There are several great shows this weekend. Here are the two that stood out most to us. 

Saturday - The Liars

The popular rock and pop cover band is expected to add some new songs to its extensive repertoire sometime soon. Maybe you'll see it this weekend! 

Saturday's show is at Palacio's Bar making it 21-and-over. It begins at 9:30 p.m. and cover is $5.

Sunday - Award Winning Pianist 

The 2002 International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition Bronze Medal Winner will perform in Las Cruces this weekend.

Andrey Ponochevny will share his formidable technique in a program spanning from Bach to Prokofiev at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Rio Grande Theatre.

Raised in Minsk, Ponochevny graduated from the Belarussian Academy of Music, then studied at Texas Christian University and Southern Methodist University. He burst onto the classical music scene in the late 1990s winning several major international prizes, including first prize at the Tomassoni International Piano Competition and the William Kapell International Piano Competition. Between his concert appearances, Ponochevny teaches piano at the University of Dallas.

The concert is part of the Las Cruces Civic Concert Association series. The concert is free for LCCCA members; single ticket price is $20 at the door. For information, call (575) 541-4051.

Have fun out there and be safe! 

Hi everyone!

Romance is in the air next week! What is your favorite spot for a romantic Valentine's Day dinner? I think a lot of you might say a home cooked, candle lite dinner, but the rest of us want something fancy! 

My choice is Double Eagle!

It's reportedly haunted by the ghosts of two starcrossed lovers who died tragically but still found a way to hang out in a romantic setting. There are cozy nooks, a lush garden room, an elegant dining area with a gold-plated ceiling, a comfy Victorian bar and even a room spiced with furnishings that once graced the Silver City bordello of the notorious Madam Millie.

Whatever your idea of romance, you're likely to find some aspect of it in the rambling, historic and elegant old adobe that houses the Double Eagle on the Mesilla Plaza.

Take your Valentine for luscious margaritas, hors d'oeuvres (try the green chile wontons for a love-enhancing endorphin rush), lunch or a snack. Get big Valentine's points by springing for the Sunday buffet, a gourmet supper or see if you can get reservations for the special annual St. Valentine's Day Wine Tasting Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

They match wines with foods and prepare a wonderful event. 

For reservations and more info: (575) 523-6700.

See everyone next week! 

No matter what you're celebrating this holiday season, spending time in Mesilla on Christmas Eve, no matter what the temperature is, will warm your heart. 

Everything comes alive as hundreds, possibly thousands, descend on the plaza to share the dramatic luminarias, light displays and caroling with families and friends. There will be live music beginning at 5:30 and events throughout the evening.

You can get free apple cider and cookies near Josefina's Gate from the time the sun goes down until 9 or 9:30 or so. Or stop by Vintage Wines for some posole. Denise Chávez, author and Border Book Festival founder, hosts an open house from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. every Christmas Eve at BBF Foundation headquarters, the Cultural Center de Mesilla, 2231-A Calle de Parian in Mesilla.

Most Mesilla businesses will be open late for what some merchants say is the busiest shopping day of the year in the town.

Arrive early for parking close to the plaza. Two streets, one on the east and another on the west side of the Plaza, will be closed from 3 until approximately 7:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Parking for physically handicapped individuals will remain open at the north end of the Plaza, as will east-west Plaza streets, Calle de Santiago and Calle de Parian.

This time of year is special no matter where you live. In Las Cruces you have several seasonal performances to choose from if you're looking for something special to do. 

One of our annual favorite things to do is watching The Nutcracker ballet. 

The Las Cruces Chamber Ballet's 28th annual production of The Nutcracker ballet, runs through Sunday at New Mexico State University's Atkinson Music Center Recital Hall.

The LCCB is New Mexico's oldest continuously performing ballet company. It first performed E.T.A. Hoffman's imaginative tale, set to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's enchanting musical score, in 1983, on the steps of the old Las Cruces City Hall.

This year's cast includes Jacquelin Huerta as the Sugar Plum Fairy, Federico Garcia, as her Cavalier, Katharine Pryor as Clara, Emily Mackenzie as the Snow Queen, Victoria Pryor as Dew Drop Fairy and Harlequin Doll, Travis Manning as Drosselmeyer, Ashleigh Randazzo as Fritz, Applehelen Kirby as the Rat Queen and Matthew Turner as the Nutcracker Prince.

