Las Cruces High School Jazz One, directed by Mr. Trae Blanco

Recently, I had the opportunity to talk to Mr. Trae Blanco, band director at Las Cruces High School, about the state of public schooling in Las Cruces. As a fresh-faced 24 year old, Mr. Blanco almost looks like he could blend into the crowds of high school boys and no one would know the difference, but don’t let his youthfulness fool you; in his second year of teaching, Mr. Blanco has already received the New Mexico Music Educators Association’s New and Emerging Music Educator Award, as well as the LCHS Jazz One Group being featured as the Honors jazz ensemble at this years All-State music convention. In my profession, I encounter a lot of people facing relocation (either to Las Cruces or going away from it), and I know how much of a concern a city’s community is, especially things like schools and cultural activities; this is precisely why I wanted to sit down and speak with an educator like Mr. Blanco.

Mr. Blanco is energetic and bright in a social conversation, speaking at what seems like 250 words per minute, utilizing his hands and facial expressions to convey messages. After talking to him for just a few minutes, it’s easy to see why students and colleagues respect and like him so much. Aside from saving a spiraling band program from a sad future, Mr. Blanco’s enthusiasm for his job and students is contagious, something he says he learned from his time student-teaching with Mr. Neil Swapp, long-time director of the Mayfield HS Trojan Bands, and NMSU Music Department heads Dr. Greg Fant and Dr. Ken Van Winkle. When I asked him about the influences in his teaching, he says, “I can say that my teaching style is a blend of every great teacher I have encountered throughout my education… I could go on for days about all the teachers that have encouraged me to continue to educate the whole child in our classroom and I am thankful for that everyday.”

And so we begin talking about the arts in public schools, how important they are, and how helpful they are to the life of a child. Mr. Blanco is very passionate about a well-rounded education and stimulating both sides of the brain. “We do everything in schools today to educate students for tests in math, science and reading but we have no standard test for the arts. I think it is so key to use our everyday classroom time with these students to provide evaluation and feedback to nurture their growth as, in my case, a musician. We can look at the studies of neuro-science that show math and science involve one side of our brain and the arts; music, visual and other performing arts, involve the other side. This is education for the WHOLE brain and the WHOLE child,” he says of his educational ideals. It’s almost as if he read my mind, anticipating the next question and continuing on, “Negative aspects to supporting arts in pubic schools? Absolutely not…The arts are accountable for the fact that students involved in extra activities are almost ALWAYS more successful and more likely to graduate from high school than those who do not participate in other extra or co-curricular activities. The graduation rate of performing art students in our department at Las Cruces High School is 100% this year - over fifty seniors and 19 out of the top 25 students in their class.”

Impressive numbers, that is for certain. In a day and age where the “Me” Generation threatens to take down the public education system as we know it and drop out rates are at an all-time high, it is refreshing and uplifting to see active students so eager to participate in school activities and set high goals for themselves. When I asked Mr. Blanco what he wants to see for Las Cruces Public Schools in general, he says, “I hope that we do not have the change that the state is expecting. I hope that when the session begins in Santa Fe today we can do all we can to find other ways to save in funding rather than cutting education. We teach in a very knowledgeable district with great leadership. As a community member, come out and support local school events, or attend a school board meeting, find out how you can become involved. I know any arts program in the city would be happy to hear that volunteers are interested in helping their program.”

So, is more funding what the performing arts departments want? “Here is what everyone will say; give us more money. Here is what everyone knows, it is not going to happen,” Mr. Blanco says, his tone suddenly turning serious, his face focused. “Community support is a huge help! Not monetary, but coming to concerts and showing students that what they do is appreciated! I think that is the number one thing… We should do our part to get the message out and as we do continue to advertise our programs we encourage the public to come out and support. March 8-11 at the Onate Peforming Arts Center the Southwest District of NMMEA will be hosting their large group festivals. You can see groups from all across the southwest; band, choir, and orchestra.”

