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ALBUQUERQUE, NM, Oct 10, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) — Retail gasoline prices throughout New Mexico fell by more than 20 cents since last week, according to AAA New Mexico Weekend Gas Watch.

In New Mexico, the current average is $3.335 a gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. Nationally, the average price for a gallon is $3.350, which is almost 60 cents more than this time last year.

“Fuel demand in both the U.S. and Europe is lower than last year. The current economic situation is driving down the price of crude oil, and Gulf refineries are just about back to their normal levels for production and delivery, after Hurricane Ike,” says AAA New Mexico spokesman Dan Ronan. “With lower demand, and more fuel in the market, New Mexico prices are decreasing.”

The most expensive gas is in the Las Cruces area where prices are $3.37. Still, that’s a decrease of 15 cents since last week. The state’s cheapest gas is in Albuquerque at $3.12 a gallon after dropping a whopping 25 cents since last week.

Light sweet crude oil reached a record price of $147 on July 17, 2008. Oil is currently trading between $77 and $82, down nearly 40% since July and at a 13-month low. Gas reached a national peak average of $4.11 on July 17, and is still 59 cents above prices this time last year.

The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC) reminds residents that the states new area code (575) has been implemented throughout much of New Mexico, meaning permissive dialing period has come to an end and mandatory dialing is effective as of October 5, 2008.

Callers must use the correct area code to complete their calls. A recorded announcement will be played when a caller dials the old (505) area code for a number that moved to the new (575) area code. In addition, some callers may experience a series of tones (similar to tones generated by fax machines) before the recorded message reminding them of the area code change and to dial again.

As of October 5, 2008 callers will be required to use the correct area code to complete their call. The area code change will affect all phones, regardless of service provider.

Who has the new (575) Area Code?

The NMPRC divided the state into two regions: The southern and eastern portions of the state, including Alamogordo, Carlsbad, Clovis, Deming, Hobbs, Las Cruces, Penasco, Roswell, Raton, Silver City and Taos will get the new (575) area code (Quemado, Pie Town and Ruidoso also fall under the new code). The northwestern region of the state, including Albuquerque, Espanola, Farmington, Gallup, Las Vegas, Santa Fe, Shiprock and most of the Navajo Nation, will retain the (505) area code.

I think New Mexicans will adjust well to the new area code changes, and the service providers have been very responsive in making this change a reality as well as making sure the transition period will be as smooth as possible, said NMPRC Chairman Jason Marks (Dist. 1). Because of the area code split, New Mexico is now in a
better position to handle the growth and demand for more telecommunications service.

The Commission would also like to remind residents and businesses to make sure their phones, fax machines, modems or other dialing devices are able to dial the new (575) area code where appropriate.

For additional information regarding the 505/575 area code split, contact the NMPRC at 1-888-427-5772 or write to: 1120 Paseo De Peralta, P.O. Box 1269, Santa Fe, NM 87501. Or you can contact the NMPRC Public Information Office at 505.827.4446 or by cell phone at 505.699.7991. For assistance in Native American languages, please call 1-888-427-5772.

Visit the NMPRC on the web at: www.nmprc.state.nm.us

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.

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.

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…

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.

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.

Commissioned by the Dia Art Foundation in 1977, The Lightning Field, by the American sculptor Walter De Maria, is described as “a work of Land Art” situated near Quemado. According to the Dia Art Foundation’s website, “It is comprised of 400 polished stainless steel poles installed in a grid array measuring one mile by one kilometer. The poles—two inches in diameter and averaging 20 feet and 7 1/2 inches in height—are spaced 220 feet apart and have solid pointed tips that define a horizontal plane.”

Sounds pretty impressive, but it’s even more so when you get up close.

The sculpture is meant to be walked in as well as viewed, though this is not something you can just drive up to and take a picture (hey, it’s not the World’s Largest Ball of Twine.) Those looking to experience The Lightning Field need to visit the Foundations’s website and make reservations for an overnight stay at their cabin. The Foundation vehicle picks you up from Quemado and takes you on the 45 minute drive to the fields; you’re not allowed to drive in your own car. The “visiting months” are only from May 1 through October 31 (and right now the weather’s perfect for a high country visit!) Sounds a bit mysterious, but it all adds to the drama. After all, what could possibly be more hair-raising than witnessing a field full of lightning bolts? By the way, they don’t guarantee a lightning storm, but what you can bet on is a sort of Zen encounter. Or a polarizing one, depending on who you go with. Nature, Man, Art, the mountains, the sunset, the sunrise, six people to the cabin… One thing is for sure: you won’t leave The Lightning Field unmoved.

The balmy temperatures of late summer in Ruidoso are an invitation to c’mon up and stay a while! There’s plenty to do and see year round, and these latest events will give you one more reason to think about owning your own piece of the pie: just take a look at Vera Cruz Mountain Ranch, where you can take your pick of pristine views to enjoy from your balcony and still be just a short drive away from town.

August 1 to 3, 2008

Old Lincoln Days – Lincoln, NM – Street vendors, food, parade and mountain man camp. Don’t miss the “Last Escape of Billy the Kid” pageant. 575-653-4025.