Special community celebrity Mother Gingers are Cynthia Risner-Schiller, principal at the J. Paul Taylor Academy, Dr. Michael McGuire of Las Cruces Orthopaedic Associates, Amy Orlando, 3rd Judicial District Attorney and Luan Wagner Burn, executive director of the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico.
Performances will be at 7 p.m. today and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets, are $19 and $21 and are available at the Pan Am Box Office, (575) 646-1420.

For information, call Michele's Dance Academy, (575) 527-1893.

Also, you can view a live performance of The Nutcracker from the Bolshoi Theatre from the Royal Opera House at a special event at Cineport 10. The Mesilla Valley Mall theater will cinecast the two-hour ballet at noon Sunday and 7 p.m. Tuesday. Tickets are $20 each. Purchase tickets ahead of time at the theater or call (575) 524-7933 for information.

Get Your Christmas Crafts at the La Casa Bazaar This Weekend

Yesterday we wrote about some great local gift ideas, and we neglected to mention that this weekend you have your annual opportunity for great crafty gifts at the La Casa Bazaar.

This is Southern New Mexico's largest holiday bazaar and it starts today at the Las Cruces Convention Center. The best part about this fun filled shopping extravaganza is that you help victims of domestic violence when you go and buy something!

It will cost you $5 to get in and shop at the over 100 booths featuring top artisans and vendors from throughout the Southwest. All proceeds go to the La Casa Domestic Violence Shelter and Programs.

This year there's an extra special feature for those of you who would rather watch the game! A special "man cave" has been set up to give husbands, or others, an escape to watch their favorite sports while their spouses take their time shopping and snacking on biscochitos, chile sauces and other treats. Be sure not to miss the La Casa Cookie Cupboard, filled with home-baked goods and other holiday treats!

Other exciting features this year include the annual raffle which this year includes an adobe territorial-style dollhouse built by Studio D Architects and Diemer Construction, a cookie walk, a gift certificate grab bag, the La Casa Store, and other great raffle items.

Most importantly, this year the event is needed more than ever. With financial shortages at the national and state level, grants are non-existent or smaller than ever. In times like these it is up to all of us to step up and help. Events like this give you the opportunity to help in ways that also help you cross things off your to-do list.

La Casa provides shelter, survival basics and other help for domestic violence victims and their families. Everything raised from the bazaar will go right back into operating costs.

Here are all the details:

La Casa Bazaar
Benefits: La Casa shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children
Bazaar hours: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Where: Las Cruces Convention Center, 680 E. University Ave. at El Paseo
How much: $5 each day, kids under 12 free
Info: (575) 526-2819, lacasainc.org

Every year we celebrate Mexican heritage in the Mesilla Valley at the International Maricachi Conference. 

This year we have a weekend packed with excitement for those of you looking to get a better understanding of Mesilla Valley Culture. 

The conference includes concerts and a festival which are open to the public. The Pan American Center at NMSU is the site for the Student Showcase Concert tonight, and the Spectacular Concert on Saturday. Some of the most popular performers of Mariachi Music have performed on the Spectacular Concert stage through the years, including Lola Beltran, Aida Cuevas, Ana Gabriel, Vikki Carr, Linda Ronstadt, Pepe Aguilar and Pedro Fernandez.

Mariachi groups that have performed in past years are Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitclan, Mariachi Camperos de Nati Cano, Mariachi Cobre, Mariachi Divas, Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez, Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles and Mariachi Mujer 2000.

The Mariachis y Mås Fiestas on Sunday at the Mesilla Plaza offers family entertainment, music, dance, artisans and the popular New Mexico foods.

All are invited to celebrate at the traditional Mariachi Mass at the Pan American Center on the NMSU Campus on Sunday. Mariachi Cobre assists with the liturgical music of the mass.

Click here for the schedule. 

For many communities the beginning of November marks the end of golf season. In Las Cruces, it markes some of the best golfing you can find.

Our weather is fabulous in October and November. It's cooling down, but you will only need a jacket with your early tee times, and you'll probably take that jacket off after the first 9 holes. This is one of the best things about living in Las Cruces!

In Las Cruces you now have a forth public golf course to choose from - Red Hawk Golf Club. Located on the Northeast side of town, Red Hawk has great views of the Dona Ana and Organ Mountains. While the residential community is just getting started out there, the golf course is up and running! If you're interested in living in a golf course community let us know.

Red Hawk Golf Club

Red Hawk has five sets of tees, with yardage ranging from 5,502 to 7,523. Hazards include 5 lakes (with water coming into play on 8 holes) and 76 bunkers. The course covers 200 acres (100 acres of turf, 50 acres of planted native grasses, and 50 acres of natural desert) in southern New Mexico's high desert terrain (elevation: 4.300 feet). The course is noteworthy for its links-style features, its rolling and generous greens, and its challenging yet spacious design. 

