Archive for April, 2009

Lance Armstrong will compete in the Tour of the Gila after all, the seven-time Tour de France champion’s first race since breaking his collarbone in a crash last month.

Race director Jack Brennan said Tuesday that Armstrong and Astana teammates Levi Leipheimer and Chris Horner will be allowed to compete at this week’s event after USA Cycling reached an agreement with the International Cycling Union.

USA Cycling spokesman Andy Lee confirmed a deal was in place, one day after the UCI informed race organizers of a rule that bars top professional teams like Astana from sending organized squads to national-level races.

The compromise allows up to three members of a pro team to race individually without a team car or team director.

Brennan said the Astana riders plan to race wearing jerseys representing Mellow Johnny’s, Armstrong’s bike store in Austin, Texas. The BMC team that had entered an eight-man squad will also be allowed three members and must wear neutral jerseys.

Armstrong wrote early Tuesday on his Twitter feed that he was “Down at mellowjohnnys grabbing some jerseys, etc. to race in…”

The Tour of the Gila in Silver City, N.M., runs Wednesday through Sunday.

Armstrong broke his collarbone during the Vuelta of Castilla and Leon in Spain on March 23 and had surgery two days later. A stainless steel plate and 12 screws were inserted to stabilize it, and the American star has been working toward the Giro d’Italia beginning May 9.

Lee said the agreement allowing the Astana teammates to race in New Mexico was forged by USA Cycling’s chief operating officer, Sean Petty, and UCI president Pat McQuaid in Europe, where they were attending UCI road meetings.

“Sean had significant discussions with the UCI,” Lee said. “Ultimately, USA Cycling and the UCI worked together to find a resolution.”

UCI officials didn’t immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment.

“I thought it was a lost cause, but Sean Petty went to bat for us,” Brennan said.

The deal was hailed on the American side, where the most visible rider in the sport will lend some significant star power to the Tour of the Gila.

“Any opportunity Lance has to race in the United States is a good thing,” Lee said. “And for him to compete in the Tour of the Gila along with Levi and Chris, that’s good for racing in America.”

Brennan said it was important to work out an agreement because other races elsewhere in the United States have had similar issues.

“They are trying to resolve this issue now or work toward a resolution so other promoters are not caught in the same situation,” Brennan said. “It would be good for the sport to work this thing out.”

For a complete listing of events in Las Cruces, visit www.lascrucescvb.org.

Who: Las Cruces Railroad Museum
What: Railroad Days
When: May 7-9, 2009
Where: Las Cruces Railroad Museum, 351 N. Mesilla St. Las Cruces, NM
Contact: (575) 647-4480

Please join us for our second annual Railroad Days, May 7 through May 9, 2009 (10-4pm each day). All festivities celebrate Las Cruces’ railroading past, present, and future. Throughout the three-day event, the Dona Ana Modular Railroad Club will have their model train layouts running at stations throughout the museum.

Of particular interest will be the New Mexico Rail Runner Express commuter train and a modern Burlington Northern Santa Fe diesel engine will return to the Depot and be available for tours (no rides) on Saturday, May 9.

On Saturday May 9, events will start with Sierra Middle School’s “Sierra Soundsations” performing followed by the Welcome Ceremony at 10am. The speakers to date include Mayor Ken Miyagashima, City Manager Terrance Moore, District 1 Councillor Miguel Silva, and the Rail Runner’s Lawrence Rael. Inside the museum, we will have Harvey Girl reenactors from the Railroad and Transportation Museum of El Paso and model trains running. Outside we will have the “Van of Enchantment”, railroad related musical entertainment, and of course the NM Rail Runner Express will be available throughout the day.

Prior to Saturday’s big events, Thursday, May 7, is Senior Appreciation Day. Friday, May 8, is Students’ Day, special tours by appointment for large groups and activities for the kids throughout the day.

The Museum is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. The event is free and open to the public. The Railroad Museum is located at 351 N. Mesilla Street (at Las Cruces Ave.). For information, please see http://museums.las-cruces.org or call (575) 647-4480.

For a complete listing of events in Las Cruces, visit www.lascrucescvb.org.

Who: Town of Mesilla
What: Annual Cinco de Mayo
When: May 2-3
Where: Mesilla Plaza in Mesilla, NM
Contact: (575) 524-3262 ext. 116.

The Town of Mesilla is hosting its annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3 on the plaza. The event runs from noon-to-10 p.m. Saturday and from noon-to-7 p.m. Sunday. There is no admission charge.

Cinco de Mayo, the Fifth of May, commemorates the victory of Mexican soldiers over the French army at The Battle of Puebla in 1862. Although the Mexican army was eventually defeated, The Battle of Puebla was a victorious and proud moment in history for the Mexicans, as the smaller, poorly-armed soldiers defeated the larger, well-equipped French army.

