Archive for December, 2008

Some 75 New Mexicans and many other folks who probably wish they were are spending the holiday week doing one of those once-or-maybe-twice-in-a-lifetime events are doing just that: Decorating New Mexico’s float entry in the Tournament of Roses Parade.

Obviously the weather in southern California is a far cry better than the cold and snow that was covering much of the Land of Enchantment when they left a couple of days ago, but no matter. New Mexicans who remembered the soggy parade experience in 2006 and the state’s award-winning entry last January 1st are hyped as they turn Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner into what many visitors to the Fiesta Parade Floats pavilion are calling one of this year’s more imaginative entries.

Two completely unrelated events in 1949 will now forever be linked with the unveiling of the State of New Mexico’s float, “Hats Off To New Mexico – Beep!Beep!,” as it travels Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena, California in the 2009 Tournament of Roses® Parade this Thursday (January 1, 2009) - the official designation of the Roadrunner as New Mexico’s state bird and the introduction of cartoon characters Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner to the world by animation legend Chuck Jones

“While New Mexico’s state bird has been entertaining visitors to the Land of Enchantment since 1949, so has its cartoon counterpart entertained movie-goers,” said Michael Cerletti, Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department. “Our roadrunner will be fondly and forever linked with the Chuck Jones’ Road Runner, so we think he is perfect to remind the world that New Mexico is the place to be for fun-filled entertainment.”

These pea-clad combatants have been a hit from the first day media and visitors were allowed into the float-building pavilion, and they’ve already made a guest appearance on local evening newscasts.

This is the third time in the past four years that New Mexico will be represented by a float in the Rose Parade, and it follows on the heels of the 2008 float, “Passport to Our World & Beyond,” winner of the coveted Grand Marshal’s Trophy “for excellence in creative concept and design.”

Once again, the New Mexico float is designed by award-winning float designer Raul Rodriguez and built by Fiesta Parade Floats of Pasadena, Calif. under contract with the New Mexico Tourism Department.

New Mexico’s float volunteers, led by head volunteer Bobbi Baca with help from Tourism Department staff, will all tell you that helping transform a storyboard concept into comic reality is a great experience.

And Secretary Cerletti will tell you, “The national and international exposure offered New Mexico through our appearance in the Parade and the media events held in conjunction is immeasurable. Our purpose in participating in this event – like all our advertising efforts - is to pique the interest of our potential visitors and to create in them a curiosity to find out more about the Land of Enchantment. It is important that the New Mexico tourism industry does everything it can to take advantage of unique marketing opportunities, like the Tournament of Roses® Parade.”

Additional New Mexico information: Visit New Mexico

Harvest Cooking Class
January  6, 2-4 p.m.
The theme for this month’s Harvest Cooking Class is cheese, herbs and spices. Carol Koenig is the chef and pre-registration is required. $30.

Lecture Series: “Apache Voices,” by Sherry Robinson
January  8, 7 p.m.
The presentation includes an overview of Apache history, culture and values. Robinson, an award-winning journalist, is the author of Apache Voices and El Malpais, Mt. Taylor and the Zuni Mountains. Robinson is working on a second Apache book about the Lipan Apaches. Admission is free and the program is co-sponsored by the New Mexico Humanities Council.

Quilting the Past
Grades 5th to 12th
January  24, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Do you enjoy a good story? People have been telling their stories through quilts for centuries. Here is your chance to stitch a small quilt that illustrates your family history. Also learn about the origins of quilting and how quilts are utilized and valued by many different cultures. Materials and tools will be provided but bring your heirloom fabric to add to your quilt. Don’t forget to bring your lunch! (Lunch items are available in the Eagle Ranch Mercantile.) Pre-registration is required. $20.

Living History Saturdays
Beginning January 24
Interested in traveling back in time? Here’s your opportunity! Come to the museum on Jan. 24 and 31 and visit with a character from New Mexico’s past between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. A different character appears each week, check local listings for details.

For more information about the New Meixco Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum, please call (575) 522-4100 or visit www.frhm.org

Additional Las Cruces, New Mexico Attractions: White Sands National Monument

The Town of Mesilla will host the annual Luminarias and Christmas Carols on the Plaza Wednesday, Dec. 24.  The “Mesilla Singers” choir will lead in singing Christmas carols from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The Town of Mesilla, Los Leones de Mesilla (the Lions Club of Mesilla) and the Las Cruces High School band, in cooperation with the Mesilla merchants and volunteers, will light thousands of luminarias in the plaza and around town beginning at dusk. Anyone interested in helping light the luminarias should call the Town of Mesilla at 524-3262, ext. 116.

As part of the Christmas Eve event on the plaza, the Friends of the Mesilla Fire Department will hold a candlelight service for public safety and military personnel. The candlelight service will begin at 6 p.m. The service is for on- and off-duty personnel, their families and friends, as well as for those serving in the armed forces.

For more information, call the Town of Mesilla at (575) 524-3262 ext. 116.