When you're a kid, there's nothing better than being encouraged to go out and stuff your face with as much candy as possible. For adults, handling out candy reminds us of what it was like to be a kid.

When Halloween falls on a Monday, it can put a bit of a damper on the whole event. It's hard enough to get the kids to bed on time. And I'm sure all you teachers out there would rather not have a bunch of tired kids in class. But that's the way it goes.

Since Monday may not be the best day to have a big Halloween celebration (other than trick or treating of course), here are a few other ideas for the weekend before.

October 28 - 29
Ghosts of the Past
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Encounter intriguing historical characters from New Mexico's past during two mysteriously entertaining evenings. Visitors will take indoor or outdoor tours where they will interact with these historical characters. It's fun and educational for the whole family. Advance tickets are $3 for adults and $1 for children. Tickets on the day of the tours are $4 for adults and $2 for children.

Learn more at: http://www.nmfarmandranchmuseum.org/news.php?id=230

October 29 - 30 & November 2
Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Oct. 28-30 (Friday-Sunday) Noon to 7pm on the Plaza
Nov. 2 - Candlelight procession 6:30pm.

Featuring food, drinks, crafts, entertainment and altars, the Dia de los Muertos celebration honors All Saints Day. Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) is a Mexican holiday that synthesizes indigenous cultural beliefs of honoring the dead with the Catholic Church's All Souls Day.

Predominately observed in Latin America and the Southwestern United States, similar holidays honoring the dead are practiced throughout the world. The Dia de los Muertos holiday brings together friends and families as they pray and remember the lives and souls of those that have died. Celebrated on November 2, many believe that on Dia de Los Muertos is the best time for departed souls to visit the living.

I hope everyone has a great Fun Filled Halloween Weekend... and Monday! 

This is the fifth year of TETW and Cinco de Pink just seems to capture the spirit of what they do.  Their work is a celebration of life as much as it is a fight against breast cancer.  

Since its first campaign in 2007, the TETWP committee has generated more than $1 million dollars in cash and in-kind contributions for Cowboys for Cancer Research, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation in Las Cruces.

This year Steinborn & Associates Real Estate launched an effort to raise $10,000 and as a team we have already raised $12,500 to contribute to the campaign. 

When you mention Whole Enchilada around Las Cruces most people think about the fiesta and the parade.

When you mention Whole Enchilada to softball players they think about the Whole Enchilada Softball Invitational which takes place this year 10/7 through 10/9 at the Hadley Sports Complex.

So why do softball players from around the country know about his? It's the largest adult slow pitch softball event in the nation and it takes place right here in Las Cruces, NM.

It has produced over 250 men's and women's teams for the past 15 years. The Whole Enchilada is sanctioned by the United States Specialty Sports Association and has a World Tournament flavor. In fact, players call this the "Super Bowl" of softball.

It's a large and exciting event, not to mention an economic boost in that so many travel from out of town bringing money to pump into the economy. If you're looking for something to do this weekend, we highly recommend you go spend a few hours at the Hadley Sports Complex to watch a few games. They're not only exciting, they're free!

Learn more about the USSSA on their website: http://www.usssa.com/sports/organizationlinks.asp?Sport=11

Today we want to highlight an organization called El Caldito Soup Kitchen.

El Caldito is a community and volunteer based, non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation, and a Grade A food service establishment that has been serving meals to those in need in our community since 1984. More than 72,000 free meals are served annually.

It does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, veteran status, handicap, income, national origin, or any other way.

Hot nutritious meals are served every day from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. and a sack lunch on Saturday at no cost to the client. Some food is donated by local supermarkets, bakeries, individuals, organizations, producers, businesses, and various food drives throughout the community.

Still, much food, utilities, and all service items must be purchased and that's why the Empty Bowls Fundraiser is so important.

Empty Bowls Fundraiser

The Potters' Guild of Las Cruces holds Empty Bowls annually in mid-October to fight hunger by raising funds for El Caldito Soup Kitchen. Guild members make over 1000 bowls each year, local restaurants donate soup, and ticket-holders enjoy a soup lunch and take home a hand-made pottery bowl.

This year's Empty Bowls is Friday, October 21 from 11 am to 1:30 pm at St. Paul's Methodist Church. You can buy tickets at the door for $18.

Watch this video to learn more:

If you'd like more information on El Caldito Soup Kitchen visit their website:
http://elcaldito.wordpress.com/

Centennial High School - named to commemorate 100 years of New Mexico statehood - will open its doors next August to about 1,200 high school students from Las Cruces neighborhoods.

