Archive for the 'Community' Category
Flood Clean-up in Ruidoso - news and video links
August 5th, 2008 categories: Community, Ruidoso Flood
Just a brief update on cleanup and rebuilding efforts in Ruidoso, after last weekend’s flood that hit the river areas of Upper Canyon, Hwy 70 campgrounds / RV parks, and the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack. Property owners who can provide proof of residence, have been allowed back in to their homes that were flooded, even though water and sewer services are out in some areas.
Eagle Drive Bridge - one of several bridges destroyed in flood
See recent news stories on the cleanup efforts at: KOAT - Albuquerque
Officials from FEMA have been working in the Village to assess damage, and determine whether federal aid from FEMA will be available to help with repairs. Residents living in the Upper Canyon and Black Forest remain under a “boil water” advisory. Work to clear debris from the river and bridges is ongoing.
Ruidoso Downs Racetrack resumed operation this past weekend, after flood waters forced a brief closure. Read more on the racetrack at: Racing resumes a week after flood .
Some campgrounds located north west of Ruidoso, mainly those near Bonito Lake, remain closed while clean up continues. Anyone planning to camp near Bonito Lake, may want to call the Smokey Bear Ranger District Office in Ruidoso at 505-257-4095. Most of the area private campgrounds, as well as those Forest Service areas outside of the Bonito Lake area are open.
For non-threatening emergencies and additional information, residents are encouraged to call the Flood Hotline at (575) 258-3482.
The Damage Assessment Center (Ruidoso Convention Center) is available to assist residents with reporting damage as a direct result of the flooding and is open from 8am-5pm. American Red Cross, City and County Assessors, Region VI Housing Authority, and Department of Agriculture are all present at the Center. The Center can be reached at (575) 937-3719.
Previous news, photos and video coverage on this story were posted on the Ruidoso Blog , included:
KOAT - Albuquerque News - flood information & video
KRQE - Albuquerque News - flood information & video
YOU CAN HELP - Local Churches, Banks, and agencies such as the Red Cross are working to provide aid to those in need. Please visit this link for more details.
If you have questions or would like more specific information on Ruidoso, please contact me at mary@ruidoso-homes.com.
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Ruidoso Flood
July 30th, 2008 categories: Community, Ruidoso Flood
By now you have probably heard about the flooding in the Ruidoso area. Several New Mexico news channels have been giving this rare event excellent coverage, and I wanted to provide links to some of those sites which have given the best news coverage, photos, and videos.
Additional links to the Ruidoso flood coverage:
YouTube Videos - Ruidoso Flood
Ruidoso Web Cam - live web cam from Mid town shopping district in Ruidoso
YOU CAN HELP - Local agencies such as the Red Cross, area churches and banks are working to provide aid to those in need. See more details at this link.
This is a devastating situation for those who live or own property right on the Ruidoso River or Bonito River. Early estimates are that about 350 homes were severely damaged. Numerous residents, visitors, and campers, were stranded when bridges and roads were completely washed away. Rescue efforts have relocated most of those folks to safety, while the rebuilding and cleanup has begun in the hard hit areas along the river.
In Ruidoso, bridges at the following locations are either destroyed or closed due to damage:
Country Club, Eagle, Close, North Loop, River Road/River Crossing, first and second bridge in Upper Canyon, North Grindstone, Valencia, McDaniels, Fox and Main, Sleepy Hollow.
Getting around town will be a bit challenging until the bridges are repaired. Ruidoso Downs Racetrack also experienced flooding, but has stated it will plan on being open for the first weekend in August.
Governor Richardson has already declared a state of emergency, so I am sure the Village will receive some help with clean up and repair costs. The New Mexico Dept. of Homeland Security, along with FEMA, and other agencies are also assisting the Village of Ruidoso.
I thought it would only be fair however, to let those of you who might own property here know that the majority of the county was not affected. I drove through the Alto area, Alpine Village, White Mountain Estates and a few other areas on Sunday. Other than receiving heavy rainfall and debris washed on to some low lying areas, there was little if any damage in these areas.
The main devastation were homes and RVs located in the flood plain of the Ruidoso River. I have lived here 17 years and could never have imagined the 100 ft wide, boiling, raging water that was roaring down our normally peaceful little stream.
