One of the best things about Las Cruces is that we are big enough to benefit from just about any convenience you need, and small enough that we all seem to know each other. 

That's why Look Who's Dancing! is such an entertaining event. For a few years now, we've been going to Look Who's Dancing! to have good fun watching local celebrities impress us with great dancing abilities, and yes, to watch a few of them embarass themselves. It's all in good fun! 

Look Who's Dancing! is a special entertainment event organized to benefit the New Mexico State University DanceSport Company. Its goal is to promote social dancing to the Las Cruces community as a healthful and enjoyable activity for all ages and all skill levels.

This year the wonderful dancers include:

Christopher Cruz from Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces
Donna Richmond from La Piñon Sexual Assault Recovery Services of SNM
Elaine Brown from Re/Max Classic Realty
Crystal Lay from Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering - NMSU
Debbie Calderon from The Whole Enchilada Fiesta Executive Board
Bill Connor from El Paso Electric
Austin Trout the WBA Light Middleweight Champion
Jeffrey Silva from Bank 34 & March of Dimes
Ceci Vasconcellos from Doña Ana Arts Council

Here's one of the highlights, in addition to the technical judging, competitors are competing for an additional trophy; people's choice. Community members get to buy votes; you cand drop money, at $1 increments, into the bins for the competitor you would like to vote for at the event. The competitor receiving the most money/votes wins. All money goes to the DanceSport Team. The winning competitors will receive trophies respective to the category they win.

Here are the details:

Friday January 27, 2012
7:00 pm
Onate Performing Arts Center
Las Cruces, NM

We hope to see you there! 

Most hot air balloon events are held at times of the year when favorable weather conditions are more likely and in the Mesilla Valley, that mean now!

19th annual Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally is Saturday and Sunday at the Brown Farm Field on North Camino Real. 

The Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally was first launched in 1982 as part of The Whole Enchilada Fiesta. In 1988, the rally split off into a separate event, officially named the Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally.

The first launch site was next to Burn Lake. It was moved to Mayfield High School in 1993, and then moved again to open areas owned by Southwest Cotton Growers on Valley Drive and Amador Avenue.

In 2005, the rally moved to its current site, historically known as Brown Farm Field, just east of El Camino Real and southeast of Armstrong Road.

The MVBR regularly features morning launches, a balloon glow, hot air balloon competitions, food vendors, and tethered rides for the public. In 2009, the 17th annual Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally was canceled because of economic hard times, but 20 hot air balloons showed up anyway. As many as 94 balloons have appeared at a rally.

Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally Schedule
Saturday
7 a.m.: Mayor's proclamation and official opening
7:10 a.m.: Memorial mass pi-ball (helium balloon) release by pilots "in memory of balloonists and all fun-loving souls who have left this earth." Naomi Vega sings "Amazing Grace."
7:20 a.m.: Presentation of the Stars and Stripes from the hot air balloon "Cool Beans II" as Naomi Vega sings the national anthem. Presentation of Colors by NMSU ROTC.
7:20 a.m.: Mass ascension in two waves
8:30 a.m.: Tethered rides for the public, $2 donation
3 p.m.: Afternoon fun launch
5:30 to 8 p.m.: Balloon glow

Sunday
7:30 a.m.: Mass ascension in two waves

We hope to see you there! 

Tomorrow we're heading out to celebrate New Mexico's 100 year birthday at the Mesilla Valley New Mexico Centennial Parade. Are you going to join us?

The parade winds its way Saturday through historic parts of downtown Las Cruces starting at 11 a.m. And we just read in the Las Cruces Sun News that entries are keeping their floats a secret. We're not sure why, but that adds a little bit of excitement to the whol think. 

The 100-minute, two-mile parade will devote about 10 minutes to each decade, commemorating 100 years of statehood and what it has meant to this part of the state, with cars, equipment, representations of people and events, people born, and groups formed in each decade. The end of the final decade (2002 to 2011) will pass over the same spots as the beginning of the first decade (1912 to 1921), ending in downtown Las Cruces. Those attending are encouraged to dress in period costumes.

