The Harvest Wine Festival brings together over a dozen of New Mexicos numerous wineries to showcase one of the state’s oldest agricultural industries and celebrate the late summer harvest of the grapes. Sample wines or buy by the glass for consumption on site or bottles and cases to take home.

Participate in (or at least watch!) hourly grape stomps where contestant teams compete to get the most juice out of their grapes. Attend a session in the University of Wine to learn how to appreciate wine, how to pair with food, how to fully enjoy.

Join us September 5, 2009 through September 7, 2009 from 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM.

Click here for more info!

The New Mexico Wine Festival at Bernalillo wraps up the summer with the premier wine festival of the southwest! Just north of Albuquerque, the historic town of Bernalillo is host to the biggest wine festival in the state. Lots of great music, arts and crafts, and those summer foods we all love make a perfect backdrop for wine, wine, wine!

Live entertainment and 20 or more New Mexico wineries will be present. There will be free wine tasting and wine available for purchase by the glass, bottle, or case. Street and fee parking is available around the festival. Lush green grass makes for a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. Over 20,000 are expected to attend the biggest and oldest wine festival in New Mexico, now in its 22nd year.

Click here for more details!

American Eagle Airlines Launches Service From Los Angeles to Roswell, N.M.

FORT WORTH, Texas — American Eagle, the regional affiliate of American Airlines, today launched service to Southeastern New Mexico with four nonstop flights per week from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Roswell International Air Center (ROW). This new service will be operated with 44-seat Embraer ERJ-140 jets, and is in addition to the three daily round-trip flights now offered between Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Roswell.

“We have received tremendous community support from Roswell and are delighted to connect the communities of Southeast New Mexico with convenient jet service to the West Coast,” said American Eagle President and CEO Peter Bowler. “Customers can arrive in Los Angeles first thing in the morning and connect to popular Western destinations such as Las Vegas, San Francisco and San Diego – or to cities throughout the American and American Eagle network.”

Customers can also make convenient connections in Los Angeles to destinations in the Pacific Northwest, via American’s codeshare agreement with Alaska Airlines.

“I’m very pleased that American Eagle is building on its success in Roswell by offering this new service to Los Angeles,” U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman said. “This demonstrates a great commitment to southeastern New Mexico.”

“Once again, we are extremely appreciative of American Eagle,” said Roswell Mayor Sam LaGrone. “With jet service to LAX, we provide opportunities for our businesses, increase tourism and expand our air service for our citizens in Southeast New Mexico.”

  The schedule to and from Roswell (all times local):

  Los Angeles to Roswell (LAX-ROW)

  Flight           Departs           Arrives               Days

  3113             2:55 p.m.         6:00 p.m.     Sat, Sun, Tues, Thurs

  Roswell to Los Angeles (ROW-LAX)

  Flight           Departs           Arrives               Days

  3114*            7:00 a.m.         8:15 a.m.       Sun, Mon, Wed, Fri

  *Begins Wednesday, August 26

  About American Eagle

American Eagle operates over 1,500 daily flights to nearly 160 cities throughout the United States, Canada, the Bahamas, Mexico and the Caribbean on behalf of American Airlines. American, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection airlines serve 250 cities in 40 countries with, on average, more than 3,400 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American’s award-winning Web site, AA.com, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve more than 700 destinations in over 140 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com We know why you fly and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc.

The CNNMoney.com website is full of good news today:

“After three years of declines, home prices increased 2.9% in the three months ended June 30, according to the latest S&P/Case-Shiller report. That is the first quarter-over-quarter improvement in three years.

Prices in the national index are down 14.9% compared with the second quarter of 2008, the report said. But that is better than the record 19.1% decline that was set in the first three months of 2009.

‘We’re seeing some positive signs,’ says David M. Blitzer, Chairman of the Index Committee at Standard & Poor’s.”

Read more here.

Time To Get Off The Fence And Take Advantage Of Low, Low Prices!

CNNMoney.com reported that The Conference Board, a New York-based business research group, said today that its Consumer Confidence Index rose to 54.1 in August from an upwardly-revised 47.4 in July.

