The downtown public library building in Santa Fe could undergo renovations in the coming years, helping the space meet the modern-day needs of Santa Feans.   

The Pueblo-Spanish style building on Washington Ave., which once housed municipal offices and a fire station, has seen little updating since the library moved into the building in 1986. The city’s Library Division Director Margaret Neill says improvements are long overdue and believes preplanning efforts could get the project moving. 

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Neill to talk about the community feedback process the library is conducting for future building improvements and shares what she’s learned from the public so far.  

In the episode, Inez and Neill also discuss some of the programs and services the library system has to offer and why taking advantage of them is worthwhile.  

If you have suggestions or comments that you want considered for the downtown library project, email them to library@santafenm.gov or call 505-955-6786. 

The downtown public library building in Santa Fe could undergo renovations in the coming years, helping the space meet the modern-day needs of Santa Feans.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
The Pueblo-Spanish style building on Washington Ave., which once housed municipal offices and a fire station, has seen little updating since the library moved into the building in 1986. The city&rsquo;s Library Division Director Margaret Neill says improvements are long overdue and believes preplanning efforts could get the project moving.&nbsp;
On the latest podcast episode of &ldquo;Conversations Different,&rdquo; host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Neill to talk about the community feedback process the library is conducting for future building improvements and shares what she&rsquo;s learned from the public so far.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In&nbsp;the episode,&nbsp;Inez and Neill also discuss some of the programs and services the library system has&nbsp;to offer&nbsp;and why taking advantage of them&nbsp;is&nbsp;worthwhile.&nbsp;&nbsp;
If you have&nbsp;suggestions&nbsp;or comments&nbsp;that you want&nbsp;considered&nbsp;for the&nbsp;downtown&nbsp;library&nbsp;project,&nbsp;email&nbsp;them to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:library@santafenm.gov">library@santafenm.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 505-955-6786.&nbsp;

Conversations Different is presented by the Santa Fe New Mexican and features host Inez Russell Gomez in provocative talks with local and regional personalities shaping the landscape of Northern New Mexico.

Inez Russell Gomez is Opinion Page Editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican with decades of experience writing and editing the news in America's oldest capital city.

Conversations Different is presented by the Santa Fe New Mexican and features host Inez Russell Gomez in provocative talks with local and regional personalities shaping the landscape of Northern New Mexico.
Inez Russell Gomez is Opinion Page Editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican with decades of experience writing and editing the news in America's oldest capital city.

Conversations Different with Inez Russell Gomez

Santa Fe’s library director discusses upcoming improvements to downtown library building

Fourth of July celebrations are one of America’s favorite pastimes that honor our nation’s history and independence. Each year, friends and family mark the occasion in their own ways, but a common activity is fireworks.   

In Santa Fe, the Kiwanis Club puts on a fireworks display for the entire city to experience without having to pay the costs of doing it yourself or the risk of setting anything on fire. The event draws crowds of all ages who watch from afar as the night sky gets painted with color.  

However, the magic wouldn’t be possible without the support of fireworks experts such as Santa Fe native Nicolas Flores. He’s in charge of firing off the display.  

Flores joins the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” to discuss with host Inez Russell Gomez, what it takes to execute a successful Fourth of July fireworks show.  

The two delve into how Flores became certified to handle such explosives aside from his day job of being a massage therapist. He explains the process for getting the fireworks ready for launch and how they even have certain names.   

Flores also speaks on the change in venue this year, from Santa Fe Place mall to Gen. Franklin E. Miles Park, and what those logistics will entail for the festivities.

Fourth of July celebrations are one of America&rsquo;s favorite&nbsp;pastimes&nbsp;that&nbsp;honor&nbsp;our&nbsp;nation&rsquo;s&nbsp;history and&nbsp;independence.&nbsp;Each year,&nbsp;friends and family mark the occasion&nbsp;in their&nbsp;own ways,&nbsp;but&nbsp;a common activity&nbsp;is fireworks.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
In Santa Fe, the Kiwanis Club puts on a fireworks display for the entire city to experience without having to pay the costs of doing it yourself or the risk of setting anything on fire. The event draws crowds of all ages who watch from afar as the night sky gets painted with color.&nbsp;&nbsp;
However, the&nbsp;magic&nbsp;wouldn&rsquo;t&nbsp;be possible&nbsp;without the&nbsp;support&nbsp;of&nbsp;fireworks experts such as&nbsp;Santa Fe native&nbsp;Nicolas&nbsp;Flores.&nbsp;He&rsquo;s&nbsp;in charge of&nbsp;firing&nbsp;off&nbsp;the&nbsp;display.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Flores joins&nbsp;the latest&nbsp;podcast&nbsp;episode&nbsp;of &ldquo;Conversations Different,&rdquo;&nbsp;to discuss&nbsp;with host Inez Russell Gomez,&nbsp;what it takes to execute&nbsp;a&nbsp;successful&nbsp;Fourth of July fireworks&nbsp;show.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The two delve into&nbsp;how Flores became certified to handle such explosives&nbsp;aside from his day job of being a massage therapist. He explains the&nbsp;process&nbsp;for getting the fireworks&nbsp;ready&nbsp;for&nbsp;launch&nbsp;and how they even&nbsp;have certain&nbsp;names.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Flores&nbsp;also speaks on the change&nbsp;in&nbsp;venue&nbsp;this year, from Santa Fe Place mall to&nbsp;Gen.&nbsp;Franklin E. Miles Park, and what those&nbsp;logistics&nbsp;will entail for&nbsp;the festivities.

