Archive for the ‘CVB News’ Category

Who: Las Cruces Museum of Art
What: Lecture on European and American Art Collectors
When: Saturday, June 20, 2009
Where: Rio Grande Theatre is located at 211 N. Downtown Mall
Contact: (575) 541-2215

On Saturday, June 20th Debbie Rindge and Mireille Dohmen will present their joint lecture “Collecting Art: Europe and the United States, a Cross-Cultural Perspective” at the Rio Grande Theatre, beginning at 12:30 pm.  Presented in conjunction with the “Las Cruces Collects” exhibit currently on display at the Las Cruces Museum of Art, the lecture will discuss the similarities and differences between European and American collecting sensibilities.  A short history of collecting (on both sides of the Atlantic), images of collectible works of art, stories about well-known collectors and the legacies they left behind will be included.

Debbie Rindge is an art historian and the owner of Mirari Fine Art Consulting in Las Cruces. She received her Ph.D. in American Art History from the University of Maryland, College Park. Her publications include catalogues of the collections of American art in the Columbus Museum of Art in Ohio and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

Mireille Dohmen worked as a kindergarten teacher for over 20 years.  After marrying surrealist Leo Dohmen (1929-1999), she managed the Gallery Den Tijd and organized exhibitions of contemporary art.  For the past ten years, she has been working on a retrospective of her late husband’s work for the Museum of Photography in Charleroi, Belgium.

 The Rio Grande Theatre is located at 211 N. Downtown Mall in Las Cruces.  Exhibition hours for “Las Cruces Collects” are Monday-Friday, 10AM – 4PM, and Saturday, 9AM – 1PM. Admission is free. Funded by the City of Las Cruces, the Las Cruces Museum of Art is located at 491 North Main Street, at the north end of the Downtown Mall. Call 541-2137, or visit http://museums.las-cruces.org, for more information on museum exhibits and Studio Program art classes.

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.

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

Salman Rushdie, an award-winning author who survived a death threat for one of his works, will speak at New Mexico State University’s Pan American Center at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10. The event is free and open to the public as part of the University Speaker Series.

“Sir Salman Rushdie is one of the most celebrated and controversial authors of our time,” said William Eamon, dean of the NMSU Honors College. “This is a rare opportunity for the students of NMSU and members of the community to listen to one of the greatest literary figures of our age.” 

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, a previous leader of Iran, issued a death threat for Rushdie following his fourth novel, “The Satanic Verses.” The book was the center of protests for Muslims in several countries in the late 1980s. After the threat, Rushdie spent much of the next decade underground but continued to be outspoken against censorship.

Rushdie’s other novels include “The Moor’s Last Sigh,” “The Ground Beneath Her Feet” and last year’s “The Enchantress of Florence.” He won the prestigious Booker Prize for “Midnight’s Children.” Rushdie received a knighthood in 2007 for his services to literature.

“Rushdie is not only a brilliant provocateur, he’s a spellbinding lecturer who talks about the major themes that course through his writing, including freedom of expression, religion, pop culture, Muslim culture, East-West relations, and the role of the artist in shaping our understanding of the world,” Eamon said.

The University Speakers Series is sponsored by the Honors College, the Office of the President and the Office of the Provost. For more information, call (575) 646-2005.

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

This March New Mexico State University will honor women dedicated to saving the planet with an art show and reception outside the Stras Research and Reading Room at the Branson Library on the university campus.

The event is collaboration between the NMSU library and the Women’s Studies Program and is free and open to the public. Scheduled from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. Monday March 2, it will highlight Interim President Waded Cruzado’s declaration of the Year of Sustainability at the university and feature screened prints of internationally known women environmentalists created by NMSU art students.

“In recent years the issue of the protection and even the survival of the planet has been called to the forefront of international consciousness,” Cruzado said when talking of the March event.  “But many people already have been working in the field to protect the earth’s ecosystem. We celebrate them during Women’s History Month and we join them in the effort.  As the state’s land-grant institution, New Mexico State University has a special responsibility in showing leadership in regard to sustainability efforts and accomplishments. That is why we declared this the Year of Sustainability at NMSU.”

Among the women who will be featured in the art show is Constance Falk, a professor in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at NMSU. Falk has been an outspoken activist on issues of sustainability and the environment. She has agreed to speak on the issue at the art show.  Art students will be present to discuss their works.

The NMSU library also will take center stage at the event as specialists Martha Andrews and Charles Stanford will discuss the library’s special collections on women. The Stras Research and Reading Room was dedicated in the name of Caroline E. Stras, and so is a fitting site for the show and reception.

This event kicks off NMSU’s participation in the nationwide Women’s History Month celebration themed “Women Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet.”  Other notable events for the month include:
-March 13: Readings from Korean feminist poets by Don Mee Choi, on campus, time and place  to be announced later
-March 14: A showing of the movie, “A Single Woman;” 1:30 p.m. at the Fountain Theater in Old  Mesilla
-March 17: Lecture by visiting scholar Dena Goodman “Freedom and Happiness: Rethinking  Love and Marriage in Eighteenth Century France;” 7 p.m. Science Hall 107, on campus
- March 18:  Concluding event, Coffee with the Dean, 8:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. at the Women’s  Studies offices, Room 289 in  Science Hall.

