I've lived in quite a few places over my lifetime - Washington DC/Northern Virginia, the Texas Panhandle and West Texas but I don't think anything will ever compare to Las Cruces, NM.  Over my next few blog posts, I'd like to introduce you to my town and show you around the City of The Crosses.  I will give me a chance to explore a little more with my camera! To start off with - Las Cruces is a nice, small town about 45 minutes from the Texas/New Mexico border in the southern part of the state.  We're in the middle of I-10 and I-25.  Home to New Mexico State University, Dona Ana Community College (which I just graduated from in May)and White Sands Missile Range which is just across the Organ Mountains to the east. Yes - there is so much more but you'll find out more as I continue with m... 08/14/2010

At the heart of Las Cruces lies New Mexico State University, which was created as a land-grant institution in 1888. With over 16,000 students attending its main campus, it really does feel like a main artery feeding into Las Cruces’ life and energy. Whether your alumni from NMSU or another college, still in high school, or well into your career, you still might be curious what it’s like to be an Aggie these days. If so, check out the AggieFest next week—Aug. 18, 1-3 p.m.—for a carnival atmosphere showcasing all academic departments, students services, organizations, and clubs and campus resources. Most of the excitement will be located along the International Mall (west of Corbett Center), and the outdoor stage (east of Corbett Center). For more info, call Alina Haro at (575) 646-6050, ... 08/11/2010

Many states offer tax-free shopping during certain times of the year to motivate people to get out there and shop. For one, it helps out people by saving them some cash, and for two, it helps the stores out by generating a little extra revenue. New Mexico’s tax-free weekend, beginning this Friday (August 6th) and lasting until Sunday (August 8th) at midnight, is intended to help get the kids back to school. But before you venture out and shop till you drop, I have a few ideas that might help you sanely get through this busy weekend: Make a list:Make a list in advance of the main items you plan on buying and what stores you plan to shop in to find these items. This will help you avoid going from store to store and running out of time, energy, or money—it’s tax-free weekend, but the cost... 08/02/2010

The League of American Bicyclists is hosting a commuter class Saturday, September 11, 2010 from 4pm-8pm at Las Cruces City Hall (700 N. Main Street, Conference Room 2007C). This class is for adult cyclists who’ve completed Traffic Skills 101 and wish to explore commuting to work or school by bicycle. There will be 3-hours of classroom time and a 1-hour on-bike course which will cover route selection, bicycle equipment choices, dealing with cargo & clothing, bike parking, riding at night, and foul weather riding. What to bring: a brown bag dinner and water bottle, your bike in good working condition, a helmet, bike lights (white front/red rear), reflective wear for night riding, and riding clothing. To reserve a seat, email edconway@me.com by August 28th. The fee for the class is $20. S... 07/27/2010

Las Cruces Farmers Market (every Saturday and Wednesday)It’s been a few weeks since I’ve made it to the farmers market, so it’s definitely going to be on my to-do list for tomorrow. For one, I have a hankering for some fresh green tomatoes, so that I can slice them up and put them on the grill (I usually just put a dash of salt, pepper and olive oil on them before grilling). And then hopefully sometime later in the day I will be able to make it to one of the following shows.KRWG benefit concert Steve Smith, Chris Sanders and Hard Road will play a benefit concert for KRWG at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 24, at the Rio Grande Theatre. Advance tickets are $15 for adults and $7.50 for children 12 and under. Tickets at the door are $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.For more informat... 07/23/2010

I was perusing the Internet a few days ago for new ice cream recipes that I could do with the grandkids, and we came across a very delicious one from a New Mexican native—Jane Butel.  Butel currently lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she has her very own cooking school.  The recipe of her’s that really caught my eye the other day was her chile chocolate ice cream. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the flavors of spicy and sweet—it’s wonderful! It’s not hot like burn-your-mouth hot, but there is a nice bite mixed in with the creamy sweetness. The grandkids loved it, my husband loved it, and well I couldn’t get enough of it. (I can only imagine how incredible it is when Butel herself makes it…)Jane Butel’s Chile Chocolate Ice Cream“This velvety-rich ice cream benefits from b... 07/21/2010

We’ve had a hot summer, but surprisingly not too many triple-digit days this year. Nonetheless, I wanted to share a couple simple tips with you on how to stay hydrated and cool for the next couple months and maybe even save you some money, buy better utilizing what you already have: windows and blinds! Keeping Your Body CoolMy advice is to stay inside between 12p.m.-4p.m. if at all possible, but if you do have to be outside though, it is best to wear a lightweight, long sleeved shirt, a hat, sunscreen, and to drink at least 8 ounces of water every half hour you are outside. What I tell my grandkids to do when they are outside all day running around is to drink plenty of water and then every now and then take a swig of a sports drink, so that they don’t sweat out all their needed salt a... 07/06/2010