According to Lynn Franco, Director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center: “Consumer confidence, which had posted back-to-back monthly declines, appears to be back on the mend. The Present Situation Index increased slightly, mainly the result of an improvement in consumers’ assessment of the job market. The Expectations Index improved considerably and is now at its highest level since December 2007 (Index, 75.8). Consumers were more upbeat in their short-term outlook for both the economy and the job market in August, but only slightly more upbeat in their income expectations.”

You can read more details here, where it very much appears as if the economic clouds are slowly starting to part.

Now is the best time for you to take advantage of what is still a buyer’s market!

Lower your risk and raise your rewards by investing in New Mexico land. Take a look at Southwest Properties’ 3-140 acre parcels in three distinct ranches—you’re sure to find one that makes your portfolio sing. Land is a solid, tangible investment. The land is yours: build on it, camp on it, ride on it, play on it or have it and hold onto it as a long-term investment.

The choice is yours!

The Arizona Republic recently published a short note reminding investors that real estate investment is truly a time-tested method for building wealth and urged buyers not to “let the real-estate market’s slide deter you from considering owning property to grow your nest egg”.

In even better news, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke declared today in a speech given at an annual Fed conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, that the economic activity in both the U.S. and around the world appears to be “leveling out,” and “the prospects for a return to growth in the near term appear good.”

With the current buyer’s market in the real estate arena, there’s never been a better time to invest in a beautiful parcel of New Mexico land. Southwest Properties offers guaranteed financing and no credit checks, paving the way for your peace of mind as a land owner. With three distinctive properties to chooser from, you will be able to find your the new home, vacation getaway or investment possibility that best fits your needs. Call now!

Each August for the past eighty years, Santa Fe Indian Market^® has brought together the most gifted Native American artists from the U.S. with millions of visitors and collectors from around the world. The extended weekend of beauty and celebration ranks as the world’s largest and most highly acclaimed Native American arts show and as New Mexico’s largest attended annual weekend event.

2009 Official Santa Fe Indian Market^® Schedule of Events

For more information and details on Indian Market Events and Official Indian Market Partner Events, please click on the “Events” and “Press” links. For press inquires and interview requests, please contact Gabe Gomez at (505)983-5220

Please Note: Some of these events are Ticketed Events. For ticket information please contact SWAIA at (505) 983-5220

Indian Arts and Culture Week Press Preview and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Hotel Santa Fe 1501 Paseo De Peralta, Santa Fe, NM 87501 (800) 825-9876 Tuesday, August 18, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Breakfast with the Curators: Talk by Dr. Bruce Bernstein (Ticketed Event) Museum of Indian Arts and Culture 710 Camino Lejo off Old Santa Fe Trail (505) 476-1250 Wednesday, August 19, 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM $25 Per Person. $20 per MNNF Member

(Re) Presentation… Native Writers Reading, Book Signing and Reception St. Francis Auditorium 107 W. Palace Ave. Santa Fe Palace (505) 476-5072 Wednesday, August 19, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Art Quantum: The Eiteljorg Fellowship for Native American Fine Art. Panel Discussion and Reception New Mexico History Museum 113 Lincoln Avenue, Santa Fe, NM (505) 476-5200 Thursday, August 20, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM

SWAIA Artist Fellowship Winner’s Wine Reception Patina Gallery 131 W. Palace Ave. (505) 986-3432 Thursday, August 20, 5:30 PM

Native Cinema Showcase Cathedral Park Schedule 213 Cathedral Pl. Santa Fe, NM 87501 Friday, August 21, 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM Saturday, August 22, 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM Sunday, August 23, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Best of Show Ceremony (Ticketed Event) Santa Fe Convention Center 201 W. Marcy St., Santa Fe, 87501 (505) 983-5220 Friday, August 21, 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Sneak and General Preview of Award Winning Art (Ticketed Event) Santa Fe Convention Center Friday, August 21, 201 W. Marcy St., Santa Fe, 87501 (800) 777-2489 Sneak Preview 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM General Preview 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM

2009 Santa Fe Indian Market^® Santa Fe Plaza, Downtown Santa Fe, NM Saturday, August 22, 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Lifetime Achievement Houser Legacy and Pov’ika Awards Presentation Santa Fe Plaza, Downtown Santa Fe, NM Saturday, August 22, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Skateplotation! Skate Competition presented by SWAIA and Apache Skateboards Warehouse 21 1614 Paseo de Peralta Santa Fe, NM 87501 (505)989-4423 Saturday, August 22, 1:00PM to 5:00PM

