The one big consequence of this week is that we have to close the Store until further notice. We’re a bunch of print-oriented knuckleheads here, trying to negotiate this web thing best we can. Soon as we can reopen, we sure will. We know you love those Hurricane totes as much as we do.

In other news, we’re extending voting till the end of May. Y’all are clicking your precious hearts out, and we don’t want that to stop, any more than we want to deny you your most reliable crack at democracy this year.

We’ve also hired a web developer for some small-but-delicious site enhancements – assuming we have a site – such as free accounts, so you can sign in and save your favorite reviews, and some resources for our beloved advertisers. So please keep coming back, and voting (and voting, and voting). Your support means the world to us, especially as we begin work on #7, which is gonna be our most labor-intensive book since #3 (2008, for those of you playing at home).

Thanks for sticking with us through this strange and harrowing time. We love our readers, and we can’t wait to meet every one of you at the September release.

Leisa works from the Collaborative Divorce toolbox. She’s not out to destroy lives, or help you (or your ex) exact revenge. The collaborative law approach is really helpful when you know your marriage is over but don’t want dividing property and determining custody to be a fight, especially one that your kids witness. That said, true to the Taurus in her logo, she’s also stubborn as hell – which is the sort of thing you want in your lawyer. When it’s necessary, she’ll go to court, look your ex or soon-to-be’s lawyer in the eye and say, “No” until she gets what you want. But her goal is to keep your kids safe, cared-for, and as un-traumatized as possible.

She’s a clear and regular communicator, which is kind of a rarity among lawyers. And for anyone who’s ever had to deal with custody or child support, that’s both a must and a relief. She thinks it’s important that you understand what’s happening, and takes the time to unpack all the complex legal drama into terms you can make sense of. Because, like it or not, not knowing something now could change your life. She’s works the long hours, often achieving fair, well-behaved divorces where her clients didn’t think it was possible. And for a price no one can believe is possible.

In fact, she opened her practice explicitly to help low-income families. Like you, and us. The ones who can’t afford the Johnny Cochrans of divorce law. It’s actually ironic she keeps her fees so low – because keeping quality legal aid affordable goes way beyond money. Just you wait till the unthinkable day comes, and you have to do battle not only with your lover of so-many-years, but s/he’s driving the stake in with a lawyer of his/her own.

It’s a relief beyond relief to have someone who’s competent, dependable and affordable in your corner.

The organizers care about their patrons and try to make every show as fun and comfortable as the last. They also aim to provide the most bang for the least buck, which means – like the Guide – they can always use a little extra from your back pocket, if you’ve got the scrilla to spare. Most shows include interactive art and installations, and naturally, good music – even for you sober rockers. Focused on fusing music, art, and crowd participation there’s always a bit more here than most electronica shows. They book bands, DJs, emcees, and mix tracks without that ever-present derogatory messaging. Sounds pretty fucking awesome to us.

Followers are appreciative and loyal. Which makes sense, because those at the helm work hard to stand out and make a positive difference in the scene. If you like that proprietary heavy breathing, want enjoy your nights out, and you’re over the over the rave massives of the 90s, give ‘em a shout. They’re all over the Facebook and Twitter. Or you can say hi the old-fashioned way. We hear they like those, too.

This is a festival, as they’re fond of saying, about “un-dependence.” A celebration of light. All kinds of cinema are explored and honored here, from the jarring and aggressive to the milky and dreamlike. You’re gonna encounter a commissioned death metal Pete Seger cover. Possibly followed by a Sigur Rós-esque bowed-guitarscape. A slog of images only-recognizable-enough. Jump-cuts MTV has wet dreams about. It’s all possible here. And it’s expertly curated by Bryan Konefsky (of local stalwart Basement Films) and the poor bastards in his UNM classes he yokes into this.

EiC is a big deal. Hundreds of filmmakers have participated, from nearly as many countries. Though you’d be tempted to think of the 2000s – with YouTube and ever-bottoming production costs – as some kind of savior of independent spirit, it’s as tempting to forget Hollywood’s been fighting back. Hard. With bigger, dumber, more ridiculous claims to your $8-$12 + snacks. (That said, who doesn’t love a good adjusted afternoon at one of our thanklessly-maintained Dollar Theaters? But that’s not the point.) The point is: YouTube promotes and incentivizes a certain kind of pop, and a certain kind of clever. It can theoretically accommodate everybody, but what it’s best for – the viral thing – tends to leave experimental filmmakers in the dark, because what they do is by definition not popular. So we need film festivals like EiC (and, incidentally, venues like the Guild and SW Film Center) to provide healthy, well-promoted spaces for those filmmakers.

(To those wondering why you should care: where you think the next David Fincher or Julie Taymor’s gonna get their ideas? Style doesn’t just evolve in a vacuum, y’know.)