Hearing all of these things, like ‘we would love more community support,’ on top of all the political, economical, and social enclosures that teachers face, makes me wonder how a person could sacrifice so much of their time and energy to do such a difficult job. Just how much time does Mr. Blanco, along with all other LCPS high school band directors give? “Well, our band camp starts in July, and those are long days, usually ten to twelve hours. Football season and the fall is tough, since the days are long, we’re outside, and there’s a game pretty much every weekend, on top of competitions. But that’s what it is all about, school community, and giving these kids an experience! The days in the fall are typically ten to twelve hour days for me, and the spring lightens up a little. The days are more like eight to twelve hours, unless we have after school rehearsal, which…”

And you can see the idea. I think it is generally accepted, although not often widely noted, that teachers qualify as American heroes to an extent, sacrificing so much of their lives to hone young minds. When asked why he does it, Mr. Blanco says it well. “Imagine coming to work everyday and doing what you love to do? If you love to golf, imagine going to the course everyday and helping students get better, or playing with your best friends, and playing on the very best set of clubs out there; maybe Pings or TaylorMade? And at the end of the day you’ve done what you love, had a great time doing it and you know that tomorrow, you will do the same thing but better! That’s what we do, and it is what we LOVE TO DO!”

And there you have it; the Las Cruces Public Schools are full of excited, eager teachers, willing to go more than the extra mile and change the lives of their students. Mr. Blanco learned from the best: Dr. Greg Fant, Dr. Ken Van Winkle, and Dr. Fred Bugbee as well as Mr. Neil Swapp, who is now the mentor of Ms. Sarah Rede, assistant band director at Mayfield HS and good friend of Mr. Blanco’s (as he informs me). Mr. Blanco also works closely with Mr. Joseph Flores and Mr. Shawn Silva, band directors of Onate High School, to find like practices that work for all students. Click the links below to see the ways you can be involved in the LCPS performing arts.

To see the LCPS Performing and Visual Arts Calender, CLICK HERE

To see the Las Cruces High School Showcase Bands website, CLICK HERE

To see the Mayfield High School Trojan Band website, CLICK HERE

To see the Onate High School Royal Knight Regiment Band website, CLICK HERE

To see the NMSU Music Department Calendar, CLICK HERE

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Evelyn Bruder: CRS, GRI, ABR, E-PRO, Las Cruces Cyberstar

The Evelyn Bruder Dream Team http://www.homesforsaleinlascruces.com

For more information about what we do and how we can provide all of your real estate needs, CLICK HERE

We welcome comments and questions - CLICK HERE

Steinborn GMAC Real Estate (575)522-3698

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To keep you informed about the Las Cruces Real Estate market, we are providing you with informative articles and information that our team thinks will be of interest to you. If you have any questions, feel free to call or email us.

The real estate crisis has gutted house prices, tipped millions into foreclosure, and rattled the global economy to its core. But for many would-be home buyers, the historic boom and bust have been a blessing in disguise. During the first half of the previous decade, easy credit and speculative excitement worked to make houses increasingly expensive. By the fourth quarter of 2005, median home prices had reached 2.77 times median household incomes. That is sharply higher than the 1.92 average of the 15 years ending in 2003 and too expensive for many families. But the subsequent crash in home prices—values have fallen roughly 30 percent at the national level from their 2006 peaks—has helped restore affordability to this once inflated market. By the third quarter of 2009, the price-to-income ratio—a key measure of housing affordability—had fallen below its 15-year average, to 1.84 for the nation as a whole.

But not all markets have come back to earth with equal velocity. Home prices in many areas remain overvalued when compared with their longer-term averages, while others have become undervalued. To get a better sense where home buyers are most likely to find houses that are undervalued when compared with their longer-term averages, U.S. News turned to Moody’s Economy.com. The economics firm provided average and quarterly price-to-income data for each of the nation’s 384 distinct metropolitan statistical areas. By comparing the most recent figures with longer-term averages, we were able to compile a list of 10 cities for real estate steals. (It’s important to note, however, that many experts believe home prices have yet to hit bottom. For that reason, real estate values in many of the flowing markets could decline further before rebounding.)

