Will Billy the Kid finally receive a Governor’s pardon?

New Meixco Governor Bill Richardson is unlikely to pardon the notorious and infamous outlaw, Bill the Kid.

Mr. Richardson, who still has five months left in office, is facing questions and criticisms about his interest in Billy the Kid.

“The governor has said since 2003 that he would consider a pardon,” Alarie Ray-Garcia, a spokesman for Richardson, said Wednesday. “He has had many conversations with different people, but right now we have nothing planned.”

Speculation of a pardon resurfaced this month after columns in the Los Angeles Times and The Albuquerque Journal said the governor was considering it.

Various historians say there is no need for Mr. Richardson to grant a pardon to the West’s most notorious outlaw.

“There is no point in restoring the civil rights of a dead man,” said historian Drew Gomber of Lincoln County. “It’s a publicity stunt by the governor.”

Check out the interview with frontier lawman Pat Garrett’s grandkids who say “no, no, no” http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/07/30/ap/strange/main6727765.shtml

Birder Alert: New Book Focuses On New Mexico Birds Of Prey

No book has ever before specifically focused on the birds of prey of New Mexico. Both Florence Bailey (1928) and J. Stokley Ligon (1961) published volumes on the birds of New Mexico, but their coverage of raptors was somewhat limited. In the ensuing years a great deal of new information has been collected on these mighty hunters’ distribution, ecology, and conservation, including in New Mexico. The book begins with a history of the word ‘raptor’. The order of Raptatores, or Raptores, was first used to classify birds of prey in the early nineteenth century, derived from the Latin word raptor, one who seizes by force. The text then includes the writings of thirty-seven contributing authors who relate their observations on these regal species. For example, Joe Truett recounts the following in the chapter on the Swainson’s Hawk: ‘From spring to fall each year at the Jornada Caves in the Jornada del Muerto, Swainson’s hawks assemble daily to catch bats. The bats exit the caves – actually lava tubes – near sundown. The hawks swoop in, snatch bats from the air, and eat them on the wing’. Originally from France, Jean-Luc Cartron, has lived and worked on several continents, finding his passion in the wide-open spaces of New Mexico. He became fascinated by the birds of prey, and has studied their ecology and conservation for nearly twenty years. Raptors of New Mexico will provide readers with a comprehensive treatment of all hawks, eagles, kites, vultures, falcons, and owls breeding or wintering in New Mexico, or simply migrating through the state. This landmark study is also beautifully illustrated with more than six hundred photographs, including the work of more than one hundred photographers, and and nearly fifty species distribution maps.

Looking for an unbiased review? Click here.

Albuquerque Hosts First-Ever Latin Dance Festival

Get your dancing shoes ready for the Albuquerque Latin Dance Festival – seven days filled with teaching and socials for Albuquerque’s dance community – from August 23-29, 2010. The theme for the festival is “Salsa: Past, Present and Future.”

The Dance Festival, produced by Guanábana Productions, will take place in various Albuquerque locations, including the National Hispanic Cultural Center, the One Up Elevated Lounge, the Hotel Albuquerque, Old Town Plaza, the Library Bar and Grill, the University of New Mexico Ballrooms, Double Time Dance Studio and Salsa Baby Studio.

The goal of the Latin Dance Festival is to promote community building/engagement, to social network, to provide education for the different types of dance, and to celebrate the culture of salsa music. Many of the events are family-oriented. There will be salsa dance lessons during the day and social events during the evening.

The festival is open to everyone regardless of age and previous dance experience. Dance instructors including Edie Williams, or “Edie the Salsa Freak,” and “El Unico Bachatero,” Carlos Cinta with Tate Blomquist will be teaching beginning through advanced level classes.

Guanábana Productions is a non-profit organization of volunteers serving to develop and celebrate New Mexico’s Latin dance culture by showcasing local dance studios, instructors, musicians, and dancers.

Tickets will be available at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, the Albuquerque Latin Dance Festival website (www.abqlatinfest.com) and Ticketmaster although advanced purchases are not necessary.