Looking for something fun to go along with your cookouts this weekend? It sure does seem like there are a lot of things happening around the Las Cruces area—everything from music and fun runs, to mini wine fests and light displays. Las Cruces Electric Light ParadeJuly 3, 2010, 9 p.m.Begins at Apodaca Park, at the corner of Madrid Avenue and Solano Drive, and travels south on Solano, left on Hadley and left on Walnut, ending at the corner of Walnut Street and Spruce Avenue at Sierra Middle School. Right after the parade (10 p.m.), Journey Unauthorized will be playing at the Hadley Complex. Fourth of July Fun RunJuly 4, 6 a.m.Where: Meerscheidt Recreation Center, 1600 E. Hadley Ave. City of Las Cruces Garrison Flag RaisingJuly 4, 8 a.m. and lowered at 5 p.m.Where: Veterans Park, 2651 Roa... 07/01/2010

If you’re from around the area, I’m sure you’ve started noticing the clouds that start rolling in late afternoon giving us a break from the heat for a bit. Well, we decided to use this cooling effect to our advantage and head to White Sands for the Full Moon program. Even though the moon doesn’t peak out till a little later in the evening, we wanted to get there early enough to eat a picnic, roll down the dunes (the grandkids, not me), and then relax a bit and watch the full moon rise. A little info about White Sands National Monument (from http://www.desertusa.com/wsand/): The Tularosa Basin in the northern Chihuahuan Desert is a mountain-ringed valley encompassing one of the world’s great natural wonders — the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Here, giant, wave-like dunes of gyps... 06/28/2010

************************** Evelyn Bruder, CRS, GRI, ABR, E-PRO, Las Cruces Cyberstar The Evelyn Bruder Dream Team http://www.homesforsaleinlascruces.com For more information about what we do and how we can provide all of your real estate needs, CLICK HERE We welcome comments and questions - CLICK HERE 06/23/2010

The Farmer's Market in Las Cruces is so diverse with so much to offer.  In March of 2009, I decided to set up my own table there, and sell my Art work.  I have made larger  pastelprints, pastel originals, oil originals, watercolor prints, cards, and I offer personal commissions.  I meet so many people from our community, and people who are visiting.  My subjects are generally Tarahumara Indians, some animals, landcapes including the Organ Mountains, which really appeals to those people who are visiting Las Cruces.  Many of the locals will ask "Are you here every week?"  Sometimes it takes them 6 months to a year before they decide to buy, but that is generally when it is an Original piece of Art.  Many times, I run into my past clients who have purchased a home from me.  This is always ... 06/22/2010

We can positively sayNOW is absolutely the best time ever to buy a home. Whether it is your first Home, you are moving up, or you are downsizing, we want you to know that it is an exciting time for home buyers in Las Cruces. If you have a home to sell, the Market activity is peaking, and homes under $250,000 are selling quickly. If you are even considering buying a home, you need to read on and take 90 Seconds to watch this video… This video perfectly sums up why the Current Market conditions are perfect for a Home Buyer WHY NOW This video was produced by Lennar Construction. They are New Home builders. They do not build in the New Mexico market, but the information is appropriate anywhere. On behalf of the Evelyn Bruder Dream Team and Steinborn and Associates Real Estate, Just click on... 06/22/2010

The Branigan Cultural Center in partnership with the Las Cruces GFWC Progress Club will host two “Block Parties” in preparation for the annual commemorative art exhibit to honor those lost on 9/11/2001. A dramatic new format for the 9th annual 5,000 Flowers exhibit is planned. Two wood towers will represent the World Trade Center. Small wood blocks will be painted with ten flowers each and then placed on the towers. The block parties are planned to complete enough blocks to cover the first tower. Anyone interested in participating in the project is invited to drop in during a “Block Party” to complete one or more blocks. All paints and materials will be supplied. The parties are free and open to the public, no registration is required. 5,000 Flower Block Parties will be held at the Bra... 06/18/2010

Still looking for things to do this summer? Take a look at the community events calendar on the KRWG website. You’ll find everything from summer camps for the kids to storytelling at local bookstores. Here’s a few of the upcoming events: Now through June 22ndThe Las Cruces Railroad Museum is accepting registration for their summer class “Railroad Communications for Kids” taking place on Wednesday, June 23rd from 10am to noon. People who work around railroad tracks have developed several methods of communicating with each other and children ages 7 – 12 will learn Lantern Lingo, Morse Code, and Hobo Hieroglyphics in the class. Pre-registration is required at least one day in advance, and class size is limited to 10 students. [INFO: Joanne at 647-4480] Now through July 12thRegistration is... 06/15/2010