The $100 million campus is expected to pull in the first 1,200 students as freshmen and sophomores. Junior grade level students living in the attendance boundary have the option of transferring to Centennial High School or staying at their existing campus. Seniors in the new school's attendance zone will continue at their home schools to graduate, according to the district.

When all 9 through 12 grade levels are filled, Centennial High School is expected to have a student population of about 2,000. This is intended to lessen the load on Las Cruces High School, with a student population of 2,236; Mayfield High School, with 2,223 students; and the 2,051 population of O-ate High School.

Exactly which neighborhoods those will be is still in question.

During the past several months, an advisory committee appointed by the school board reviewed data on student population, growth trends, and the capacity of the district's current schools.

Through that process, members have come up with the boundaries around the neighborhoods they believe should funnel students to the new 82-classroom, 350,000-square-foot high school that occupies 100 acres of land on the southern end of Sonoma Ranch Boulevard.

The swath of land proposed by the committee includes all neighborhoods behind "A" Mountain; neighborhoods within the boundary made by Geothermal Drive to Interstate 25 to University Avenue, south to Solano, then north to North Main, east on North Main to I-25 to Sonoma Ranch. At Sonoma, the suggested boundary runs south from the North Arroyo.

Quick facts
• Centennial High School, 1950 S. Sonoma Ranch Blvd.
• Construction groundbreaking was Sept. 14, 2009.
• It will open for students in August 2012.
• Construction cost for the 344,000-square-foot, 82-classroom building was more than $100 million.
• It will have about 2,000 students, 120 teachers and 80 support staff.
• The name was chosen to commemorate New Mexico's Centennial, the 100th year of the state's existence, and the year in which the school will open.
• School mascot is the hawk, and school colors are red, black and New Mexico gold.

Get more information on Las Cruces schools at http://www.lascrucesschools.com/

A few weekends ago we worked with a young couple who are moving into their second home here in Las Cruces and they reminded me of one of Las Cruces' best treasures: Dripping Springs.

They couldn't work with us until the afternoon because they had decided to set aside the morning for a hike with their kids. The wife said "We've hiked this trail at least 20 times, but it never gets old, especially when you have the kids with us."

As we've said before, Dripping Springs could very well be the most beautiful place around Las Cruces.

The trail is fairly easy, easy enough for this couple to take their 8 and 10 year olds. While we love going up this trail in the early Spring because of the flowers and plants, Fall may actually have the best weather for it. Springs in Las Cruces can be a little windy while Falls probably have the best weather of the year.

The hike takes you up to some old ruins where years ago you would find first a luxurious hotel and later a sanatorium. The area was first a hotel starting back in the 1870s and because a sanatorium in 1917.

So it you're looking for something that the family can do together this weekend, consider getting out on the Dripping Springs trail where you can learn a little about the history of Las Cruces, get some exercise, see some wildlife and experience the beauty of the Organ Mountains.

For information about hiking around Las Cruces visit:
http://www.guidetolascruces.com/hiking.php

If hiking isn't your thing, learn about other outdoor recreation options at: http://www.guidetolascruces.com/outdoor_recreation_guide.php

Forbes Magazine recently ranked Las Cruces number 14 on its list of "Best Small Places for Businesses and Careers."

And we agree!

Over the years we have seen many businesses open their doors and prosper. Whether it's great restaurants like Zeffrio Pizzeria Napoletana who is now getting ready to open their 3rd location, or Serenity Day Spa and Salon in the historic Alameda area, small businesses succeed in Las Cruces. And more businesses are opening their doors almost every day.

We recently learned about a new locally owned coupon website called GrabitSite.com. It's a local alternative to sites like LivingSocial.com and Groupon.com. We also recently visited Cafe Agogo, a great place for a rice bowl.

The bottom line is that Forbes is on to something. When they looked at cities from across the U.S. they recognized the potential and Las Cruces. Their rankings were based on 12 areas relating to past and future projected job growth, business and living costs, income growth, education and projected economic growth. Quality of life areas such as crime rate, cultural and recreational opportunities and net migration patterns are also factors in determining the rankings.

Watch a local news report on the Forbes ranking for more information, click here. 

This isn't our first recognition. The Las Cruces' metro area, with a population of 210,000, previously made the list four times before from 2002-2005. For a more comprehensive list of Las Cruces recognitions, visit our Relocaction to Las Cruces website. RelocationtoLasCruces.com is great resource for the services you'll need if you are relocating to Las Cruces. And if you are considering relocating here, take a look at our GuidetoLasCruces.com website. We have spent countless hours gathering all the relevant information that we can find on Las Cruces if you are visiting or looking to learn more.