Hatch Chile Festival Heats Up Labor Day Weekend

As summer cools down, the Village of Hatch heats up with the annual two-day Hatch Chile Festival celebration of its world-famous crop, attracting more than 30,000 visitors from all over the United States.

Festival goers September 4-5, 2010 can sample famed chile recipes, watch the crowning of the chile festival queen, join in a chile ristra contest or just sit back and enjoy artisans, parades, food, carnivals, contests, music and much more.

Brought to you by the Hatch Valley Chamber of Commerce, the event takes place at the Hatch Municipal Airport, one mile east of town on State Road 26. Admission is $5 per car load.

Special activities Saturday begin with the chile festival parade at 10 a.m., and include the queen coronation, a horseshoe tournament, music by Simon Balkey and the Queen’s Auction.

Special activities Sunday include more music, including the Las Cruces High School Mariachis; more contests; and more fun.

Located off I-25 between Las Cruces and Truth or Consequences, the Village of Hatch serves seven unincorporated communities with a combined population of 5,000 people. With four banks, two grocery stores, a pharmacy, a few retail stores, and a smattering of restaurants, Hatch offers all the amenities of small-town life.

New Mexico Leads Rocky Mountain States In Green Energy Job Growth

Report Praises New Mexico’s Policies and Incentives for Attracting Jobs, Venture Capital, Public Investment, and Green Technology Patents.

Governor Bill Richardson announced today that a new report released by Headwaters Economics shows that New Mexico has emerged as a clean energy leader, increasing its percentage of green jobs faster than other Rocky Mountain States.

“New Mexico is proud to be a national leader in clean and renewable energy development,” said Governor Richardson. “These efforts reward New Mexicans by expanding and diversifying our energy resources, which is good for the environment, and help create green jobs during this challenging economic time.”

Some of the Richardson Administration’s clean energy accomplishments include:

The state’s first renewable energy portfolio standard, which requires utilities to produce 15 percent of their energy through renewable resources by 2015 and 20 percent by 2020.

The recreation of the Renewable Energy Transmission Authority, to plan and finance transmission lines to promote the development of renewable energy within New Mexico. It is one of only eight transmission authorities in the country.

And numerous renewable energy tax credits for wind, solar and biomass.

New Mexico’s combined strategy of targeted public policy and strong support for business has made it a regionally and nationally competitive center of clean technology innovation, especially solar power, which is capturing energy-related jobs and attracting investment.

“Thanks to Governor Richardson’s visionary leadership in championing New Mexico as the ‘Solar Valley of North America,’ we have had tremendous success in recruiting green energy companies, creating green energy jobs and addressing issues of energy independence,” stated Economic Development Department Cabinet Secretary Fred Mondragón. “We are honored that Headwaters has noted our accomplishments in these areas.”

“I’m pleased that the report recognizes New Mexico’s leadership and success in building a green energy economy,” said Jon Goldstein, Cabinet Secretary for New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. “Because of the work we have already done and continue to do, the state stands to be among the first to be able to take advantage of and benefit from emerging green technologies and businesses.”

The Headwaters Economics Clean Energy report compares how New Mexico, Colorado, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming—five states with vast traditional and clean energy resources—are taking advantage of clean energy opportunities and concludes with five keys to success for the states to further benefit from the emerging green economy while measuring the likelihood that each state’s policies will promote future growth and investment.

“New Mexico’s success shows the importance of both policy and political leadership at all levels of government, from county commissioner to United States Senator,” said Julia Haggerty, Ph.D., the report’s author. “The state’s aggressive outreach program, backed by strong incentives—including property tax breaks, bonding, and worker training—has attracted new businesses and jobs to the state.”

The Headwaters Economic report found that the number of jobs overall in New Mexico increased 13 percent from 1995 to 2007, and the number of green jobs for the same time period had a 62 percent increase.

The Clean Energy report also measured private and public investment funding that, in New Mexico, totaled $239 million between 1999 and 2008, and the state ranked twelfth nationally from 2006 through 2008, the latest three years available.

Renewable energy production is one of the reasons stated in the report for rapid expansion.

