Month: November 2009

Albuquerque, New Mexico — KOAT TV-7 in cooperation with Ski New Mexico and nine (9) of its resorts ( Angel Fire Resort, Pajarito Mt.., Red River Ski Areas, Ski Santa Fe, Sandia Peak, Ski Apache, Sipapu Ski Resort, Taos Ski Valley, and Nordic area – Enchanted Forest ) are pleased to join the nationwide efforts of “Learn a winter sports month” this January 2010 . The KOAT Kids Learn to ski & ride program is now entering its third year. This January the program will be expanded to include a limited number of reservations during the week, which will add more opportunities to the previous weekend only program. Both KOAT 7 and Ski New Mexico are committed to providing an affordable opportunity for the youth of New Mexico to learn a great winter outdoor sport.

For a price of $30.00 per day a youth 6-12 may contact any one of our eight alpine ski resorts and make a reservation for the program. The program starts on Jan.4, 2010 and runs through Jan. 31, 2010.

The program has limited space available and is by reservation only.

For reservations,

Alpine

Nordic

Quemado, NM (PRWEB) November, 2009 — With the senior population expected to grow by 36 percent between 2010 and 2020 coupled with the less than rosy economic situation, more and more baby boomers are searching for affordable retirement options. “The volatility of the stock market has served to highlight land ownership as a much more stable investment,” says Penny Wolfswinkel, President of Southwest Properties, Inc. “Seniors wanting to retire affordably and comfortably are looking towards New Mexico with its low cost of living and mild climate. Now through January 31st, 2010, our 20 percent off Year-End Sale puts our lots within easy reach and gives retirees the security of knowing they own the land they’ve built their home on. And our lots are not only affordable; they’re also beautiful, with plenty of trees, great views and abundant wildlife. Plus, as a special holiday gift, we’re also offering cash incentives!”

Southwest Properties, Inc., a family-owned business and a pioneer in land development in the southwest since 1958, offers retirees choice acreage ranging in size from 3- to 140-acres.

Owner financing is guaranteed and Southwest Properties offers low down payments with comparatively low interest rates. Currently, most national and regional banks are not willing to lend for many types of country properties. The few that are lending are requiring between 20 to 50 percent in down payment on raw-land loans, coupled with high interest rates, adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) and short terms.

“These parcels are construction-ready,” says David Wolfswinkel, Southwest Properties’ Corporate Real Estate Broker. “Each development has a solid infrastructure, including electricity, all-season gravel roads and—in the case of Spring Canyon Ranch near the town of Quemado—underground utilities and water.”

“Land is a commodity providing asset security, which can be turned into cash to meet other financial needs,” comments Penny. “And though land prices might fluctuate with the real estate market, the land always retains its worth. If you’re close to retirement and looking for more than just another asset to add to your portfolio, consider buying a property in New Mexico. Not only will you provide yourself with a chance to enjoy your retirement years in a relaxed, southwestern lifestyle, but you may also be providing a cornerstone to your family’s legacy.”

For more details about investing in a retirement lifestyle in New Mexico, call one of our representatives at 888-812-5830 or visit our website at www.swproperties.com.

Penny Wolfswinkel, President of Southwest Properties, and Corporate Real Estate Broker, David Wolfswinkel, are available for interviews on land ownership and retirement. Please call Lydia Gregory at 480-258-2648 to arrange for a date and time.

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Recent travel surveys anticipate as many as 2.1 million, or 9.6 percent of Mountain region travelers, including New Mexico, will drive to their destination this Thanksgiving holiday weekend.  As vacationers prepare to travel, motorists will find gas prices are 3 cents more than the national average, according to AAA New Mexico Weekend Gas Watch.

The average price of regular unleaded gasoline remained the same statewide since last week, at $2.66 a gallon. The national average price fell by one cent from $2.64 to $2.63.

In Albuquerque travelers are paying an average of $2.59.  This is the least expensive average price compared to other metropolitan areas in New Mexico.  The state’s highest price is in Lac Cruces at $2.63.  Gas prices in the Santa Fe area are averaging $2.62.  Motorists traveling to neighboring states for the holiday will find gas averaging $2.48 in Texas, $2.57 in Colorado, $2.73 in Nevada, and $2.60 in Arizona.

Travel in the Mountain region this Thanksgiving holiday, which includes: New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming, will increase less than one percent.  Nearly 2.5 million from the Mountain region are expected to travel, that’s more than 11 percent of the total population for the region.  Most Mountain region travelers are expected to drive an average of 661 miles this holiday.

“Nearly every holiday, studies have shown that several million motorists will experience vehicle problems on the way to their destination.  Before taking to the road for a long car trip, remember to double check the tires, battery, belts, hoses and fluid levels,” said AAA New Mexico spokesperson Sarah Schimmer.  “If you plan to travel to a colder climate, don’t forget to equip your car with antifreeze.”