For more information see www.nmsu.edu~wstudies or call 575-646-3448.

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

The City of Las Cruces has begun constructing the city’s first, official off-leash dog park. The park, located behind Meerschedit Recreation Center, 1600 E. Hadley St., is tentatively scheduled to open in May.

The park will have structured rules for use and etiquette, which the city of Las Cruces Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will discuss at their meeting scheduled for February 26th, 7:00 p.m. in the Dresp Room of Branigan Memorial Library, 200 E. Picacho Ave.

The Las Cruces Dog Park Coalition secured $150,000 in state legislative funding for phase one of the construction.

For more information, contact Udell Vigil, director of communications at (575) 541-2200. The TTY number is (575) 541-2182

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

Las Cruces is using Twitter.  Just click on the following link and you can follow the most up-to-date information about Las Cruces events and attractions. 

http://twitter.com/LasCruces

If you are a member of Twitter, sign up to follow Las Cruces’ updates so you can know right away about the latest event.  Join us tonight as the NMSU Aggies take on Nevada in men’s basketball at 7 pm at the Pan American Center. 

See you on Twitter and at the game.

By: Jessica Borchert

LAS CRUCES, NM –

Las Cruces was once again chosen as one of the best places to retire. 

The website, bestboomertowns.com said 20 towns were chosen as Best Boomer Towns because they have excellent health care, a university, airport access, fine dining, low crime, cultural activities, beautiful weather, active lifestyle, low average cost of living and a range of home sizes and prices.  The website names the towns, 2009 Best Places to Thrive. 

Las Cruces is listed with other larger towns such as Austin, Tx and Tucson, Az and is the only

New Mexico city on the list.  

The website said

Las Cruces’ “vibrant culture scene” and “mountain vistas” are a reason to retire here. 

“For the new wave of boomers who mix retirement relocation with second or continuing careers, Las Cruces continues to surpass job growth for any other metro area in the state outside of

Albuquerque,” the website said.   

In previous years,

Las Cruces has been awarded five similar awards including Inc. magazine’s 2007 Boomtowns, AARP’s 2006 “Dream Towns” to retire and twice named a top place to retire by Money magazine. 

MEDIA ADVISORY January 7, 2009 

Contact:       Jodi Delaney505-827-7405Jodi.Delaney@state.nm.us  Happy Birthday New

Mexico!

Official

State Centennial Logo will be unveiled During celebration in Capitol Rotunda February 19th  SANTA FE—As New Mexicans observed the 97^th anniversary of their statehood January 6, 2009, plans are moving forward for the state’s official centennial celebration, which will take place January 6, 2012. The Centennial of Statehood Steering Committee, a statewide collaborative group led by the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Centennial Task Force, appointed by the Governor and House and Senate leadership, selected a logo from among many designs submitted by students at the Design College of Albuquerque to represent official statewide activities that will commemorate

New Mexico’s entry into the union as the 47th state.

 The logo design, created by Ryan Rodriguez, a graduate student at the College, will be unveiled at a press conference during “Culture Day” at the New Mexico Legislature on Thursday, February 19 at the Rotunda of the State Capitol in

Santa Fe.  

 Cultural Affairs Secretary Stuart Ashman said that projects for the statehood centennial celebration will include a wide range of activities focusing on

New Mexico’s rich history, its culture and its future.   “This is an important opportunity to celebrate

New Mexico’s vibrant past while looking ahead to the next hundred years,” he said.  “We look forward to working with communities statewide to commemorate this significant milestone.”   Community planning is already underway, with activities and educational projects commemorating New Mexico’s path to statehood, and exploring the first 100 years of statehood, including

New Mexico’s storied traditions in art, culture, music, food and more. 

 The Centennial Task Force was created by executive order in April 2008, consisting of state leaders including Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish, two members each from the Mew Mexico State Senate and House of Representatives, and ten additional members of the Governor’s Cabinet.  The task force is chaired by the Secretary of Cultural Affairs.    The Steering Committee, which has held more than 30 meetings throughout the state over the past three years, includes representatives of New Mexico State University, the New Mexico Humanities Council, the University of New Mexico Valencia Branch, the New Mexico Tourism Department, the Office of the State Historian, the State Librarian, State Folklorist, State Historic Preservation Officer and the Director of the New Mexico History Museum and a representative of the Lt. Governor’s office.   For 25 years, The Art Center Design College – with campuses in Albuquerque and Tucson, Arizona – has continued to meet the higher education needs of students in the Southwest who are seeking entrance in the most exciting and rapidly growing industries, such as graphic design, interior design, animation, illustration, landscape architecture, advertising and marketing, photography and fine arts. A regionally accredited college, it offers students programs that combine forward-thinking instruction in communication and problem-solving skills necessary for success in today’s workplace alongside instruction in the most up-to-date methods and technologies used in visual and creative fields. For more information contact Jodi Delaney, Director of Statewide Initiatives, at505-827-7405, 505-827-7308 (fax) or jodi.delaney1@state.nm.us, or visit www.newmexicoculture.org