About 30 vendor booths will line the plaza offering a variety of products including art, crafts, games, drinks and food. There will also be a greased pole climb, sponsored by Andele Restaurant in Old Mesilla, and piñatas for kids. Emily Guerra will serve as the master of ceremonies. Dulce band will play from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, and Krucez band will play from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Posters and advertisements for the fiesta will feature artwork by Mesilla Elementary School fourth-grade student Cosima Lopez. Lopez’s artwork was chosen as part of For the Love of Art Month in the Las Cruces/Mesilla area in February.

Following is the schedule of events:

Saturday, May 2
12 p.m. Welcome by Mayor Michael M. Cadena
National Anthem by Zia Middle School Choir
12-2 p.m. Ballet Folklorico Tierra del Encanto and Mariachi Real de Chihuahua
2-3 p.m. Mariachi Espuelas de Plata
3-3:30 p.m. Inti Raymi Peruvian Dancers and Mesilla Children’s Dance Class
3:30-4:15 p.m. Ballet Kalpana and Las Perlitas del Pueblo
4:15-5 p.m. Lucilene de Geus and Paco Antonio Flamenco Dance Groups
5-6 p.m. Greased pole climb sponsored by Andele Restaurant in Old Mesilla; Piñatas
6-10 p.m. Dulce Band

Sunday, May 3
12 p.m. Welcome by Mayor Michael M. Cadena
National Anthem by Linda Goff
12-2 p.m. Ballet Folklorico Tierra del Encanto and Mariachi Azcatitlan
2-3 p.m. Ballet Folklorico Quetzatcoatl La Academia Dolores Huerta and
Los Monarcaz and Acordiones de Oro
3-4 p.m. Greased pole climb sponsored by Andele Restaurant in Old Mesilla; Piñatas
4-7 p.m. Krucez Band

For a complete listing of events in Las Cruces, visit www.lascrucescvb.org.

Who: New Horizons Symphony Orchestra
What: Free concert
When: Saturday, May 16, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: New Mexico State University Atkinson Recital Hall
Contact: (575) 522-5571, (575) 523-9101

Fresh from a highly successful concert in February, the Las Cruces New Horizons Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) offers the second free concert of the year on Saturday, May 16, at 7:30 p.m. at the NMSU Atkinson Recital Hall. Dr. William Leland, their featured soloist, is a retired professor of music at NMSU and has performed in Las Cruces and around the Southwest for over 30 years.

Dr. Leland will perform Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 with the orchestra. In addition, the orchestra will play the second movement of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, the second and third movements of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, and the Great Gate of Kiev, one of the pieces in the suite “Pictures at an Exhibition” by Moussorgsky.

The orchestra is comprised of over 40 musicians, some of whom were music majors in college and who have performed professionally. The orchestra includes strings, wind, percussion, and – in this instance – a piano.

Dr. Leland retired from NMSU in 2000, after 30 years with the university. A native of Philadelphia, he has made numerous solo and ensemble appearances throughout the Southwest, has performed in Germany, Italy, Mexico, and in 27 states, and holds advanced performance degrees from the University of Cincinnati and the Niedersächische Musikhochschule of Hanover, Germany.

He and NHSO conductor Oscar Butler have long planned for Leland to perform in a concert with the symphony. He says, “Oscar Butler and I were old, old colleagues. When I first came (to NMSU) in 1969, our offices were right next to each other. I used to play a lot for his choral concerts. We’ve known each other for many, many years. He retired when I retired and then he became the conductor for the New Horizons Symphony Orchestra. We got to talking about it and I said ‘Let’s do a Mozart concerto some time.’”

It took a couple of years to get that concert together because the symphony lacked the essential clarinet players. Once that hurdle was cleared, the concert was scheduled.

In his retirement, Dr. Leland has rediscovered his love of flying, renewed his pilots license and bought a Piper Warrior. He used to fly to concerts around the Southwest when he was the pianist in residence at NMSU. Now he flies for enjoyment and to visit his family, including one son in Albuquerque, another in Oregon, and a daughter in Phoenix. Daughter Caroline is also a professional musician who plays viola with the Arizona Opera and as part of the Phoenix Piano Quartet with her father. The quartet recently gave a performance at NMSU.

The Las Cruces NHSO is part of the New Horizons International Music Association, as is the local New Horizons Band. Both groups provide the opportunity for adults aged 50 and older to either return to their musical roots or explore their artistic side for the first time. The first New Horizons Band was created in 1991 by Dr. Roy Ernst of the Eastman School of Music and now there are bands and orchestras across the country and around the world. While complete beginners are encouraged to take private lessons before joining the symphony, those with basic musical knowledge are welcome to join the group and will be nurtured by their peers and conductor Oscar Butler.

This is the fifth year for the Las Cruces chapter, which gives free concerts two to three times annually, and practices weekly at Las Cruces High School. For more information about joining the orchestra, attending or scheduling a concert, call 575-522-5571 or 575-523-9101. You may also check their Web site at www.nhsocruces.com.

