American Bear Awakening
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Last Updated (Sunday, 31 January 2010 02:55)
American Bear Awakening Schedule

The schedule for the weekend of:
April 8 - 11, 2009
Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Times are subject to change but event and locations are now fixed so check back often.
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Date |
Time |
Event |
Location |
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Thursday, April 8th |
3-?PM |
Hotel Check-in |
Santa Fe Suites, Santa Fe |
|
|
4-6:30PM |
ABA Registration |
Hospitality Room, Santa Fe Suites |
|
|
7-10PM |
Meet n Greet with Contestant Introductions |
SilverStarlight Lounge, Rainbow Vision Santa Fe |
|
|
7-9PM |
ABA Registration |
Lobby, Silver Starlight Lounge |
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Friday, April 9th |
Noon–4PM |
Spa/Hot Tub |
10K Waves, Santa Fe |
|
|
6-8PM |
Dinner |
Garbo’s, Rainbow Vision Santa Fe |
|
|
8PM-Midnight |
Contestant Raffle and Auction Bidding |
SilverStarlight Lounge |
|
|
11PM-2AM |
After Hours Party |
Jalapeno’s, Santa Fe |
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Saturday, April 10th |
10-11:15AM |
Brunch |
Zia Diner, Santa Fe |
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|
11:30AM-4PM |
Lamy Train Ride |
Santa Fe Depot, Santa Fe |
|
|
6-8PM |
Dinner |
Garbo’s |
|
|
8PM-Midnight |
Contest, Raffle and Auction |
SilverStarlight Lounge |
|
|
11PM-2AM |
After Hours Party |
Jalapeno’s |
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Sunday, April 11th |
8-11AM |
Hotel Check-out |
Santa Fe Suites |
|
|
3-?PM |
Hotel Check-in |
Hilton Garden Inn, Albuquerque (if needed for Monday flights) |
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|
4-7PM |
Beer Blast and Mr. Rise N Shine Raffle |
Sidewinders, Albuquerque |
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|
7:30-9:30PM |
Dinner |
Range Café -Wyoming, Albuquerque |
Check the links below for possible scheduling conflicts.
Last Updated (Friday, 05 February 2010 18:16)
American Bear Awakening Registration Information

Information about registration for the event locations.
American Bear Awakening (ABA) will be doing various event functions at different locations. Please contact the business directly to make your reservations. The two hotels have set up special websites for our group so use the links below when booking your room for American Bear Awakening.
American Bear Awakening:
| Registration Form |
To register for American Bear Awakening - Bare Bones Bear Run please enter the requested information on the Registration Form. On-line registration ends March 31, 2010. We will have walk-up registration sheets at the run for those missing the March 31 cut-off date. All your information is secure and we do not distribute our attendee list to outside parties.
For contestant registration in the Mr. Rise N Shine Bear contest be sure to check the Contestant box on the registration form. More information can be found under the Helpful Information article below.
Drivers will also be needed to help transport fellow attendees to the different locations so if you would like to sign up for that check the Driver box on the registration form. Be sure to sign up on the "American Bear Awakening" forum topic as a driver so passengers can make contact. See the Helpful Information article below for more details.
We are also looking for volunteers to help out during the run so if you are interested in helping out please check the Volunteer box on the registration form. More details are available on the Helpful Information article below.
If you have any special request or needs that you think we should know about please note that on the registration form in the Any Special Request box. Any one planning on taking the NM Rail Runner and needing a pick up from the South Capitol station please note this and see the forum topic "American Bear Awakening" for a list of drivers. See the Helpful Information article for more details on the NM Rail Runner.
To give the restaurants a heads up on our dinning space please check which dinners you plan on attending so we can let them know ahead of time. This is by no means a binding commitment on the dinners. We will have additional sign up sheets at the registration table.
The registration form can be accessed from the link below.
Host Hotel:
The Santa Fe Suites on Saint Francis – Santa Fe offers a rich tapestry of history and heritage, is an art and culture hub and is home to mountain filled backdrops perfect for outdoor activities. The Santa Fe Suites, formerly Camel Rock Suites, offer all the comforts of home and then some, located at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains just minutes from downtown Santa Fe.
- Located a short distance from the Rainbow Vision Activities.
- Complimentary Continental Breakfast Buffet available.