The parade will stage, beginning at 9 a.m., at the Loretto Town Center, travel north on Church Street, left on the newly opened roundabout, onto Water Street south and back to the staging area. The reviewing stand will be in front of the old Las Cruces City Hall, 200 N. Church St.

Parade grand marshal will be actor Dale Liikala, portraying President William H. Taft with Las Crucen Judy Roscoe as first lady Nellie Taft.

An F-22 Raptor will fly over the area at 11:35 a.m., which was the minute President Taft signed the proclamation designating New Mexico as a state.

Come early and park in downtown city parking lots, at District Court, 201 W. Picacho, Las Cruces Municipal Court, 135 E. Griggs Ave., near old or new city halls, and around the Downtown Mall, but be prepared to stay for the whole parade, as access will be restricted.

Learn more at www.mvcentennial.org.

Days Inn & Suites (Eddie's Bar & Grill)

901 Avenida De Mesilla, (575) 524-8603
Country Western artist Clay Mac will headline the New Year's Eve event, which begins at 9 p.m., inside the hotel ballrooms. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Eddie's Bar & Grill will be open that there's no cover charge.

De La Vega's Pecan Grill and Brewery

500 S. Telshor Blvd., (575) 521-1099
Welcome the New Year in style at De La Vega's Masquerade Ball. Prepare for a night of cocktails, hors d'ouerves, a dessert bar, dancing and a champagne toast at midnight. Presale tickets are $10 a person or $15 a couple. Tickets will be $20 per person at the door. Private booths are also available for $250. 21+.

Dublin's Street Pub

1745 E. University Ave., (575) 522-0932
Get your friends together for a night of drinks at the local college hot spot. Welcome the New Year with a champagne toast at midnight. 21+.

Graham Central Station

505 S. Main St., (575) 524-9131
Drink specials will be available from 5 to 8 p.m. featuring $2 wells and domestics. Enjoy a variety of music in all four bars (country, Latin, hip-hop and karaoke) and free party favors for all attendees. $15 presale tickets. 21+.

Hotel Encanto

705 S. Telshor Blvd., (575) 525-9212
Dance your way to 2012 at Hotel Encanto's Holl-E-Wood New Year's Eve featuring music by DJ Cypher. You can also catch host Cabezon MC and DJ Flipz spinning inside Azul Ultra Lounge. The party starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $40 per single or $65 per couple. You can also take advantage of the "Take the Elevator Home" special that includes access to the event and a room for two for $170. 21+.

Meson de Mesilla

1803 Avenida de Mesilla, (575) 652-4953
For a top-notch New Year's Eve meal, check out Meson de Mesilla from 5 to 9 p.m. For starters, enjoy oysters on the half shell or oysters Rockefeller, as well as a Caesar salad or tomato bisque. Entrees include your choice of a beef, pork, chicken or salmon dish. Finish off your meal with a chocolate-covered strawberry and sparkling wine or cider. Meals are $49.95 per person. There will be a party in the lounge till 1 a.m. featuring live music, party favors and a champagne toast. There is a $15 cover for the lounge party, or free for hotel guests. Rooms start at $89.

Palacio's

2600 Avenida de Mesilla, (575) 525-2910
Catch Phat Soul at the Mesilla bar starting at 8 p.m. Tickets for the New Year's Eve event are $25.

Ramada Palms de Las Cruces

201 E. University Ave., (575) 526-4411
The Ramada Palms is kicking off 2012 with the grand opening of the Passion Ultra Lounge and a party inside the main ballroom featuring Sunny Padilla and the All-Stars. Tickets for both events are available at the front desk for $35 per event. 21+

St. Clair's Winery & Bistro

1800 Avenida de Mesilla, (575) 524-2408
Enjoy dinner at St. Clair's featuring a buffet and live jazz music provided by Tuco John. The bistro will be open until 10 p.m.

