Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico

Between AD 850 and 1250, New Mexico’s ancient Puebloan communities would come together among the vast desert dunes of Chaco Canyon, to share their traditions and knowledge. Their descendants, the Chacoan people, were known for their incredibly complex and well-organised ways of life – from monumental architecture to far-reaching trade channels – and this incredible know-how is still evident in the structures seen at Chaco Culture National Historical Park today. Clans are said to have gathered in multi-story ‘Great Houses’, containing hundreds of rooms – that are thought to have taken decades, even centuries, to build – to hold ceremonies and celebrations. In fact, Chaco culture is thought to be at the core of several Navajo ways of life today.

Tourism is especially important to Chaco because it’s surrounded by one of the most productive gas and oil basins in the US. Increasing interest from fossil fuel companies to drill new wells in the area has the potential to destroy these sacred lands of present-day Navajo and Pueblo tribes. Therefore, a visit to Chaco Culture National Historical Park is more important than ever, as it shows the government that Indigenous land can still be lucrative for the state, without selling out to fossil fuel giants. Within the park, ranger-led, accessible tours share the history of archaeological discoveries. Alternatively, four backcountry hiking trails (Wijiji, South Mesa, Pueblo Alto, and Peñasco Blanco) will take you past some of the most significant cultural aspects of Chaco. The shortest, Wijiji Trail is a three-mile round-trip and well worth the time. Stop by the visitor’s centre to find out what’s open (weather-permitting). In 2013, Chaco received International Dark Sky designation, making it one of the most remarkable regions in the world to see the Milky Way in all its glory.

Alvaro Diaz and Quevedo They have gotten together in the studio to compose one of what may be one of the latest hits of the year. It is a reggaeton song, produced by Caleb Calloway, Cashmere Cat, Slow Jamz and Elijah Fox and in which they reflect on the consequences of a relationship that has already ended.

In the lyrics, the Canarian and Puerto Rican artists remember all the emotions that arise from the memories that remain after a breakup, the changes that this new situation brings and the fear of replacement. They also wonder what the other person’s current situation will be, which is counterbalanced with references to luxury brands that represent their joint material belongings.

In the chorus, the two artists sing together: “And I know. ‘Okay, ‘okay, people live up ahead. I wanted to see you come backbut it’s okay, it’s okay. I’m happy to see you again. And if you stopped loving me. ‘Okay, ‘okay… Maybe you don’t want to see me anymore, I don’t know. But the Loewe stayed in my Porsche. Tell me, baby, yes. Maybe I can give it back to you. Maybe yes, maybe no, maybe yes, maybe no. Maybe you want to see me again. Maybe yes, maybe no, maybe yes, maybe no, hey.”

In the video clip that accompanies the song, Quevedo and Alvaro Diaz They find themselves in a room, perfectly decorated with furniture reminiscent of the 80s and 90s and in which, through a dream, they tell a story of love and loss in a psychedelic environment. The video has been directed by Dink Films and WAIV.

Álvaro Díaz’s facet as a composer

The Puerto Rican artist has established himself as a singer this year, after the release of several singles that have become a success. You just have to look at the number of views he accumulates on digital platforms. Also, his fourth album, Felicilandiais another example of the artistic and interpretive consecration of Alvaro Diazin a compilation with 16 songs and collaborations with artists such as Sebastian Yatra, Feid, Rauw Alejandro either Jesse Baezamong others.

Even so, until a few years ago, what stood out the most was his role as a composer. The San Juan native has written songs for artists such as Daddy Yankee, Rauw Alejandro either Karol G. In fact, Gucci Clothssong included on the album Tomorrow will be nice by the Colombian artist has just won the Album of the Year award at the Latin Grammy.

What will we see from Álvaro Díaz in 2024?

If in 2022 and 2023 we have been able to enjoy a great Avaro Diaz, in 2024 it will be no less. The one from Puerto Rico is preparing what will be his fifth album, for which the fixed release date is not yet known, but it will be at the beginning of the year and where it will feature collaborations with great international artists.