- Queen smoking and non-smoking rooms are $69 per night for one or two people
- Double non-smoking rooms are available at $79 (3 people) or $89 (4 people) per night
- View website for full details at The Santa Fe Suites and use the link below for regservations
- For reservations:
- Contact Maxx (Saleslady) at 505-989-3600
- Online registrations at The Santa Fe Suites ABA Group Reservations
- Use ABA for the Attendee Code
Friday Event:
Thousand Waves – Ten Thousand Waves is a unique mountain spa resort near Santa Fe, New Mexico that feels like a Japanese onsen. All private tubs are clothing optional and the communal tubs are clothing optional co-ed tubs. Robes are provided for use from locker rooms/showers to tub areas.
- Prices vary depending on facilities and services as listed on the Ten Thousand Waves website.
- Group reservations can be made starting in February, 2010.
- Reservations for groups are not available online.
- For reservations:
- Call Richard at 505-982-9304 ext: 5006
- Reference American Bear Awakening for April 9, 2010
Saturday Event:
The Santa Fe Southern Railway – Known world-wide as simply "The Santa Fe," the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railway came into its namesake city in 1880. The 120 year-old spur from Lamy, NM to Santa Fe, the vintage railcars, and the charming California mission-style depot at 410 S. Guadalupe St., combine to make a charming slice of history.
- Cash bar on the train.
- Lunch can be purchased in Lamy, NM for approximately $7 or you may bring a picnic lunch.
- Price (10% discount off regular) is $28.80 for Adults; $24.30 for Seniors 60+.
- Arrive 30 minutes before departure for check-in
- See the Santa Fe Southern Railway website for all the details.
- Group reservations must be made As Soon As Possible.
- Reservations for groups are not available online.
- For reservations:
- Contact Leah at 505-989-8600 ext: 0
- Reference American Bear Awakening for April 10, 2010
Pre & Post ABA Hotel:
Hilton Garden Inn at Albuquerque Uptown - For anyone arriving late Wednesday April 7, 2009 or staying until Monday April 12, 2009 the Hilton Garden Inn is a gay managed and gay friendly place to spend a night while in Albuquerque. Close to shopping and easy freeway access.
- Located within an easy drive to Sidewinders and the Range Café Activities.
- Room rate for either night is $80/night.
- View website for full details at Hilton Garden Inn - Uptown and use the link below for reservations.
- For reservations:
- Contact Margo at 505-944-0300
- Online reservations at Hilton Garden Inn ABA Group Reservations
- Reference American Bear Awakening
Last Updated (Friday, 05 February 2010 18:22)
Helpful Information

Here is a collection of information that you might find helpful when getting ready for American Bear Awakening.
...This page is still being worked on so come back at a later time for more complete information...
We have included information about getting to the host hotel and bar since we are unable to provide free shuttles. Also included is information about getting around Santa Fe, New Mexico. Both the Friday and Saturday events will require some driving to get from the host hotel to the events. In that light we are looking for some attendees that are willing to be drivers. We have attached sample menus from Garbo's Restaurant and Silver Starlight Lounge so you can get an idea of what is available and cost since this is a pay-as-you-go event. For those that want to enter the Mr. Rise 'N Shine contest that information is listed here too.
Getting to the event:
There are multiple ways to get to the host hotel. Santa Fe does have a Municipal Airport with limited American Eagle flights from both Dallas (DFW) and Los Angels (LAX). Once at the airport one can rent a car, get a taxi or take a shuttle to The Santa Fe Suites, the host hotel. The airport website has full details on the services available. Albuquerque has an International airport (Sunport) servicing most major US cities. Southwest Airlines is the main airline servicing Sunport along with several others. Upon arrival one has several options for getting to Santa Fe, which is about an hour north, so plan accordingly. The major car rental companies are available as is Sandia Express Shuttle and the New Mexico Rail Runner train. The Sunport website has a full list of the rental car companies. Sandia Express Shuttle has door to door service from Sunport to the Santa Fe Suites for about $25.00 one-way. There is a free express shuttle (#350) from Sunport to the Albuquerque downtown train station where you can connect with the NM Rail Runner train. There are several Santa Fe train stations that are relatively close to the host hotel. The Zia Road station is the closest but not yet open. Based on the Rail Runner website it should be open by Spring 2010 so check their website for updates. Use the South Capitol station instead and check the NM Rail Runner website for details on connecting to other services. Rail tickets can be purchased online and are $5.00 for a one-way ticket. Any one arriving on the Rail Runner should note this on the ABA registration form in the “Any Special Request” box. Check the forum topic “Needing rides to American Bear Awakening” or a list of drivers and how to connect with them. Any one driving to Santa Fe should use the directions listed on the Santa Fe Suites website for correct directions to the hotel as the Internet mapping services do not give correct directions. Directions to Rainbow Visions can be found at their website too.
