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Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks will join all national parks across the country in waiving entrance fees while we celebrate National Park Week, April 16-24. The theme this year is Healthy Parks, Healthy People. Special events: April 16 -Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks are joining park partners for the March for Parks Event and Earth Day Celebration at Living Desert Zoo & Garden State Park from 9AM to 1PM. On Saturday April 23, children will be the special guests at national parks for the fifth annual Junior Ranger Day.

Stop by the Visitor Center when you arrive to pick up your free car permit. In addition, Western National Parks Association is offering 15% off everything in the bookstore.

If you have questions about Guadalupe Mountains National Park, please contact Karl Pierce at 915-828-3251 x2300. For queries about Carlsbad Caverns National Park, contact Paula J. Bauer at 575-785-3090.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park 3225 National Parks Highway Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220

To plan your visit to Carlsbad Caverns, call 575-785-2232 or visit www.nps.gov/cave.

To see a map of all the National Parks and Monuments in New Mexico
visit http://www.nps.gov/state/nm

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico — Manufacturers Now Have Faster, More Cost-Effective Testing Options With Single Laboratory Able to Certify for Countries Worldwide

To speed entry for solar panel manufacturers into the North American and international markets, a new laboratory opened today in Albuquerque, New Mexico, that offers worldwide certification services from one location.

CFV Solar Test Laboratory, (http://www.cfvsolar.com/) a photovoltaic (PV) certification test company, is jointly owned by CSA Group, VDE Testing and Certification Institute, Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) and Fraunhofer USA Center for Sustainable Energy Systems (CSE).

The CFV laboratory offers complete certification and non-certification testing services for PV technologies not readily available at other test locations, including flat panel, thin film and concentrating PV (CPV) testing. The facility will help manufacturers to enter the market more rapidly and at lower cost, as the laboratory can simultaneously certify solar panels for use in multiple countries and meet the unique standards for each country.

Driven by global needs for renewable energy and growing environmental demands, solar panel manufacturing and installation is roughly a $40 billion dollar industry worldwide, and will approach $100 billion by 2014, according to industry estimates. In North America, the utility PV market reached $1 billion in 2010 and is projected to reach $8 billion by 2015, according to GTM Research.

Solar panels require testing and certification to assure the safety, longevity and proper operations. Different countries worldwide have diverse standards for solar panel certification, making the testing process complex and costly for manufacturers.

“Solar panels are high-voltage electrical devices – often being placed in very close proximity to people in offices and homes – that must be properly tested and certified as being safe and effective in generating power,” said Ash Sahi, president and CEO, CSA Group. “We are proud to be one of the partners in this joint venture as no other solar testing facility offers the complete range of services and global capabilities as this new laboratory.”

Testing in the 25,000-square foot indoor lab will include climate chambers for thermal cycling and humidity freeze up of panels to 4m x 2.5m; a large area AAA+ rated solar simulator with temperature controlled enclosure for performance measurements; and access to a five-acre outdoor testing area with single and two-axis trackers for accelerated light soaking and CPV testing. The joint venture combines Fraunhofer’s technical expertise and extensive research capabilities with CSA Group and VDE’s solar certification proficiency, creating a new center of excellence for PV module testing.

“We are very excited to start this new venture in Albuquerque, New Mexico,” said Dr. Christian Hoepfner, director of technical operations at Fraunhofer CSE and president of CFV Solar Test Laboratory. “This new test laboratory will be instrumental in bringing new PV technologies and products to the market, while maintaining the excellent PV industry track record with regards to safety and product quality. The co-location with a Fraunhofer research group will help CFV to stay at the cutting edge of PV technology.”

“Our generations of international experience have shown that customer trust and an excellent reputation with authorities can be achieved and maintained only by ensuring independence, neutrality, and uncompromising quality,” said Wilfried Jäger, managing director of the VDE Testing and Certification Institute. “We look forward to applying our highest standards in working with customers in this dynamic and exciting industry, together with our joint venture partners. We believe our bundled services are truly unique and perfectly tailored to industry needs.”

“From other markets we learned that accurate and efficient testing, backed by profound R&D expertise, is a key element for quick deployment of the PV industry,” said Dr. Harry Wirth, head of department photovoltaic modules, systems and reliability at Fraunhofer ISE. “Our joint venture has the capabilities to provide the required comprehensive services.”