Salsa Fest is an awesome family-friendly event featurin our annual salsa recipe competition. This competition is one of the funnest things to do in Las Cruces. There are actually two competitions: commercial and homemade. Homemade is always the best (sorry to all my favorite restaurants out there).

In addition to the salsa cook off, there is entertainment on two stage areas, a salsa dance competition, stories from official New Mexico Centennial Storyteller Joe Hayes, arts and crafts made in New Mexico and reflecting the state's culture, food vendors and a children's area with fun activities for kids.

The fest will also make a little history of its own with a dedication ceremony opening the newly-completed north block of the Downtown Mall, site of a car show with about 100 classic cars.

Gov. Susanna Martinez and members of the New Mexico Centennial planning groups will be here to launch the commemoration and announce upcoming highlights statewide for the state's 16 months of celebrations at the first official event: the New Mexico Centennial SalsaFest from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday Aug. 28 on the Downtown Mall.

This is going to be a great showcase for what our downtown area is turning into.

Admission to the SalsaFest is free.

Salsa tasting will take place in an enclosed area at La Placita, next to the Rio Grande Theatre, where about 10 commercial and 21 "home-style" salsa chefs from around New Mexico will compete for cash prizes and awards including a $1,000 cash prize. Tasters may be admitted to the area and vote for their favorite salsa by purchasing a wristband that's $5, or $2 for children under 12.

The White Sands International Film Festival will be having their Awards Gala and Afterparty the same time on Aug. 27, just a few feet away at the Rio Grande Theatre, and they'll be having their student films showcase there the next day, so people can take a break from sampling salsa and go see a film. Maybe we'll even be able to spot some movie stars.

The 4th annual Men Who Cook fundraiser for the Mesilla Valley Hospice Foundation is Saturday, August 13 at the Las Cruces Convention Center.

We love this party! And I call it a party on purpose. It may be a fundraiser, but it's more like a good time for a good cause.

It's planned to have over 70 celebrity chefs from around Dona Ana County who will feed attendees the best dish they can come up with. This is the only event of its kind in Las Cruces, NM where each of the men prepares a favorite dish or gourmet specialty, and plenty of it, serving it to the attendees at the evening's event.

Last year's event brought in more than $66,000 in charity funds, benefiting those who cannot afford the hospice's services or don't have medical insurance. This year they're selling more tickets, move the location to a bigger venue at the new convention center, and added more entertainment.

The event will be held from 6:00pm to 10:00pm at the new Las Cruces Convention Center. Doors open promptly at 6:00pm, food will be served from 6:00pm to 8:30pm, and there will be live entertainment from 8:00pm to 10:00pm including a silent auction.

New to this year's event includes a DJ, live entertainment, and a silent auction featuring crafts from around the county. But the main attraction is the FOOD! I don't know about you, but when I put Murray in the kitchen, his number one priority is taste! You should find everything from smoked ribs, yakitori and sweet potato casserole to a wheelbarrow full of chocolate cake and jalapeno poppers. For the best dish, or the station that raises the most tips (which end up donations to hospice), the creator will be named the KAyLaurel Rischer Chef of the Year.

Also, all recipes from the event will be published in a recipe book for sale at the event and at the hospice foundation for $5 for a digital version and $20 for a printed version.

Don't eat lunch Saturday so you'll come hungry!

This week in Las Cruces we're making plans for the upcoming theatrr season, and if you love the theatre as much as we do you should join us. But let me warn you, it will take some time because this season is packed with exciting shows.

Here's a break-down of the 2011-2012 season by theatre according to a recent article by S. Derrickson Moore in the Las Cruces Sun News:

American Southwest Theatre Company at NMSU

Where: Hershel Zohn Theatre, NMSU campus
How much: $15, $13 seniors 65 and up, NMSU faculty/staff, $10 NMSU students, $5 high school students
Info: (575) 646-4515, theatre.nmsu.edu/astc/. For season tickets: www.ticketmaster.com 

"Miss Julie," by August Strindberg, Sept. 23 to Oct. 9. Miss Julie, mistress of a country manor, struggles against the restlessness of her social station and her burgeoning passions.

"hard 2 spel dad," by Linda Daugherty and Mary Rohde Scudday, Oct. 21 and 22. Pamela and Zac navigate their way through the challenges and struggles of growing up with dyslexia.