Getting around at the event:
The various events locations for ABA all require driving to get to them. The host hotel does not have a shuttle so the ABA committee is looking for drivers. To sign up as a driver please mark the Driver box under the Run Options section on the registration form. Then add a post to this fact on the forum “Needing rides to American Bear Awakening.” On the posting please list the number of passenger seats available and a method for contact to arrange pick up. This posting is mainly intended for initially helping people get to the run. Once at the run a driver is indicated by a yellow dot on the name tag. There will be additional driver sign up sheets at the registration table.
The routes that drivers will need to know from the Santa Fe Suites to the following locations are: Rainbow Vision complex, Ten Thousand Waves, and Santa Fe Train Depot. If picking people up from the NM Rail Runner stations then the Zia Road Train Station and the South Capitol Train Station will be required also. The Santa Fe Suites is the only event location that has a large amount of parking so car pooling is highly recommended. Rainbow Vision has only valet parking because of very limited parking. Parking at the Santa Fe Depot on Saturdays is best done in the underground parking structure next to REI for $2.00 per day. Any incurred cost should be worked out between the drivers and the passengers.
Dinning at the event:
Bar Menu: View Sample Bar Menu
This is a full cash bar with daily specials. The bar also has a selection of food items that can be purchased. This is a pay-as-you-go item so you are expected to close out your evening tab before leaving.
Friday and Saturday Dinner Menu: View Sample Dinner Menu
We will be eating in a sit-down restaurant so you have access to the full menu. This is a pay-as-you-go item so you will be expected to pay your bill at the end of the meal. The bar menu will be available for dinner also.
Saturday Brunch Menu: View Sample Dinner Menu
We will be eating in a sit-down restaurant so you have access to the full menu. This is a pay-as-you-go item so you will be expected to pay your bill at the end of the meal.
Sunday Dinner Menu: View Sample Dinner Menu
We will be eating in a sit-down restaurant so you have access to the full menu. This is a pay-as-you-go item so you will be expected to pay your bill at the end of the meal.
After Hours Parties: View Sample Menu
Since this is an after hours party the menu is limited to appetizers and the salsa bar. This is a pay-as-you-go item so you will be expected to pay your bill at the end of the meal. Beer and wine are available for purchase.
Major event activities:
Ten Thousand (10K) Waves:
We have reserved the Waterfall private tub which comes with a private sauna. The tub holds 12 while the sauna holds 4 plus there is some deck space. This is an outdoor tub with a few step down to it. Robes, lockers and showers are provided. Flip flops are the best footware to have available. Since this is a spa resort please keep noise levels to a minimum. Other massage and spa treatments are available for additional cost.
Santa Fe Train:
Contest: Anyone that is not a contestant should help support American Bear Awakening - Bare Bones Bear Run’s fund raising efforts by buying lots raffle tickets from the contestants as they will be working hard all weekend long to help raise big bucks for the beneficiaries of this run. Just look for the guys with the orange dots on the nametags. The tickets will go for items available in the raffle. On Saturday night the contestants get to show off their stuff. Since all non-contestants are the judges an interesting evening will in order. Raffle: Each evening there will be a different collection of prizes on display in the SilerStarlight Lounge that will serve as that evenings offerings. Contestants will be selling tickets that are good for any night. Tickets are three for $1.00 or $5.00 for a body measurement. The contestants will be very creative in their selling techniques. Multiple purchases are allowed. Split the tickets into two sets and keep one set for reference at the drawings. Deposit the other set in the raffle boxes in any fashion. Multiple tickets in one box increases the chance of winning. If tickets are purchased away from the SilverStarlight Lounge keep both ticket sets until returning to the lounge. Then follow the above instructions for ticket handling. Silent Auction: Sign up on forms by items. Awarding will happen on Sat. night during the contest.
Help at the event: A small group of guys will be working really hard to make this run a major success. A thank you sometimes goes a long way in making their day not seem so stressful. The staff of the run will have blue dots on the nametags so they will be easy to spot. Refer to them as the Blue Bones in keeping with the run theme of Bare Bones Bear Run. If any questions arise they are the people who will have the answers or know who does have the answer. To help out this small crew they will need the help of many volunteers to actually make everything happen. The task fall into the following categories: setup/breakdown the registration, raffle, and silent auction tables at either the host hotel or host bar; manning the registration table; security at all event locations; event location coordination; and contestant related help. The contestants will need a sidekick to help handle tickets and money while selling raffle tickets, help contestants during contest, help with contestant meeting, Volunteers will be denoted by pink dots on the nametags. Donations for putting on American Bear Awakening - Bare Bones Bear Run are need also. Any one that would like to help put on the run should contact us before hand. We can use help with the following items: cash donations for basic run supplies, sponsor a hospitality room at the host hotel one afternoon, sponsor prizes for the contestants in the Mr. Rise ‘N Shine contest, and sponsor the first runner-up award. The patch for the winner of Mr. Rise ‘N Shine is being donated by Craig Gunderson, Mr. Rise ‘N Shine 2009. Donators have the option of having their name listed on this website. Anyone wishing to help on any of these items need not do the work of getting the items just let us know an upper dollar amount and we will get the items. If they wish to just provide the items would be great too.