Ten Pin Alley

1021 E. Amador Ave., (575) 526-8855
Get the family together for a night of Rock and Bowl at Ten Pin Alley. Their New Year's Eve celebration is $25 per person and includes a Mexican buffet, complimentary champagne or cider and party favors. The party starts at 9 p.m. Early lane reservations are highly recommended.

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

By far the most exciting economic news in 2011 was Union Pacific's decision to move it's operations out of El Paso and into Santa Teresa. Here's why:

Facility To Bolster Economy

Union Pacific Railroad is constructing a state-of-the-art rail facility in the southern part of the state. With an overall economic impact of $500 million for the New Mexico economy, Union Pacific's investment in the project totals more than $400 million.

The facility will create 3,000 jobs during the construction phase from 2011 to 2015, and will eventually be headquarters for more than 600 permanent jobs. While these jobs are not necessarily New Mexico residents, they will pay NM income taxes and the opportunity is huge for those NM residents looking for jobs. 

For the first time ever, southern New Mexico will have a key inland port, positioning the Santa Teresa area as a strategic focal point for goods movement in the southwestern U.S. This opens up countless new ancillary opportunities for economic growth Santa Teresa. It also adds to the growth in transportation opporunities in Santa Teresa which started with the Dona Ana County International Airport, then the border crossing, and now rail. 

The opportunities for future economic development resulting from this project are huge. 

About The Project 

The site for the facility is located just west of the Santa Teresa Airport, and will incorporate:

Fueling Facilities - Located along the busy "Sunset Route" between El Paso and Los Angeles, this fueling facility will enhance commerce and goods movement in the state of New Mexico.

Crew Change Buildings - This facility will eventually serve as home base for Union Pacific employees operating long-haul trains out of the area. 

Intermodal Block Swap /Switching Yard - Enhancing capacity and efficiency, this new switching yard will incorporate the latest engineering techniques for improved efficiency and throughput.

Intermodal Ramp - This regionally focused intermodal ramp will permit both local and regional businesses more immediate access to the efficiencies of freight trains.

Immediate Economic/Jobs Impact

Upon completion, the project will have generated $500 million in economic impact in New Mexico, creating thousands of jobs and fostering a new economic base for the Southern region of the state.

With construction anticipated to begin in the fourth quarter of 2011 and continuing through 2014, the region will see impact as soon as this year, with substantial upside for many years to come.

Competitive Global Economy Demands Efficiency 

The construction of the Santa Teresa facility will permanently position Southern New Mexico as a crucial component of the historic "Sunset Route," one of the oldest and most critical rail corridors in American history, securing New Mexico's future as a leader in the goods movement industry.

Union Pacific's initial plans for capital spending in 2011 total $3.2 billion in support of America's freight transportation needs and to continue enhancing the safety and efficiency of its 32,000-mile network.

The resulting improved rail capacity benefits everyone. It allows freight rail service to grow, helping to build a cleaner environment. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, freight trains are nearly four times more fuel efficient than trucks.

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. 

The March of Dimes High Heels for High Hopes 2011 Runway Show is tonight at 6pm at the Las Cruces Convention Center! 

This year's choreographed runway show features 21 local models and their Salon Partners interpreting fashion on all seven continents. Each model has been fundraising for the event benefiting the March of Dimes. 

The event highlights include a VIP reception pre-party, General Reception, Silent Auction, Runway Show and After Party.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, our mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.

In Las Cruces the March of Dimes organizes several anual fundraisers include High Heels for High Hopes and the Celebrity Waiter event in March. 

When you rank the best High School Football Rivalries in New Mexico, there really isn't any competition. Las Cruces High School versus Mayfiled High Shool could also be at the top of national rankings!

Each November this rivalry brings in about 30,000 people. If you want to know what it's all about then plan on attending tonight! The most electrifying football game in the southwest takes place at Aggie Memorial tonight at 6:30 pm.

The Rivalry Game inspired Director Charlie Minn (Director of A Nightmare In Las Cruces) to film a documentary titled "Cruces Divided". The documentary is about the historic rivalry game and how it literally splits the City into two each fall football season.

