las cruces: A New Adventure in Real Estate! - 05/25/11 12:49 PM
As of today, I am officially a licensed real estate agent in the beautiful city of Tucson, Arizona.  I am very excited about this new adventure and joining my new company, Tierra Antigua Realty.  I will be working in their downtown branch on the top floor of the historic Pioneer Hotel. 
But - wait a minute!  What about New Mexico?
Don't worry - I am still licensed and actively helping buyers relocating to Las Cruces, New Mexico.  I have an amazing team at Steinborn & Associates.  I trust each of them to help me with my clients, both old and new.  … (9 comments)

las cruces: Meet a New Las Cruces Author: Audrey Hartley - 03/02/11 03:34 PM
Las Cruces is blessed with amazing artists, entertainers and writers.  There are so many wonderful museums and galleries, bookstores and events where locals can get up and personal with the people who create works of art, fiction and more.  One in particular has been in Las Cruces for many years, has volunteered her time with so many groups and is one of those Las Cruceans' who embodies what the Spirit of the Mesilla Valley is all about.
Her name is Audrey Hartley and when she isn't busy working in her 9-5 (read that 24/7) job, you can find her volunteering for … (1 comments)

las cruces: "So, what is it that you DO do?" - 02/23/11 06:09 AM
I had a very interesting conversation with a potential seller this morning. They're are thinking about listing their home but aren't too sure since the market hasn't been that brisk.  They're older and looking forward to moving and being closer to their grandkids.  At one point in the conversation, the husband asked, "So...what is it that you do do?"  After a few chuckles, and a little clarification from him, I told him what I would/could and wouldn't/couldn't do for him should they decide to list their house.
As an associate broker in New Mexico, I have a lot of tools available … (4 comments)

las cruces: I thought it was always sunny and warm in Southern New Mexico! - 02/10/11 05:13 AM
Suffice to say, Mother Nature brought one heck of a winter wallop to beautiful Las Cruces over the last couple of weeks.  We desert dwellers just aren't used to cold temperatures!

We had our share of problems - serious drains on the electrical grid along with mechanical failures resulted in rolling blackouts.  Water pipes burst all over town causing water outages.  Down south in El Paso, Texas, the city had to put serious water rationing into affect because of low levels in reservoirs.
The news broadcasts called in Winter Storm 2011, dramatic music included.
A winter storm like this one … (10 comments)

las cruces: A Winters Night in Las Cruces, NM - 12/10/10 02:41 PM
 
Bare with me while I brag a little about living in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
It's December 10th and, today, we saw a high temp of about 73 or so.  I love to tease my friends who live up north about the beautiful weather down here.  I usually get 'nasty-grams' (with love, of course) from them when I post up these photos.
I can't help it.  It's like living in paradise.  Here's tonight's sunset.
 



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las cruces: 365 Things To Do In Southern NM: Day 25 - Las Cruces Railroad Museum's Holiday Display - 12/02/10 06:22 AM

 
We're are in full holiday mode around Las Cruces and one thing to definitely put on your list is the 6th Annual Old Fashioned Holiday Display at the Las Cruces Railroad Museum, which is going on tomorrow - December 3rd from 5pm to 9pm.
The railroad is a huge part of our history, stretching back to 1881 when the first train rolled into town, bringing supplies and passengers via the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroad.
Tomorrow you will have an opportunity to see holiday train models, a beautiful luminaria display, enjoy refreshments and even talk with Santa Claus … (3 comments)

las cruces: 365 Things To Do In Southern NM: Day 24 - La Casa Bazaar - 12/01/10 04:15 AM

For me, it's just not the Christmas season until I've gone to the La Casa Holiday Bazaar - and I get to do that this Friday!  Friday is the preview - or "First Night" and it's wonderful to be one of the first folks to be able to walk through and see what's being offered.
This is a landmark year for the Bazaar - the event will be the first official event for the brand new Convention Center in Las Cruces!  It's been a hard fought battle for many years to get this funded and built.  Now that it's up … (1 comments)

las cruces: 365 Things To Do In Southern NM: Day 23 - Golf in Las Cruces - 11/04/10 01:19 PM
When it comes to perfect golf weather, Las Cruces is the place.  We have four golf courses in town and each one is quite different to play.
 

 
 
Sonoma Ranch
Sonoma Ranch is the 'newest' of the golf courses in Las Cruces.  Located on the east side of town, this course is very highly rated - holding a 3 1/2 star rating out of 4 stars on the Best Places to Play list.  It was designed by Cal Olson.  It has its challenges - rolling hills, sand traps that appear out of nowhere and greens that will make … (1 comments)

las cruces: 365 Things To Do In Southern NM: Day 22 - Renaissance Artsfaire - 11/04/10 05:02 AM

http://www.las-cruces-arts.org/
 
My Lords and Ladies
You are hereby cordially invited to attend the 39th Annual Renaissance Arts Fairehosted by the Dona Ana Arts Council
 
 
For two days, Las Cruces' Young Park is transformed into a medieval playland, full of Royalty, knights, ladies in waiting and even an appearance by Magellan, The Young Park Lake Dragon.  (He's behaved for a long time - who knows what could happen this weekend!)
Vendors from all over the southwest - 150 in all - sell their wares.  You'll find beautiful southwest art and pottery, handwoven items, musical instruments....the list goes on … (1 comments)

las cruces: 365 Things To Do In Southern NM: Day 20 - Lorenzo's Italian Restaurant - 10/24/10 10:38 AM
I've written a bit about the amazing mexican food that awaits you in the Mesilla Valley but, believe it or not, there is some incredible Italian food around here as well.  Those that know me may say that I'm a bit biased but, to me, that's a good thing!

