Time To Get Off The Fence And Take Advantage Of Low, Low Prices!

CNNMoney.com reported that The Conference Board, a New York-based business research group, said today that its Consumer Confidence Index rose to 54.1 in August from an upwardly-revised 47.4 in July.

According to Lynn Franco, Director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center: “Consumer confidence, which had posted back-to-back monthly declines, appears to be back on the mend. The Present Situation Index increased slightly, mainly the result of an improvement in consumers’ assessment of the job market. The Expectations Index improved considerably and is now at its highest level since December 2007 (Index, 75.8). Consumers were more upbeat in their short-term outlook for both the economy and the job market in August, but only slightly more upbeat in their income expectations.”

You can read more details here, where it very much appears as if the economic clouds are slowly starting to part.

Now is the best time for you to take advantage of what is still a buyer’s market!

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The Arizona Republic recently published a short note reminding investors that real estate investment is truly a time-tested method for building wealth and urged buyers not to “let the real-estate market’s slide deter you from considering owning property to grow your nest egg”.

In even better news, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke declared today in a speech given at an annual Fed conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, that the economic activity in both the U.S. and around the world appears to be “leveling out,” and “the prospects for a return to growth in the near term appear good.”

With the current buyer’s market in the real estate arena, there’s never been a better time to invest in a beautiful parcel of New Mexico land. Southwest Properties offers guaranteed financing and no credit checks, paving the way for your peace of mind as a land owner. With three distinctive properties to chooser from, you will be able to find your the new home, vacation getaway or investment possibility that best fits your needs. Call now!

Each August for the past eighty years, Santa Fe Indian Market^® has brought together the most gifted Native American artists from the U.S. with millions of visitors and collectors from around the world. The extended weekend of beauty and celebration ranks as the world’s largest and most highly acclaimed Native American arts show and as New Mexico’s largest attended annual weekend event.

2009 Official Santa Fe Indian Market^® Schedule of Events

For more information and details on Indian Market Events and Official Indian Market Partner Events, please click on the “Events” and “Press” links. For press inquires and interview requests, please contact Gabe Gomez at (505)983-5220

Please Note: Some of these events are Ticketed Events. For ticket information please contact SWAIA at (505) 983-5220

Indian Arts and Culture Week Press Preview and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Hotel Santa Fe 1501 Paseo De Peralta, Santa Fe, NM 87501 (800) 825-9876 Tuesday, August 18, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Breakfast with the Curators: Talk by Dr. Bruce Bernstein (Ticketed Event) Museum of Indian Arts and Culture 710 Camino Lejo off Old Santa Fe Trail (505) 476-1250 Wednesday, August 19, 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM $25 Per Person. $20 per MNNF Member

(Re) Presentation… Native Writers Reading, Book Signing and Reception St. Francis Auditorium 107 W. Palace Ave. Santa Fe Palace (505) 476-5072 Wednesday, August 19, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Art Quantum: The Eiteljorg Fellowship for Native American Fine Art. Panel Discussion and Reception New Mexico History Museum 113 Lincoln Avenue, Santa Fe, NM (505) 476-5200 Thursday, August 20, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM

SWAIA Artist Fellowship Winner’s Wine Reception Patina Gallery 131 W. Palace Ave. (505) 986-3432 Thursday, August 20, 5:30 PM

Native Cinema Showcase Cathedral Park Schedule 213 Cathedral Pl. Santa Fe, NM 87501 Friday, August 21, 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM Saturday, August 22, 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM Sunday, August 23, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Best of Show Ceremony (Ticketed Event) Santa Fe Convention Center 201 W. Marcy St., Santa Fe, 87501 (505) 983-5220 Friday, August 21, 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Sneak and General Preview of Award Winning Art (Ticketed Event) Santa Fe Convention Center Friday, August 21, 201 W. Marcy St., Santa Fe, 87501 (800) 777-2489 Sneak Preview 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM General Preview 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM

2009 Santa Fe Indian Market^® Santa Fe Plaza, Downtown Santa Fe, NM Saturday, August 22, 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Lifetime Achievement Houser Legacy and Pov’ika Awards Presentation Santa Fe Plaza, Downtown Santa Fe, NM Saturday, August 22, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Skateplotation! Skate Competition presented by SWAIA and Apache Skateboards Warehouse 21 1614 Paseo de Peralta Santa Fe, NM 87501 (505)989-4423 Saturday, August 22, 1:00PM to 5:00PM

The Future of Indian Market: Film, Video, and Beyond Cinema Discussion by Bruce Bernstein, PhD, and John Torres-Nez, PhD. Cathedral Park 213 Cathedral Pl Santa Fe, NM 87501 Saturday, August 22, 1:45pm – 3 :00 PM

Indian Market Live Auction Gala (Ticketed Event) La Fonda Hotel, Santa Fe, NM 100 E. San Francisco St., Santa Fe, NM 87501 (505)982-5511 Saturday, August 22, 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM

2009 Santa Fe Indian Market^® Santa Fe Plaza, Downtown Santa Fe, NM Sunday, August 23, 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM

The 1st Annual Wings of America/SWAIA Two-mile Fun Run and Walk Santa Fe Plaza, Downtown Santa Fe, NM Sunday, August 23, 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Native American Clothing Contest Santa Fe Plaza, Downtown Santa Fe, NM Sunday, August 23, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

New Mexico’s Tax Free Weekend: Aug. 7-9, 2009

Applies to:

• All clothing and shoes under $100
• School supplies under $15
• Computers under $1,000
• Computer equipment under $500

August 2009

There’s plenty to see and do in and around Ruidoso, New Mexico’s year round playground. While you’re there, stop by Vera Cruz Mountain Ranch for a peek at some of the finest acreage around—perfect for a vacation home, a retirement getaway or simply to have and to hold as an investment.

1st—Staerkel Mountain Annie’s.
$32.50 for adults (includes dinner, the show, tax and gratuity), $12.00 for ages 7-12, and under 6 are free. Most nights doors open at 6:00 PM, dinner is served promptly at 7:00 PM and the show begins at 8:00 PM. Young children and infants are welcome at the dinner shows, or, to let the parents or grandparents catch a break and watch the featured entertainment, the children may play in a specially designed and well-supervised upstairs playhouse area. More Info: 575-257-7982  Web: www.mountainannies.com

1st—Frankie Avalon Spencer Theater.
Two performances! For the performance at 2 pm, tickets are $69 & $66. For the 8 pm performance, tickets are $79 & $76. The legendary “Beach Party”actor-singer rocks with his band in hits like Venus, Dede Dinah, Cupid,Teardrops. More Info: 1-888-818-7872  Web: www.spencertheater.com

1st—King of the Cage Inn of the Mountain Gods.
Performance begins at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.  More Info: 1-877-277-4577  Web: www.iinnofthemountaingods.com

3rd-8th—Annual Lincoln County Fair Capitan Fair Grounds.
Livestock show, dance and lots more to do and see!  More Info: 575-648-2311

6th—Preview of Alto Artists Studio Tour and Business After Hours Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts, 5pm-7pm.
Art preview and silent auction. Food, fun, and networking. More Info: 575-336-4800  Web: www.spencertheater.com

7th, 8th & 9th—Old Lincoln Days .
Street vendors, food, parade & mountain man camp. Activities happen throughout the day. Join us Friday and Saturday at 8:30pm and Sunday at 3:30pm for the “Last Escape of Billy the Kid” folk pageant.  This re-enactment was first presented in 1940 and centers around the life of the legendary outlaw, Billy the Kid.  More Info: 575-653-4025  Web: www.billythekidpageant.org

