse arts and crafts
outside of the building and go inside
the gallery for refreshments and look
at photos by both youth and adults. The
event, in its third year, previously had
two categories amateur and profes-
sional.
The adult category is for individuals
who are 18 years old and older and the
youth category is for those who are 17
years old and younger.
Laura Anderson, an organizer of the
photo contest, said the group decided to
open the contest up to the public to make
the event bigger and better this year.
On Saturday, Sept. 22, framed photo-
graphs, fees and entry forms are due at
the gallery between the hours of noon
and 4 p.m. for those who want to enter.
The entry fee is $5.
All work must be framed and ready to
hang. Glazing (glass or plastic) over the
image(s) is preferred, but not required.
Entries not properly framed and ready to
hang will be rejected, and work should
not exceed 18-by-26 inches. But smaller
sizes are OK.
The photographers name, address,
telephone number, category and title
must be included with each piece. In
addition, price and the location where
the photograph was taken should also
be included.
Prizes are $150 for first place; $75 for
second place; and $40 for third for each
category.
Anderson said the group wants to
encourage people to pursue art as a
hobby. Winners will be announced at
the Heart of Belen Gazebo at noon.
We are trying to get high school
students involved, Anderson said. We
wanted to make it bigger and involve
more people.
Anderson said last year, the group
coincidently had the event on the same
day as Rio Abajo. She said some indi-
viduals in the amateur category were
just as good as some in the professional
category. She said future members of
the art league could come about after
the contest.
The organizer said depth brings com-
petition.
With more competition, people are
going to try harder, Anderson said.
Outside, residents will be treated to
a wide array of arts and crafts where
tables will pack parking spaces in front
of the Belen Art League Gallery with
everything from fiber art to woodwork.
Aragon said the group decided to do
both the photo contest and the sidewalk
sale in hopes of attracting people to the
art league who normally wouldnt visit
the gallery. There are currently 98 mem-
bers of the Belen Art League.
(We are) hoping it will bring more
people into the art gallery and let them
know that we are here, Aragon said.
Aragon said the lack of demonstra-
tions will be made up in the amount of
arts and crafts that will be on display.
She said art, such as jewelry and pottery,
should be popular items. Prices range
from $5 to a few hundred dollars for
items at the sale.
Its going to be a whole lot of differ-
ent things, Aragon said.
Some Valencia County artists will
use the event as a way to earn extra
income while practicing their passion.
She said supply costs for brushes and
canvases can add up quickly. The time
the artists put in has to also be factored
into the cost of a particular work.
Aragon said the Rio Abajo Becker
Street Festival should let residents know
there are talented artists at the art league.
I dont think enough people know
its there, Aragon said. But these
events help.
If you have any questions, please call
the gallery at 861-0217.
News-Bulletin file photo
CHERI RECKERS demonstrates how she creates fiber art at last years Rio Abajo
Becker Street Festival in Belen.
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By UngelBah Daniel-Davila
News-Bulletin Staff Writer
udavila@news-bulletin.com
Belen
Brush off your sneakers and bust out your
b-ball skills for the three-on-three basketball
tournament hosted by DK Hoopsters at this
years Rio Abajo Days Becker Street Festival.
Were really excited about being invited to
come out and participate in whats going to be
a great fiesta-type event, says DK Hoopsters
founder Keefe Ricks.
For the festival, DK Hoopsters is planning on
hosting a three-on-three basketball tournament,
at a cost of $60 per teams of three to five play-
ers, which breaks down to about $12 a player.
The different age group divisions will
include children grades fourth to 12, adult men
and women and a little treat for seniors age 40
plus.
For anyone who might not be able to afford
the registration price, he encourages them to
seek a local business or individual to sponsor
them. Or, if a business is interested in being
a sponsor, they can contact Ricks through the
DK Hoopsters website, www.dkhoopsters.com.
DK Hoopsters is an Albuquerque-based com-
pany that was started about three years ago.
Ricks says the company mostly holds various
basketball camps for youngsters in the area,
and does charitable events to help organiza-
tions raise money for their different programs.
He said they got their start after a bill passed
in 2007 creating New Mexico Youth Day,
which is a day to honor children for their aca-
demic and community achievements. He said
he used to see kids at Hoop It Up who wanted
to play but couldnt afford to, so he decided to
do a free tournament for the Youth Day.
Then they started doing camps and then a
coach for the Lobos suggested he run tourna-
ments as a business to help offset the cost and
allow him to do more things for the kids. He
says a lot of the money they make he turns
around and puts back into the community,
helping, for example, kids who might not be
able to afford to join YAFL.
Our company is designed to not just have an
event to make money, but also to try and give
back into the community and help the non-
profits raise money for their different needs,
says Ricks. We like it to be a win-win for
everybody.
For the Rio Abajo Days Festival, Ricks says
he thinks the tournaments will be a fun attrac-
tion added to an already great event. He says
basketball will appeal to the younger crowd,
September 22, 2012 Valencia County News-Bulletin Rio Abajo Days 2012 13
n See Basketball, Page 14
Ungelbah Daniel-Davila-News-Bulletin photo
KEEFE RICKS, founder of DK Hoopsters, is putting on a three-
on-three basketball tournament at the Rio Abajo Becker Street
Festival.
Three-on-three basketball
tournament at Rio Abajo
Celebrating 20 Years
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14 Rio Abajo Days 2012 Valencia County News-Bulletin September 22, 2012
Basketball: Former Lobo player
from PAGE 13
2012 Rio Abajo Sponsors
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since often people enjoy having com-
petitive events to engage in.
This is a basketball state. Everybody
loves basketball, even though its foot-
ball season right now, he says.
Teams are encouraged to register at
the DK Hoopsters website at the link
on the home page.
