What To Do If Hackers Steal Your Online Accounts - 09/30/10 11:37 AM
I belong to group on Facebook called "Scam Snipers".  If you are on Facebook, I highly suggest joining in.  It started out as a group to warn users about game scams but has turned into so much more.  I've learned about different scams floating around out there but, last night, they posted something that I've bookmarked and hope I never have to use.
I think it's all our fear - having our accounts hacked.  Whether it's an email account or a social media account, the thought of losing control of something like that is quite scary.  A friend of mine had … (4 comments)

365 Things To Do In Southern NM: Day 12 - Stahmanns Farm and Store - 09/28/10 03:00 PM
I've raved and raved about our wonderful chile and mexican food.  Now I need to tell you about the perfect way to finish off a delicious local meal - goodies from Stahmann's Farms!  They've been around for almost 80 years.
 

 
This video features a quick look at the farm and then begins to explain the harvesting process. It's really quite interesting!
I could, quite honestly, do my impersonation of Forrest Gump's friend Bubba and tell you just what you can find at their country store - pecan shortbread cookies, pecan pie, pecan chocolate chip pie, pecan brittle, pecan … (4 comments)

365 Things To Do In Southern NM: Day 11 - Mesilla Valley Maze - 09/27/10 03:34 PM
It just isn't fall unless there's a corn maze around!  And, since 1999, Steve and Anna Lyles have put together amazing mazes for all of us to enjoy at the Mesilla Valley Maze on Picacho and Shalem Colony Trail.
This year's design - "Pathway to Pluto".

What were the designs for past years?  Find out here!
It's incredible how they are able to get this planted and designed!!
You start in the upper left hand corner of this picture - that's the parking lot and entrance.  Then, you just wind your way around!  And...you just never know what awaits you … (8 comments)

365 Things To Do In Southern NM: Day 10 - NM Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum - 09/26/10 05:36 PM

Welcome to the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum!  Opened in 1998, this is set on 47 acres off of Dripping Springs Road in southeast Las Cruces.
When you visit, you're going to find so much more than you'd probably expect.  Inside the museum, you'll see wonderful static displays showing the farming and ranching heritage of New Mexico, temporary 'on loan' displays from some of the valleys' most prominent families, as well as amazing artwork, quilt displays and more.


(Didn't realize the bar on the fence completely blocked this guy's eyes!)
Outside, you'll find a working farm … (4 comments)

Learning The Lingo - Mortgaged Backed what??? - 09/25/10 12:24 PM
Ya know, as a new agent, I'm finding myself running across a TON of new concepts and terms.  It can really make your head spin sometimes.  So, when you run across a simple explanation of a concept, it really helps a bunch!
One term that I'd been hearing over and over again was 'MBS' - mortgaged backed securities.  Thankfully, friends of mine have an episode of their web-show that covers just that.
Mortgage Rates & Poblano Hot Sauce Go Together! @ Yahoo! Video Did that explain it better for you?  I know it helped me understand the concept - using chile … (1 comments)

365 Things To Do In Southern NM: Day 9 - Trinity Site - 09/24/10 01:35 PM
On July 16, 1945 the world changed with the explosion of the first atomic bomb. The explosion took place at Trinity Site which is on what is now White Sands Missile Range.
 

(Not my video. The music is a little annoying but this gives you a nice tour of the area.)
 
 
Trinity Site is only open twice a year - in April and in October.  Getting there isn't too hard but it does take a little travel time.  What most folks do is join up with a caravan.  It's much easier than trying to get there on … (3 comments)

365 Things To Do In Southern NM: Day 8 - The Whole Enchilada Fiesta - 09/23/10 05:26 PM
2010 is the 30th anniversary of Las Cruces' Whole Enchilada Fiesta.  You know the old saying - "The whole enchilada" - it has everything you'd ever need, want or desire!
I've attended the fiesta many times to enjoy hanging out with my neighbors, checking out the vendors, the bands and the most important part of it - the world's largest enchilada, made by Mr. Roberto Estrada.  Check out how he does it -

