ABQ RIDE is asking for public input to determine the feasibility of the idea of Bus Rapid Transit down Central Avenue.

It will hold the fifth in a series of public meetings tonight, Dec. 11, 2012 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Botts Hall of the Old Main Library/Special Collections, 423 Central NE (at Edith).

Participants will hear a presentation on Bus Rapid Transit by ABQ RIDE Director Bruce Rizzieri. They’ll then have a chance to give their ideas and ask questions about the concept.

As the city undertakes an Alternatives Analysis as the first step in determining the operational and financial feasibility of a BRT system along Central Avenue, ABQ RIDE has scheduled one more public meeting along the Central Avenue Corridor to get your ideas and opinions about the project.

Thursday, December 13, 2012, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.: Albuquerque Museum of Art and History (Auditorium) – 2000 Mountain NW, 87104-1459

Winter weather hits New Mexico 12 days before the official first day of winter. This image shows a winter wonderland in Santa Fe, NM from reporter David Romero.

Santa Fe Plaza, Monday December 10, 2012 (David Romero, KRQE News 13)

US pilot J. Michael Wallace and co-pilot Kevin Brieimann of the Spirit of Springfield have landed inN Kansas City,MO at 7:30 am Tuesday. Currently Delta Goodie is in the lead, just outsideTupelo,MS

Follow the Gas Balloon race online »

9:20am: Join us again tomorrow for more live streaming and live blogging.

8:50am: Balloons fill the skies.  The field is now being cleared for this morning competition. FIT, this is the ‘fly-in task’ which is a target competition and the well known card game Texas Hold ‘em.  The high ‘Box’ could make the winner of today’s competitons.

8:47am: Special shape balloon from Albuquerque, Smokey takes off

8:45am: Balloon field is about to shift. Officials are going to ask people to clear the field for the mornings competition

8:43am: 2 KASA Face of FOX, Micheal Newman speaks with William from Sadies

8:41am: Special shape “Little Fireman” from Glens Falls, New York

8:32am: Fan favorite Darth Vader balloon flies by

8:31am: The Albuquerque Box is in effect today.  The fall weather in Albuquerque is known for its clear days and cool morning temperatures. This weather and what is known as the Albuquerque “box” allows visitors to see hundreds of balloons creating a kaleidoscope of color in the Albuquerque sky – there is nothing like it anywhere else in the world.

Learn more about it with this interactive »

8:25am: June Romero from the NM Quilters Association join Nikki and Kristen on set

8:17am: Non-competitor balloons fly over the field

8:08am: And we’re off! The National Anthem just sung and the balloon carrying the American Flag just tool off.  Nikki, Kristen and Tom Garrity watch as the Route 66 Balloon drifts by.

8:05am: Here’s your Balloon Fiesta almanac update. Currently wind gusts are at 8mph.

8:00am: Balloons are beginning to inflate on field.  We are now broadcasting the NM Style show. Welcome our new w 2 KASA Fox Face Micheal Newman.

7:42am: Non competitors are setting up on field.  They will be listening to their aircraft radio for any additional updates on whether they are good to launch this morning. Competitive pilots are setting up 1 mile off field in hopes that once balloons launch on field conditions will have time to improve for competition. Winds are decompressing but not as quickly as they hoped, so we are all waiting, and hoping

6:45am: As of now, balloons will not launch however officials are hopeful.  They are expecting once the sun comes up that the high winds that currently are an issue will subside.  There will be another pilot briefing at 7:15 to determine if competition will go on this morning.

The temperature at the pilot briefing tower is 38 degrees with north westernly winds at 2 knots. The winds above the surface are the issue. When you get to 500 ft – 1,800 ft the winds increase to 30-40 knots.

5:56am Pilot briefing will be at 6:15am. Balloon official says its looking good so far and if there will be the Albuquerque Box today, it will high up.

5:37am: Pilots lifted off last night trying to make it as far as possible to win the 17th annual event gas balloon race. There are only five teams this year mainly because organizers switched the event from helium to hydrogen.  Last years winners reached the Canadian border after three days up in the air. Follow the race here »

5:31:  Heading over the pilot briefing shortly. Very cold this morning!

5:44pm: @krqe Balloon Fiesta events–Glow and fireworks–a go for Saturday evening. bit.ly/T8qzfn

11:59am: @kdvatkrqe No balloons at #balloonfiesta today but still lots of fun! Check out our photos!

7:17am: @krqemark The first day of Fiesta is a blowout. Pilots report winds at 60 kts 1500′ above surface.

7:07am: From Balloon Fiesta Officials: Morning events are still going on as schedule and entry into the park is free this morning since mass ascension was cancelled.  If you purchased Park & Ride tickets, did not  use them – they were not scanned – they will be honored tomorrow.

Join KRQE News 13 tomorrow morning for more live blogging.

6:32 winds too strong to even inflate on the field.

6:29am Flights are cancelled today due to high winds

6:24am Strong winds at the field and the higher you go, up to 29 knots, not good.

6:21am From the pilots briefing, a couple of events were cancelled this morning (due to winds)

6:06 am: @kdvatkrqe It’s a little breezy at #balloonfiesta! Pilots briefing holding off till 6:30 to make the decision. Winds need to die down just a bit

6:02am: Awaiting the first pilot briefing of the 2012 Balloon Fiesta