Santa Fe native Nicolas Flores shares what it takes to execute a 4th of July fireworks display

Santa Fe’s Railyard Park, located a short distance from downtown and the Plaza, is a familiar fixture for longtime residents and frequent visitors alike. 

Founded through a public-private partnership in 2010, the park’s urban design in an old industrial train lot became a prominent project for the city of Santa Fe at the time because it preserved prime real estate for the public’s use. Without preservation, developers could’ve reinvented the property, affecting nearby neighborhoods for years to come.   

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Railyard Park Conservancy Executive Director Izzy Barr. The two discuss the nonprofit’s role in stewarding Railyard Park and the park’s impact on Santa Fe.  

Barr speaks on some of the conservancy's offerings, from horticulture care that teaches gardening to the greenspaces where people can enjoy nature and the outdoors. She also reflects on the nonprofit’s partnerships with other local organizations and how those relationships have made the park the welcoming space it is today.  

Learn more by visiting railyardpark.org.

Santa Fe&rsquo;s Railyard Park,&nbsp;located&nbsp;a short distance from downtown and the Plaza, is&nbsp;a familiar fixture for longtime residents and frequent visitors alike.&nbsp;
Founded through a public-private partnership in 2010, the park&rsquo;s urban design in an old industrial train lot became a prominent project for the city of Santa Fe at the time because it preserved prime real estate for the public&rsquo;s use. Without preservation, developers could&rsquo;ve reinvented the property, affecting nearby neighborhoods for years to come.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
On the latest podcast episode of &ldquo;Conversations Different,&rdquo; host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Railyard Park Conservancy Executive Director Izzy Barr. The two discuss the nonprofit&rsquo;s role in stewarding Railyard Park and the park&rsquo;s impact on Santa Fe.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Barr speaks on some of the conservancy's offerings, from horticulture care that teaches gardening to the greenspaces where people can enjoy nature and the outdoors. She also reflects on the nonprofit&rsquo;s partnerships with other local organizations and how those relationships have made the park the welcoming space it is today.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Learn more&nbsp;by&nbsp;visiting&nbsp;<a href="https://railyardpark.org/">railyardpark.org.</a>

Izzy Barr from the Railyard Park Conservancy discusses park stewardship, impact on Santa Fe 

International Folk Art Market returns July 9–12 at Railyard Park, bringing artisans from around the world to Santa Fe to showcase multicultural works. 

The annual market has long served as a venue for folk artists to sell their products and for community members to experience cultures from outside the United States. According to IFAM’s mission, the market is about valuing humanity, traditions and artists who are working hard toward social change in their home countries.  

To preview this year’s event, IFAM Executive Director Stacey Edgar and board chair Helena Ribe join host Inez Russell Gomez on the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different.” They discuss how preparations are going, reflect on past markets and share what they are most looking forward to this year.   

Edgar also addresses public concerns about tariffs and visas affecting vendor participation, explaining her organization's efforts to keep the market on track. 

For more information and tickets, visit folkartmarket.org 

International Folk Art Market returns&nbsp;July&nbsp;9&ndash;12&nbsp;at Railyard Park,&nbsp;bringing&nbsp;artisans from around the&nbsp;world&nbsp;to&nbsp;Santa Fe to&nbsp;showcase&nbsp;multicultural&nbsp;works.&nbsp;
The annual market has long served as a venue for folk artists to sell their products and for community members to experience cultures from outside the United States. According to IFAM&rsquo;s mission, the market is about valuing humanity, traditions and artists who are working hard toward social change in their home countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;
To preview this year&rsquo;s event, IFAM Executive Director Stacey Edgar and board chair Helena Ribe join host Inez Russell Gomez on the latest podcast episode of &ldquo;Conversations Different.&rdquo; They discuss how preparations are going, reflect on past markets and share what they are most looking forward to this year.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Edgar also addresses public concerns about tariffs and visas affecting vendor participation, explaining her organization's efforts to keep the market on track.&nbsp;
For more information and&nbsp;tickets,&nbsp;visit&nbsp;<a href="https://folkartmarket.org/">folkartmarket.org</a>&nbsp;

Santa Fe’s library director discusses upcoming improvements to downtown library building

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