Furthermore, the singer of SLOW will be part of the poster of several festivals. At the moment, it is confirmed for three: he will perform in the Festival Ceremony from Mexico, where he will share the line up with Kendrick Lamaralso in The Solarin Medellín, where it will coincide with Paulina Rubio, Bizarre and Yandel among many others and in the Tecate Pa’l Norte Festivalalso in Mexico, and where several Spanish artists will also perform such as Aitana, Lola Indigo, Leo Rizzi either Natos and Waor.

GLENCOE, Ill. (CBS) – You’ll never guess what’s coming up in the kitchen in north suburban Glencoe.

CBS 2’s Joe Donlon rolled up his sleeves and met a baker who fashioned food into art. She’s one of Chicago’s Hidden Gems.

Pretty purses, fancy footwear, cartoon characters, and more. They’re all very artistic and all made of bread.

Yes, bread.

“I started making this for friends and family and everybody said, ‘You should sell this,'” said Anya Viner.

Viner, a Glencoe resident, is the owner and founder of Tigertail Bakery, which was named for the street where she grew up loving baking and art.

Donlon: “Are you a baker? Are you an artist? What are you?”

Viner: “I like to think baker-turned-artist.”

She specializes in creations made of challah, a bread of Jewish origin that’s commonly shared at ceremonial occasions, though her work is anything but common.

“I need to roll my sleeves up, I guess,” Donlon said.

Something else that’s not too common is Donlon in the kitchen. He asked how Viner does it. She told him to roll up his sleeves and find out.

The task on this day was to create an emoji of a guy wearing sunglasses.

“Cut your dough in two pieces,” Viner instructed. 

Donlon: “Do I have the right end of this cutter?”

Viner: “I’d use the other side, but that will work too.”

Donlon: “This is not off to a good start. How’d I do?”

Viner: “That looks good.”

Viner taught Donlon all the steps from the all-important “braiding.”

“The right one goes over the middle, then the left one goes over the middle,” she said.

“I’ve never braided my hair or my daughter’s hair,” Donlon said.

She also taught him how to get the bread on the sheet pan and into the oven.

“Now I’m seeing where I messed up earlier,” Donlon said.

While the bread was baking, CBS 2 learned more about Viner. While she’s a Los Angeles native, she came to Chicago to attend Northwestern University and its Kellogg School of Management.

After high-level business jobs and three kids, she decided to get busy baking, something she really loves.

“My math-minded husband likes to tell me how many I’ve made,” Viner said. “I think I’ve done over 3,000.”

After posts on Instagram, Tigertail took off with requests for events, classes, and even corporate team-building events. Everything is custom by request.

Donlon: “What’s the strangest request you’ve had?”

Viner: “There’s one they wanted for a bridal shower and I said, ‘Thank you, but I will not do that.’ I try to keep it clean.”

So how did the baking turn into art?

“Earlier this year, a gallery in New York saw what I do on Instagram and they asked if I would be in their show,” Viner said. “How do I hang a loaf of bread on a wall? So I started preserving it and coating it in a resin and working with a conservator. So this has been a work in progress.”

It took a lot of hard work and a lot of flour.

“I buy five-pound bags, but I’ll buy 10 of them and people look at me,” she said.

Back in the kitchen, Viner and Donlon were ready to decorate.

Viner: “I have tons of candy. My kids are excited because they’ll get to eat what we don’t use.”

Donlon: “This looks nothing like sunglasses.”

Viner: “So smoosh it out with your fingers. It’s OK.”

But Viner’s was perfect. Mission accomplished.

Donlon: “One thing we did well, we made a mess.”

Viner: “Good?” 

Donlon: “Delicious!”

Be kind judging Donlon’s final product. After all, it was his first try.

Check out Tigertail on Instagram to see more of Viner’s incredible designs.

Joe Donlon

Emmy-winning journalist Joe Donlon is co-anchor of CBS 2 Chicago’s weeknight 5, 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts with Irika Sargent.