7th, 8th, & 9th—Fort Stanton Live Fort Stanton, NM.
9 am til 4:30. Wild West Show with Civil War reenactments, Buffalo Soldiers, and Mountain Men. Vendors, food, and entertainment. –In conjunction with Lincoln Days! Admission is free. Donations accepted.  More Info: Mark Jones 937-1897 or 575-430-1698  Web: www.fortstanton.com

7th, 8th, & 9th—Pony Express Trail Ride Lincoln.
The Pony Express Trail Ride in Lincoln County commemorates the Pony Express, keeping the tradition alive by carrying the U.S. mail on horseback from White Oaks to Lincoln in three days. Buy a letter; join the ride; or just watch the Parade. Hosted by Lincoln County Sherriff’s Posse. More Info: 575-973-0117

7th & 8th—Staerkel Mountain Annie’s.
$32.50 for adults (includes dinner, the show, tax and gratuity), $12.00 for ages 7-12, and under 6 are free. Most nights doors open at 6:00 PM, dinner is served promptly at 7:00 PM and the show begins at 8:00 PM. Young children and infants are welcome at the dinner shows, or, to let the parents or grandparents catch a break and watch the featured entertainment, the children may play in a specially designed and well-supervised upstairs playhouse area. More Info: 575-257-7982  Web: www.mountainannies.com

7th, 8th, & 9th—Billy the Kid’s Breakout Check-In and registration on Friday will begin at noon at the Ruidoso Gun Club range in Ruidoso Downs and at The Lodge at Sierra Blanca in Ruidoso .
The Friday afternoon side matches begin at 1:00 PM. The Friday evening “get acquainted” Cocktail Reception, with hors d’oeuvres and no-host bar will be held at The Lodge at Sierra Blanca. Saturday Check-in and Registration will be  at the Lincoln County Regulators Cowboy Action Shooting Range and Western Town at the Ruidoso Gun Club Range on Hale Lake Road in Ruidoso Downs. Cowboy church on Sunday at 9 am, and the Old Lincoln Days Grand Parade is at 10:30. More Info: (575) 257-0871  E-mail: ShootingAction@aol.com Web: www.LincolnCountyRegulators.com

8th—Ruidoso Chamber Music Festival Spencer Theater .
At 11:00 am is the Chamber Music for Children concert admission for Children under 18, is $5 and Adults are $10. At 6:00-7:30 pm is the Fabulous Festival Fling (a gala fundraising party ) admission is $25.  At 8:00 pm a performance by The 2009 Van Cliburn Gold Medalist, Haochen Zeng. $39 per ticket (Students under 18, $25)  More Info: RRCA 575-257-7272, 575-973-3169 or 866-375-7370   Web: www.ruidoso.net/chambermusic

8th & 9th—Alto Artists Studio Tour Various locations.
Self-guided tour of Alto artists studios. Various locations, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.  Web: www.altoartists.net

15th—A Ride With Bob; Featuring Asleep at the Wheel Spencer Theater.
2 pm performance added! Evening performance at 8 pm. Tickets: $59 & $56 for both performances. Known for songs “Faded Love”, “Roly Poly”, and “San Antonio Rose”. Rollicking tribute-tale with Ray Benson’s  band of 25 celebrating the late, great Bob Wills, the King of Western Swing. More Info: 1-888-818-7872  Web: www.spencertheater.com

14th & 15th—Staerkel Mountain Annie’s.
$32.50 for adults (includes dinner, the show, tax and gratuity), $12.00 for ages 7-12, and under 6 are free. Most nights doors open at 6:00 PM, dinner is served promptly at 7:00 PM and the show begins at 8:00 PM.  Young children and infants are welcome at the dinner shows, or, to let the parents or grandparents catch a break and watch the featured entertainment, the children may play in a specially designed and well-supervised upstairs playhouse area. More Info: 575-257-7982  Web: www.mountainannies.com

14th, 15th, 16th—3rd Annual Bruise N Cruise Fort Stanton.
Fundraiser/celebration for all things EcoServants. Great bands, cave tours, mountain biking, hiking, food vendors, a jolly jumper, a two story fun slide, a rock climbing wall, disc golf tournament mountain bike raffle, & lots of free prizes.