About CSA Group

CSA Group is an independent, not-for-profit membership association serving business, industry, government and consumers. CSA Group consists of three divisions: CSA Standards, a leading standards-based solutions organization, providing standards development, application products, training and advisory services; CSA International, which provides testing and certification services for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas and a variety of other products; and OnSpeX, a provider of consumer product evaluation, inspection and advisory services for retailers and manufacturers. For more, visit http://www.csagroup.org

About The VDE Testing and Certification Institute

The VDE Testing and Certification Institute is an independent institution which is nationally and internationally accredited. Headed by Wilfried Jäger, managing director, the VDE Institute is responsible for testing and certifying the safety and performance of electronic devices, components and systems for consumers and the general public by applying the highest standards of quality. Since 1920, the VDE mark has stood for safety and quality in electrical and information technology.

The Institute’s independent test engineers subject more than 100,000 electric and electronic products a year to rigorous tests before affixing the VDE mark. VDE experts supervise over 7,000 manufacturing plants throughout the world. Cooperation agreements with more than 50 countries ensure that the inspections conducted by the VDE Institute are internationally recognized. More than 200,000 product families and well over a million individual products worldwide carry VDE certification marks. The non-profit VDE Testing and Certification Institute in Offenbach, Germany, employs around 450 staff members. In the course of establishing a global network of local facilities, with a focus on Asia, the Institute has increased its staff by 300 employees to handle local testing and inspections. For more, visit http://www.vde.com

About Fraunhofer ISE and CSE

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is the leading organization for applied research in Europe with 59 research institutes and 17,000 employees. Fraunhofer USA, Inc. is a non-profit applied research organization headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan with six research centers that collaborate with major universities throughout the U.S. http://www.fraunhofer.org

One of Fraunhofer USA’s research centers is the Center for Sustainable Energy Systems CSE, located in Cambridge, MA. Fraunhofer CSE is an applied research and development laboratory dedicated to the commercialization of clean energy technologies. CSE engages in contract research and development with private companies, government entities, and academic institutions. Current research focuses on PV module design and manufacturing and energy efficient building technologies. http://cse.fraunhofer.org/

The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, located in Freiburg, Germany is the largest solar energy research institute in Europe. The Institute is committed to promoting energy supply systems which are sustainable, economic, safe and socially just. ISE develops materials, components, systems and processes for seven different business areas: Energy-Efficient Buildings and Technical Building Components, Applied Optics and Functional Surfaces, Solar Thermal Technology, Silicon Photovoltaics, Alternative Photovoltaic Technology, Renewable Power Generation and Hydrogen Technology. ISE operates several testing centers for various solar technologies and in the building sector. http://www.ise.fraunhofer.de

Daily Nonstops and Double AAdvantage Miles

FORT WORTH, Texas, — American Eagle, the regional affiliate of American Airlines, today launched three daily round-trip flights between Albuquerque International Sunport and Los Angeles International Airport. The new service is operated with 63-seat Bombardier CRJ-700 jets featuring a two-class cabin, as well as 44-seat Embraer jets.

“We’re delighted to launch our service from Albuquerque to American’s cornerstone hub in Los Angeles,” said Gary Foss, Vice President – Planning and Marketing for American’s regional network. “With three daily nonstop flights, customers from Albuquerque will have more travel options throughout the day as well as more convenient connections to the world through American’s Los Angeles cornerstone hub, and the oneworld® global network. Favored destinations include Hawaii, Hong Kong, Japan, Peru, Australia and New Zealand.”

One example of those increased travel options is American’s new nonstop service from Los Angeles to Shanghai, which also begins April 5. The new Eagle service to and from Albuquerque is timed for convenient Shanghai connections. The new Los Angeles flights also complement existing American and American Eagle service to American’s cornerstone hubs in Chicago and Dallas/Fort Worth. All this is part of a major expansion of the Los Angeles cornerstone hub that will see more than 30 flights added today to 15 communities for a total of over 150 daily flights.

“This new service is a positive for both business and leisure travelers,” said Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry. “More connections to more destinations are good for the whole community and are proven economic drivers for a city.”

Here is the schedule (all times local):

*Flown with 63-seat, two-class Bombardier jet

**Flown with 44-seat Embraer jet

AAdvantage® Double Mile Offer

Customers can earn double miles for travel between Los Angeles and Albuquerque beginning today through June 30, 2011. To participate in this promotion, customers need to register prior to travel using promotion code LAX2X. Customers can register and obtain complete offer terms and conditions for this promotion as well as learn about our triple mile offer for travel on our new nonstop flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai at www.aa.com/morelax. If you are not yet an AAdvantage member, it’s easy and free to enroll – just visit www.aa.com/enroll.