For a complete listing of events in Las Cruces, visit www.lascrucescvb.org.

Who: Mesilla Valley Fine Arts Gallery
What: Betty Sweeney. May artist of the month
When: May 1-31, 2009. 10 am to 5 pm Monday-Saturday and noon to 5 pm Sunday
Where: Mesilla Valley Fine Arts Gallery located 2470-A Calle de Guadalupe in Mesilla
Contact: (575) 522-2933

The Mesilla Valley Fine Arts Gallery located 2470-A Calle de Guadalupe in Mesilla, across from the Fountain Theatre will be featuring the month of May artists Betty Sweeney, a multimedia oil and watercolor painter who finds joy and inspiration in New Mexico mountains, landscapes and historic treasurers.  Louise Lockhart works primarily in watercolor capturing the glorious colors of the Southwest desert.  Hours are 10 am to 5 pm Monday-Saturday and noon to 5 pm Sunday.  Information (575) 522-2933 or drop by the gallery to visit with the artists.  The gallery offers work by 30 local artists in many media’s to include original paintings, stained glass, miniature paintings, photography, encaustic, infused glass art jewelry, prints and handmade cards.

For a complete listing of events in Las Cruces, visit www.lascrucescvb.org.

The Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau announced today that it has been awarded accreditation from the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP), one of the highest honors attainable in the visitor industry. In earning this recognition, destination marketing organizations (DMOs) communicate to their community, buyers and potential visitors that their DMO has attained a significant measure of excellence.

“We are extremely honored to have received this award,” said Las Cruces CVB Executive Director Ken Mompellier. “We are very pleased to have been recognized by the destination marketing community for our hard work, commitment and dedication to the tourism industry’s high standards. Our staff put an incredible amount of work into the process to achieve this award.”

DMAP accreditation standards cover a wide range of topics including governance, finance, management, human resources, technology, visitor services, group services, sales, communications, brand management, destination development, research/market intelligence innovation and stakeholder relationships.

“By applying for and receiving DMAP accreditation, the Las Cruces CVB has demonstrated a commitment to quality programs and services,” said Christine Shimasaki, CDME, DMAP Board Chair. “Earning DMAP accreditation tells the local community and potential visitors that the Las Cruces CVB has attained a measure of excellence assuring that their trust is well placed and they are in good hands.”

DMAP is an independent international accreditation body and a leader in defining quality and performance issues in destination marketing developed by Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI).

The Las Cruces CVB is a City of Las Cruces department dedicated to attracting meetings, leisure and business travelers to Las Cruces in the most economic and efficient manner possible in order to stimulate the local economy.

For additional information about DMAP, visit www.destinationmarketing.org

The Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau welcomes the White Sands International Film Festival hosted by the new Allen Theatres, NMSU and Hotel Encanto with two package deals including hotel, meals and passes to the festival. 

The festival once more promises to attract numerous visitors from around the world. Now in its fifth year, the festival has grown to include and offer a uniquely diverse program encompassing a wide range of cinema, educational panels, and workshops, hosted by well recognized and experienced Industry professionals. This year the WSIFF again focuses on its goal of bringing eminent filmmakers to share their insights with audiences and heighten their appreciation of the art of cinema.

White Sands International Film Festival
For Two April 24th – 25th, Las Cruces, NM
Call 1-877-LUV-LCNM (588-5266) to book!
Packages include-

Hotel:  Arrive Hotel Friday, April 24th for two nights
Meals:  Dinner for Friday or Saturday night, breakfast on Saturday and Sunday brunch
Activities: Tickets to the White Sands Int’l Film Festival, Las Cruces City Museums and The New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum

Gifts from the Las Cruces CVB
Basket to include all tickets and vouchers, Visitor Guide and other brochures, and a special gift from the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau

VIP Package for 2 – $372.00 (Savings of $285)
(2) WS Film Festival Platinum VIP All-Access Tickets
Includes: access to all regular films; first entry to special screenings; access to all panels and workshops; private receptions and exclusive after-parties; access to VIP hospitality room
(2) Nights at Ramada Palms Resort & Conference Center (Tax & incidentals extra)

Basic Package for 2 – $292.00 (Savings of $215)
(2) WS Film Festival — Film Pass Tickets
Includes: access to all regular films; access to special screenings and access to all panels and workshops
(2) Nights at Ramada Palms Resort & Conference Center (tax & incidentals extra)
 

Dinner – La Posta de Mesilla
 (tax & gratuity included, alcohol not included)
 
 Saturday Breakfast – Break an Egg Restaurant
 (tax & gratuity included)

 Sunday Brunch at Double Eagle @ 11:00am
 (tax & gratuity included, alcohol not included)

Booking-

- Reservations must be made by April 17th
- Call Jennifer at the Las Cruces CVB at (575) 541-2258 for reservations
- Payment to LCCVB (check, Visa, M/C – only)
- Cancellations must be received by April 22nd penalty for hotel will be assessed if after 4/22/09