380th

Bomb Group

380th Bomb Group Association
World War II Veterans Group

 

Albuquerque, New Mexico

"The Fifth Last Hurrah!"

12-16 October 2016


LOCATION:

MCM Elegante

The MCM Elegante
Website: www.mcmelegantealbuquerque.com
Address: 2020 Menaul NE, Albuquerque
Phone: 505-884-2511 (direct), 1-866-650-8900 (toll-free)


Schedule Hotel Reservations/Information Airport & Ground Info Reunion Contact
Event Registration &
Payment Info
Optional Tours Menus Local Attractions / About ABQ


DEADLINES:

Hotel Reservation Deadline: Friday, September 30, 2016 (midnight, mountain time zone)
You are responsible for making your own hotel reservations.

Hotel reservations made after this date will be honored at the group rate, based on availability - if you miss this deadline, please contact Barb Gotham who will see if she can still get you a room at our group rate.

Event Registration Deadline: Friday, September 30, 2016
(unless prior arrangements have been made with Barb Gotham)


HOW TO REGISTER:

Click here for the Event Registration Form

Note that pre-registration is required for the reunion, the Memorial Service, and all tours) and scheduled group meals (Thursday welcome dinner, Friday boxed lunches, Saturday banquet).

REUNION FUND:

If you are are unable to attend this year's 380th Reunion, but would like to donate to the Reunion Fund, please send your contribution (checks or money orders, no credit cards) to:

Barbara Gotham/Reunion Fund
380th Bomb Group Association
130 Colony Road
West Lafayette IN 47906-1209 USA


SCHEDULE (As of 14 July 2016; subject to change):

Wednesday - Early arrivals, no planned group activities
1:00-9:00pm - Hospitality room will be open (pick up your reunion packets here; free snacks and beverages)

Thursday -
9:00-11:30am -
Hospitality room will be open (pick up your reunion packets here)
1:15pm - Pickup at hotel for ABQ Trolley "Best of ABQ" city tour - return by 4:00pm
5:30pm - Cash bar open
6:00pm - Welcome dinner at hotel
7:00-8:00pm - Entertainment (all are welcome to attend)
After dinner - Hospitality room will be open until 10pm

Friday -
9:00-11:30am - Memorial Service and tour of facilities at Kirtland AFB (transportation provided)
Noon - sack lunches at hotel
1:15-5:00pm - Optional tour to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (transportation provided)
5:30-11:00pm - Hospitality room will be open
Evening dinner on your own (if enough people are interested, we can order pizza or other local
specialty for the hospitality room)

Saturday -
10:00-11:30am - Member meeting and presentations
Afternoon - on own or additional group tour / hospitality room open noon - 4:00pm
5:00pm - Group photos at hotel
5:30pm - Cash bar open
6:00-9:00pm - Banquet and dancing at hotel

Sunday - Departures


HOTEL RESERVATIONS AND INFORMATION:

The MCM Elegante
Website: www.mcmelegantealbuquerque.com
Address: 2020 Menaul NE, Albuquerque NM

Phone: 505-884-2511 (direct), 1-866-650-8900 (toll-free) (when calling for lodging, be sure to say you are with the 380th Bomb Group Association)

Online link for hotel lodging reservations is:
https://www.reseze.net/servlet/SendPage?hotelid=1354&skipfirstpage=true&page=1549693

HOTEL INFORMATION:

Lodging rates (does not include taxes):

Standard Double/double room and standard king: $80
King ADA / King roll-in ADA: $80
King Tower (executive king): $100
Suite (2 rooms with separate living and sleeping areas, w/kitchenette): $130

Lodging rates include a full hot breakfast daily. The MCM is also providing us with free WIFI, free shuttle service (both to/from the airport as well as within an 8-mile radius of the hotel), and complimentary "happy hour" nightly (2 drinks/person registered).

NOTE:

Our reunion is AFTER the International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque. The 2016 Fiesta runs from October 1-9. For more info, see their website at: http://www.balloonfiesta.com/.

