Hi everyone!

Romance is in the air next week! What is your favorite spot for a romantic Valentine's Day dinner? I think a lot of you might say a home cooked, candle lite dinner, but the rest of us want something fancy! 

My choice is Double Eagle!

It's reportedly haunted by the ghosts of two starcrossed lovers who died tragically but still found a way to hang out in a romantic setting. There are cozy nooks, a lush garden room, an elegant dining area with a gold-plated ceiling, a comfy Victorian bar and even a room spiced with furnishings that once graced the Silver City bordello of the notorious Madam Millie.

Whatever your idea of romance, you're likely to find some aspect of it in the rambling, historic and elegant old adobe that houses the Double Eagle on the Mesilla Plaza.

Take your Valentine for luscious margaritas, hors d'oeuvres (try the green chile wontons for a love-enhancing endorphin rush), lunch or a snack. Get big Valentine's points by springing for the Sunday buffet, a gourmet supper or see if you can get reservations for the special annual St. Valentine's Day Wine Tasting Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

They match wines with foods and prepare a wonderful event. 

For reservations and more info: (575) 523-6700.

See everyone next week! 

One of the best things about Las Cruces is that we are big enough to benefit from just about any convenience you need, and small enough that we all seem to know each other. 

That's why Look Who's Dancing! is such an entertaining event. For a few years now, we've been going to Look Who's Dancing! to have good fun watching local celebrities impress us with great dancing abilities, and yes, to watch a few of them embarass themselves. It's all in good fun! 

Look Who's Dancing! is a special entertainment event organized to benefit the New Mexico State University DanceSport Company. Its goal is to promote social dancing to the Las Cruces community as a healthful and enjoyable activity for all ages and all skill levels.

This year the wonderful dancers include:

Christopher Cruz from Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces
Donna Richmond from La Piñon Sexual Assault Recovery Services of SNM
Elaine Brown from Re/Max Classic Realty
Crystal Lay from Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering - NMSU
Debbie Calderon from The Whole Enchilada Fiesta Executive Board
Bill Connor from El Paso Electric
Austin Trout the WBA Light Middleweight Champion
Jeffrey Silva from Bank 34 & March of Dimes
Ceci Vasconcellos from Doña Ana Arts Council

Here's one of the highlights, in addition to the technical judging, competitors are competing for an additional trophy; people's choice. Community members get to buy votes; you cand drop money, at $1 increments, into the bins for the competitor you would like to vote for at the event. The competitor receiving the most money/votes wins. All money goes to the DanceSport Team. The winning competitors will receive trophies respective to the category they win.

Here are the details:

Friday January 27, 2012
7:00 pm
Onate Performing Arts Center
Las Cruces, NM

We hope to see you there! 

Most hot air balloon events are held at times of the year when favorable weather conditions are more likely and in the Mesilla Valley, that mean now!

19th annual Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally is Saturday and Sunday at the Brown Farm Field on North Camino Real. 

The Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally was first launched in 1982 as part of The Whole Enchilada Fiesta. In 1988, the rally split off into a separate event, officially named the Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally.

The first launch site was next to Burn Lake. It was moved to Mayfield High School in 1993, and then moved again to open areas owned by Southwest Cotton Growers on Valley Drive and Amador Avenue.

In 2005, the rally moved to its current site, historically known as Brown Farm Field, just east of El Camino Real and southeast of Armstrong Road.

The MVBR regularly features morning launches, a balloon glow, hot air balloon competitions, food vendors, and tethered rides for the public. In 2009, the 17th annual Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally was canceled because of economic hard times, but 20 hot air balloons showed up anyway. As many as 94 balloons have appeared at a rally.

Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally Schedule
Saturday
7 a.m.: Mayor's proclamation and official opening
7:10 a.m.: Memorial mass pi-ball (helium balloon) release by pilots "in memory of balloonists and all fun-loving souls who have left this earth." Naomi Vega sings "Amazing Grace."
7:20 a.m.: Presentation of the Stars and Stripes from the hot air balloon "Cool Beans II" as Naomi Vega sings the national anthem. Presentation of Colors by NMSU ROTC.
7:20 a.m.: Mass ascension in two waves
8:30 a.m.: Tethered rides for the public, $2 donation
3 p.m.: Afternoon fun launch
5:30 to 8 p.m.: Balloon glow

Sunday
7:30 a.m.: Mass ascension in two waves

We hope to see you there! 

Tomorrow we're heading out to celebrate New Mexico's 100 year birthday at the Mesilla Valley New Mexico Centennial Parade. Are you going to join us?

The parade winds its way Saturday through historic parts of downtown Las Cruces starting at 11 a.m. And we just read in the Las Cruces Sun News that entries are keeping their floats a secret. We're not sure why, but that adds a little bit of excitement to the whol think. 

