Federal Reserve Alerts Home Owners to Questionable Solicitations The Federal Reserve has distributed the following notice. “The Federal Reserve received complaints from recipients of direct mail solicitations that suggest there is a ‘Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) program’ that entitles certain homeowners to cash grants or equity disbursements. Some of these solicitations may be read to indicate that the Federal Reserve endorses or supports the offers they contain. These solicitations appear to be a deceptive effort to encourage consumers to apply for a mortgage loan secured by the consumer’s home. The Federal Reserve cautions the public about loan solicitations or other offers from lenders or mortgage brokers that offer consumers cash grants or equity disbursements as part of a ‘CRA Program.’ No such federal programs exist and these programs are not required by the CRA, which encourages depository institutions to help meet the credit needs of their communities, including low- ...

The West's best cities by the slopesWhy rush to the runs? These four ski-area gateways provide a delightful excuse to stop--and avoid the crowdsBy Dan LeethSpecial to the TribunePublished February 11, 2007 ALBUQUERQUEAn Old Town--and its spicy flavorsIn a land better known for salsa than snow, Albuquerque provides a spicy transition from chili powder to chilly powder.Where to stay:Check out Old Town, the historic center of the city. Footloose romantics will enjoy the Hotel Albuquerque (800-237-2133; www.hhandr.com/alb(underscore)main.php) with its walk-to-everything location.Families can book rooms at the nearby Best Western Rio Grande Inn (800-959-4726; www.riograndeinn.com). Those in a quest for style should try the Hyatt Regency downtown (505-842-1234; www.albuquerque.hyatt.com), 2 miles from Old Town.Where to feast on regional fareRed or green? The official New Mexico state question refers to the flavor of chili smothering the local fare, and either can pack a mouth-warming wa...

Mayor Martin Chavez just passed an ordinance "no cell phone talking in your car without hands free device"....I'm all for this! Too many close calls when someone has one hand on the phone and one hand on the wheel, or sometimes not on the wheel! I wish I was in the cell phone accessory business today!

Posted: 2/8/2007 9:56:00 AM Albuquerque buffed, fitness magazine says Source: AP ALBUQUERQUE -- Albuquerque had been listed as the fittest city in the United States in this month's issue of Men's Fitness magazine. That's up from the city's 13th-place showing last year. Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez said the city has a lot of options to keep people fit -- everything from gyms to hiking and biking. The magazine's nonscientific survey lists Seattle as the No. 2 fittest city, followed by Colorado Springs and Minneapolis. The magazine labels Las Vegas, Nevada, as the fattest city, followed by San Antonio, Texas; Miami; and Mesa, Arizona.

International Science Fair Comes to Albuquerque Judges and volunteers needed The University of New Mexico is a major sponsor for “Creating a New Element,” the theme of the 2007 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, to be held in Albuquerque May 13-19. Events will take place at the Albuquerque Convention Center and Expo New Mexico. The weeklong event is the world’s largest pre-college annual science celebration. This event brings approximately 1,500 high school student finalists from more than 47 countries, regions and territories to compete for more than $4 million in scholarships, tuition grants, internships, scientific field trips and three grand prizes of $50,000 college scholarships. Student competitors or finalists compete for more than $4 million in scholarships and prizes during the fair. Major universities, government agencies, military branches and businesses come to recruit from the best pool of pre-college brains in the world. The event requires 1,200 judges a...