Greetings!  

"Red and yellow and pink and green, orange and bronze and everything in between. Sounds like fall in Ta-os, fall in Ta-os, fall in Ta-os, too". 

Ok, so it's not poetry but since most attempts at describing this time of year rarely do justice to the amazing assault on the senses it actually delivers, a variation on the rainbow song seems as good as any. It's just so incredibly beautiful in Taos right now; it's almost impossible to stay indoors. Which is a good thing since we've got lots of fun things happening at Twirl this month. 

First up is our new Home School Play Day which will take place on the first Thursday of the month, between 12 and 1pm. Join us this Thursday October 6, for a fun activity, hang out with friends, meet some new ones and share your experiences on homeschooling. Call Angela @ 751 1402 for more details or just turn up on the day. 

Another first this month is the launch of our new book club, coinciding nicely with the Taos Storytelling Festival. Geared towards children ages 8 - 11, the 'Twirl Number One Book Club' will feature the first book of a popular children's series. This month's takes place on Friday October 21st, between 4:00 - 5:00pm and the book will be Book One of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series: " The Lightning Thief " by Rick Riordan. Moby Dickins has agreed to order the books for us so grab your copy and come join in the fun discussion, and enjoy some activities and snacks. Call Angela @751-1402 for information and to register. FREE. 

Boo You, Boo-tiful You!

Halloween is almost upon us which means costume preparations or discussions at least are underway. Luckily for us, the fabulously-talented costume and set designer Nina Silfverberg has agreed to host two Costume-Making Workshops at Twirl on Sunday October 16 and Sunday October 23 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. If you are already working on a costume but having some difficulties - because let's face it there's always that annoyingly tricky part - Nina can help you work it out. If you have a concept in mind but haven't figured out how to pull it off, bring along your materials and she'll work with you on out how to get started. The workshops are a nominal fee of $5 to cover the costs of additional supplies. We'll have extra fabric, yarn, thread, trims and other decorative bits as well as a couple of sewing machines, so come share ideas and get creating. Nina really is a master of design and an accomplished seamstress, so you'll be in excellent hands.

Whether you fancy yourself as a scary ghoul or exotic bird, come show off your finery at Twirl's Spook-tacular courtyard party on October 31st between 4pm - 6pm. We'll be handing out free hot dogs to tame those sugar crazies and keep the hunger monsters at bay when you're out trick or treating at the Plaza. And if you feel a creepy tap on your shoulder, don't be alarmed - it's just one of our staff letting you know they like your costume and want to give you a prize. We have all kinds of great Halloween accessories in the store including a shipment of mustaches in all shapes and sizes, so get your thinking caps on. We'll award a special prize to anyone brave enough to turn up to our party as a mustache-wearing Dorothy!

Fun Stuff around Taos in October 

See below for a snapshot of family-friendly happenings or visit taos.org for a full round-up of the region's events.

Oct 07 - 09.  Oktoberfest in Red River, Brandenburg Park. Microbreweries, German food, "Oompa" Music, and lots of fun!   

October 8. Young Eagles Flight Rally, at Taos Regional Airport. Area youth ages 8-17 can enter into a lottery to win a flight opportunity. Registration forms from Taos Youth and Family Center or at the Taos Regional Airport. The rally is part of the national EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) Young Eagles Program, created to interest young people in aviation. 

Saturday, October 16. Picnic on the Patio at the OBL presented by The Woogaboo Foundation, an educational non-profit providing enrichment programs for Taos youth. 9 of Taos' finest chefs will be dishing up a lamb, a pig, 2 goats, a hind of beef, elk/venison, fish and vegetarian dishes, assisted by students from Woogaboo's "Cooking with Chefs" program. Cocktails will kick off from 3-5, with an open bar, hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction, with dinner to follow. Proceeds from this benefit will support further programs and events for local children.

Saturday October 15,  Red Bull Final Descent at Angel Fire Resort, 9am-9pm. 12-hour endurance downhill race at Angel Fire. Single-, duo- and team categories. Open to sport, expert and pro mountain bike riders.

Saturday October 15,  Oktoberfest at Angel Fire Resort. Live music, great German food, beer and crazy contests!

October 15, Joy Ride at Turnstyle Gallery to benefit the DreamTree Project. Kick-off reception to launch 201 The Timeless Trucks of Taos Calendar featuring images by twelve of Taos' famous and infamous notables depicting their love affair with their beloved, old trucks. The opening event includes a reception, featuring several of the tremendous trucks and those who love them, as well as, a related photo exhibit by Kim Treiber. 

Oct 21 - 22, Taos Storytelling Festival at Taos Center for the Arts, 9:30 am - 10:00pm. Showcasing an impressive line-up of tellers spinning their weave in concerts, children stories, a workshop, a story swap and in visits to our locals schools. An all-day event, from 9:30am-10pm.

Saturday October 22, 9:00 a.m. to noon, a rally will be held in support of public education at Kit Carson Park to honor Taos teachers, administrators and school staff members and to support literary and artistic programs in our public schools. There will be food, entertainment, an emcee and Laps for Literacy - walkers and runners will do laps around the park and will procure sponsors to support our school programs. Call 575-779-1717 for details. 

Oct 28 - 30, Taos Mountain Balloon Rally. Mass hot air balloon accesions, parade and picnic, balloomenshine (hot air balloon shine at dusk). Call 575.758.9210 for more info.

Saturday October 29, 15th Annual Children's Halloween Party, 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Taos Convention Center.  For children 14 and under. Carnival games, Halloween treat bags for first 750 children, prizes and costume contest: prizes for Most Original Costume, Funniest Costume and Best Costume children ages 2 and under will be judged at 2:30 PM, 3-5 year olds at 3:15 PM, 6-8 year olds at 4:00 PM, and 9-12 year olds at 4:45 PM. 

Monday Oct 31, Trick or Treating on Taos Plaza is one annual Halloween tradition your family will not want to miss. Be sure to stop by Twirl and grab a bite to eat in between all that candy. We'll be serving up hot dogs between 4pm - 6pm and giving away treats and prizes for the best costumes.