Barker Realty is "reversing the trend" by opening a new real-estate sales office in the Agora shopping center in Eldorado.

"We feel the Eldorado market may be turning around a little faster than the rest of the market," David Barker said. "It could be the beginning to real-estate's comeback."

The agents in the new office, a former herb store near the center's pizzeria, are Trudi Conkling, Jenny Bishop, Michael Larson and Paul Stenberg.

For more information, call 982-9836.


Sophia's Carne Seca de Santa Fe Beef Jerky, has opened in St. Michael's Village West, a shopping center at 1604 St. Michael's Drive, next to Amanda's Flower Shop.

(Carne seca is Spanish for dried meat or jerky, as it's known in English.)

The new store will be managed by Sophia Rodarte, who, with Frank Arellano, started their jerky business in Española in 1983.

At the time, the price of property in the area was pricey, so the owners found a less expensive location in Tomé, a village in Valencia County, to make their jerky.

The Tomé factory now employs 13 people, said Rodarte. "It's a big company for Tomé. We try to help all the people we can in that area."

Now, in addition to Tomé and Santa Fe, there are retail stores in Los Lunas, Bosque Farms, Española and Las Vegas.

In addition to jerky, the Santa Fe store will also carry candy, soda and a variety of New Mexico products.

To find the Santa Fe store, "I spent a whole month looking for a space," Rodarte said. "It's a perfect location. It's all we need."

The store's number is 474-7900. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. Saturday.


Santa Fe's unemployment rate in June was 6.7 percent, compared with 6.1 percent a year ago.

Over the month, the city of Santa Fe posted a net gain of 200 jobs as drops in government and private education partly offset mostly tourism increases in three other industries, according to New Mexico's Labor Market Review.

Over the year, the Santa Fe economy lost 700 jobs, 600 of them in construction. Two industry sectors — government and educational and health services — both added 200 jobs since last year.


A film and digital media association has formed in New Mexico to expand the film business and defend the state's film incentives, which may come under attack in the next session of the Legislature.

The new association, the New Mexico Entertainment & Digital Industry Association, or NMEDIA, has stated its purpose is protecting and expanding the film infrastructure and promoting the growth of film and digital media industries in New Mexico.

For more information, call Dohnia Dorman at 505-842-6600.

Contact Bob Quick at 986-3011 or bobquick@sfnewmexican.com.