First Class Service on American Eagle

With the introduction of nine First Class seats on all of its CRJ-700 aircraft, Eagle now offers a premium product with the same level of outstanding service customers experience on American Airlines. Eagle’s complimentary First Class dining service on longer flights includes a continental breakfast with cereal or hot oatmeal and yogurt and a lunch or dinner that includes a fresh salad or a sandwich and dessert. First Class customers receive warm, cleansing towels and mixed nuts prior to their meals, which are served on china. On flights of shorter duration, beverage service will be accompanied by a gourmet snack mix. The new First Class seat includes four-way adjustable headrests, ergonomically-contoured back and seat cushions, together with a unique, articulated seat bottom, which allows customers to recline with less impact on the legroom of passengers seated behind them.

About American Eagle

American Eagle operates more than 1,500 daily flights to over 170 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 50 countries with, on average, more than 3,600 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American’s award-winning website, 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 approximately 900 destinations with more than 9,000 daily flights to 145 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR).

About the AAdvantage® Program

The AAdvantage program was the first frequent flyer program. Established in 1981, the program now has more than 62 million members. Members can earn miles at more than 1,000 participating companies, which include more than 30 hotel chains representing more than 60 brands, more than 20 airlines, eight car-rental companies, 10 financial companies, and over 350 brand name retailers. In addition, members can earn miles when making purchases with one of more than 100 affinity card products in over 40 countries. In 2009, AAdvantage members redeemed more than 150 billion miles to claim more than 6.9 million awards for flights, upgrades and car rentals. For more information and a listing of AAdvantage program participating companies, visit www.aa.com/aadvantage.

OMAHA, Neb., /PRNewswire/ — Union Pacific Railroad announced today that New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez signed into law a bill passed by the New Mexico Legislature granting Union Pacific a locomotive fuel tax deduction. This legislation paves the way for Union Pacific to begin construction of an all new rail facility near Santa Teresa, New Mexico in June 2011.

Construction of the new facility will create approximately 3,000 jobs during the build phase from 2011 to 2015. Union Pacific expects that more than 600 jobs will be based at the facility once it reaches full capacity in 2025. The estimated overall economic impact of the project for New Mexico exceeds $500 million, with Union Pacific’s investment highlighting the company’s strong commitment to enhancing the nation’s transportation infrastructure and setting the standard for outstanding customer service.

“Our strategic investment in this new facility helps improve capacity and enhance efficiency on a key part of our network, while also demonstrating our long-term commitment to deliver premium service to our customers,” said Jim Young, Union Pacific chairman and chief executive officer. “Investments of this kind are guided by our mission to serve and are leading to new business and record levels of safety and customer satisfaction.”

This state-of-the-art facility will be located just west of the Santa Teresa Airport on 2,200 acres and will include fueling facilities, crew change buildings, an intermodal yard and an intermodal ramp with an annual lift capacity of up to 250,000 intermodal containers. The New Mexico economy will get an immediate boost when construction on the project begins later this year. Upon completion of the facility, the southern region of the state will have greater access than ever before to the economic and environmental benefits of shipping freight by rail.

Construction of this facility is part of Union Pacific’s commitment to invest approximately $3.2 billion in 2011 – capital investment that is part of a long-term strategy to provide safe, efficient service across its 32,000 mile network.

Improved and additional rail capacity benefits everyone. It allows freight rail service to grow, helping to build a cleaner environment. Union Pacific can move one ton of freight nearly 500 miles on a single gallon of diesel fuel, and, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, freight trains are nearly four times more efficient than trucks. Motorists also benefit from reduced congestion on highways as a single Union Pacific train can remove up to 300 trucks from our roads.

About Union Pacific

Union Pacific Corporation owns one of America’s leading transportation companies. Its principal operating company, Union Pacific Railroad, links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country. Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers and provides Americans with a fuel-efficient, environmentally responsible and safe mode of freight transportation. Union Pacific’s diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Energy, Industrial Products and Intermodal. The railroad emphasizes excellent customer service and offers competitive routes from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways. Union Pacific connects with Canada’s rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major gateways to Mexico, making it North America’s premier rail franchise.