AAA’s network of approved repair facilities is a free public service to help consumers find trustworthy repair shops with certified technicians.  Consumers can find Approved Auto Repair facilities online at  http://www.AAA.com/repair.

Before you find yourself stranded along your travel route, AAA New Mexico suggests including the following items in the car:

• State and local maps

• Cell phone car charger

• Fully equipped first aid kit

• Bottled water

• Non-perishable foods

• Tissues and/or pre-moistened towels

• Blanket or sleeping bag

• Tool kit including jumper cables and a tire iron

Additionally, AAA New Mexico can help travelers planning to drive this holiday with TripTiks that include detailed directions, outlines areas with road construction, notes points of interest along the route and affordable hotels if motorists need accommodations if they do find themselves stranded before arriving to their destination.

According to the Greater Albuquerque Association of Realtors, October single-family home sales in the Greater Albuquerque market areas are up 10.59 percent from Sept. and increased 43.05 percent compared to Oct. 2008.

Check out more good news in the New Mexico Business Journal’s latest report.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! The countdown begins in Ruidoso, and there’s plenty to do while you’re waiting…

November 26: Ski Apache Opens, weather permitting. Visit www.skiapache.com
November 27:  Annual Lighting of the Village, Midtown Ruidoso. Visit www.ruidosofol.org
November 27-29 and December 4-6: Walk through Bethlehem at Church of the Nazarene. 6 p.m. except December 5 matinee 2 p.m. only (reservations required). Visit www.ruidosofol.org
November 30- December 4:  Gingerbread House Competition, Inn of the Mountain of Gods. Call 888-324-0348
December 3: Christmas in the Park Tree Lighting, Schoolhouse Park, Ruidoso, 6 p.m. Visit www.ruidosofol.org
December 4- 6 and December 11- 13:  Lincoln County Community Theater:  A Christmas Story, Ruidoso School Performing Arts Center. Times vary. Call 1-888-71-LIGHTS
December 5: Parade of Lights, Midtown Ruidoso, 5:30 p.m.
December 6: Annual ENMU-Ruidoso Community Choir Christmas Concert, Spencer Theater. 4-6 p.m.
December 19:  Ski Apache Torch Light Parade, Ski Apache. 5-8 p.m.

Vera Cruz Mountain Ranch is only 22 miles north of Ruidoso!

2009 is the 22nd year the City of Socorro, New Mexico and the Bosque del Apache NWR will celebrate the return of the cranes with this popular and acclaimed Festival.

Come on over to Socorro to enjoy the over 100 lectures, workshops, tours, hikes and hands-on activities planned for the Festival, ranging from the popular Sandhill Crane Behavior to special photography tours to socializing with locals on the Plaza.

Visit http://www.friendsofthebosque.org/crane/ for more details and registration info.

Viewers will have another chance this month to watch “New Mexico Wildlife” the Department of Game and Fish television show that runs statewide at 6:30 a.m. on KASA Fox Channel 2 every Saturday. KENW, Eastern New Mexico University’s PBS station, will show episodes at 6:30 p.m. every Sunday.

This month, viewers will have see river otters and native trout return to the Rio Grande. November episodes also include game wardens capturing a bear in Los Ranchos, monster tiger muskies in Bluewater Lake, Mexican wolves released in the Gila Wilderness, and much more.

In November, the program will rebroadcast the following episodes on KASA Fox:

Today:

A trophy buck hangs in the family room after a successful father-daughter hunting trip. A black bear in Los Ranchos is captured by game wardens. Dan Brooks, the Cast Iron Ranger, cooks up some enticing teriyaki venison on the camp stove. Check out the Petroglyph National Monument in Albuquerque.

Saturday, Nov. 14:

Witness river otters, once extinct in the state, being released on Taos Pueblo as part of multi-agency effort to reintroduce otters to their native areas. Catch a spring trout fishing trip on the Pecos River in Northern New Mexico during a snowstorm. Watch the Cast Iron Ranger and Bobby Griego cook up some tasty red chile venison. Learn about the Southwest Birding Trail.

Saturday, Nov. 21:

Check out the monster tiger muskies at Bluewater Lake. Learn to identify the state’s four species of quail. Cook up some easy-to-make “Make-Do Green Chile Stew” with the Cast Iron Ranger. Tour the Guadalupe Scenic Byway in southeastern New Mexico.

Saturday, Nov. 28:

Catch fall fly-fishing on the Rio Grande and winter bass fishing at Ute Lake. See how mules are used to pack Mexican wolves into the Gila Wilderness. Find out how to make sourdough biscuits in a Dutch oven with the Cast Iron Ranger.

Can’t get the local station? “New Mexico Wildlife” segments are also available 24-7 on www.Myoutdoortv.com.