According to the weather forecast, more rain is possible in the coming days, as our normal summer monsoon season continues, so we are all keeping our fingers crossed that we won’t have additional damage to the affected areas. I’ll keep you posted as more information becomes available, for for now, don’t worry if you own a home in the area. If it is not on the river, chances are very good that it has not been damaged.
If you have questions or would like more specific information on Ruidoso, please contact me at mary@ruidoso-homes.com.
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Ruidoso’s Annual Art Festival
July 24th, 2008 categories: Community
The Southwest region of the United States is known for its lush native culture and the art it births. From Native American pottery and jewelry to beautiful sunset paintings, the region is home to many talented artists. Every year, the Ruidoso Chamber of Commerce hosts the Ruidoso Art Fest at the convention center. Local artists, as well as those from surrounding states, bring their wares to display and sell to private collectors or soon-to-be collectors.
The Ruidoso Art Fest is a juried show, not all applicants are selected to participate. Here you will see stunning works of glass, wood, acrylic, sculpture, and much more. A silent auction will be held near the front entrance to benefit a local charity.
The art festival will run from July 25 through July 27. Friday the doors will open at noon and close at 6:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. A one day entry fee costs $5.00 for adults and $1 for kids ages 6-16. Children under age 3 are free. A 2 day pass will cost $8; a 3 day pass will cost only $12.
For more information or for a list of artists, please visit the Ruidoso Chamber of Commerce website.The Convention Center is located at 111 Sierra Blanca Drive, just off Mechem Drive near the post office.
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Forest Re-Opens
July 3rd, 2008 categories: Community, Mountain Wildlife
In a previous post I mentioned that we would do our best to keep you updated on the latest forest conditions in the area. Though it was predicted that our monsoon season would start late this year, we had an increase in precipitation over the course of June. It’s not enough to take us out of Stage II fire restrictions (see below), but the forest re-opened Wednesday, July 2 and we are very grateful. The air is fresh and cool, the grass is finally turning green, and the hummingbirds are out in full force.
(July 11) FIRE RESTRICTION UPDATE:
The use of an open campfire and charcoal grill is no longer restricted in the Lincoln County National Forest. As always, fireworks are prohibited on all federal lands.
Current village fire restrictions
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Ruidoso June Community Events
June 13th, 2008 categories: Community, Food and Entertainment
What could be more fun than hanging out with friends and family in the cool mountain air of Ruidoso and being able to attend one of the awesome concerts taking place here? There are so many events scheduled for the summer. I wish I had the time and space to write an article on each, but for brevity’s sake I can only hit a few of the highlights each month. Keep checking back. We’ll do our best to keep you abreast of our biggest community events and concerts as we know about them.
June 14, 2008 - Esteban, a master guitarist and arranger, will be performing at the Spencer Theater on the evening of June 14. Esteban has topped the Billboard charts numerous times with his albums and dvd’s. Now is your chance to hear the legendary guitarist in person. Visit the Spencer Theater’s website for ticket information and show times.
June 14 - Spring Fling Car Show: Mountain Annie’s. Come join the fun. The car show runs from 10-4 on Saturday. Admission is free.
June 14 & 15 - Ruidoso Wine Festival: Inn of the Mountain Gods. The New Mexico Wine Growers Association will be hosting the event. The cost is $20 at the door and includes a souvenir wine glass. A picture ID will be required and a designated driver is strongly suggested. Wine will be available for tasting or for buying. Visit the Inn of the Mountain God’s site or www.nmwine.com for more information.
June 21 & 22 - Ron White, comic sensation. Have a ball with “Tater Salad” Ron White at the Inn of the Mountain Gods. A second night has been added to the schedule due to his popularity, so if you can’t make the first show, get tickets for the second. Visit ticketmaster for prices and availability.
June 28 - The Buckinghams: Spencer Theater. This group is one of the tightest bands I’ve ever heard. Several years ago, I went to one of their performances at the old Bingo Hall near the casino. I was blown away by the Buckingham’s beautifully honed sound. You’ll be pleasantly surprised. Head over to the Spencer Theater’s website for details.
That’s all for now. I’ll soon post an update for July’s events. With the fire restrictions still in Stage III, I hope you see something above that gets you off your rocker and up on the mountain. It’s summer! Have fun!