April is a busy month in the heart of New Mexico’s ranching country! Here’s a heads up from Mary Mac’s Café, located just east of Datil…

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Saturday April 9 –  Mary Mac’s Upstairs and outside

All day from 8am until 7pm – lots going on!
The excitement begins at 8am with the set up and beginning of the flea market.  Cafe opens at the same time.

Market Above Mary Mac’s – 10am – 4pm

(tables left as of March 25)  $10 a table. Crafters, antiques – what have you?

A great place to showcase your crafts, meet people, get feedback and make friends and contacts. Indoor Spaces upstairs $10/table includes a $5 meal credit for Mary Mac’s.
FLEA MARKET STARTS same day on the property outside Mary Mac’s –  Set up between 8am-9am.  Flea Market 9am-1pm

$5 Space rental goes to charity (a different local charity weekly). Have a charity or non-profit you would like to suggest we feature on a week in the summer?  Email Ann at Mary Mac’s.
Live music in the afternoon right up to dinner. Proceeds from space rental on April 9th will go to DACAB – for a future Datil Medical Center. Come and support your community and sell some stuff too!  What a fun way to raise money! New Meixco Style stack enchilada plate dinner, green chile stew, sopapilla cheesecake and more for dinner Served 1pm – 7pm.

Sunday, April 10 – NOVEL WRITING WORKSHOP with local author Steve Havill.

How to: evaluate a novel idea, organize your effort, research only what is needed, plan your story, and WRITE TO FINISH!  9am-4pm. $30. 2 spots available as of March 25.

Tuesday, April 12 – 6pm

San Augustin Water Coalition Board will hold their next meeting at the Datil Baptist Church. Everyone invited.

Thursday, April 14th – CULPEPPER AND MERRIWEATHER CIRCUS

An old time tent circus! – 5pm and 7:30pm on the Magdalena School Grounds.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit R.I.F., Reading is Fundamental, a program that distributes books to under privileged children. Cheryl Hastings has left tickets for us to sell at Mary Mac’s Cafe.

Prices for tickets are as follows –
Children’s tickets (age 2-12) are $6, adults $9 in advance, $7 and $12 at the door. If you do not wish to attend the circus – tickets can be purchased and will be given to students at the school. (Ask for details)

Saturday, April 16, 2pm: Meeting of the Catron County Historical Society Will include a talk by Nettie Carrejo on some of the history of homesteading in the Salt Lake area including pictures and tapes. (From Mary Johnson, CCHS) Quemado Community Center

Sunday, April 17 12:30 to 4:30 pm
Pie Town Volunteer Fire and EMS Departments Open House

Location: Pie Town Fire Station
Come meet local Volunteer Fire and Emergency Medical Service heroes. Food, fellowship, demonstrations, and fun for all ages
Contact 575-772-2666 (leave message) or visit www.pietownvfd.org

Wed April 20 -1pm EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND FOOD STORAGE SEMINAR

Mary Mac’s Rock Room – Jonille Shepherd will provide a talk on food storage, what to store, how to store and for how long. Emergency preparedness, 72-hour kit. Why to prepare for an emergency and what to bring with you in an emergency situation. Handouts provided.
Saturday, April 23 at 1:00 p.m.  12th Annual Greatest Easter Egg Hunt Ever at Baldwin Cabin Public Library off US 60, 3 miles West of Datil. (575) 772-5230. Reading of Easter books and snack included. Everyone invited.
Sunday, April 24 – Sunrise Service at Datil Well Campground Pavilion Cowboy Breakfast. Combined service by area churches.
9am Program by the youth at the Datil Cowboy Church – Bull Run Ranch.  Everyone welcome!

Sunday April 24 – EASTER SUNDAY DINNER SERVED AT MARY MAC’S

Times and details coming soon.

Saturday, April 30 – 9am till 2pm Roadrunner Arts Council Arts & Crafts Show

Pie Town Community Center. Jewelry, quilts, leatherworks, paintings, books, Tarot readings, jelly, etc. Pie Raffle. Bake Table and other refreshments.

For additional information on Mary Mac’s Café, call Ann at 575-772-5600 and don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook!