The MCM Elegante is honoring our group rate 3 days prior and 3 days after our reunion, so if you are able to come into ABQ before October 9 (note that hotel prices will be much higher in the area from Oct 1-9), you can catch the Fiesta.

The reason why we are not holding our reunion during the Fiesta is because it would mean higher hotel, transportation, and other costs, plus much more other people to contend with!

balloons

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING YOUR OWN HOTEL RESERVATIONS

The MCM has a limited number of accessible rooms. If you need one, please make sure you request one when you are making your reservation.

Besides airport shuttle service to the Albuquerque airport, the hotel provides (upon availability) transportation within an 8-mile radius of the hotel.

Service animals and pets are allowed (limited pet rooms), $25 non-refundable fee. Please call the hotel for more information on their pet policy.

Hotel Description

Property Location - In business district and close to UNM North Golf Course and Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.

Rooms -342 air-conditioned rooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Your room comes with a pillowtop bed. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers.

Amenities - Enjoy a range of recreational amenities, including an indoor pool, a spa tub, and a 24-hour fitness center. Additional features include complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services, and gift shops/newsstands. Guests who want to try their luck at the slots can hop on the complimentary casino shuttle.

Dining - Satisfy your appetite at the hotel's restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or stay in and take advantage of room service (during limited hours). Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at a bar/lounge.

Business, Other Amenities - Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, express check-in, and express check-out. Planning an event in Albuquerque? This hotel has 7,400 square feet (1 square meters) of space consisting of a conference center and meeting rooms. A round-trip airport shuttle is complimentary at scheduled times.

For a complete list of hotel amenities, click here
For descriptions of the guest rooms, click here


REUNION REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT INFO:

Please use the Event Registration Form to sign up for the Reunion, Reunion Events, and Optional Tours. Note that pre-registration is required for the reunion and all tours and scheduled group meals (Thursday welcome dinner, Friday luncheon, Saturday banquet).

Unless prior arrangements are made with Barb Gotham, all reunion event payments must be received by Friday, 30 September 2015. Checks, money orders, or cash only - no credit cards accepted.


ALBUQUERQUE FACTS:

Albuquerque is the largest city in New Mexico. Situated at 5,000 feet above sea level, Albuquerque is base camp for hot-air ballooning. It is a culturally-diverse metropolitan area with over 850,000 residents.

The Sandia Mountains run along the eastern side of Albuquerque, and the Rio Grande flows through the city, north to south.

Albuquerque is home to the University of New Mexico, Kirtland Air Force Base, Sandia National Laboratories, and Petroglyph National Monument.

The Sandia Peak Tramway, located adjacent to Albuquerque, is the world's second-longest passenger aerial tramway. It stretches from the Northeast edge of the city to the crestline of the Sandia Mountains. Elevation at the top of the tramway is roughly 10,300 ft above sea level.

October weather: Average high is 69, average low is 46; average precipitation is 1.02"; average relative humidity is 45.3%, and sunshine is possible 80% of the time.

State Flower: Yucca
State Tree: Pinon Pine
State Bird: Roadrunner
State Nickname: Land of Enchantment
Statehood: January 6, 1912 (47th state in the Nation)
State Capital: Santa Fe (At nearly 7,000 ft. above sea level, it is the highest U.S. capital.)
State Aircraft: Hot Air Balloon


AIRPORT AND GROUND TRANSPORTATION:

AIRPORT

Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) - http://www.abqsunport.com/

TRAIN

Amtrak provides service to Albuquerque. Online information at https://www.amtrak.com or call 1-800-USA-RAIL (or TDD/TTY 1-800-523-6590). The station is located at 214 First Street SW.

NM Rail Runner Express (505) 245-7245 or online at http://www.nmrailrunner.com/ A commuter rail running through the heart of Albuquerque. Spanning 100 miles from Santa Fe to Belen through the beautiful Rio Grande Valley, the train corridor has 13 stations, operating seven days a week.

RENTAL CARS

Car rental agencies are all located at the Car Rental Facility adjacent to the airport at 3400 S University Blvd SE.

