HAPPENINGS
SEPTEMBER 2026
The great times we had as a community this month.
MIREHAVEN ART & TALENT SHOWCASE: The Talent
We are grateful to our talented neighbors. The video is 8:24 minutes. Mustang Sally by CJ and the Mirehaven Geezers is standing ovation finale
MIREHAVEN ART & TALENT SHOWCASE: the artists
by the Mirehaven Staff
Click on an image to enlarge
Carmen and Tom Caswell at Carmen's pottery table
"My newest designs are peony flowers, lizards, and turtles."
Carol Rumley at her fused glass table
"I took a fused glass class when I retired. It was magical!"
Charna Stafford near her original poetry book table
"It's all original poetry and drawings on cards."
Cheryl Johnson with examples of her collage
"Exploring different papers is very relaxing to me."
Daniel Garcia with his photography
"I paint with light."
Don and Carol Rumley at Don's watercolor table
"I do watercolors to mostly entertain myself."
Fiber Crafts Group Robin Abrett, Christine Castello, Etta Mason
"It's all about fiber; knit, crotchet, needlepoint, spinning, and sewing."
Kris Lange at her quilted design table
"I wrap 2 by 4 wood pieces with batting and then the fabric design to make my wall hangings."
Rebecca Guevara at the Word Sherpas table
"The books are all published by group members in the last year."
Rinus Baak and Sam Guevara at Baak's travel photography books
"You're going or been there, these books are for you."
Roy and Deb Christman at Deb's quilting table
"The bowl holders are great for hot soup and cold ice cream to protect your hands."
Beth Duncombe at Phil Johnson's photography
Phil photographs ADA accessible nature locations and trails.
Celebrating 10 Years!
by Kim Hafermalz
Happy 10th Anniversary Cake
Photo by Natalie Tanenbaum
August 8, 2026. The Del Webb Mirehaven community celebrated the 10th anniversary tonight of the Amenity Center. This was the largest party at the Amenity Center with 200 attendees. For a low admission price of $10.00 the party included wood-fired pizza by Dough Box, live music by a community favorite, Glass Anvil, and free t-shirts designed by contest winner and Mirehaven News photographer, Natalie Tanenbaum.
The Dough Box Pizza
Photo by Natalie Tanenbaum
The pizza was amazing and cooked on-site. The Dough Box threw the pizza dough, made the pizza with imported Italian tomato sauce, and cooked them in an impressive wood-fired pizza oven fed by imported Texas dried oak. It was a large crowd, and they kept up admirably. There was only praise within the hearing of this reporter.
Glass Anvil rocked the patio playing beloved songs from our lives. The dance floor was crowded, and along with the chair dancers, everyone sang along loudly to favorite songs. When the band played slow to play romantic tunes, the sweaty single dancers left the floor, and the couples came forward to sway close together with smiles on their faces and stars in their eyes.
Dancing to "Shout"
Photo by Kim Hafermalz
Slow dancing, Natalie and Paul Tanenbaum
Photo by Kim Hafermalz
While Glass Anvil took a short break, Julie Karl, Michelle Surplus and staff members, all wearing light jackets, took the stage. Karl and Surplus each spoke about how proud and honored they were to work for such a great community. Then with a playful undoing of their jackets Karl, Surplus and staff revealed the winning tee shirt.
After the reveal, Carolyn Cross and Marilyn Rixner were honored by Karl, Surplus, staff and residents for their 10 years of service at the front desk.
Julie Karl and Marilyn Rixner
Photo by Natalie Tanenbaum
Carlolyn Cross and Marilyn Rixner
Photo by Natalie Tanenbaum
Glass Anvil played their final set, and attendees stood in line to get their t-shirts which are seen daily on Mirehaven residents. The “T” is a winner!
Quotes from our neighbors:
Mike Lavenson – “I've developed terrific, deep friendships while here. There’s a terrific social life here that feels very comfortable and both emotionally and physically safe.”
Debbie Karasik – “I'm very glad to be a part of this celebration. Since my husband Joel and I both recently retired, we’ve been able to find so many things to do. And we are taking full advantage of that.”