15th—Randy Rogers & Mark Mckinney Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Billy the Kid Casino.
More Info: 575-378-4140  Web: www.raceruidoso.com

21st, 22nd, & 23rd—Mountain Double Up, USSSA Slow Pitch Tournament Eagle Creek Sports Complex.
Competitive and Recreation. Deadline August 14th, 2009. $235. More Info: 575-378-9810  E-mail: pagesports@valornet.com Web: www.usssa.com

21st & 22nd—Staerkel Mountain Annie’s.
$32.50 for adults (includes dinner, the show, tax and gratuity), $12.00 for ages 7-12, and under 6 are free. Most nights doors open at 6:00 PM, dinner is served promptly at 7:00 PM and the show begins at 8:00 PM. Young children and infants are welcome at the dinner shows, or, to let the parents or grandparents catch a break and watch the featured entertainment, the children may play in a specially designed and well-supervised upstairs playhouse area. More Info: 575-257-7982  Web: www.mountainannies.com

22nd—Lobsterfest Spencer Theater.
FIRST ANNUAL SPENCER LOBSTERFEST FUND RAISER. 6 pm. $100 per person or table for 10, $1000. Sure to be the talk of the town, all-you-can eat lobsters fresh from the frigid Atlantic! Snazzy jazz bands at this scrumptious affair!  The reserved tables for ten are the only reserved seating for this event. More Info: 1-888-818-7872  Web: www.spencertheater.com

22nd—James Younger Gang Hubbard Museum of the American West.
2 pm. Seasoned author/historian from Lincoln, Drew Gomber, makes his return debut to the Hubbard Museum for more fascinating tales of the American West. The James-Younger Gang, a legendary 19th century gang of outlaws made up of the James brothers  (including Jesse James), the Younger brothers, and others plundered the American West for more than a decade. Gomber shares with us tales of the escapades of this notorious group. More Info: 575-378-4142  Web: www.hubbardmuseum.org

25th—The Limelighters and the Highwaymen Spencer Theater.
Tickets: $59 & $56. 8 pm. Worldfamous folk revival groups that blend harmony, humor andhistory with stirring instrumentals: This Land is Your Land, A Hundred Men,Whiskey In The Jar; Big Rock Candy Mountain, Gypsy Rover, Michael Row The Boat Ashore. More Info: 1-888-818-7872  Web: www.spencertheater.com

27th—Pat Benetar and Neil Giraldo Inn of the Mountain Gods.
8 pm. Doors open at 7. With a career spanning more than 25 years, Pat Benatar has risen to become one of the most renowned female rockers in entertainment history. Known for songs such as “Love is a Battlefield,” “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” “We Live For Love” and “Heartbreakers,” Benatar served as the quintessential image of a strong female rocker for an entire generation. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com or at the box office at the Inn. More Info: 888-324-0348  Web: www.innofthemountaingods.com

28th, 29th, & 30th—Noon Lions Club Antique Show & Sale: Ruidoso Convention Center.
Fri. 5-9, Sat. 10-6, Sun 12-5. Admission: $3.00 in advance, $4.00 @ gate. Proceeds benefit Ruidoso Noon Lions Club. More Info: 575-257-0363 or 575-973-0732

28th & 29th—Staerkel Mountain Annie’s.
$32.50 for adults (includes dinner, the show, tax and gratuity), $12.00 for ages 7-12, and under 6 are free. Most nights doors open at 6:00 PM, dinner is served promptly at 7:00 PM and the show begins at 8:00 PM.  Young children and infants are welcome at the dinner shows, or, to let the parents or grandparents catch a break and watch the featured entertainment, the children may play in a specially designed and well-supervised upstairs playhouse area. More Info: 575-257-7982  Web: www.mountainannies.com