In addition, there is a car rental office located in the Crowne Plaza Hotel across the street from the MCM Elegante, at 1901 Univeristy Blvd NE

USING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

For ABQ Ride bus schedules and routes, call (505) 243-RIDE (7433). For Sun Tran bus schedules and routes, call (505) 843-9200. http://www.cabq.gov/transit/bus-routes-and-schedules

SHUTTLE SERVICES

Our host hotel, the MCM Elegante, provides shuttle service both from/to the airport as well as within an 8-mile radius of the hotel and also to the Rail Runner station.

Sandia Shuttle Express, call 1-888-775-5696 or online at https://www.sandiashuttle.com/.Convenient shuttle services between Santa Fe and Albuquerque International Airport with 30 trips daily to fit your travel schedule. Pick up and drop off at all hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, colleges, and other locations in Santa Fe, NM

Sunport Shuttle, call (505) 833-4966 / 1-866-505-4966. Provides round-the-clock transportation to any address in the Albuquerque area from the airport and back again. Visit them online at http://sunportshuttle.com/.

Click here for a link about getting from Sante Fe from Albuquerque


OPTIONAL TOURS:

ABQ Trolley Tour

Thursday, October 13, depart at 1:15pm, return by 4:00pm

This will be an 85-minute narrated tour (broken up into two segments), 18-mile Best of ABQ City Tour using a completely-custom, uniquely-Albuquerque, open-air trolley.  On this tour you will learn the lay of the land, get a glimpse of Albuquerque's rich history, and obtain an overview of all that Albuquerque has to offer (it surprises most people how much there is to see and do in Albuquerque).

Our private tour starts at the MCM Elegante Hotel. We will cover half of the tour route, then stop for a 20-30 minute break at Rude Boy Cookies, then continue with the remainder of the tour, with our last stop back at the MCM Elegante Hotel.

Note that other than the cookie stop, there are no other stops (this is not a hop-on, hop-off tour). In addition, there are no toilet facilities on the trolley, and there are about 2-3 stairsteps to enter the trolley.

The trolley is open-air. There are no windows, walls, or enclosures; only a roof shades guests from the warm New Mexico sunshine (sunscreen is highly recommended). There are drop-down rain curtains to shield guests from the weather; however, a light jacket may be necessary.

trolley


Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

Friday, October 14, depart at 1:15pm, return by 5:00pm

Website: http://www.indianpueblo.org/

The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center was founded in 1976 and is jointly owned and operated by the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico. Located in the historic Albuquerque Indian School District just minutes from Downtown and Old Town Albuquerque, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is a world-class museum and cultural center created to be a place where Pueblo people can tell their story. As the Gateway to the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico, the IPCC is a necessary first-stop for visitors to New Mexico, providing a jumping off point for understanding the state’s landscape, legacy, story of continuance and the unique connection between cultures.

The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is the only place in North America to host traditional Native American dances every weekend year round. Known for its collection of Pueblo pottery and 19 murals painted by Pueblo artists, the IPCC also offers an exciting schedule of cultural, educational and community activities including rotating exhibits, events with Native American artists and leaders, hands-on children’s programs and art festivals. Visitors can also experience the award-winning Native fusion cuisine of Pueblo Harvest Cafe and shop at Shumakolowa Native Arts, a trusted destination for authentic handcrafted Native American art. Today the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center leads the world in educating people about the legacy of resilience, accomplishments and living history of Pueblo people and is a vibrant place for people of all cultures to share, learn and discover.

In April 2016, in conjunction with our 40th Anniversary Celebration, we unveiled the first major renovation of our permanent museum exhibit since opening. Representing all 19 Pueblos of New Mexico, the new exhibit is called: "We Are of This Place: The Pueblo Story." It shares the Pueblo people’s legacy of resilience, expresses the Pueblo story through the voices of Pueblo people, honors our land and all living things, and is inspired by traditions that have been passed down for generations. With this renovation, we have created a living museum for visitors that continues to do justice to the history and accomplishments of the Pueblo people of New Mexico.