New Mexico showed strength in wind, solar and geothermal potential. From 1990 to 2007, New Mexico’s renewable energy production grew by more than 200 percent, the highest rate of the five states.

The full study, digest, state fact sheets, and state-by-state comparisons can be found at www.headwaterseconomics.org/greeneconomy ^[1].

For more information about clean energy in New Mexico visit www.CleanEnergyNM.org ^[2].

To view the report section on New Mexico visit http://www.headwaterseconomics.org/greeneconomy/#newmexico ^[3].

It wouldn’t be summer without an old-fashioned trip along the Mother Road and the Route 66 Association of New Mexico aims to please with its first-ever New Mexico Route 66 Motor Tour July 23-25, 2010.

Up to 150 vehicles – auto, motorcycle, travel trailer or bicycle, classic to contemporary – will traverse the state from Tucumcari to Gallup. The tour is not a race; participants are free to stop whenever and wherever the mood strikes. Each community along the way will join in the festivities, be it a car show, sidewalk sale or barbecue cook-off, like the one planned between Moriarty and Edgewood.

“Our intent is to promote tourism by showcasing New Mexico’s segment of the Mother Road and the communities it passes through,” said Vickie Ashcraft, president of the Association. “This is a great way to see the scenery and meet the friendly people of our Route 66 communities. And you know it is something you’ve always wanted to do.”

The tour begins in Tucumcari July 23 with registration, then heads west on July 24, following the old Route 66 alignment. In Albuquerque, tour participants can take part in the annual Neon Cruise to Nob Hill where a section of Central will be closed off for “Route 66 Days and Nights.” There will be car shows, live music, vendors and entertainment. July 25, the tour again heads west to Gallup, where it concludes with Indian Dancers, prizes and awards.

“For more than 50 years, travelers got their first real look at New Mexico while traveling Route 66,” said Michael Cerletti, Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department. “Even while New Mexicans look to the future, they keep their history alive and kicking with remembrances of Route 66, such as this year’s ‘Route 66 Motor Tour.’ The long weekend will have a little something for everyone – family entertainment at its down-home finest.”

The New Mexico Route 66 Association is dedicated to education, the preservation and promotion of historic Route 66 in New Mexico.

Visit www.rt66nm.org for registration forms and a brief itinerary; or contact Vickie Ashcraft, at the New Mexico Route 66 Association, 1415 Central Ave. NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico, or by calling 505-831-6317.

Spring Canyon Ranch and Ponderosa Views Landowners’ Meetings A Success!

This past weekend marked the third straight year of meetings for the Landowner’s Associations of both the Spring Canyon Ranch and Ponderosa Views developments. Both developments offer thriving communities to their residents, whether part time or year round. Landowners: Now is a great time to look at that lot next to your and snap it up to protect your privacy and/or your views! Contact your sales representative today!

Not a landowner yet? Call us at 888-812-5830 to talk to one of our Ranch Representatives about owning your own piece of New Mexico ranch land—and enjoy a peaceful lifestyle far from the stress and strife of modern life!

Points of discussion for Spring Canyon Ranch included:

Surge protection systems are available from Socorro Electric for your home and can be added to the monthly bill.
New Mexico One Call wanted to remind all owners to make sure to call them before they dig for any construction.
Spring Canyon owners would like an online site or blog to communicate with each other via the Internet—this has been set up with YahooGroups. You will receive an invitation to join the group and get connected!

Meanwhile, back at Ponderosa Views:

Big news! The square footage in the CC & R’s will be reduced from the current 1200 square feet down to 800 square feet livable.
It was mentioned some owners have Hughes Net for their high-speed Internet and phone service, plus Skype for videophone and it works great!

At the end of each meeting, participants enjoyed a fantastic lunch from Joe’s Real BBQ in Gilbert, Arizona.

See everybody next year!

If you are a member of either Association and would like more details, please contact Wendy Hough at 888-812-5830. Picture by Kelly Gatlin/La Luz Photography

Celebrate the 4th of July with a Firecracker of a Sale!

Call 888-812-5830 for a private

tour

and save $2,000

on Ponderosa Views Lot 90!

