INTEREST GROUPS
january
Poker Interest Group
by Paul Tanenbaum
December 2025. Looking for skilled, winning at all costs, old tough guy Western style poker players like Wild Bill Hickok, Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson? Look no further. They are right here in Mirehaven, playing every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in the Amenity Center at 12:30 pm.
Men’s Poker is not a new entity here in Mirehaven. Rich Asman, the self-proclaimed Poker Commissioner, said “I started this up years ago when Mirehaven had just started.” Now after all these years, Men’s Poker is thriving and has become very competitive. On average, there are at least 14 to 16 players who come to play each day, and their skills are noted. Even though they are all friends, they leave that at the door. They want to WIN. You don’t need to be proficient in the game, but it helps. There are many different variations of play that are continually being used. Newbies can easily get quite confused. And the veterans will eat you up and won't cut you any slack.
But the Poker playing experience isn’t all cutthroat, win, win, win, all the time. As Ron Szudejko said, “This is a lot like a Men’s Social Club too. We all get along and have a lot of good-natured fun.” A couple of the guys even asked me if I wanted to play. These tough guys even allow a few women to sit in with them. After the initial $50 Interest Group allowance is used, the regulars agree to pitch in to buy more poker tables, cards and chips as needed.
So, you don’t need to look any further if you’re looking for that Old Time Tough Guy Western Style Poker. It’s right here in Mirehaven, and it’s been here for years.
Craft Beer interest group holiday party
By Karin Garcia
December 11, 2025. On a warm Thursday evening during the second week of December, the Craft Beer Interest Group gathered in the Manzano Room for its annual White Elephant beer gift exchange. About 30 Mirehaven beer enthusiasts joined the fun. As members arrived and placed their offerings on the display table, each was rewarded with an exclusive Albuquerque Craft Beer Interest Group cozy. Numbers were handed out to set the stage for the evening’s shenanigans.
Before the exchange began, a few updates and fun facts were shared. Barry Bockhaut and Kathy Edwards were welcomed as new members of the steering committee, and attendees learned that New Mexico is home to 88 local breweries, compared with nearly 1,000 in California.
Gift selections were determined by randomly drawn numbers, with participants choosing from the table or “stealing” from a neighbor. A four-pack of chocolate beer proved the most popular, while a peppermint beer lingered until the end.
The Craft Beer Interest Group meets monthly, alternating between the Sandia Amenity Center and local Albuquerque venues. Even if beer is not your usual beverage, neighbors are always welcome. Check the community newsletter for the next gathering.
Poker Interest Groups Holiday Party
By Paul Tanenbaum
December 9, 2025. To celebrate the upcoming holiday season, and to give thanks, the Poker Interest Groups held their very first Poker Potluck White Elephant holiday party at the Amenity Center. All poker players, both men and women, were invited to the party, which started at 10:00 AM sharp.
Approximately 10 poker playing ladies and only one poker playing gentleman attended this first-time event. As expected, good food and lots of good conversation were followed by a very interesting White Elephant gift giveaway. Jamie Walker one of the co-hosts, said, “We thought that this event would be a good idea to get away from the competition of the game and just have fun together.” Brigitte Clarke, the other co-host said, “Our intent was to get all the poker players together, men and women, to celebrate the upcoming holiday season. We are especially looking to get more female poker player participation next year.” George Campos, the only men’s poker player to attend the party said, “The women invited us to the party, and I thought it was a great idea and would be a lot of fun getting together.”
The first-time holiday event was definitely a great success. The hope now is that more women will participate in playing poker and more men will come to the next Poker Interest Group holiday party.
Jewish Interest Group: Chanukah (Hanukkah) 2025 Celebration
By Paul Tanenbaum
December 8, 2025. The Mirehaven Jewish Interest Group organized ts annual Chanukah (Hanukkah) Celebration party at Alvin Holtzman’s home. In case you are not acquainted with what Chanukah is all about, that’s a discussion for another time. This Chanukah party was one great get together that everyone there will remember.
Jewish celebrations and get togethers are always full of fun, laughter and oh yes, LOTS of great food. This party was no exception. Approximately 30 people attended and everyone brought something to eat. Homemade, store bought, old recipes, new recipes, you name it, there was plenty of it. As Alvin said, “I wanted to host this event last year but was ill. I loved putting it together this year and seeing everyone together having a good time.”
Tonight, the last night of Chanukah all eight candles were put in a beautiful Chanukah candleholder; a prayer was said, and the candles were lit. It was BEAUTIFUL. That's when the feast began. There were soups, matza balls, Latkas (potato pancakes), kugels (baked casseroles), salads, side dishes, and oh yes, desserts, lots of desserts.
Jews are also known to be great kibitzers (talkers). So, during and after all the eating, everyone mingled and told old jokes and old family Chanukah stories that get bigger and more extravagant every year.
Next year the Jewish Interest Group will hold another Chanukah Celebration Party and try to outdo this one. That will be a tough task, but everyone will be looking forward to it.
LGBTQ Holiday Happy Hour
By Paul Tanenbaum
December 28, 2025. The Mirehaven LGBTQ Interest Group held their monthly gathering this Sunday at the Amenity Center. The get together was enhanced with some good old holiday cheer and a Community Support Program update.
Over 30 people attended the event, that had lots of good food with lots of warmth that could be felt from start to finish. Tess Hansen, the group Chairperson, stated, “This gathering is to celebrate us and our community with love and generosity, especially to our CASA Q Charity House.” It was quite evident that everyone was enjoying themselves. But to further enhance the overall good feelings and the groups message, Robert Machado said “This particular group is all about inclusiveness.”
Unlike most interest group get togethers, where the focus is all about fun, food and laughter, this event had a serious message. Randy Martinez, from CASA Q gave the group an update on the organization’s success with helping and supporting LGBTQ youth deal with housing, health, social and other issues.
To sum up the event, Amy Snow said, “We’re a grand group of people with lots of communal energy. It’s a pleasure to gather once a month and stay up to date with everybody’s thoughts and activities.”
Wine Interest Group holiday party
By Kim Hafermalz
December 18, 2025. The Wine Interest Group tonight hosted a holiday party. Unlike the regular meetings held in homes and at wineries that are limited in the size of the group that can attend, this party was unlimited. About 40 people came to share their love of wine, good friends, and holiday cheer.
During the year, members of the interest group host a regional wine tasting every other month in their homes. In the other months, the group, organizes a wine tasting at local wineries.
In 2026, the group is looking for folks to host a tasting in their homes. Small homes are okay. The hosts limit the number of guests. The Wine Interest Group also has all of the glass you'll need to host a party. The food pairings are potluck. The host provides the wine but donations are accepted from the attendees to help defray the cost of the wine.
If you are interested in joining the Wine Interest Group, contact Larry Yatsko at lwyatso@comcast.net.
Walk to Run t-shirts
By Kim Hafermalz
Cool t-shirts. If you'd like one, join the Walk to Run interest group. Be stylish while you get your heart rate up. If you only want a brisk walk every Wednesday and Sunday at 9:00 AM, this is your group.