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.

With a history as varied as its roster of performers, Mountain Annie’s Dinner Theater is a must-visit in the celebrated resort town of Ruidoso, minutes away from Vera Cruz Mountain Ranch. Through the end of the year, stop by and enjoy free live music and dancing to their own five-piece Show Band. Blue Grass, Country, Western Swing, Rock and Roll—it’s all here.

Upcoming events:

Frankly, our jaws have dropped. New Mexico is a state of amazing beauty, and few have captured it better than photographer Allen Maestas. Take a look at his incredible New Mexico portfolio on Flickr. We’re sure you’ll agree…

The Burro herd is back at Gallery 408 on Twelfth Street in Carrizozo! Pick your fave—we like Jeremy Howe’s Golden Rod—and help the local Animal Rescue Organization. Every November, the Saturday before Thanksgiving, Carrizozo buzzes with excitement during the annual Burro Auction at Gallery 408. Life size Burros painted and embellished by well-known artists have become the Public Art of the sidewalks and buildings of Carrizozo. Gazing from rooftops, garden walls, sidewalks and private patios, the Burros of Carrizozo welcome travelers and friends. Each burro has a unique personality and story demonstrating the visual interests of the artist who created them.

Mark your calendars for the Fourth Annual Burro Serenade and Auction!
Saturday, November 21st

Nike Dance Hall in Carrizozo:  1/2 mile West on Hwy 380 from crossroads of Hwy 380 and Hwy 54 in Carrizozo
Doors open at 5:00p.m
Burrito dinner begins at 6:00p.m.
Auctioneer starts promptly at 7:00p.m.

You can purchase a Burro before the official Auction on Saturday, November 1st, 2009, by emailing, phoning or visiting the Gallery.

gallery408@tularosa.net

575-648-2598

“We absolutely love it!” say Bob and Cheryl Sanders, proud homeowners at Spring Canyon Ranch. “It’s gorgeous out here, with lots of privacy and the weather is beautiful. The folks at Hitching Post Land Co. were wonderful to
work with. We absolutely recommend it!”

We couldn’t have said it any better. Call us at 888-512-8830 and let us show you how you can make the New Mexico lifestyle your own.

Looking to upgrade your lifestyle and move to New Mexico?

We have some prime New Mexico land for sale, including acreage with smart upgrades like underground utilities and all season gravel roads. We also have some great New Mexico homes for sale, as well, most in move-in condition. Take a look at our listings and give us a call at 888-812-5830 and let us set up a meeting with your new home in New Mexico!