State Leaders Urged to Support Higher Tobacco Taxes, Other Tobacco Prevention Initiatives

WASHINGTON — Kids in New Mexico will take center stage in the fight against tobacco on March 23 as they join thousands of young people nationwide for the 16th annual Kick Butts Day.  Hundreds of events are planned across the nation (for a list of events click here).

Sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Kick Butts Day is an annual celebration of youth leadership and activism in the fight against tobacco use.  Kids are sending two powerful messages on Kick Butts Day: They want the tobacco companies to stop targeting them with marketing for cigarettes and other tobacco products, and they want elected leaders to do more to protect them from tobacco.

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and other public health advocates are calling on elected officials to support proven measures to reduce tobacco use and its devastating toll.  As states struggle with budget deficits, legislators should increase tobacco taxes both to prevent kids from smoking and to raise revenue to balance budgets and fund critical programs.  States should also enact smoke-free air laws that apply to all workplaces and public places and implement well-funded tobacco prevention and cessation programs.

“On Kick Butts Day, kids are standing up to the tobacco companies, and elected officials should stand with them by supporting proven tobacco prevention measures,” said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.  “We know what works to reduce smoking and other tobacco use.  Every state should implement these proven solutions, including higher tobacco taxes, well-funded tobacco prevention programs and smoke-free air laws.”

Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable death in the United States, killing more than 400,000 people and costing $96 billion in health care bills each year.  While the nation has made significant progress in reducing youth smoking, 19.5 percent of high school students still smoke.

In New Mexico, tobacco use claims 2,100 lives and costs $461 million in health care bills each year.  Currently, 24 percent of the state’s high school students smoke, and 8,600 kids try cigarettes for the first time each year.

On Kick Butts Day, kids turn the tables on Big Tobacco with events that range from “They put WHAT in a cigarette?” demonstrations to carnivals to rallies at state capitols.  Activities in New Mexico include (all events are on March 23 unless otherwise noted):

In Albuquerque , students at Highland High School will cover the hall walls with posters showing the 2100/2300 connection in New Mexico: 2,100 adults die in New Mexico from tobacco-related disease every year, and 2,300 minors begin using.  Time: 9 a.m.  Location: 4700 Coal Avenue SE.  Contact: Kendal Fortson (505) 412-9491.

Washington, DC –  (RealEstateRama) — Keeping manufactured housing affordable by reducing the constraints on lending and instituting a responsible regulatory environment took center stage as over 90 MHI members flocked to Capitol Hill for the annual MHI Legislative Conference last week.

“The message to Congress is simple,” says Thayer Long of MHI. “For the past two decades manufactured housing has accounted for over 20 percent of all new single family homes, serving almost 20 million Americans. Without access to credit, and by increasing housing costs, millions of low- to moderate income families will be unable to purchase a new home or sell their existing home. Their voice must be heard.”

The MHI Legislative Conference resulted in approximately100 meetings with Members of Congress and staff, increasing the number of visits by 20 percent from last year. MHI members who were unable to attend participated by calling or sending letters to the Capitol Hill offices of their representatives and senators to deliver the same message, or by setting up meetings next week back home when Congress will be in recess.

MHI members lobbied on several key issues facing the industry including Dodd-Frank financial reform, restoring the oversight of energy standards for manufactured housing back to the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, and maintaining the “45L” pro-business tax credit for manufacturers who build Energy Star homes.

Attendees of the Legislative Conference also heard from an impressive list of keynote speakers including Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), a subcommittee Chair of the House Financial Services Committee; and Congressman Randy Neugebauer, (R-TX) also a subcommittee Chair of the House Financial Services Committee. Bob Ryan, the Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Risk Management and Regulatory Affairs for the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) spoke on behalf of the Administration and the plans in place for reforming the housing finance system, and Tom Quaadman, of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness, spoke on the impact of financial regulation on the US economy. Elizabeth Cocke, for the HUD Office of Manufactured Housing, engaged in an open discussion at the Manufacturers Forum.

The day prior to the Legislative Conference attendees joined their colleagues and fellow members in MHI business meetings, to discuss and debate MHI and industry policy issues.

The MHI Board of Directors reaffirmed the organization’s policy adopted in 2009 on fire sprinklers. MHI and its members oppose mandatory fire sprinklers in all single family homes, but in the event a sprinkler requirement is adopted at the state or local level, MHI will pursue a “where required” preemptive standard for manufactured homes.