The Future of Indian Market: Film, Video, and Beyond Cinema Discussion by Bruce Bernstein, PhD, and John Torres-Nez, PhD. Cathedral Park 213 Cathedral Pl Santa Fe, NM 87501 Saturday, August 22, 1:45pm – 3 :00 PM

Indian Market Live Auction Gala (Ticketed Event) La Fonda Hotel, Santa Fe, NM 100 E. San Francisco St., Santa Fe, NM 87501 (505)982-5511 Saturday, August 22, 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM

2009 Santa Fe Indian Market^® Santa Fe Plaza, Downtown Santa Fe, NM Sunday, August 23, 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM

The 1st Annual Wings of America/SWAIA Two-mile Fun Run and Walk Santa Fe Plaza, Downtown Santa Fe, NM Sunday, August 23, 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Native American Clothing Contest Santa Fe Plaza, Downtown Santa Fe, NM Sunday, August 23, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

New Mexico’s Tax Free Weekend: Aug. 7-9, 2009

Applies to:

• All clothing and shoes under $100
• School supplies under $15
• Computers under $1,000
• Computer equipment under $500

August 2009

There’s plenty to see and do in and around Ruidoso, New Mexico’s year round playground. While you’re there, stop by Vera Cruz Mountain Ranch for a peek at some of the finest acreage around—perfect for a vacation home, a retirement getaway or simply to have and to hold as an investment.

1st—Staerkel Mountain Annie’s.
$32.50 for adults (includes dinner, the show, tax and gratuity), $12.00 for ages 7-12, and under 6 are free. Most nights doors open at 6:00 PM, dinner is served promptly at 7:00 PM and the show begins at 8:00 PM. Young children and infants are welcome at the dinner shows, or, to let the parents or grandparents catch a break and watch the featured entertainment, the children may play in a specially designed and well-supervised upstairs playhouse area. More Info: 575-257-7982  Web: www.mountainannies.com

1st—Frankie Avalon Spencer Theater.
Two performances! For the performance at 2 pm, tickets are $69 & $66. For the 8 pm performance, tickets are $79 & $76. The legendary “Beach Party”actor-singer rocks with his band in hits like Venus, Dede Dinah, Cupid,Teardrops. More Info: 1-888-818-7872  Web: www.spencertheater.com

1st—King of the Cage Inn of the Mountain Gods.
Performance begins at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.  More Info: 1-877-277-4577  Web: www.iinnofthemountaingods.com

3rd-8th—Annual Lincoln County Fair Capitan Fair Grounds.
Livestock show, dance and lots more to do and see!  More Info: 575-648-2311

6th—Preview of Alto Artists Studio Tour and Business After Hours Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts, 5pm-7pm.
Art preview and silent auction. Food, fun, and networking. More Info: 575-336-4800  Web: www.spencertheater.com

7th, 8th & 9th—Old Lincoln Days .
Street vendors, food, parade & mountain man camp. Activities happen throughout the day. Join us Friday and Saturday at 8:30pm and Sunday at 3:30pm for the “Last Escape of Billy the Kid” folk pageant.  This re-enactment was first presented in 1940 and centers around the life of the legendary outlaw, Billy the Kid.  More Info: 575-653-4025  Web: www.billythekidpageant.org

7th, 8th, & 9th—Fort Stanton Live Fort Stanton, NM.
9 am til 4:30. Wild West Show with Civil War reenactments, Buffalo Soldiers, and Mountain Men. Vendors, food, and entertainment. –In conjunction with Lincoln Days! Admission is free. Donations accepted.  More Info: Mark Jones 937-1897 or 575-430-1698  Web: www.fortstanton.com

7th, 8th, & 9th—Pony Express Trail Ride Lincoln.
The Pony Express Trail Ride in Lincoln County commemorates the Pony Express, keeping the tradition alive by carrying the U.S. mail on horseback from White Oaks to Lincoln in three days. Buy a letter; join the ride; or just watch the Parade. Hosted by Lincoln County Sherriff’s Posse. More Info: 575-973-0117