Around 200 rafts/interesting hulls participated in theSouthwest Environmental Center’s (SWEC) 13th annual Raft the Rio event on Saturday, June 12th. And more than a 1,000 people attended to cheer on their favorite pirate crew or outlaws, as they floated down the Rio Grande River. Raft the Rio started at La Llorona Park, beneath the Picacho Street Bridge, to the Calle del Norte (Mesilla) Bridge. A rockin’ festival of local bands (Mick Harris, Drunk Armstrong, Robyn Rivas BBR Band, and the New World Drummers) and delicious local restaurants, such as Andele’s (heavenly green chile enchiladas!) and the Rib Cage (I love their pork ribs!), greeted all maties after they were done sailing.   Prizes in the following categories were awarded to homemade boats:* First to finish* Least likely to fi... 06/13/2010

The number of Single Family Home sales in May (145) is 34% more than April sales and 17% more than May 2009. Year To Date home sales for January to May 2010 are up 8.5% over the same period in 2009. If the trend that we are seeing in these first 5-months of 2010 continues, this indicates that we are well on our way back to a balanced / normal Las Cruces Real Estate Market (neither a Buyer’s or Seller’s  Market). 82% of homes sold are under $250,000. Sales are brisk in this portion of the Market as reflected in the May sales, as well as the increase in sales for YTD 2010 vs. 2009. Anyone considering buying a home in this price range should be buying NOW. Interest Rates are low, and your dream home is still available at a great price. Our analysis indicates that buyers and sellers will s... 06/09/2010

You’ll see me just about every Sunday with my sandals off, feet curled up in the cool grass, a cold drink in my hand (or a snow cone if my sugary mood strikes me), swaying back and forth to some good ol’ local music. I don’t care if it’s country, rock, Tejano, or something I’ve never even heard of, I can’t get enough of live music, especially when it’s set outside under a few shady trees… The City of Las Cruces began the Music in the Park series a couple weeks ago—on Sunday, May 30th—with the Mayor’s Jazz Fest. Music in the Park is a 14-week musical extravaganza offering Las Crucens an eclectic mix of music performed by local, regional and nationally recognized artist, at Las Cruces’ beautiful parks—Apodaca Park, Klein Park and Young Park. Music types include: jazz, rhythm and blues, M... 06/08/2010

From realestateabc.comBoth houses of the U.S. Congress are currently working on financial legislation in order to prevent future market meltdowns. And while not the focus of the bills, new rules and restrictions on the mortgage lending industry are included in each, as many people lay the blame for the current recession at the feet of the housing industries excesses and failures. “It would have been unthinkable to get through financial reform without addressing the mortgage market because this is why were are in the mess we’re in,” said Julia Gordon, senior policy counsel at the Center for Responsible Lending, as quoted in a Washington Post article. The new legislation makes at least four key changes to the way mortgage lenders currently do business. First, it would do away with prepay... 06/06/2010

With El Paso being just a 45 minute drive from Las Cruces, there’s no reason not to drive there every now and then for dining and entertainment. One of my favorites of EP is Viva El Paso! which is celebrating its 31st anniversary this year. Viva El Paso!, performed outside in the beautiful McKelligon Canyon Amphitheater, is the annual returning musical which celebrates El Paso’s rich cultural history through dance, drama, narration and songs. The story begins with the early Indian settlement and takes through Spanish conquest, mestizo Mexican domination and the wild wild South-West (era domination by so-called cowboys, pioneers, or Anglos).   The show started with performers surging onstage in a rainbow of neon ruffles and white spandex, blazing some serious energy, all dancing to La Ba... 06/04/2010

I have been craving a good, simple, traditional Mexican shrimp cocktail for the past few days, so I am going to make the following tonight one tonight. I’ll post pics of how my turned out. It may not look quite as pretty as this one Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Ingredients2 pounds cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined1 tablespoon crushed garlic1/2 cup finely chopped red onion1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped1 1/2 cups tomato and clam juice cocktail1/4 cup ketchup1/4 cup fresh lime juice1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, or to taste1/4 cup prepared horseradishsalt to taste1 ripe avocado – peeled, pitted and chopped DirectionsPlace the shrimp in a large bowl. Stir garlic, red onion, and cilantro. Mix in tomato and clam juice cocktail, ketchup, lime juice, hot pepper sauce, and horseradish. Season with s... 05/31/2010