MHI is the preeminent national trade association for the manufactured and modular housing industries, representing all segments of the industry before Congress and the Federal government. From its Washington, D.C. area headquarters, MHI actively works to promote fair laws and regulation for all MHI members and the industry. For more information on MHI, visit www.manufacturedhousing.org.

“Owning a home offers myriad benefits throughout the year, but some of the financial advantages of home ownership are most apparent at tax time,” said NAR President Ron Phipps, broker-president of Phipps Realty in Warwick, R.I. “As many of today’s hard-working American families are feeling a financial squeeze, the tax benefits that can come from owning a home can be a welcome relief.”

A number of tax deductions and credits are still available for home owners; these include deductions – with specific limits – for mortgage interest and capital gains on home sales, and credits for certain energy-efficient home improvements. Even with these benefits, home owners pay 80-90 percent of all U.S. federal income taxes.

“It’s been suggested that many of today’s tax incentives for home ownership primarily benefit wealthy individuals, but that’s simply not true,” said Phipps. “As today’s public debate continues about what home ownership means for families, communities, and the nation’s economy, there’s no question that for many, owning a home is still the best way to begin building wealth.”

Ninety-one percent of home owners who claim the mortgage interest deduction earn less than $200,000 a year, and the ability to deduct the interest paid on a mortgage can mean significant savings at tax time. For example, a family who bought a home in 2010 with a $200,000, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage, assuming an interest rate of 4.5 percent, could save nearly $3,500 in federal taxes when they file this year.

“Realtors® see the very real positive impact of home ownership every day with our clients,” said Phipps. “Recent proposals to reduce or eliminate the mortgage interest deduction and remove government support of the housing finance market could have disastrous consequences for the economy, not to mention making it harder or nearly impossible for millions of families to own their own homes. We believe America must continue to invest in home ownership, for the future of our families and our nation.”

For home owner tax season tips, visit www.HouseLogic.com. HouseLogic is a free source of information from NAR that helps home owners maintain and enhance the value of their homes and engage in issues that affect their local communities.

The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

Don’t stay home today, c’mon over to Mary Mac’s and MAKE MERRY!

Thursday, Mar 17 St. Patrick’s Day  Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner complete with potatoes and Irish Soda Bread- noon – 5pm. Reservations not necessary but appreciated.

Friday, March 18 – Quemado Senior Center -Chatauqua performance of “Samuel Clemens – Mark Twain’s Shadow”.  4:30 DINNER ($6.75), followed by performance. at 6pm.  No charge for the performance.  More details to follow.

Saturday March 19th 9:30am-NOON Magdalena-Friends for Animals BAKE SALE  To be held in front of the Old Westland Realty Bldg on hwy 60.  Look for the sign. Lots of good things to eat!

Saturday March 19th Meeting of the Catron County historical Society will include Richard Nichols giving a talk on the Mormon influence in Luna at the Quemado Community Center at 1 p.m.(From Mary Johnson, CCHS)

RIB-EYE STEAK NIGHT AT MARY MAC’S CAFE – 4:30pm-7pm

Sunday March 20 – FIRST DAY OF SPRING!

What: Today, the Census Bureau shipped local 2010 Census data to the governor and leadership of the state legislature in New Mexico. After confirmation of receipt, usually within 24 hours of shipment, the Census Bureau will issue a news release with five custom tables of data for the state. Tuesday’s release is expected around 2 p.m. EDT. At that time, the full set of data will be available via FTP download at http://www2.census.gov/census_2010/01-Redistricting_File–PL_94-171/. Within 24 hours after release, the data will be posted on the Census Bureau’s new American FactFinder site http://factfinder2.census.gov.

The data will include summaries of population totals, as well as data on race, Hispanic origin and voting age for multiple geographies within the state, such as census blocks, tracts, voting districts, cities, counties and school districts.

According to Public Law 94-171, the Census Bureau must provide redistricting data to the 50 states no later than April 1 of the year following the census. As a result, the Census Bureau is delivering the data state-by-state on a flow basis in February and March. All states will receive their data by April 1, 2011.

For More Information:

For more information on the Census Bureau’s Redistricting Data Program, visit http://www.census.gov/rdo and http://2010.census.gov/news/press-kits/redistricting.html.

Please visit http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/ for an interactive map showcasing county-level population change from 1960 to 2010, as well as state-level data on race and Hispanic or Latino origin for 2010. The widget will be updated as states are released and can be embedded on your website.

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and YouTube (/uscensusbureau).