7th & 8th—Staerkel Mountain Annie’s.
$32.50 for adults (includes dinner, the show, tax and gratuity), $12.00 for ages 7-12, and under 6 are free. Most nights doors open at 6:00 PM, dinner is served promptly at 7:00 PM and the show begins at 8:00 PM. Young children and infants are welcome at the dinner shows, or, to let the parents or grandparents catch a break and watch the featured entertainment, the children may play in a specially designed and well-supervised upstairs playhouse area. More Info: 575-257-7982  Web: www.mountainannies.com

7th, 8th, & 9th—Billy the Kid’s Breakout Check-In and registration on Friday will begin at noon at the Ruidoso Gun Club range in Ruidoso Downs and at The Lodge at Sierra Blanca in Ruidoso .
The Friday afternoon side matches begin at 1:00 PM. The Friday evening “get acquainted” Cocktail Reception, with hors d’oeuvres and no-host bar will be held at The Lodge at Sierra Blanca. Saturday Check-in and Registration will be  at the Lincoln County Regulators Cowboy Action Shooting Range and Western Town at the Ruidoso Gun Club Range on Hale Lake Road in Ruidoso Downs. Cowboy church on Sunday at 9 am, and the Old Lincoln Days Grand Parade is at 10:30. More Info: (575) 257-0871  E-mail: ShootingAction@aol.com Web: www.LincolnCountyRegulators.com

8th—Ruidoso Chamber Music Festival Spencer Theater .
At 11:00 am is the Chamber Music for Children concert admission for Children under 18, is $5 and Adults are $10. At 6:00-7:30 pm is the Fabulous Festival Fling (a gala fundraising party ) admission is $25.  At 8:00 pm a performance by The 2009 Van Cliburn Gold Medalist, Haochen Zeng. $39 per ticket (Students under 18, $25)  More Info: RRCA 575-257-7272, 575-973-3169 or 866-375-7370   Web: www.ruidoso.net/chambermusic

8th & 9th—Alto Artists Studio Tour Various locations.
Self-guided tour of Alto artists studios. Various locations, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.  Web: www.altoartists.net

15th—A Ride With Bob; Featuring Asleep at the Wheel Spencer Theater.
2 pm performance added! Evening performance at 8 pm. Tickets: $59 & $56 for both performances. Known for songs “Faded Love”, “Roly Poly”, and “San Antonio Rose”. Rollicking tribute-tale with Ray Benson’s  band of 25 celebrating the late, great Bob Wills, the King of Western Swing. More Info: 1-888-818-7872  Web: www.spencertheater.com

14th & 15th—Staerkel Mountain Annie’s.
$32.50 for adults (includes dinner, the show, tax and gratuity), $12.00 for ages 7-12, and under 6 are free. Most nights doors open at 6:00 PM, dinner is served promptly at 7:00 PM and the show begins at 8:00 PM.  Young children and infants are welcome at the dinner shows, or, to let the parents or grandparents catch a break and watch the featured entertainment, the children may play in a specially designed and well-supervised upstairs playhouse area. More Info: 575-257-7982  Web: www.mountainannies.com

14th, 15th, 16th—3rd Annual Bruise N Cruise Fort Stanton.
Fundraiser/celebration for all things EcoServants. Great bands, cave tours, mountain biking, hiking, food vendors, a jolly jumper, a two story fun slide, a rock climbing wall, disc golf tournament mountain bike raffle, & lots of free prizes.

15th—Randy Rogers & Mark Mckinney Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Billy the Kid Casino.
More Info: 575-378-4140  Web: www.raceruidoso.com

21st, 22nd, & 23rd—Mountain Double Up, USSSA Slow Pitch Tournament Eagle Creek Sports Complex.
Competitive and Recreation. Deadline August 14th, 2009. $235. More Info: 575-378-9810  E-mail: pagesports@valornet.com Web: www.usssa.com

21st & 22nd—Staerkel Mountain Annie’s.
$32.50 for adults (includes dinner, the show, tax and gratuity), $12.00 for ages 7-12, and under 6 are free. Most nights doors open at 6:00 PM, dinner is served promptly at 7:00 PM and the show begins at 8:00 PM. Young children and infants are welcome at the dinner shows, or, to let the parents or grandparents catch a break and watch the featured entertainment, the children may play in a specially designed and well-supervised upstairs playhouse area. More Info: 575-257-7982  Web: www.mountainannies.com