Martha Hines – “This is such a wonderful place to live. There are so many wonderful people here, and it always feels very safe. And oh yes, it’s very pet friendly.”
Bill Vicente - “It’s the people, they are so fantastic. The amenities are great, and overall, it’s just a great place to retire in.”
A Night at the Opera
by Teresa Lange Reinhard
The Santa Fe Opera
https://www.santafeopera.org/
August 25, 2026. Thirty-five Mirehaven residents and guests enjoyed an evening of music, dining, and conversation at the Santa Fe Opera on August 25th, traveling by bus to see The Magic Flute and take part in a buffet meal and pre-performance lecture at the world-famous venue.
This version of The Magic Flute was playful, sprinkled throughout with humor and opportunities for audience participation. Considered by many to be the most popular opera of all time, the story appeals to both adults and children, across time.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed the opera in 1791, and his friend Emanuel Schikaneder wrote the German libretto, or story. German operas frequently use Singspiel, literally translating to “sing-play”, which combines spoken dialogue with musical numbers such as arias and ensembles.
The beginning of the first act reveals a wild, eerie forest in an unknown land. There is a fairy tale quality to the entire production. The basic story is the pursuit of love by a prince and the beloved’s mother’s vengeance. The Santa Fe Opera version is sung and spoken in English and was adapted to current societal norms.
The core themes are the journey from ignorance to enlightenment, good versus evil, and the ultimate triumph of wisdom, truth, and reason. The musical is replete with many Masonic symbols, themes, and rituals. Both Mozart and Schikaneder were Freemasons, a secret fraternal organization that served as the springboard for the Age of Enlightenment. Their Masonic ties are reflected throughout the opera.
The characters include an enormous snake-like monster pursuing a prince, the Queen of the Night who has been angered by the abduction of her daughter by an evil sorcerer, an eccentric bird-catcher, and of course, a magic flute and magic bells. However, not is all as it seems as the plot twists and it is revealed that the sorcerer is a wise and benevolent leader and the Queen of the Night is the true antagonist.
The Santa Fe opera season has ended for the year but begins anew on July 2, 2027. Tickets and performance schedules may be viewed at https://www.santafeopera.org.
Space Cowboys Edge Isotopes in Ninth-Inning Thriller
by Teresa Lange Reinhard
Teresa with Homer Simpson at the Isotopes Game
Photo by Melinda Nelson
August 28, 2026. The Sugar Land Space Cowboys edged the Albuquerque Isotopes 4–3 on August 4th, scoring in the ninth inning to decide a tense one-run game at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park.
The close finish lived up to the idea of a one-run nail-biter: a competitive game decided by a single run. Even with the loss, the view from near third base beside the Isotopes dugout made the game engaging, with late-inning tension and a lively ballpark atmosphere.
Isotopes Park, located at 1601 Avenida Cesar Chavez SE, opened in 2003 on the site of the city’s former ballfield. Known as “The Lab,” the stadium’s nickname reflects the team’s name and its connection to The Simpsons. In recent years, the venue has undergone major improvements, including $1.4 million in city-funded infrastructure updates completed in 2020. Additional upgrades from 2024 to 2025 brought the ballpark in line with Major League Baseball standards, adding a natural grass field, LED lighting, and clubhouse renovations.
Visitors will find a scenic setting, with many seats facing the Sandia Mountains and the sunset during evening games. Concessions offer classic ballpark fare, including pizza, pretzels, burgers, hot dogs, stuffed potatoes, lemonade, fountain drinks and beer. Families can also choose lawn seating on the Berm, where children can enjoy the Kid Zone with inflatable bounce houses, a carousel, and a playground.
For schedules and ticket information, visit https://albuquerque.com/albuquerque-isotopes/, which redirects to the club’s official MiLB/MLB portal. Fans can also check the schedule for fireworks nights, when postgame displays add another highlight to the evening. The Albuquerque Isotopes’ regular season ends Sunday, September 20, 2026.
Whether with friends, family or fellow fans, an evening at Isotopes Park offers an enjoyable way to take in baseball and connect with the Albuquerque community.