August 30 & 31, 2008

18th annual All-American Gun & Western Collectible Show: Ruidoso Convention Center, 9-5. Everything that relates to guns as well hunting equipment, knives, cowboy gear, saddles, blankets, spurs, western relics, Indian artifacts, jewelry, coins and much, much more. Admission $5 adults, kids 12 & under free. Under age 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian. Info: Jackie, 575-257-6171.
http://trekwest.com/gunshow/

September 1, 2008

All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs Race Track & Casino: Each year, the racing season comes to an end with the running of the World’s Richest Quarter Horse Race, the Grade I All American Futurity. For information 575-378-4431.

September 17 to 21, 2008

39th Annual Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally: Ruidoso Downs Sports Theater Complex, 3/4 miles east of the racetrack entrance. The motorcycles come back for glorious fall weather and an exceptional trade show, live entertainment and more. For information call 800-452-8045.
http://www.motorcyclerally.com/

October 4 & 5, 2008

Aspenfest Weekend – It’s our annual fall celebration complete with a parade through midtown (Sat, 10am, from the corner of Sudderth & Mechem to 700 block of Sudderth), Arts & Crafts at Schoolhouse Park on Sudderth (Sat 9-5:30, Sun 9-5, admission $1 adults, free to kids under 12), & a Rod Run Car Show at the racetrack (Sat, 8-4, free admission). Bonnie Richardson (Arts & Crafts) 378-4661, Ron Duscha (Car Show) 915-598-0621,& Rachel Weber (Parade) 575-257-7395.
http://www.ruidosonow.com/aspenfest/

October 10, 11 & 12, 2008

19th Annual Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium:
This annual celebration is held at Ruidoso Downs Race Track, and features cowboy poets, musicians, chuckwagon cooks/craftsmen plus This year will feature Johnny Bush & The Bandoleros plus Red Steagall and Lynn Anderson performing a special tribute to Cindy Walker. For information call the museum at 575-378-4142.
http://www.cowboysymposium.org/

For more details and an online copy of the The Ruidoso Visitor Guide, visit the Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce at www.ruidosonow.com.

Gasoline prices in New Mexico continue to fall, dropping nearly another nickel and in particular, drivers in Las Cruces saw the cost of gasoline tumble by 13 cents per gallon. Albuquerque and Santa Fe saw much smaller declines of four and three cents, respectively.

New Mexico drivers are now paying $3.75 a gallon, that’s six cents higher than the national average of $3.69. Prices in New Mexico have fallen statewide between 30 and 35 cents in 5 weeks, since reaching a peak of $4.08 on July 17th. Still, the price of a gallon of gasoline is 85 cents more today than it was one year ago.

Las Cruces now has the least expensive gas at $3.59 a gallon, 15 cents below the statewide average and 10 cents below the national average. Santa Fe, which has had the most expensive gas in the state this summer, continues to do so, now motorists are paying $3.75 a gallon.

“While crude oil prices this week have been flat or trading slightly upwards on world markets, the price of oil is still substantially below the all-time high of $147 a barrel reached on July 17th and that decline is still being reflected at the gasoline pump. That means consumers have seen prices drop by more than 10 percent in New Mexico and nationally as well,” says AAA-New Mexico Corporate Communications Manager Dan Ronan.

“In New Mexico, the three largest metropolitan areas are seeing gas prices fall steadily; however, in the more rural areas of the state, prices remain noticeably higher than the national and statewide average. It’s Economics 101 and the rule of the marketplace, because there are more gas stations in the cities, they have to be more competitive. Drivers have more choices. In rural areas, where there are fewer stations, there’s less competition and owners can sell gas for a higher price even when prices fall,” Ronan added.

 

Clear your calendar: from September 5 through 21, the New Mexico State Fair will celebrate its 70th anniversary, and will once again play host to a hand-picked roster of some of country music’s most popular and celebrated entertainers. From raw country talent to young television superstars and established world-class bands and solo artists, Tingley Coliseum will feature them all as part of the combined PRCA rodeo and concert lineup.

“This lineup in one of the strongest I’ve seen in terms of new horizon country stars, and we’re bringing back Ronnie Milsap, to boot,” said State Fair Commission Chairman Luke Otero, who also heads the entertainment committee for the fair. “We’ve worked hard to book and confirm our entertainers early, and at this point we’re just about ready to sell tickets,” Otero continued.

As a slight detour from the expected spate of top country music artists, two of the most popular teen TV stars in the United States – Vanessa Hudgens and Corbin Bleu, who performed together in the Disney Channel original movie “High School Musical” – will headline Tingley Coliseum on Saturday, September 6.

In keeping with The New Mexico State Fair’s long history of family-friendly pricing, this year’s rodeo/concert series and concert-only tickets are still the bestdeals in town for premier entertainment. Rodeo/concert series tickets are priced at $12, $20 and $31. Season box tickets are $28 each for all eight rodeo events. Concert-only ticket prices are $25, $36, $42 and $48.

For more information, visit the New Mexico State Fair webpage.