IPCC


MENUS:

Thursday Mexican Buffet Dinner:
Garden salad w/ choice of toppings and choice of ranch and Italian dressings
Beef fajitas
Shredded chicken tacos
Diced onion & tomatoes, salsa, sour cream, guacamole
Spanish rice & refried beans
Warm flour tortillas
Coffee, iced tea, and iced water (milk or juice for children <12)
Chef's choice of assorted desserts

Friday Sack Lunches:
Choice of ham & cheese, turkey & cheese, or tuna salad (all on croissant sandwiches)
Condiments on the side (mustard, mayo, ketsup, lettuce, tomato, dill pickle spear)
Each sack will also have an individual bag of chips, one piece of whole fruit (apple, orange or cluster of grapes) & one cookie
Bottled water

Saturday Plated Dinner:
Choice of:
Grilled tilapia with Vera Cruz sauce, served with rice pilaf and seasonal vegetables
Marinated beef tips served over fettucini pasta and served with seasonal vegetables
Chicken scalapini served with fettucini pasta and seasonal vegetables
All meals served with rolls & butter and garden salad
Coffee, iced tea & iced water
Chocolate chocolate cake for dessert
Children <12 will be served chicken fingers and french fries, with rolls and choice of milk or juice (other children's meal choices may also be available, please ask)

Hotel Dining

FREE FULL HOT BREAKFAST & HAPPY HOUR AT MCM ELEGANTÉ HOTEL

RUSTLER'S RESTAURANT
Enjoy great food in a casual comfortable setting, serving Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

You'll enjoy the best FREE Breakfast Buffet in the Southwest, prepared fresh daily, including eggs and omelets cooked to order. A variety of cereals, biscuits and gravy, bacon, sausage, Danish and muffins ensure a great start to your day.

Open daily 6am-9am weekdays
Open daily 6am-10am weekends

SANDIA SPRINGS LOUNGE
Enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere with happy hour drink specials and big screen TVs for all your sports viewing.

Our guests enjoy complimentary Happy Hour cocktails each evening. Order a hamburger cooked just the way you like it, or one of several other delicious items off the limited menu. It's the perfect place to meet after a day of touring the city or meeting with colleagues.

Sandia Springs features forty-one varieties of beer, ale and lagers. A large selection of vodka, tequila and wines. Appetizers, steaks and seafood.

Opens daily at 4pm.


OTHER LOCAL ATTRACTIONS:

THINGS TO DO AND SEE

Albuquerque Museum - A collection of contemporary and historical art

Balloon Museum At Balloon Fiesta Park - View the development of ballooning through historic, scientific & artistic exhibits

Explora Museum - A children's science museum

Hispanic Cultural Center - Dedicated to the study, advancement, and presentation of Hispanic culture

New Mexico Veterans Memorial

Maxwell Museum of Anthropology - Offers exhibits and programs relating to cultures around the world (at the University of New Mexico)

&History - Learn the story of the Atomic Age, from early research to peaceful uses

New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science - Foster an understanding of the diverse natural history of New Mexico

Old Town Plaza - Shopping and arts in the original City Plaza (one block N. of Central Avenue, at Rio Grande Blvd)

Tinkertown Museum - Man-made eccentric memorabilia museum

University Art Museum - Our efforts allow people throughout the world to enjoy our acquisitions

Unser Racing Museum - All about the Unser family and their racing history

Albuquerque Aquarium and Rio Grande Botanical Garden - A "journey" down the Rio Grande from Albuquerque into the Gulf of Mexico

Popejoy Hall - New Mexico's grandest multi-use theater (on the University of New Mexico campus)

Rio Grande Nature Center State Park - 270 acres flourishing with native grasses, wildflowers, and cottonwoods

Rio Grande Zoo - Encounter more than 250 species of exotic and native animals

Sandia Peak Tramway - The world's longest aerial tramway

CASINOS

Sandia Resort & Casino - Provides transportation to and from the casino 24/7

Isleta Resort & Casino (505) 724-3800


Reunion Coordinator:
Barbara Gotham
Email: 380th.ww2@gmail.com


Return to the main Reunion page

Return to the 380th home page

Last updated:  14 July 2016