THUNDER MAGAZINE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, June 22, 2010

THUNDER MAGAZINE

SANTA FE, N.M.- Thunder Magazine, a publication of Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino, distributed throughout New Mexico, releases its third issue this week.

Thunder was founded by Pueblo of Pojoaque Gov. George Rivera, and the latest issue was supervised by Gene Stachowski, Buffalo Thunder executive director of marketing, and Kelly Flannelly, Buffalo Thunder director of advertising. The quest on this issue was to uncover the best-of-the-best, and Thunder Magazine publisher Eric Jacobson from EJ Creative did just that. Jacobson has worked on all three publications and was also in charge of the design and creative elements. Jacobson put together a star team for the project with the Santa Fean Magazine team, including Devon Jackson as editor and Dianna Delling as managing editor.

"We are thrilled with the beautiful look of this issue," says Gov. George Rivera. "Our team has done an amazing job of showcasing Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino, the Poeh Center, artists and New Mexico as a whole. Readers will get a good feel of the vast cultural and entertainment offerings in the area."

"The articles, design and beautiful photography by Peter Ogilvie came together to create an outstanding publication," adds Flannelly.

The magazine includes articles on Native American actor Wes Studi and New Mexico's booming film industry; a guide to Indian Market; Splash - Blu Pool Parties; Feast - A Taste of Red Sage; and Live - Acts and Events.

Dianna Delling opens her "Taking the Initiative" article on the New Mexico film industry with lunch with Avatar star Wes Studi. Studi tells Delling over his bowl of green-chile-and-chicken chowder at Buffalo Thunder's Mica restaurant that although the process of playing Eytukan was different from any other film he has worked on in his 22-year Hollywood career because his character was generated by computer: "The basics are the basics - you do your role ... and hopefully you don't get caught acting." Studi was working on other projects while Avatar was being cut by James Cameron, including the award-winning television series Comanche Moon shot in New Mexico. Journalist Delling, former senior editor at Outside Magazine, beautifully captures New Mexico's impressive film industry with an overview of recent projects, such as the Coen Brother's True Grit, recently shot in Santa Fe (with stars Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon); No Country for Old Men; Thor with director Kenneth Branagh and actors Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins and Santa Fe's Gene Hackman; Crazy Heart and many of the other 135 major movie and TV productions filmed in the state.

Thunder editor Devon Jackson, who has written for The New York Times, Vanity Fair, Details and The Village Voice, writes in the lead article "The Roll of the Dice" that the craps table is the loudest, most thrilling place in the casino. He also points out that unlike the impersonal casinos in big cities, the dealers at Buffalo Thunder are helpful and happy to educate players.

Delling's "Green & Mean" article on the Towa Golf Club highlights the course's bragging rights due to course superintendent David Smith's efforts. Delling quotes Towa's PGA director of golf and general manager Linda Howell: "Now we have course conditions that are truly worthy of this gorgeous golf course, which is a challenge in our dry, high-altitude climate. David met the challenge and maintains the course beautifully."

Jackson's "A Little Slice of Paradise" showcases La Mesita Ranch, a property that was designed by famous Southwestern architect John Gaw Meem and was built in the 1930s. The 139-acre ranch sits in the verdant Nambe Valley with unobstructed views of badlands and barrancas to the west and the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range to the east. The grandeur of the estate's equestrian facilities is in the California mission style. Jackson writes that the property, with its swimming pool, tennis courts, north and south guest houses and log cabin, is perfect for weddings, corporate retreats, wine tastings and special events.

Thunder Magazine also features a beautiful photo spread on Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino's pool. Throughout the summer the property hosts BLU Pool parties by the spacious pool on Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. for the 21-plus crowd with music by DJ Che.

Jackson's "Renaissance Woman" profiles Pueblo of Pojoaque sculptor, gardener, teacher, farmer, cook and yoga instructor Francine Maestas. She started taking pottery classes in her 20s at the Poeh Center, a Native American arts center located in Pojoaque. She is now a part-time instructor in three-dimensional arts at the Institute for American Indian Arts in Santa Fe. Her large-scale sculpture, Frozen in Time, sits just outside the main entrance to Buffalo Thunder's art-filled lobby.

"Thunder Magazine combines fascinating articles with exquisite photography, creating a can't-put-down pub that really does Buffalo Thunder justice," says director of marketing Stachowski.

The magazine is published twice annually-in June and December. Thunder is a 32-page publication, with a print run of 30,000 copies. Thunder is distributed at the Buffalo Thunder property and other Pueblo of Pojoaque Pueblo locations, such as Cities of Gold Casino and Hotel, and at various events around New Mexico and trade shows around the country.

The launch party for the publication is Friday, July 16.

http://www.buffalothunderresort.com/

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Contact:
Jennifer Marshall
505-231-1776
jennifer@jmarshallplan.com
www.jmarshallplan.com