(more images)

Ponderosa Views Lot 90 Elk — Hello, neighbor!

The only pops and booms you’ll hear from your cabin on this lot are the ones bursting in air during the yearly Fourth of July festivities. Otherwise, you’ll wake up to chirping birds, rustling squirrels and the occasional elk herd munching their way along your back yard.

This 13.2 acre lot has plenty to love:

• Power
• Gorgeous views
• A beautiful meadow
• Rock outcroppings

AND THE ICING ON THE ALREADY SCRUMPTIOUS CAKE:

• A well that’s already drilled and cased, which, as we all know, saves you precious time and even more precious money. This is a package deal, where we’ll take care of financing not just your land, but also the cost of your well!

We also have a great selection of

FORECLOSURE LOTS!

• IS25 – 10.24 acres with views, electric and phone for only $26,995

• MV17 – 12.59 acres cul-de-sac, views and electric for $19,995

•IS81 – 11.47 acres with electric, phone and hilltop views for $24,995

And more…

15 New Mexico Schools to Add Solar PV

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has announced that $4.5 million in federal stimulus funding is now available to 15 school districts for the installation of solar photovoltaic systems. The projects will create jobs, he said, and allow schools to invest in energy-saving technology.

“These new solar systems will not only create jobs and help these schools reduce their utility bills, but the entire process – from installation to monitoring the energy and cost savings – will serve as an invaluable educational tool for both students and teachers,” Mr. Richardson said in a prepared statement. “We want these projects to inspire students to pursue education and jobs in New Mexico’s emerging green economy.”

The 15 school districts were selected through a competitive application process. The money will be used to buy and install a 50-kilowatt solar PV system at one school in each of the 15 districts. The funding works out to $6 per watt for the solar projects.

If that ends up as the average price for a system, the 25-year cost of the electricity is estimated by Sunpluggers.com to be approximately 18 cents per kilowatt-hour, based on production estimates from calculators maintained by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Production output of solar modules is typically warranted for 25 years, but systems may produce electricity for longer, in which case the cost per kwh would be lower. A price of 18 cents per kwh is competitive with typical utility peak daytime electricity rates.

“Districts can look forward to lower utility bills, and students can expect new hands-on learning opportunities,” Secretary of Education Veronica C. Garcia said.

The Public Education Department will manage the projects and the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department will provide technical assistance.

“We are pleased that the renewable-energy projects at these schools will provide jobs for New Mexicans at a time when they are greatly needed,” said Cabinet Secretary Jon Goldstein of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. “And we are happy to see so many additional projects around the state that help us to further reduce our dependence on non-renewable resources.”

The program will be funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment State Energy Program, administered by the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department and supported by the U.S. Department of Energy. Through Recovery Act funding, the State Energy Program is overseeing 39 other renewable-energy and energy-efficiency projects around the state.

Districts selected for the Solar Schools program are:

Rio Rancho Public Schools
Gallup-McKinley Public Schools
Moriarty-Edgewood Schools
Los Alamos Public Schools
Taos Municipal Schools
Hatch Valley Public Schools
Ruidoso Municipal Schools
Portales Municipal Schools
Corona Public Schools
Dulce Independent Schools
Penasco Independent Schools
Elida Municipal Schools
Carrizozo Municipal Schools
Los Lunas Public Schools
Belen Consolidated Schools

Carrizozo Cowboy Days Ranch Rodeo This Saturday!

The Carrizozo Cowboy Days Ranch Rodeo, starts at 1 p.m., Saturday, June 12, at the Hemphill Arena, 1/4 mile south of Carrizozo on Highway 54. Concessions are by the Najars, and beverages will be served by the junior class of Carrizozo High School.

There will be five teams competing with five cowboys or cowgirls per team. Bleachers are available or bring a chair and sit up next to the fence. Admission is $5 per carload. The announcer will be Scott Shafer and the arena director will be Matt Ferguson. Don’t miss a fun time with some old-fashioned cowboying! Start to practice for next year on your own piece of New Mexico land for sale—just give us a call!

Hot sun and dust are free!