Staff Picks; You've Had Your Say. Here Are a Few Things We Felt Like Giving a Shout-Out To

Summary

---

Yes, it's true. RV drivers flock to Wal-Mart not only for the low prices, but also to "camp" in their parking lots. That's 'cause RV drivers can stay there for free. According to the manager of the Wal-Mart on Cerrillos Road, the store's parking lot is home to three to four RV campers per night during the summer months. Some use the open-door policy as a convenient rest stop on the way to their final destination, while others hopscotch from Wal-Mart to Wal-Mart because that is where they prefer to camp. These folks call themselves "Wally-Worlders," and the Santa Fe location has had as many as 10 to 12 in a given night. They are welcome to spend up to three days in the parking lots, although obligated to park on the periphery of the lot.

"It's a gift and a curse," Harrison says. "To paraphrase Leonard Cohen, I was born like this. I had no choice--I was born with the gift of a golden voice." Harrison currently MCs Vanilla Pop's Thursday night swing-a-thon at Swig, and stars in Theater Grottesco's current (though as of press time, still on hold) production The Angel's Cradle. When we contacted The Carrot to tell him of his staff pick, he proclaimed: "It's high time. We do it for the people. We do it for the love. And it's about time you bastards knew it." (JW)

Despite customer loyalty to local business, music retail in Santa Fe seems to be hopelessly trapped beneath the thumbs of giants like Borders and Hastings. The Candyman, a Santa Fe fixture since 1969, was the only local music store to place in our 2004 "Best Of" voting, placing second behind Borders. "People come to us primarily because we're local," says Jessica Godden, music manager at the Candyman. Customers at CD Caf are no less loyal. "Our customers look here first before going to the chains," says employee Bazil Zerinsky. The caf's business primarily comes from coffee, she says, "but we're constantly getting new CDs in." Stores like the much-loved Rare Bear, missing in action since 1999, have themselves become rare, leaving some wondering where they can go to kick out the jams. Where is Santa Fe's version of High Fidelity's Championship Vinyl? Have the John Cusacks of this town all gone to work for The Man? (JE)

See the full content of this document

Extract

---

Staff Picks; You've Had Your Say. Here Are a Few Things We Felt Like Giving a Shout-Out To

Best Guy to Call When You Don't Feel Like Talking

AND THE WINNER IS:

Mayor Larry Delgado

SFR has called our esteemed mayor numerous times this year for comment on issues of local import, but the Big Kahuna isn't answering the phone. That job falls to Marge, his secretary at City Hall, who cheerfully promises the mayor "will get right back with you." As hours turn into days, and deadlines pass, the realization sinks in. Delga...

See the full content of this document

---