"Once in a Lifetime," by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, Nov. 18 to Dec. 4. Three vaudevillians head to California to conquer Hollywood's newest advancement: talking pictures.

"Brighton Beach Memoirs," by Neil Simon, Feb. 24 to March 11. It's 1937 and 14-year-old Eugene Morris Jerome must face a demanding mother, liver for dinner, a house over-filled with relatives, and puberty.

"SHOUT! The Mod Musical," by Phillip George, David Lowenstein, and Peter Charles Morris, April 20 to May 6. Flipping through the years like a musical magazine of the '60s, this smashing revue tracks five groovy gals as they come of age during those liberating days that made England swing.

Plus: Benefits and special events:

"DIVAS!" 7:30 p.m. Aug. 20. The musical cabaret features Della Bustamante (Country Diva), Thea Cordova (Opera Diva), Carrie Klofach (Comic Diva), Janet Mazdra (Belter Diva) and Megan McQueen (Sassy Diva).

Rocky Horror Picture Show screening, 8 p.m. Aug. 26, $6, prop bags available for $4.
Mardi Gras, 7 to 11 p.m. Feb. 18, New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum.

Las Cruces Community Theatre

Where: Las Cruces Community Theatre, 313 N. Downtown Mall
How much: $10 adults, $9 students, seniors & military, $8 each for groups of ten or more, $7 kids 6 and under. Season tickets: $50, Senior/Student/Military: $45
Info: (575) 523-1200, www.lcctnm.org

"Plaza Suite" by Neil Simon, Aug. 26 to Sept. 11, directed by Les Boyse. Three short plays tell the adventures of three couples successively occupying the same suite at the Plaza Hotel.

"A Thousand Clowns," by Herb Gardner, directed by Marcus Vickers, Oct. 14 to 30. Unconventional Murray, uncle and custodian of precocious nephew Nick, is tired of writing cheap comedy gags for Chipper the Chipmunk, a children's TV star. Murray finds himself unemployed. Lectured by his conventional brother and hounded by "the system," Murray is paid a visit by bickering, uptight social workers, and finds himself solving their problems as well as most of his own.

"Nuncrackers," musical by Dan Goggin, directed by Art Haggerton, Dec. 2 to 18. The Little Sisters of Hoboken are back, bringing us their annual Christmas pageant - and this year, it's being televised live from the basement of Mount St. Helen's Convent. The highlight of the pageant will be an original ballet based on The Nutcracker, along with a "Secret Santa" drawing by Sister Amnesia.

"Shadowlands," by William Nicholson, directed by Patrick Payne, Feb. 3 to 19. Famed author C.S. Lewis meets his American fan, Joy Gresham, whom he befriends and eventually marries. The story also deals with his struggle with personal pain and grief: Lewis preaches that one should endure suffering with patience but finds that the simple answers he had preached no longer apply when Joy suffers from cancer.

One-Act Play Festival, March 8 to 11. LCCT's annual one-act festival provides opportunities for new directors, new actors, and new works.

"Belles," by Dan Thornton, directed by Gail Wheeler, April 13 to 29. An intriguing play "in 2 acts and 45 phone calls" chronicles vivid characters and conflicts in the phone calls among the six Walker sisters who hail from Memphis, but now are scattered all over the country. Only Peggy still lives in Memphis, where she cares for Mama. When the play begins, Peggy is phoning her sisters to tell them that Mama is in the hospital.

"Piecemeal," musical by Howard Odentz, directed by Autumn Gieb, June 1 to 17. Described by critics as "imaginative, dark and funny," this musical comedy takes a new look at Mary Shelley's classic novel about the events leading to the creation of the Frankenstein monster. Igor, the hunchbacked son of the local undertaker, who yearns to be a doctor, crosses paths with Victor Frankenstein, who is expected to uphold family tradition and attend medical school, but would prefer to pursue a career in fashion. The two swap identities to get what they want, and complications ensue.

Black Box Theatre/No Strings Theatre Company

Where: Black Box Theatre, Downtown Mall
When: 8 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays
How much: $10 regular and $9 students and seniors (over 65). Preferred Patron Package season ticket: $50 and $45. Info and reservations: (575) 523-1223,

no-strings.org

"The Iris Incident," by Amy Lanasa, directed by Mark Medoff, weekends Aug. 21 through 28.

"The 39 Steps," adapted by Patrick Barlow, from the novel by John Buchan, the movie by Alfred Hitchcock and an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon, directed by Ceil Herman, Sept. 16 to Oct. 2. New York Times critic Ben Brantley called the play, "Absurdly enjoyable! This gleefully theatrical riff on Hitchcock's film is fast and frothy, performed by a cast of four that seems like a cast of thousands."