Mr. Rise 'N Shine Contestant Information:
The Mr. Rise ‘N Shine contest is designed to be a fun and enjoyable event to enhance the overall ABA experience. This contest is not part of any circuit or preliminary, but rather just an event to relax and have fun with. Calling all Bears, Cubs, or Admirers to go “game-on” and join the fun! All attendees interested in being a contestant should by sure to check the Contestant box on the ABA registration form. The titles awarded are Mr. Rise ‘N Shine and First Runner Up. The winner gets a back patch which will look something like the one shown here. The winning contestant can provide a garment or can purchase a leather vest from GearWerks. They will attach the patch too the garment if winner attends Sunday night wrap-up beer blast at Sidewinders. The First runner-up get a baseball cap with the run logo embroidered on it. Any registered ABA attendee can enter the Mr. Rise ‘N Shine contest. What a contestant has to do is easy and takes only the amount of time they wish to give it. Attend the ABA Contestant Meeting Thursday afternoon at the host hotel where the contestants will randomly draw the number they will be assigned. An orange dot will be placed on the name tag to denote being a contestant with the above number added to the dot.. This name tag should be displayed during all attended ABA events. Encouragement of fellow ABA attendees to attend the contest Saturday night at SilverStarlight Lounge will get more raffle ticket sales. Since this is a fund raising event raffle tickets will be the major function of the contestants. After the contestants have a roll of tickets, selling can start and can happen any time or place the contestant chooses. It is suggested that ticket selling and water do not mix well in that people don’t have money or dry pockets for the tickets. The contestants are responsible for keeping track of the money from the ticket sales. Each contestant will be given an envelope to hold the money. This money will be collected before the contest so as to tally the biggest ticket seller. Working with the other contestants in a positive manner helps too. Since all non-contestant attendees are the judges, the scoring will be by loudest applause at the introduction and contest. Overall ticket sales will figure into this, this is a fund raiser after all. Thursday night’s introduction should be in Bear Wear attire where Mr. Rise ‘N Shine 2009 will be handing out the raffle ticket rolls. Come to the contest and dinner on Saturday night dressed in Cruise Wear attire that displays the ABA Theme of Bear Bones Bear Run for the beginning of the contest. A change of attire will happen in the salon behind the stage where it will become a Sleep Wear with a Rise and Shine Theme befitting the title of Mr. Rise ‘N Shine. Be creative but no genitals showing please as this is an open lounge after all. Rainbow management says bare butts are OK. The winner is expected to positively promote ABA throughout the next year in their local community and on any travels they do. If possible attend the New Mexico Pride Parade in June and ride on the Bear Truck. Wear the ABA patch with pride! Join the Sandia Bears for any of their events anytime the winner is in the Albuquerque area. Consult the Sandia Bears website for all news of up coming group events.
Run cost summary for the event:
With this being a pay-as-you-go event it seems like a good thing to have a summary of the expenses that will happen over the weekend. The hope is that the expenses are low so more money will be donated to the beneficiaries. This is a best guess weekend making use of carpools after getting to Santa Fe Thursday April 8 by train and sharing rooms in both Santa Fe and Albuquerque. This does not include bar tabs, donations or airfare. Add $20.00 for a one-way airport to host hotel shuttle instead of the Rail Runner. All prices subject to change and are an estimate.
|
Item |
Cost |
Notes |
|
NM Rail Runner |
$5.00 |
One-way trip with carpool back to Albuquerque |
|
Hotel |
$73.00 |
Three nights @ $84.00 includes tax with a four way split in a double room |
|
10K Waves |
$19.00 |
Communal tubs only |
|
Santa Fe Southern Railway |
$32.00 |
One adult ticket |
|
Parking @ Train Depot |
$0.50 |
One car for all day split four ways |
|
Meals |
$138.00 |
Four two-course dinners and two lunches includes tax and tip |
|
Pre and Post Hotel (Post only listed) |
$46.00 |
One night @ $80.00 includes tax split two ways |
|
Total |
$313.50 |
Average weekend cost |
Last Updated (Tuesday, 09 February 2010 14:53)
Beneficiaries

The beneficiaries we have selected this year's American Bear Awakening - Bare Bones Bear Run are New Mexico Aids Services and Equality New Mexico.
