AAA New Mexico: Gas Prices Keep Dropping!

ALBUQUERQUE, NM, Sep 26, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) — Retail prices throughout New Mexico for regular unleaded gasoline have decreased, according to AAA New Mexico Weekend Gas Watch. Nationally, the average price for a gallon is $3.683, which is more than 87 cents than this time last year.

In New Mexico, the statewide average is $3.609 a gallon for unleaded, down a little over 9 cents since last week. The most expensive gas in New Mexico is in the Las Cruces area where prices are $3.563. The state’s cheapest gas is in Albuquerque at $3.418 a gallon. Sales in both Las Cruces and Albuquerque are below the national average by almost 30 cents.

“Motorists are paying a wide range for gasoline across the nation. Alaska and Hawaii have the most expensive fuel in the nation at $4.27 a gallon, while Oklahoma has the least expensive at $3.38,” says AAA New Mexico spokesman Dan Ronan.

New Mexico residents traveling to and from neighboring states can expect to see gasoline prices vary by region. Flagstaff reports prices at $3.700 a gallon. Denver checks in at $3.561.

“After a busy September storm season along the Gulf Coast, the refineries that were shutdown for consecutive storms are coming back online as fast as the oil companies can get them up and running safely,” Ronan said. “The plants along the Gulf Coast are responsible for about 25 percent of the nations’ gasoline supplies. Refining capacity is not yet back to 100 percent, but the oil companies have indicated that there was less damage to the facilities than anticipated.”

Light, sweet crude oil reached a record price of $147.27 a barrel on July 11 and is currently trading in the range between $105 and $107.

Quemado Update: New and Improved!

Downtown Quemado has quite a few improvements lately, including the grand re-opening of the Largo Motel (575-773-4686) on Route 60. With a total of 20 brand new rooms built from the ground up, this will be a great place for your friends to hang their hats when they come to visit. Don’t forget to tell them about the green chili cheeseburgers they cook up at the Largo Cafe next door, which is sporting a revamped faade. There’s also construction underway for a new gas station and convenience store in town. You’ll be able to pull in and fill up your tank by Spring 2009.

Largo Motel

Hungry? You’ll want to try the new menu at El Serape Cafe (575-773-4620). Owner, Kim, has also done a fantastic job of redecorating the restaurant with a warm, down-home touch. The breakfast, lunch and dinner menu is more than finger lickin’ good it’s great! Do your taste buds a favor and try her giant quesadilla and don’t forget to leave some room for a slice of pie…

El Serape Restaurant

RODIN in Las Cruces

The Las Cruces Museum of Art has an amazing collection of bronzes and letters by Master Auguste Rodin on exhibit through November 22, 2008. “Rodin: In His Own Words” features 35 bronze sculptures, original letters written by the artist, and an educational exhibit about the lost-wax casting process. The work presented explores the range of Rodin’s artistic legacy and provides insight into his thought process through his own writings and quotations.

This exhibition is organized and made possible by the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation.

Rodin: Thinker

An Invitation from Sky Dog Art Gallery

Join Sky Dog owner Lori Barrett for her first artist reception, featuring Sharon Schwartzmann, this Friday, September 12, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Newly-opened in Los Ranchos, Albuquerque, in April 2008, this art space showcases local, regional, national and international artists, and presents a new way of buying art through consulting and customer service.sharon_front1.jpgsharon_back_c1.jpg