29th—The Elvis Story Spencer Theater.
Tickets: $79 & $76. 8 pm. Starring Ronnie McDowell with the Stamps Quartet. Spirited Elvis revival with a multi- instrumental band and Presley’s former backup gospel singers, The Stamps Quartet.  More Info: 1-888-818-7872  Web: www.spencertheater.com

29th—Heritage Rendezvous Hubbard Museum of the American West.
Encounter fictional characters based on the social demographics of the American West during the mid-19th to early 20th centuries. Come, immerse yourself in America’s proud past!  Explore the hands-on skills that were common for the time. Learn from experienced re-enactors the ways of the early West.  More Info: 575-378-4142  Web: www.hubbardmuseum.org

31st—Jean Burdine Scholarship Golf Scramble Kokopelli Golf Course.
8 a.m. Shot-gun start, There will be a raffle with some really great prizes including a Grand Prize of a 52″ LCD TV. Proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the ENMU-Ruidoso to award scholarships to students majoring in business and and hospitality and tourism. Sierra Blanca Motors has donated a new car to the lucky person who makes a hole-in-one on the 13th Hole More Info: 575-336-1818  Web: www.ruidoso.enmu.edu

You grab a cup of coffee, walk out on your back porch and what do you see? A little herd of elk calmly grazing, going about their business as you run for the camera.

Who wouldn’t want neighbors like these? If you can see yourself here, click here for more information on how you could own a piece of New Mexico land  at Vera Cruz Mountain Ranch!

Next time you want to raise a glass in celebration, think of filling it with a little New Mexico bubbly. That’s right: we’re not talking France, we’re talking Kokopelli country. New Mexico has been particularly successful at creating a very tasty sparkling wine—made in the traditional French method. Surprised? The state is actually the oldest wine-growing region in the United States. Take that, Napa!

Click here for more details!

RUIDOSO DOWNS, New Mexico – It’s one of the biggest racing weeks of the summer season at Ruidoso Downs when the Zia Festival overwhelms the grandstand and racing schedule this weekend.

Racing runs Thursday through Sunday with the usual 1 p.m. first post time. There is always free parking and free general admission at Ruidoso Downs.

The Zia Festival activities start on Saturday with vendors throughout the grandstand on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. The vendors represent everything New Mexico with art, crafts and wares from our Land of Enchantment. It is great browsing for the entire family and you will find something that you “must have.” Come early and shop before the races or walk around the booths between races for great values and bargains. Ruidoso Downs employees will be “decking out” their areas with the hopes of winning the decorating contest that becomes more of a friendly rivalry between contestants every year.

The Zia Festival racing program on Sunday afternoon features the best New Mexico-bred quarter horses and thoroughbreds on the track for the stakes-filled program. The class of the thoroughbreds is shown by the fact that the great Pepper’s Pride, who retired undefeated with a record-setting 19-for-19 career mark was a Zia Festival regular for trainer Joel Marr. This Sunday the richest race of the $1-million stakes-filled program is the $321,000 Zia Futurity for quarter horses, headed by fastest-qualifier Jess A Chicks.
The remaining Zia Festival races include the $107,000 Zia Derby, $50,000 Zia Handicap, $50,000 Zia 870 Championship, $50,000 Sierra Starlet, $50,000 Road Runner Handicap, $125,000 Rio Grande Senor Futurity, $125,000 Rio Grande Senorita Futurity, $50,000 Land Of Enchantment Handicap and the $50,000 Lincoln Handicap.
There is foot-stomping entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights with Rich Chorne and the Usual Suspects performing in Billy’s Sports Bar and Grill. There are also dinner specials every evening in Billy’s Sports Bar and Grill.

The racing action starts on Thursday afternoon with Zapatero, Ize On Juan and Fistfite Jewel each coming off maiden wins in the featured eighth race on the nine race program.

Zapatero stalked the pace and then pulled out to a five-and-a-half-length win. Ize On Juan and Fistfite Jewel each raced near the lead before gaining their daylight wins.