The Sandia Bears have had dealing with both organizations for many years giving a total $500.00 in donations over the years. The proceeds from American Bear Awakening - Bare Bones Bear Run will be evenly divided between the two organizations. They are major players in the LGBT community in New Mexico. See below for ways to donate while at ABA.
New Mexico AIDS Services (NMAS) is a 501(c)3 non-profit community based organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of life for people and communities affected by HIV/AIDS through innovative and comprehensive services, support and prevention education.
NMAS operates under the guidance and leadership of a Board of Directors, 43 employees and over 150 volunteers who fulfill the mission of the agency. NMAS provides high quality non-judgmental, science-based health promotion, and disease prevention interventions that are focused on the community, the family, and the client.
NMAS was started by a group of concerned citizens in response to the growing problem of HIV/AIDS throughout the state. The desperate need for HIV prevention and direct care services quickly became evident, and the group incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
In 1997, new trends in HIV treatment shifted client needs away from acute care services towards practical/psycho/social services, such as case management, home care services, housing, nutritional assistance and vocational rehabilitation and new approaches to prevention and education programs. After 23 years on the front lines in the battle against AIDS, NMAS has grown to meet the needs of people impacted by HIV/AIDS in our communities.
For more information on how you can help in the fight against HIV, please call (505) 938-7100.
Equality New Mexico is a statewide education and advocacy organization that works for full recognition of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights.
EQNM works throughout the state to end discrimination, shape public opinion and policy, as well as strengthen our alliances with local, regional, and national partners.
Equality New Mexico Foundation, formerly the Coalition for Equality in New Mexico, was founded on May 2, 1993. The organization emerged as the Coalition of Gay and Lesbian Rights in New Mexico in the aftermath of the second defeat of legislation designed to amend the New Mexico Human Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. The intent of the Coalition was to create a shared statewide vision for gay and lesbian civil and human rights as well as to provide a unified political voice for New Mexico gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.
The Foundation’s work has consistently been organizing and coordinating LGBT families and individuals along with allied communities across the state. In 2003, EQNMF was responsible for the passage of both the Non-Discrimination and Hate Crimes laws based on both sexual orientation and gender identity.
Equality New Mexico, formerly Basic Rights New Mexico, formed in April 2003 to counter efforts to overturn Non-Discrimination legislation by gathering signatures for a November 2004 ballot referendum. To date, EQNM has trained numerous local leaders and identified over 12,000 voters that support gay rights as well as lobbied for LGBT legal protections. Through our work of engaging, identifying, and building a base of pro-LGBT voters, EQNM has demonstrated the capacity to mobilize hundreds of LGBT people and allied communities to participate as volunteers in our political vision.
Ways to donate to these fine organizations while at American Bear Awakening:
Donation Buckets/Boxes: We will have several donation buckets/boxes around the hospitality suite and the Rainbow Vision sites that you can just drop the donation in any of them.
Raffle: The "Mr. Rise N Shine Bear" contestants will be selling raffle tickets in very creative ways just about any place they can so buy some and increase your chances of getting that special prize you want.
Silent Auction: A table will be setup in SilverStarlight Lounge so please stop by and but your bid in on the wonderful gifts we collected.
Supporters of American Bear Awakening

The Supporters of American Bear Awakening are the businesses, originations, or individuals that make American Bear Awakening - Bare Bones Bear Run possible with all their in-kind services or donations.
Our advertisers have posted a notice about our run on their events calendars, so please visit their sites and see what is happening there. The Community Partners are the businesses or originations that have given in-kind services to help run ABA. The raffle and silent auction would not be possible without the help of our Sponsors. Donators are individuals that have given either cash, items for the raffle or silent auction, or helped out in some other way. The Sandia Bears would like to thank all of the advertisers, partners, sponsors, and donators for without them American Bear Awakening - Bare Bones Bear Run would not be possible.
Advertisers:
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Community Partners:
Sponsors:
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Donors:
| Donors | Donated Items |
| Craig Gunderson | Mr. Rise N Shine Bear 2010 Patch |
| Bill Ziegler | First Runner-up Hat and staff t-shirts |
| Mac McAndrew & Bob Harris | Bear Track Money Clip |
| Your Name Could Be Here! | With Your Donatated Item List! |
Last Updated (Tuesday, 23 February 2010 22:20)



