A lot of the people we work with who relocate to Las Cruces are shocked to learn about the excitement around this game. Everyone around town is talking about it as it approaches

It's a half a century old, but things got really interesting in 2002 when the two programs met the State Championship. There are so many intricacies to this rivalry game, it's almost hard to believe.

One reason for the heated rivalry is the success both teams have had in the past fifteen years. Ten state titles have been won between the two schools since 1995, compared to only three overall before that. Since 1998, either Cruces or Mayfield have played for the state title every year except once (2004).

The Mayfield Trojans boast seven state championships and the LCHS Bulldawgs six. The teams are 15-15 against each other over the last thirty games. Both schools once went 24 years without winning a state crown and then immediately won 3 out of 4 championships. These historical similarities only demonstrate how even these two schools have become.

It's this balance, parity, and superiority that makes the annual game every November so unpredictable. About a third of the city attends this thrilling match-up year in and year out. No other city in the nation can say this. This years game is tonight with nothing short of a district title at stake. The city divides to witness what some will tell you to be the best high school football rivalry in the country.

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! 

I'm already willing to say that it's the best plact o get an Indian Taco - fry bread topped with beans and beef, smothered in red or green chile, finished with lettuce and tomato and served with sour cream and guacamole. Yummy. 

Seferino's started out in Rio Rancho, New Mexico and the owner has operated a few different spots before opening up the newest location by Kinkos on University. 

Seferino's has everything from tacos to tamales to frech toast in the morning. Their assortment of rolled enchilada plates ranging from plain cheese, to carne adovada, to chorizo and potato might seem typical of most Las Cruces Mexican food restaurants, but there's something about Seferino's that makes them a little different. 

Seferino's offers a full service breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays, with a broad range of meals to choose from.

Along with burritos and omelets, the restaurant serves Breakfast Rellenos - two roasted green chiles, stuffed with cheese and fried, and topped with two eggs and a choice of red or green chile. All of the rellenos are roasted and prepared at the restaurant. Though the full breakfast menu is limited to weekends, Seferino's sells breakfast burritos Monday through Friday from 8 to 11 a.m.

I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!

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

We have written before about how presenting an attractive home to potential buyers can greatly increase your chances of selling your house quickly.

Here are 6 more ideas on how to make the inside of your Las Cruces home stand out.

1. Float the Furniture

Though it may seem natural to push furniture against the walls, try "floating" the furniture to make more intimate spaces for conversation. Lisa LaPorta, designer on HGTV's Designed to Sell, recommends visualizing a figure-eight or the letter H and placing furniture in that pattern. Just remember to create clear pathways for traffic to help the flow of the room.

2. Work the Windows

Window dressings can serve as the perfect accent to any room. If the room is small, consider opaque curtains, which allow more light to shine through and give the room a bigger feel. If your windows are narrow, extend the curtain rods about a foot on each side to give an illusion of width. Remember that curtains featuring vertical patterns create an elongated effect; this style compliments most windows in a home. We talked about your windows in more detail last week.

3. Don't be Afraid of Color

Painting is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to revive a home. Keep in mind that painting walls with a rich color can make the spaces more intimate, dramatic and cozy, while lighter, paler shades help rooms appear more spacious. When in doubt, go neutral.

4. Draw Attention to Art

Instead of hanging art along an invisible line encircling each room, consider hanging pieces in diagonal, triangular or vertical patterns. Michael Friedes, a stager with Nest Home Design, says this creates visual interest and can help direct the eye toward interesting features in a room, such as a bay window or high ceilings.

5. Accessorize in Threes

When creating displays for table tops, shelves, walls and other spaces around your home, experts recommend accessorizing in odd numbers - especially groups of three-and grouping objects by unifying elements, such as color or texture. Display items of various heights and widths with the largest objects in the back.

6. Get Some Flowers

Seasonal flowers help a home appear fresh, clean and beautiful. Whether you showcase budding magnolia clippings in spring or holly branches in winter, there are beautiful arrangements to display in any season. You can't make mistakes when arranging flowers, so remember to get creative and have fun!

Bonus: Choose a Realtor who can help you!