 
Lorenzo's Italian RestaurantS - there are three of them here - is the first choice of many for Italian.  Most will say they are there for the bread which is mouth-watering.  The recipe is closely guarded by owner Vince Vaccaro and his sister Mary.  NO amount of cash has been … (0 comments)

las cruces: 365 Things To Do In Southern NM: Day 19 - Spaceport America - 10/23/10 05:15 AM
Wow.  What a week in Southern New Mexico!
It all started last Tuesday when the International Symposium for Personal and Commerical Spaceflight opened in Las Cruces at the Farm and Ranch Museum and New Mexico State University.  The schedule was jam-packed with amazing speakers from the aerospace industry, former astronauts, local officials and internationally recognized experts.
Let me step back and explain to you why this was going on.
About 5 years ago, Richard Branson of Virgin everything approached Govenor Bill Richardson about creating a place in the New Mexico desert where flights to space would happen.  New Mexico would build … (0 comments)

las cruces: 365 Things To Do In Southern NM: Day 18 - Sonoma Ranch Octoberfest - 10/22/10 03:29 PM
What's October without going to an Octoberfest??  I don't know about you but it's been a tradition of mine since I was a little kid growing up in El Paso, Texas.  Back then, the German Air Force -Luftwaffe - was stationed at Fort Bliss and, through my father's business connections, we were invited to their festivities every year.  There's nothing quite like a German polka band and authentic german sausage!!

Tomorrow, I'm going to keep my tradition alive and I hope that you'll join me if you're in the Las Cruces area.  Sonoma Ranch is celebrating in style from 5pm … (8 comments)

las cruces: 365 Things To Do In Southern NM: Day 17 - Las Cruces International Mariachi Conference - 10/20/10 12:06 PM

The Las Cruces International Mariachi Conference is celebrating it's 17th year with amazing performances, workshops and the Mariachi Mass on November 14th.  All of the weekend events are held at the Pan American Center on the campus of New Mexico State University.
The workshops are geared towards student mariachi groups from around the country.  The video below features a high school mariachi group from San Diego, California.  After all of the practicing - for both instrument players and vocalists - a spectacular showcase is held on Saturday night.  According to the LCIMC website, the showcase includes over 750 workshop students … (5 comments)

las cruces: Education is the key - Las Cruces' newest school - 10/11/10 05:28 AM
 
In the history of television, I don't think there was ever a better TV show than "The West Wing".  I learned so much from it and, well, it was just good stuff.
There is a wonderful scene from the show that is going to help me introduce my blog topic -
 

"Schools should be palaces. Teachers should make six figures." I don't think there is anyone who could argue against those statements. Schools should inspire our kids to greater things. They should be excited to learn and not just dream of the possibilities that might happen to them.
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las cruces: Are You Tough Enough To Wear Pink? - 10/08/10 02:18 PM
It's pink here in Las Cruces.  No matter where you look, it's pink.  Pink flags are flying along University Avenue and on the streets of NMSU, retailers and other businesses have gussied up their windows as well.  Everywhere you go, people are sporting pink shirts, socks, tennis shoes and, in some cases, bright pink hair.
We take our fight against breast cancer VERY seriously.

I've blogged about it before but Las Cruces' campaign has been ranked number 1 in the world for the last two years.  Started four years ago, the campaign has 'pinked' out not just football games but … (5 comments)

las cruces: 365 Things To Do In Southern NM: Day 14 - Las Cruce Symphony Orchestra - 10/05/10 06:15 AM
The Las Cruces Symphony is one of those rare treasures in the Mesilla Valley.  You wouldn't expect that a town of around 100,000 would have something like this...but we do!
 

 
Our illustrious maestro is Lonnie Klein.  I won't list his CV but I will tell you this - he is very passionate about bringing amazing music to our little town.  One of the wonderful things about Maestro is the fact that he is adamant about bringing music to our children.  One of the annual events he does is the Childrens Instrument Petting Zoo which gives kids a chance … (3 comments)

las cruces: 365 Things To Do In Southern NM: Day 13 - Southern NM State Fair and Rodeo - 10/01/10 10:02 AM

When I moved to Las Cruces in 1993, one of the first big events I went to was the Southern New Mexico State Fair and Rodeo.  I'd never been to a state fair before.  I'd heard about the midway, the rides, the shows and so on but what I was really interested in was seeing the livestock exhibitions - especially the kids.  Being a 'city girl', I'd heard about FFA but never really seen what it involved.  I was quite impressed.  These kids worked so hard raising their goats or pigs or calves.  They were so proud when they were … (4 comments)

las cruces: 365 Things To Do In Southern NM: Day 11 - Mesilla Valley Maze - 09/27/10 08:34 AM
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)

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

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)

las cruces: 365 Things To Do In Southern NM: Day 8 - The Whole Enchilada Fiesta - 09/23/10 10:26 AM
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)