"Wait Until Dark," by Fredrick Knott, directed by Karen Caroe, Oct. 28 to Nov. 13. This masterfully constructed thriller moves from one moment of suspense to another as it builds toward an electrifying, breath-stopping final scene.

"Private Fears in Public Places," by Alan Ayckbourn, directed by Ceil Herman, Dec. 2 to 18. Six people with six very separate lives are strangely linked by circumstance. Does Nicola still love Dan? Can Stewart be on the verge of an office romance? Will Imogen ever find true love? Does Ambrose have a secret life? And what on earth is Charlotte up to?

"The Sisters Rosensweig," by Wendy Wasserstein, directed by Nikka Ziemer, Jan. 20 to Feb. 5. "A captivating portrait of three disparate sisters reuniting after a lengthy separation and coming to terms with their differences, respect and love for one another. The laughter is all but continuous." -The New Yorker

"Becky's New Car" by Steven Dietz, directed by Ceil Herman, March 9 to 25. Have you ever been tempted to flee your own life? This play, according to Variety, "takes the audience on a smart, comic cruise through the perils of middle-aged longing and regret."

"Tick, Tick Boom!," book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson, directed by Dale Pawley, May 4 to 20. A musical look at the courage it takes to follow your dreams, "Tick, Tick Boom!" is Jonathan Larson's autobiographical tale of a young composer on the brink of turning 30 and falling into oblivion.

In addition to all these shows, the 2011 White Sands International Film Festival is scheduled for August 25 - 28. Stay tuned for more information.

Free food and drinks will be available courtesy of Farley's, Texas Roadhouse, Walmart and Neuro energy drinks. Other vendors include a Hawaiian Shaved Ice stand, Shred's Board Shop, NMSU Outdoor Recreation and more.

Even if you aren't into skating it should be a really fun event. $5 for general admission includes free food and drinks, and some entertainment. You can't beat that.
Those of you with kids interested in skating, be sure to get out there and encourage them to get active. Those of you looking to move to Las Cruces, know that we have great programs in Las Cruces for our children.

Other Events This Week

7/22

Comedy at the Cabaret - Gary Hood and Kyle Reade at the Boba Cafe & Cabaret

1900 S. Espina

7/23

The fifth annual Donate Life Car Show and Health Expo - Health provides, food vendors and live music at Young Park.

1905 E. Nevada St.

7/26

Photographic Symposium - Passionate photographers looking to enhance their skills won't want to miss this event from 8 am to 6 pm at the Preston Contemporary Art Center.

1755 Avenida de Mesilla

$55 entry

7/27

Cornhole Tournament - Cornhole, also known as bean bag toss, takes place at The Game's newly renovated outdoor patio at 7 pm.

Free Yoga!!!

Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays from 10 am to 11 am at the Immaculate Heart of Mary's parish school building

1260 S. Espina St.

1905 East Nevada Ave
88001Las Cruces

Young Park is a 21.6 acre facility in Central Las Cruces, NM. It is located in the middle of a medium density residential subdivision with some commercial areas located across the park's east parking lot.

This is one of the largest, well-endowed parks in Las Cruces. It has both covered and open picnic tables, many of which have BBQ grills. There is also a large covered picnic area in the center of the park that overlooks the lake and is close to the public restrooms.

The park also has three playground areas located throughout. The playground equipment has ground rubber walkways leading to it and the steps of the equipment itself are covered in rubber to help keep the kids from slipping when its wet. The remainder of the ground below the equipment is covered in coarsely chipped wood. These help to dampen the jump and/or fall should they decide to put the laws of gravity to the test. Some play areas also have swing sets. In addition, you will find a covered wagon play area in the center of the park that has sand as ground cover.

The North Central area of the park boasts its most prominent feature....the lake. The lake is a pretty good size and has a waterfall and two fountains. As with most public lakes, due to hygiene concerns, we wouldn't recommend taking a cool dip or fishing in it. If you do decide to fish there, it would be best to catch and release. Also, make sure you have a fishing license. Children under 12 do not need one in New Mexico. It sure is nice to hang out by the water and listen to the fountains when you live in the middle of a desert.

The park also has a very nice set of tennis courts on site. These courts appear to be in very good condition and nets are well maintained. The courts are surrounded in a large chain link fence and has stadium lighting.