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Ruidoso Events Calender - Racing, Shows, Art, Outdoors
May 16th, 2008 categories: Community
If you have been working on a summer escape to Ruidoso that includes camping, you have probably discovered that the Lincoln National Forest has been closed until we receive some precipitation to relieve the dry conditions in our area. Currently, within the village limits of Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs, no outdoor open flame of any kind is allowed, including cigarette smoking and gas grills. For a more comprehensive look of what the fire restrictions are in town and within the rest of the county, please take a look at the list of the Lincoln County fire restrictions. Don’t let the fire danger prevent a trip to our beautiful area. There are still so many wonderful things to do here, and I’ve included a list below to help guide you in the right direction.
Not only will the racing season begin at the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack, but Memorial Day Weekend is the perfect time to jump-start your summer activities. I’m including just a few of our community calendar events in this article, but with a little ingenuity on your part, you and your family can still find plenty to do in this neck of the woods.
Horse-racing Season: Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Casino opens May 23 and runs through Labor Day. The racetrack is home to the world’s richest Quarter Horse race, the All American Futurity. To start things off, Country Music artist Marty Stuart will be performing live at the racetrack on May 24. For times and information, visit the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack website.
Dinner Shows: The Flying J Ranch will open its doors for the season at 6:00 PM the evening of May 23 and will be open nightly (except Sundays) until September 3. From September 3 to October 14 the Flying J Ranch will be open on Saturdays only. Read the rest of this entry »
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Spring fun in New Mexico - Kite Festival in Ruidoso
April 20th, 2008 categories: Community
Spring in New Mexico is a kite flyer’s dream. Windy seems to be one of our official seasons in these parts. (”Fire” is another, but I’ll talk about that in a later post).
A local arts and crafts business, WeCree8, has graciously spent much time and energy developing a kite festival in Ruidoso. This year is their second annual event and it promises to be a fun-filled, spectacular time. UPDATE: See Photos from 2008 Kite Festival in Ruidoso - click here.
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New Mexico Wildlife - To Feed or Not to Feed…
April 15th, 2008 categories: Community, Mountain Wildlife
Here in the Sacramento Mountains and throughout the Lincoln National Forest, we are so blessed to have a glorious arid climate, over 300 species of wildlife, and a large diversity of habitats for the native animals. Our deer and turkey populations are thriving. I’ve seen more wild turkey this year than I have seen in all my years in the area. Seeing more and more of these magnificent creatures means that the temptation to put the feed out for them increases.
When it comes to mule deer and the cute little fawns wobbling behind their mothers, it’s tempting to want to leave out a snack thinking that surely the extra calories can’t hurt. And who doesn’t like to see beautiful bucks and speckled fawns just outside the front door? What many people don’t realize, however, is that their good intentions can be lethal for the animals they so love to watch.
All creatures are designed to live and die in their natural environments. When the delicate balance of nature is altered in any way, the animal population adjusts. When seasonal home owners in the Ruidoso area decide to add to the normal feeding process of animals in the wild by putting out alfalfa or corn, it can become more of a hazard than a help. Read the rest of this entry »
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New Airline Service to Ruidoso
April 1st, 2008 categories: Community, Real Estate News
Not so long ago, it would have been unheard of to have commercial flights from Texas or intrastate communities landing in Ruidoso. It was an understood fact that if you wanted to travel to Ruidoso you would strap yourself in the car and drive for hours to reach the beautiful Sacramento Mountains. Gone (almost), are the days of mapping out every rest stop or gas station between Ruidoso and Timbuktu.
What glorious new thing has made this happen, you ask? On February 11, 2008 New Mexico Airlines began service to Ruidoso from Albuquerque, Alamogordo, Hobbs, El Paso and Midland. Just a moment ago, I checked with the New Mexico Airlines website and located a round-trip flight from Midland to Ruidoso for $222.00 - not a bad price at all, considering high gas prices these days. Currently, New Mexico Airlines owns and operates three, 9 passenger Cessna Grand Caravans. I also located a flight from Ruidoso to Albuquerque for $220.85 which takes about 40 minutes. Check their timetable to find the best flight for yourself.
If your city isn’t one listed above, you might consider an American Eagle flight to/from Roswell to Dallas. By visiting the American Airlines site, you can make reservations for multiple destinations to or from Roswell, typically in a 50 passenger plane. I had the opportunity to take the American Eagle flight to Dallas last week, and it was a very easy and comfortable trip. The Roswell airport is small, but they were well organized, and the process went smoothly. The flights both in and out of Roswell were packed, so I recommend booking in advance if at all possible.
Happy flying!
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