The 100-minute, two-mile parade will devote about 10 minutes to each decade, commemorating 100 years of statehood and what it has meant to this part of the state, with cars, equipment, representations of people and events, people born, and groups formed in each decade. The end of the final decade (2002 to 2011) will pass over the same spots as the beginning of the first decade (1912 to 1921), ending in downtown Las Cruces. Those attending are encouraged to dress in period costumes.

The parade will stage, beginning at 9 a.m., at the Loretto Town Center, travel north on Church Street, left on the newly opened roundabout, onto Water Street south and back to the staging area. The reviewing stand will be in front of the old Las Cruces City Hall, 200 N. Church St.

Parade grand marshal will be actor Dale Liikala, portraying President William H. Taft with Las Crucen Judy Roscoe as first lady Nellie Taft.

An F-22 Raptor will fly over the area at 11:35 a.m., which was the minute President Taft signed the proclamation designating New Mexico as a state.

Come early and park in downtown city parking lots, at District Court, 201 W. Picacho, Las Cruces Municipal Court, 135 E. Griggs Ave., near old or new city halls, and around the Downtown Mall, but be prepared to stay for the whole parade, as access will be restricted.

Learn more at www.mvcentennial.org.

Are you looking for something to do this New Year's Eve? You are bound to find something in this list to suit your desires.

Days Inn & Suites (Eddie's Bar & Grill)

901 Avenida De Mesilla, (575) 524-8603
Country Western artist Clay Mac will headline the New Year's Eve event, which begins at 9 p.m., inside the hotel ballrooms. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Eddie's Bar & Grill will be open that there's no cover charge.

De La Vega's Pecan Grill and Brewery

500 S. Telshor Blvd., (575) 521-1099
Welcome the New Year in style at De La Vega's Masquerade Ball. Prepare for a night of cocktails, hors d'ouerves, a dessert bar, dancing and a champagne toast at midnight. Presale tickets are $10 a person or $15 a couple. Tickets will be $20 per person at the door. Private booths are also available for $250. 21+.

Dublin's Street Pub

1745 E. University Ave., (575) 522-0932
Get your friends together for a night of drinks at the local college hot spot. Welcome the New Year with a champagne toast at midnight. 21+.

Graham Central Station

505 S. Main St., (575) 524-9131
Drink specials will be available from 5 to 8 p.m. featuring $2 wells and domestics. Enjoy a variety of music in all four bars (country, Latin, hip-hop and karaoke) and free party favors for all attendees. $15 presale tickets. 21+.

Hotel Encanto

705 S. Telshor Blvd., (575) 525-9212
Dance your way to 2012 at Hotel Encanto's Holl-E-Wood New Year's Eve featuring music by DJ Cypher. You can also catch host Cabezon MC and DJ Flipz spinning inside Azul Ultra Lounge. The party starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $40 per single or $65 per couple. You can also take advantage of the "Take the Elevator Home" special that includes access to the event and a room for two for $170. 21+.

Meson de Mesilla

1803 Avenida de Mesilla, (575) 652-4953
For a top-notch New Year's Eve meal, check out Meson de Mesilla from 5 to 9 p.m. For starters, enjoy oysters on the half shell or oysters Rockefeller, as well as a Caesar salad or tomato bisque. Entrees include your choice of a beef, pork, chicken or salmon dish. Finish off your meal with a chocolate-covered strawberry and sparkling wine or cider. Meals are $49.95 per person. There will be a party in the lounge till 1 a.m. featuring live music, party favors and a champagne toast. There is a $15 cover for the lounge party, or free for hotel guests. Rooms start at $89.

Palacio's

2600 Avenida de Mesilla, (575) 525-2910
Catch Phat Soul at the Mesilla bar starting at 8 p.m. Tickets for the New Year's Eve event are $25.

Ramada Palms de Las Cruces

201 E. University Ave., (575) 526-4411
The Ramada Palms is kicking off 2012 with the grand opening of the Passion Ultra Lounge and a party inside the main ballroom featuring Sunny Padilla and the All-Stars. Tickets for both events are available at the front desk for $35 per event. 21+

St. Clair's Winery & Bistro

1800 Avenida de Mesilla, (575) 524-2408
Enjoy dinner at St. Clair's featuring a buffet and live jazz music provided by Tuco John. The bistro will be open until 10 p.m.

Ten Pin Alley

1021 E. Amador Ave., (575) 526-8855
Get the family together for a night of Rock and Bowl at Ten Pin Alley. Their New Year's Eve celebration is $25 per person and includes a Mexican buffet, complimentary champagne or cider and party favors. The party starts at 9 p.m. Early lane reservations are highly recommended.