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WHEN: Saturday, October 16,  2010 WHERE: Sierra Blanca Regional Airport Ruidoso, NM (SRR) WHAT’S HAPPENING: Vietnam Era Soldier Rescue Re-Enactment Gliders and Glider Rides VFW Providing Free Hamburgers and Hot Dogs Pancake Breakfast Provided by KFC and Taco Bell Aircraft Camping Area Flour Bombing Competition WWII P-51 Mustang Demonstration German Air-Force Tornado Display Aircraft Rescue Fire Truck Rides and Demonstration Classic Car Show by the Pine Top Car Club Air Race And Much More

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Rarely does a destination have the opportunity to announce a project that transcends geographic boundaries and cultural norms. With the completion of a 4,000 sq. ft. fresco inside the Torreon of the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) in Albuquerque (www.ItsATrip.org), visitors are invited to experience an extraordinary work of art and labor of love.

New Mexico artist Frederico Vigil has spent close to a decade on the project, which shares the story of Hispanic culture through the ancient art of fresco. The mural depicts Hispanic history through historical periods plus significant and iconic people and places.

The fresco will be unveiled as the NHCC (www.nhccnm.org) celebrates their 10th anniversary on October 10, 2010.

Following in the footsteps of fresco masters such as Giotto, Michelangelo, Masaccio and Goya, and, more recently, muralists Diego Rivera and Jose Clemente Orozco, Vigil continues this time-honored tradition inside the Torreon of the NHCC.

The intricate process of fresco requires many steps for each component of a mural. When the exhibit is completely finished, the NHCC will offer interpretive materials, classes and workshops showing the process so even non-artists can comprehend the magnitude of the masterpiece they are viewing.

As it is painted in the round, there are several points of entry into the fresco, allowing visitors to begin their journey wherever they choose. Over 3,000 years of Hispanic history are depicted in the broadest sense. In short, the fresco depicts and conveys the complexities, diversity and richness of the Hispanic experience. Themes such as science, literature, religion, acculturation, and technological evolution are followed across geographical expanses and time.

Born and raised in Santa Fe, Artist Frederico Vigil grew up infused with the rich history that has become the trademark of his art. Vigil first became involved with fresco during an internship in the 1970s with Lucienne Bloch and Stephen Pope Dimitroff, who were notably, apprentices to Diego Rivera.  This initial experience piqued his interest and he has since dedicated his life to creating frescos. Since completing his first fresco in 1984, he has created 12 major frescos; the one at the NHCC is his largest to date.

Albuquerque is an easy two and a half hour drive from either Ruidoso or Quemado—come visit Vera Cruz Mountain Ranch or Spring Canyon Ranch and find out for yourself why so many are choosing the New Mexico lifestyle!

Photographs courtesy of Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Inc.

Earth, Wind and Flyers Kite Flying Contest For Kids of All Ages Friday, October 8, 2010 Contact:  Kathie Leyendecker, Media Relations kleyendecker@balloonfiesta.com 505-228-9874

Congress has unanimously approved a one-year extension, until Sept. 30, 2011, for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). A long-term extension has been a top legislative priority for NAR (National Association of REALTORS®). Earlier in 2010 the NFIP lapsed, causing major disruptions for REALTORS®, and with the Sept. 30 deadline fast approaching, NAR redoubled its efforts to extend the program.

REALTOR® advocacy efforts helped make the long-term extension a reality. When Congress returned to Washington, D.C. in mid-September, NAR was waiting with its federal political coordinators who came to D.C. to meet with key senators and urge the long-term extension. Additionally, on Sept. 22 NAR was ably represented by Maryland REALTOR® Nick D’Ambrosia. He stressed to the Senate Committee on Banking NAR’s commitment to extend and strengthening the program beyond 2011 for the long-term. While the one-year extension brings a level of certainty to the NFIP, there needs to be comprehensive reform measures to place the NFIP on more sound financial footing for at least another five years.

Flood Insurance Timeline

Sept. 21, 2010 S. 3814 Approved by Unanimous Consent in the Senate

Sept. 23, 2010 S. 3814 Approved by Voice Vote in House of Representatives

The bill now heads to President Obama for his signature as soon as next week. With program authority now extended for a year, it is expected that attention will turn to proposals to reform and ensure the financial soundness of the NFIP. While the House passed its reform bill (H.R. 5114) earlier this year, it is unlikely that a comprehensive reform bill will move until the 112th Congress goes into session next year.

Source: NAR

Americans overwhelmingly oppose any action by Congress to tamper with the mortgage interest deduction, according to a nationwide survey which supports the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® position that home ownership incentives must be preserved.

