When Micah Cabrera discusses Gallup, New Mexico, he personifies the definition of hometown pride. In fact, his admiration of the town is so strong that it is the setting of a children’s book series authored by Cabrera called “Pepito and his Little Donkey Cito.” The main character, Pepito, lives with his family in Gallup and explores a number of important topics that he hopes readers, particularly residents of Gallup, will enjoy and appreciate.

Early Years and Inspiration

Born in Gallup in 1955, Cabrera’s family moved to California the following year so his father could pursue a career in banking. However, Gallup remained a constant in his life in several ways. As a child...

First American Credit Union, headquartered in Casa Grande, AZ, recently opened a new branch in Tse Bonito, NM.

Originally chartered in 1962 on the Navajo Nation, the credit union has grown to over 21,000 members in both Arizona and New Mexico. This is the second location in New Mexico for the working cooperative after they acquired the former Thunderbird Credit Union in Gallup in 1994.

The credit union purchased this location from Bank of America after the bank closed its branch in 2014. The working cooperative remodeled the facility and now provides a 4-bay drive-up service, walk-up ATM, safe deposit boxes and an Internet Café.

“We have laptops set up so members can research...

It’s Saturday night at Coal Street Pub. There’s live music being played by the local folk band, 10 Minutes Max.

Ramon Chavez, Coal Street owner, is a musician who plays drums, piano and vocals. His love for music is obvious in his support of local acts that entertain the patrons of his pub.

“I started playing snare drum at Washington Elementary with Ken Holloway. He was my music teacher almost every year until he retired,” Chavez said, as he reminisced about his formative years in music.

He remembered a time when Mr. Holloway threw a chair across the room. It reminded him of the movie “Whiplash,” a story about a tumultuous relationship between a student drummer  and his...

Hidden behind the buildings that make up UNM Gallup lies a trail that seemingly takes me nowhere.  It goes up and down and winds around but every time I walk it I end up where I started. Or do I?

On this trail, magic can happen.  Often my journey begins with consternation or even depression.  But soon after I start, my senses take over and the beauty of this hidden natural treasure creeps into my soul. I feel the release of tension in my muscles. The sun shines down upon me and warms my body. My heart starts pumping with intentionality, working to get me where I need to be.

I see the colors of the red rocks in front of me: red, brown, yellow, and purple. Pyramid rock sits...