Individuals can also pick up a hard
copy at the Greater Belen Chamber
of Commerce, where they can fill it
out and leave it at the chamber with a
check or money order filled out to DK
Hoopsters.
The deadline for registration for all
teams is midnight, Thursday, Sept. 27.
There is no limit to the amount of
teams that can register, and Ricks says
they are equipped to handle 200 teams
for this event. He says there will be
different courts set up; the one for the
kids, grades fourth through 12th, will
be at the City Hall parking lot, and the
court for the adults will be set up at the
police department parking lot.
Thats because adults get more
assertive and aggressive, and if they
start acting up, we can just walk them
right on into the police department, he
jokes.
He says they decided to set it up that
way so as to keep the childrens event,
such as the carnival, in the same area.
Division champions can look forward
to receiving Nike gear for prizes as
well as a trophy, the chance to play in
any of DK Hoopsters other tourna-
ments for free, and have their picture
posted on the companys website for
bragging rights.
So what were going to do is a four-
game pool, that means every team
is going to play four games, Ricks
said. Theyre going to play three on
Saturday and the fourth on Sunday, and
then well seed that division.
In addition former Lobo basketball
player Kelvin Scarborough will be on
hand to do basketball skill workshops
with the kids, and there will be an
8-foot slam dunk competition for all
ages.
For mothers or anyone who wants to
participate, but not join a game, there
will be a free-throw contest and whom-
ever makes the most shots will get a
prize.
We want everybody to get the
chance to come out and just celebrate
and be a part of this fiesta, so were just
trying to get as many teams as we can,
Ricks says.
They take.
we reward.
You do the math.
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September 22, 2012 Valencia County News-Bulletin Rio Abajo Days 2012 15
Bethlehem
Trading Post
Buy Sell Trade
Antiques Collectibles
9am-6pm Mon-Sat Closed Sunday
505-861-1001
1300 S. Main St, Belen, NM 87002
Lillian & Johnny
Electric Light Parade
By Mike Bush
News-Bulletin Staff Writer
mbush@news-bulletin.com
Belen
Advisory: The 2012 Rio Abajo Becker
Street Festival will be interrupted abrupt-
ly at 8 p.m.
But no need to worry: The interruption
is actually part of the program, a very
pleasant part, the Electric Light Parade.
Anyone and everyone is welcome and
even encouraged to participate in the
parade businesses, individuals, fami-
lies, neighborhood organizations.
Ronnie Torres, the former Belen mayor
whose beauty salon, Hair Innovations,
plans to enter a giant multi-colored but-
terfly with at least a couple of thousand
lights, said parade floats can be mount-
ed on a pick-up truck, a car, a bicycle
or can even be walked along the short
two- to three-block route through the
festival. Hair Innovations butterfly will
ride on a pick-up.
Torres said he has no idea how many
floats will enter the parade, but he is
hoping for at least 10, maybe more.
The floats will start lining up on a side
street, probably near Fifth and Dalies, in
no designated order first come, first
served about 7 p.m. An hour later, they
will drive right through the festival itself
right up to Main Street.
Its an attention-getter, Torres said.
Torres, who is also a driving force
behind the Christmas Electric Light
Parade the Saturday after Thanksgiving,
said variety and imagination are the most
important elements in building a success-
ful float.
You want bright colors, something
good, something pretty, he said.
But dont think a float has to be
expensive. Organizers suggest using
readily available supplies, such as those
Christmas lights stored in your garage.
They also recommend using LED
lighting because it consumes less elec-
tricity and can run off a car battery
through the cigarette lighter.
The floats are not judged in any for-
mal way and no ribbons or prizes will
be awarded. Everyone is likely to have a
favorite, but its all in fun.
People often say, Id love to be in a
parade Torres said. Well, heres your
chance.
Horse-drawn covered wagon
By Julia M. DenDinger
News-Bulletin Staff Writer
jdendinger@news-bulletin.com
Belen
La carromato will make its appearance at the Rio Abajo Becker Street
Festival once again this year, offering a lift to those tired of foot and full of
festival cheer.
The 10-passenger, horse-drawn covered wagon will run along a designated
route between the Belen Rail Runner Station and the festival on Becker Avenue.
The wagon will make a stop at the Harvey House Museum.
Robert Auge, who is helping to organize the creative anachronism, said the
owner and driver of the wagon, Sam Montoya, isnt charging for the lift, but is
hoping for donations to offset some of the cost.
It is a nice, shady comfy ride,Auge said. People can travel in true Rio
Abajo style.
The trip from the train station to the festival is about 30 minutes by hoof,
Auge said. Just enough time to get to know and love your fellow passengers.
This year will be running a little later than we did last year, he said. Well
start around 1 p.m. and go to about dark.
Apparently an unlit wagon and black horses at night are not a good mix.
While the wagon and horses belong to Montoya, Auge has a critical role in
the whole venture.
Im the mouthy guy hanging off the back asking, Hey, you want a ride?
he said with a laugh.
The service started last year after folks with the Greater Belen Chamber of
Commerce, the organizing entity behind the festival, asked last year if Auge
could find some kind of shuttle wagon.
Sam had this one, and Ive known him for years, so I asked him if he wanted
to do it, Auge said. He had a good time last year and wanted to do it again.
Not only did Montoya enjoy himself, but there is some indication that the
horses thought it was a pretty good time as well.
Last year, late in the afternoon as bands began playing and kids were running
noisily in the streets, the horses remained calm, Auge said.
They didnt go berserk. We didnt have any incidents at all last year. It was a
lot of fun, he said. The hardest thing was teaching people not to stop in front
of the horses. That doesnt go so well.
16 Rio Abajo Days 2012 Valencia County News-Bulletin September 22, 2012