Nearly 80 percent of respondents said they support retaining federal tax incentives to promote home ownership in a survey commissioned by the National Association of Home Builders. “These results show strong national voter support for keeping the mortgage interest deduction,” said Neil Newhouse, partner at Public Opinion Strategies, a research firm based in Alexandria, Va., which conducted the survey.

“Clearly, voters have a very strong connection to the home mortgage interest deduction and are not likely to respond well to efforts to reduce or eliminate it. In fact, voters overwhelmingly say they would be less likely to vote for a candidate for Congress who supported either eliminating or reducing the home mortgage interest deduction,” Newhouse said.

NAHB’s findings bolster efforts by NAR to refocus national attention on the benefits of home ownership. NAR’s Homeownership Matters initiative is dedicated to maintaining taxpayer incentives and challenging misleading reports in the media that are being used to attack long-standing government policies. NAR will host a free webinar on Sept. 28 featuring chief economist Lawrence Yun to provide practitioners and REALTOR® association executives with information on NAR’s initiative.

Even when told that getting rid of the mortgage interest deduction would help ease the federal budget deficit, 72 percent of respondents in the NAHB survey opposed any proposal to abolish the home mortgage interest deduction. This cut across partisan lines and home owner status; 76 percent of Republicans, 75 percent of Independents, and 64 percent of Democrats oppose eliminating the deduction. Meanwhile, 75 percent of home owners and 55 percent of renters also oppose doing away with the home mortgage interest deduction.

Public Opinion Strategies conducted the survey Sept. 9 through 12 to assess the public’s attitude toward the mortgage interest deduction and the importance of home ownership.

“As the midterm elections draw near, voters are sending a resounding message to Congress and the Administration: Don’t meddle with the mortgage interest deduction or other tax incentives that support home ownership,” said NAHB Chairman Bob Jones, a home builder from Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

Sources: NAR, National Association of Home Builders

¡Globalquerque!, New Mexico’s sixth annual World Music & Culture Celebration returns to the National Hispanic Cultural Center on September 24 and 25, 2010. This year’s festival will bring three stages of music from five continents over two nights. Relax in the intimate courtyard setting of the Fountain Stage, enjoy larger bands in the state-of-the-art 692-seat Journal Theater, or dance to groove heavy world music on the plaza’s outdoor Festival Stage.

Call the NHCC box office for tickets and information at (505) 724-4771.  For an updated list of this year’s line up visit:  http://www.globalquerque.com/

While you’re in Albuquerque, take a morning to visit us at Spring Canyon Ranch in Quemado or Vera Cruz Mountain Ranch in Ruidoso. Either drive will only take about two and a half hours. You’ll see the beautiful rural side of New Mexico and find out just why country living is living at its best!

For maps and driving directions, click here.

Good through September 30, 2010

You won’t want to miss this sale! Take a look at our already low-priced foreclosure lots, pick your favorite and let us take

$1000.00 off the purchase price!

This is your opportunity to own your very own slice of New Mexico land, to stake your claim in America and build your new life.

Call 888-812-5830 now or click here to ask for more details!

The Pie Town Annual Pie Festival includes a pie-baking contest, games and races, music, food, arts and crafts, and pie, pie, pie. Admission is free and parking is easy. The festival is held in Jackson Park each year and is a great opportunity to visit with friends, both old and new.

Pie Festival Video is Available!
Created by Dana Pence of Flamboyant Studios, this video shows highlights of the 2009 Festival.

The Festival is organized and operated by the Pie Town Community Council, and is our main fund-raising event. The Council, an all-volunteer organization, performs a variety of essential services in the Pie Town area. The festival would not be possible without the help of our volunteers and supporters.

Events loosely follow a schedule, and there are vendors selling food, crafts, and services throughout the day. There is a short break in the late afternoon / early evening, then we dance in the pavilion until midnight. During the dance intermission, we hold a benefit auction for the prize-winning pies from the pie-baking contest and we draw the winning names for the three raffle prizes.

Facts About the 2009 Pie Festival

2,540 pieces of pie were sold throughout Pie Town in a single day.

The 2009 Pie Festival raised about $ 7,000, which so far has been used for the following:

$ 3,000 was donated to the Pie Town EMS Department. This all-volunteer organization experienced a budget cut and was unable to pay for training for their emergency medical personnel.

$ 1,549 was donated to several community families who were experiencing financial hardship due to catastrophic events in their lives (house fire, cancer diagnosis, family deaths and accidents).

$ 500 was spent on a scholarship for a local graduating high-school senior.

$ 450 was used to provide food and shelter for a group from Bike & Build, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which organizes cross-country cycling trips to benefit the affordable housing cause in the United States.

$ 250 was spent on a Holiday Dinner for the community.