22nd—Lobsterfest Spencer Theater.
FIRST ANNUAL SPENCER LOBSTERFEST FUND RAISER. 6 pm. $100 per person or table for 10, $1000. Sure to be the talk of the town, all-you-can eat lobsters fresh from the frigid Atlantic! Snazzy jazz bands at this scrumptious affair!  The reserved tables for ten are the only reserved seating for this event. More Info: 1-888-818-7872  Web: www.spencertheater.com

22nd—James Younger Gang Hubbard Museum of the American West.
2 pm. Seasoned author/historian from Lincoln, Drew Gomber, makes his return debut to the Hubbard Museum for more fascinating tales of the American West. The James-Younger Gang, a legendary 19th century gang of outlaws made up of the James brothers  (including Jesse James), the Younger brothers, and others plundered the American West for more than a decade. Gomber shares with us tales of the escapades of this notorious group. More Info: 575-378-4142  Web: www.hubbardmuseum.org

25th—The Limelighters and the Highwaymen Spencer Theater.
Tickets: $59 & $56. 8 pm. Worldfamous folk revival groups that blend harmony, humor andhistory with stirring instrumentals: This Land is Your Land, A Hundred Men,Whiskey In The Jar; Big Rock Candy Mountain, Gypsy Rover, Michael Row The Boat Ashore. More Info: 1-888-818-7872  Web: www.spencertheater.com

27th—Pat Benetar and Neil Giraldo Inn of the Mountain Gods.
8 pm. Doors open at 7. With a career spanning more than 25 years, Pat Benatar has risen to become one of the most renowned female rockers in entertainment history. Known for songs such as “Love is a Battlefield,” “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” “We Live For Love” and “Heartbreakers,” Benatar served as the quintessential image of a strong female rocker for an entire generation. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com or at the box office at the Inn. More Info: 888-324-0348  Web: www.innofthemountaingods.com

28th, 29th, & 30th—Noon Lions Club Antique Show & Sale: Ruidoso Convention Center.
Fri. 5-9, Sat. 10-6, Sun 12-5. Admission: $3.00 in advance, $4.00 @ gate. Proceeds benefit Ruidoso Noon Lions Club. More Info: 575-257-0363 or 575-973-0732

28th & 29th—Staerkel Mountain Annie’s.
$32.50 for adults (includes dinner, the show, tax and gratuity), $12.00 for ages 7-12, and under 6 are free. Most nights doors open at 6:00 PM, dinner is served promptly at 7:00 PM and the show begins at 8:00 PM.  Young children and infants are welcome at the dinner shows, or, to let the parents or grandparents catch a break and watch the featured entertainment, the children may play in a specially designed and well-supervised upstairs playhouse area. More Info: 575-257-7982  Web: www.mountainannies.com

29th—The Elvis Story Spencer Theater.
Tickets: $79 & $76. 8 pm. Starring Ronnie McDowell with the Stamps Quartet. Spirited Elvis revival with a multi- instrumental band and Presley’s former backup gospel singers, The Stamps Quartet.  More Info: 1-888-818-7872  Web: www.spencertheater.com

29th—Heritage Rendezvous Hubbard Museum of the American West.
Encounter fictional characters based on the social demographics of the American West during the mid-19th to early 20th centuries. Come, immerse yourself in America’s proud past!  Explore the hands-on skills that were common for the time. Learn from experienced re-enactors the ways of the early West.  More Info: 575-378-4142  Web: www.hubbardmuseum.org

31st—Jean Burdine Scholarship Golf Scramble Kokopelli Golf Course.
8 a.m. Shot-gun start, There will be a raffle with some really great prizes including a Grand Prize of a 52″ LCD TV. Proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the ENMU-Ruidoso to award scholarships to students majoring in business and and hospitality and tourism. Sierra Blanca Motors has donated a new car to the lucky person who makes a hole-in-one on the 13th Hole More Info: 575-336-1818  Web: www.ruidoso.enmu.edu