Apodaca Park
801 E Madrid
88001 Las Cruces

Apodaca Park is a 3.1 acre facility in North-Central Las Cruces, NM. It is located just North of where Solano Drive intersects with Madrid Street, in a mixed use, residential and commercial part of town. The park shares its Northern border with the Las Cruces Country Club.

This is another one of the largest parks in town and has a wide range of things to do. It also has one of the most recognizable landmarks in town...... the giant wooden Indian at the South-West Corner. The park is covered in grass and a number of mature trees for lots of cool shade. It has two playground areas, baseball stadium / softball field, tennis courts, and a pool.

Playground areas are located at the northwest and southeast ends of the park. The playground equipment at the North-West end is of larger scale and seems to be geared for bigger kids. The playground equipment at the southeast end is smaller scale and would be easier for smaller toddlers to play on. The playground areas are similar to the the ones in Young Park with the rubber walkways and chipped wood. These safety precautions have saved my grandkids on more than one occasion.

Located at the far east end of the park is a very nice baseball stadium / softball field where the Las Cruces Vaqueros play. This is a lit field complete with covered stadium seating. The field also has features score boards, dug-outs and public restrooms. It is a very nice facility as you can see from the picture.

The park also boasts a 25 meter swimming pool which, can be separated into six lap lanes, as well as a separate shallow pool for the little ones. The pool has a covered areas on both sides with chaise lounge chairs for relaxing. The pool is located on the east end of the park and is open during summers to the general public for a small fee.

The tennis courts are located on the east end of the park beside the swimming pool. It is a fenced in area with two separate courts. The fences, nets and courts are in very good shape and appear to be fairly new. The tennis courts also have stadium lights for night play. The light controls are located in the South-West corner of the courts.

The park also has a few covered picnic areas scatter through-out. The roofs on these are metal so, if you might want to consider one of the park benches in the cool shade of the trees. There is so much grass area in the park that you may consider just bringing a picnic blanket.

Apodaca Park is located at the corner of a fairly busy intersection but, most of the playground equipment and other amenities are located in the park's interior, far enough in from the street that the hot pavement and exhaust are hardly noticeable.

You can tell a lot about a community by how invested they are in their parks. These two parks are examples of the great quality of living we have here in Las Cruces.

What are your favorite parks?

My husband and I have lived here for over 30 years, and decided to get together and make a list for you so that you can enjoy Las Cruces as much as we do. If you're interested in more things to do in Las Cruces, head on over to our Guide to Las Cruces page from the link below.

http://www.guidetolascruces.com/things_to_see_and_do.php

Las Cruces has just received another prestigious recognition!
Forbes Magazine ranks Las Cruces No. 14 on its "Best Small Places for Business and Careers" list.

Besides all of the awards and recognitions from national organizations, I want to express my feelings about living in Las Cruces.

The Forbes Best Places for Business and Careers rankings are based on:

• past and future projected job growth,
  
• business and living costs,
  
• income growth, education
  
• projected economic growth.
  
• Quality of life areas such as crime rate, cultural and recreational
  

Las Cruces' metro area, has made the Forbes list four times before. Las Cruces, NM has a positive and growing economy. It provides a great, low cost opportunity for businesses to relocate their offices, establish new facilities, and to open new businesses. There are extensive training and educational facilities for the readily available workforce, and a low cost of living. All of this plus a lifestyle that offers wonderful arts, culture, and recreational opportunities.
See all of the awards Las Cruces has gotten for these  important qualities. 

 I personally would like to add my feeling about life and lifestyle in Las Cruces:

Las Cruces is the best place to live, raise children, work, and retire.
We are: "Unique" ... "A perfect location" ... "An ideal climate"...
"A Dream Town"

Join me and see "Enchanting Las Cruces" – How can you not love Las Cruces?

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If you are from out of town and would like our great relocation package
just click here.

Our Guide to Las Cruces and Relocating to Las Cruces Websites will provide you a look at the Las Cruces Lifestyle.

• Las Cruces can be found nestled between the majestic spires of the Organ Mountains and the fertile green belt of the Rio Grande's Mesilla Valley.
  
• You will find that Las Cruces has beautiful year round weather, with 350-days of sunshine, 4- distinct seasons.
• We pride ourselves on our Multi-Cultural history, diversity, and traditions.
  
•  Las Cruces is home to many year round arts & cultural events, sporting attractions, and outdoor recreation.
• we still have that friendly, Southwestern, small town feeling. Las Cruces is the perfect place to live!

As always, this is Evelyn Bruder, I want you to know that I am available to assist with any of your Las Cruces problems or questions - Real Estate or Not.

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