 
Pretty incredible, isn't it?  He is listed in the Guiness Book of World Records.  In 2000, he created an enchilada that was 33.89 feet in circumference … (5 comments)

BE CAREFUL!!!!! BE SAFE!!!! - 09/23/10 10:28 AM
I saw this report on Facebook yesterday.  It is absolutely necessary for ALL OF US - male or female - to take the necessary precautions to protect ourselves.  Talk with your broker or even your local association about setting up safety classes.  Contact your local police department - I'm sure they'd be more than willing to assist you.
PLEASE BE CAREFUL!!!!
Via Christine Pappas, ABR, e-Pro (Keller Williams Greater Cleveland NE):
PLEASE - PLEASE - PLEASE
BE CAREFUL!  BE SAFE!  HAVE A PLAN!
 
Do what you need to do to be safe, especially now!  Travel in pairs.  If you have not met … (5 comments)

Nothing Quite Like The Scenery of Southern New Mexico - 09/20/10 09:25 PM
I was returning home today after a fun filled weekend in Tucson and decided to snap some pictures as I drove across on I-10.  I know, I know - it's not the best idea to snap photos while driving but I couldn't help myself today.  The sky was gorgeous, the clouds went on forever and it was just so dang beautiful! 



The Organ Mountains in Las Cruces

 
I snapped quite a few pictures.  I still have go through them all but, who knows, maybe I'll get adventurous and make a video of what I took.
What … (7 comments)

365 Things To Do In Southern NM: Day 7 - Coas Bookstore - 09/18/10 01:49 PM

Coas Bookstore - A Las Cruces Institution
I love books.  I love to read, I love to wander through stacks and stacks of books, I love to hear what others are reading and enjoying.  Chains are ok but when it comes to being able to enjoy a bookstore, I love going to the used books store.
Coas Bookstore was opened in 1984 and is one of the largest retailers for used and rare books in the southwest.  There are now two locations but the downtown mall location is the original.  It's over 5,000 square feet of wonderful.
There have been … (3 comments)

Learning at the Tucson Association of Realtors Expo - 09/16/10 11:55 PM
Yep - I drove aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllll the way out to Tucson just to hang out at the Expo and I'm glad I did!  OK - maybe that wasn't my only reason for hitting Arizona but, tell ya what, I'm glad I headed over to the convention center today!
Why?
I finally got to meet folks that I've known for on Facebook, learn a little bit about how things are done in the Old Pueblo and watch adults run around in Superhero Costumes.  That was the fun part for me - normal, everyday real estate agents, title folks and so on left their … (2 comments)

A Random Picture from the streets of Las Cruces - 09/15/10 08:10 PM
The weather in Las Cruces makes it a haven for motorcycle riders.  Just the other day I saw at least 3 'flocks' of cycles out cruising in the wonderful, almost fall weather.  I have many friends who ride and I'm always hearing about their weekend cruises to Hatch or Ruidoso/Cloudcroft or even up to Elephant Butte Lake.  It kind of makes me want to get a bike - maybe a three wheeler!
I snapped this picture while waiting at a stoplight.  It was a wonderful site to see and even better was hearing the honks and seeing folks waving at him.  … (0 comments)

The 3/50 Project - A Grassroots Campaign for Local Businesses - 09/13/10 03:39 PM

When I first heard about the 3/50 Project on Facebook, I thought, "Wow - what a great idea!"  The idea behind this project is simple - like their logo says, "Saving the Brick and Mortars our nation is built on" - LOCAL businesses.  You know the ones - the local mom and pop shops where they know who you are, know how you like your burger or how much starch you like on your shirts or know that your bumper was coming loose the last time you came in for an oil change.
How does this amazing project work?  Very … (4 comments)

Historical Homes in the Alameda Depot District - 09/12/10 07:56 PM
I love architecture.  I have a couple of books on my bookshelf about some of the architects that are important to Las Cruces - including Henry Trost.  Mr. Trost was a premier architect in the Southwest and his influences are still around today...in different states of rejuvinated homes or ones that need a lot of help.
Case in point:

This is a historic home in the Alameda area - the H.B. Holt house, built by Mr. Trost.  H.B. Holt was a prominent attorney and banker in the 1920's, among other things.  To look at it now - as it has … (2 comments)

Speechless Sunday - Trust Me, Everything Is Going To Be OK - 09/12/10 11:07 AM

Sunset, September 11, 2001 at the Hoffman Buildings in Alexandria, VA.
… (2 comments)

365 Things To Do In Southern NM: Day 6 - Alameda Depot District (Part One) - 09/09/10 03:22 PM
Pioneer Womens Park is surrounded by the Alameda Depot District in the middle of Las Cruces.  This is one of the original neighborhoods.  This is where you will find many of the grander, larger homes where some of the movers and shakers of the day lived. 
Imagine traveling by train and arriving in Las Cruces.  You step off the train and into a beautiful neighborhood with tree lined streets and magnificent homes.  Trees in the desert?  I'm sure it was a shocking sight for people who had never been to the West.  I've read the accounts of travelers.  Most were amazed … (3 comments)

365 Things To Do In Southern NM: Day 5 - The Rio Grande Theater - 09/07/10 03:39 PM
as Cruces is going through a downtown revitalization once again.  In the early 70's, the downtown area was blocked off to traffic as part of urban renewal.  Unfortunately, businesses moved out and foot traffic died over the last couple of decades.  If it weren't for the bi-weekly Farmer's Market and Coas Bookstore, I doubt there would be anyone down there at all.
The Downtown Las Cruces Partnership has been hard at work, along with the city and other entities to bring the area back to life by re-opening Main Street, re-designing the side walks and some of the architecture.  One of … (7 comments)

365 Things To Do In Southern NM: Day 4 - La Llorona Park - 09/06/10 12:02 AM
La Llorona is a popular legend in the hispanic community.  La Llorona means 'the crying lady' and there are a few here in Las Cruces.  The legend says she is a woman who killed her children to be with the man she loved, only to be rejected by him.  She 'haunts' the places where she killed her children, crying and looking for them.
One of the places that I've actually heard her is on the edge of the Rio Grande river, at the aptly named La Llorona Park.

The park is located on the west side of town on Picacho … (8 comments)

365 Things To Do In Southern NM: Day 3 - Harvest Wine Festival - 09/04/10 12:07 AM
It's funny how your blogs here on Active Rain get attention.  After my post yesterday about the Hatch Chile festival, I got an email from a friend.  She isn't an agent, just follows my Twitter feed.  In part, she said, "How could you forget about the Harvest Wine Festival????  The chile fest isn't the ONLY thing to do this weekend!!"  Color me embarrassed.  I mean - it's going on right here in Las Cruces.  See what happens when you get chile on the brain!So...with that....
Southern New Mexico is home to some wonderful wineries.  Some of the wineries with samples to … (2 comments)

365 Things To Do In Southern NM: Day 2 - Hatch Chile Festival - 09/03/10 12:03 AM
(Day 10 of my 30 in 30 Challenge)
When you live in Southern New Mexico, Labor Day weekend really only means one thing:  Hatch Chile Festival
PLEASE NOTE:  In these parts, chile is spelled with an "E".  If you're caught spelling with with 2 "I's", you get one reprieve.  If you do it a second time, we send you packin'.

 
To give you an idea of what happens around here -
*You don't plan anything else for the weekend.  Well, except for coming home and roasting up your goodies. *New Mexicans live for the day that we get the … (13 comments)

365 Things To Do In Southern NM: Day 1 - New Mexico State University - 09/02/10 12:17 AM
This is Day 9 of my 30 Day Blog Challenge.  I've seen so many of the "365 Things To Do" type posts, I thought I'd try it myself!  I've been working on my list today and I've got enough so far to get started on this series! 
Day 1 is the pride and joy of Southern New Mexico - New Mexico State University, home of the Aggies.  NMSU was founded in 1888.  In 1889, it became a land-grant university under the Morril Act and changed it's name to New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts.  It wasn't until 1960 when … (7 comments)