But there’s more. In addition to an exhaustive week-long screening schedule, EiC provides workshops – some even free – and many venues for discussion. In fact, seems every night concludes with a hearty 99 rounds at Carraro’s and Kellys. So pick-and-choose or throw yourself headlong into the darkness, you’ve got the option.

In 2012, we were treated to a special mini-festival on the first night, celebrating the once-vaunted, then maligned, now-again-vaunted Pixel Vision experience. It was lovely. We sure hope you were there.

I write you this morning from the balcony of a most exciting idea. From Day 1, we’ve maintained an open, democratic, ‘crowd-sourced’ vision of the Underground Guide.

 Anyone (anyone anyone) can write a review, so long as she’s been a customer in an establishment three times or more. That means if your crotchety Idaho-native grandpa visits for a week, and eats at Mary and Tito’s three times (which, I mean, why wouldn’t he?), your crotchety Idaho-native grandpa is qualified to write a review of Mary and Tito’s. And if you went with him, even just once, you’re qualified to add to to it (cause that’s four experiences, total). This year’s gonna be different, in a few important ways, more of which we’ll be revealing in the coming months. Thankfully, all of these changes are in the spirit and service of our mission.

Today, we’re opening the Guide even further. Traditionally, we’ve taken some big editorial liberties with what gets in. And while we’re not giving that up – we’re not fucking Yelp – we’re handing over fully 1/3 of the book – to you. Yeah, you.

You’ve probably seen the little voting icons at the bottom of reviews. We pay attention to those, to help us monitor reviews – mostly older ones, from the print-exclusive days – that don’t cut muster. Now you can vote for a review (or a shortened version of it) to appear in this year’s print edition. Really want Samons to edge out Raks? Want your friend’s band in print? Mobilize your friends. And as always, if you don’t see your favorite shop, quit your bitchin’ and review it. If it’s not here, the odds are we haven’t frequented it. Yet.

For extra funsies you can also vote against a business going in the book. All categories are on the table, and reviews with a net of 10+ positive votes will go into a list everyone will vote on again in May – which will determine THE FUTURE OF EVERYTHING.

What else will be in the book? There are some classics we don’t want to see excluded, and of course we have to save room for the goodies.

Voting starts today and goes until May 5, at midnight.

Adoringly,

Adam Rubinstein
Publisher, etc.

EDITED TO ADD:

• It's come to our attention some folks are having trouble finding the voting system. Below each review on the site is a thumbs up/down. We've taken a step to make it a little more obvious. Please let us know if you still have trouble finding it; our goal is to make it easy! Click the thumbs up to vote a review into the book; down to keep it on the web.
• Also, we've extended voting to May 10.

Yes, pedicure chairs for children. The chairs are technically gender-free, but they’re pretty darn cute – butterflies and lady bugs, a bit of pink here, some purple, you know the look – and we’re just itching to see everyone’s faces if you took your son in for a little pampering one of these days.

To us, it’s on par with putting your kindergartener into a thong or a training bra… unnecessary and a little creepy, ¿qué no? Of course, none of us has raises children. So we can’t really judge. And maybe it’s a fun mother-daughter thing to do once in a while. (Or father-son, or father-daughter, or mother-son… we are very pro-family in this establishment!)

But the chairs serve another purpose if you’re in there gettin’ your nails did, and that is to entertain your wee one. There are little DVD players for your princess to watch Disney princesses on, pedicure or not. A place that considers the well-being of your children while you’re getting a service is definitely recommended to moms and dads galore.

So, in summation, the kiddie chairs are a perk.

Essence offers a clean, comfortable place for a walk-in mani-pedi or eyebrow wax, with friendly smiles and plenty of options. You may have to wait a bit if you come in right after work, but they’re open til 7:00 most weeknights.

Just keep your eye on the pricing. As Valerie says: “Watch out for the upgrades.”

If you work at Kirtland, you may have stopped by Cervantes for lunch, and possibly regretted it. Their food is palatable, but it tends to “rip up your insides,” as Phil puts it. It’s not our favorite “authentic New Mexican,” but… you kinda haveta go there if you’re in the area.

It’s about the atmosphere. The waitstaff should be as blue-haired as they are at Paul’s, but they’re actually mostly youngsters. The place gets just as dolled up for St. Patrick’s Day as Cinco de Mayo, and their house margaritas match whatever you’re celebrating. (The green salt isn’t lime flavored, just so you know. And the pink salt isn’t strawberry or anything. It’s just food coloring. Promise.)

Again like Paul’s, and the Monte Carlo, there’s not a window to be found, so the time-travel factor is high. Cervantes makes you feel like you should be smoking a cigarette discussing Reagan’s re-election over a few (too many) cocktails and a plate of something covered in cheese. Unfortunately, they still enforce indoor smoking laws like it’s 2012, but there is a covered patio out back, and you can definitely smoke out there. And get your Walter Mondale visualization on.

So, basically, go for the experience. But consider packing a lunch.