1. Memphis: Higher home values pushed the price-to-income ratio in Memphis to nearly 5 in the first quarter of 2006—sharply above its 2.13 average for the 15 years ending in 2003. But the subsequent 17.5 percent decline in home prices has restored affordability to the market. Through the third quarter of 2009, the price-to-income ratio in Memphis was just 1.17, which is significantly below its 15-year average. But while the Memphis market appears to be stabilizing, prices may not have reached bottom yet, according to Moody’s Economy.com. A large number of mortgage delinquencies threaten to bring additional inventory to the market through foreclosure. That, in turn, may drag prices still lower.

2. Salinas, Calif.: As in many other markets in California, in the agricultural basin of Salinas, home prices have been hammered by the real estate bust. Home values jumped more than 70 percent from 2002 to 2006. But as the bubble deflated, real estate values plummeted some 65 percent from their peaks. This rapid decline has made houses more affordable to would-be buyers in the area. Through the third quarter of 2009, the price-to-income ratio in Salinas fell to 2.3, significantly below its average of 3.54 for the 15 years ending in 2003. While that’s still above the national average of 1.84, it’s a steep decline from Salinas’s 2005 peak of 7.09. But despite this drop, homes in Salinas are expected to become even cheaper this year as foreclosures exert additional downward pressure on prices, according to Moody’s Economy.com.

3. Medford, Ore.: The national housing bust has hit the outdoor wonderland of Medford, Ore., with a one-two punch. Because its timber industry is crucial to the local economy—wood-processing jobs represent at least a quarter of all manufacturing positions—the collapse of the new-home building market triggered higher unemployment in the area. Meanwhile, after moving significantly higher during the first half of the previous decade, home prices have dropped more than 23 percent in recent years. As a result, Medford’s already affordable housing market has become even more so. Its price-to-income ratio stood at just 1.01 through the third quarter of 2009, well below its average of 1.46 for the 15 years ending in 2003. Moody’s Economy.com expects home prices to hit bottom this year.

4. Washington: As the federal government scrambles to undo the damage of the nastiest recession in decades, home prices in the Washington area have grown increasingly affordable. (This metropolitan statistical area includes portions of Maryland and Virginia as well.) House prices jumped nearly 86 percent from 2002 to 2007 before taking a 31 percent dive. As a result, the price-to-income ratio of the Washington area fell to 1.12 through the third quarter of 2009. That is significantly less than the area’s average price-to-income ratio of 1.69 for the 15 years ending in 2003. Still, Moody’s Economy.com projects that home prices in the area will continue declining into 2011 before they begin to climb higher.

5. Mobile, Ala.: After increasing during the first half of the previous decade, home prices in Mobile, Ala., have dropped about 7 percent in recent years. At the same time, the area’s price-to-income ratio has fallen to 1.52 through the third quarter of 2009. That is significantly less than its average price-to-income ratio of 2.18 for the 15 years ending in 2003. Home prices in Mobile are projected to bottom this year before rising modestly, as the local economy gets help from its competitive port and an abundance of government jobs, according to Moody’s Economy.com.

6. Las Cruces, N.M.: The housing market in Las Cruces, N.M., has become increasingly undervalued in recent years when compared with historical averages. The area’s price-to-income ratio has fallen from 3.03 in the first quarter of 2006 to 1.37 through the third quarter of 2009. Growing affordability is one reason for the increase in home sales in the area in the third quarter. And aided by government jobs and healthcare employment, Las Cruces’s population is expected to grow twice as fast as the rest of the country’s. That will help Las Cruces emerge as one of the most rapidly expanding areas in the country over the next half decade, according to Moody’s Economy.com.

7. Fayetteville, N.C.: The housing market in the military town of Fayetteville, N.C., also successfully avoided wild price swings that devastated other parts of the country. Rather than surging, home prices remained largely flat for most of the previous decade. Today, house prices in Fayetteville remain undervalued when compared with longer-term averages. The area’s price-to-income ratio dropped to 1.23 through the third quarter of 2009, which is notably lower than its average ratio of 1.52 for the 15 years ending in 2003. Moody’s Economy.com expects home prices in Fayetteville to bottom out in 2010, before moving slightly higher in subsequent years.

8. Phoenix: After jumping more than 85 percent from 2002 to 2006, home prices in the Phoenix area have crashed by 52 percent in recent years. The plunge has helped restore affordability to this warm, sunny location. From the fourth quarter of 2005 to the third quarter of 2009, the price-to-income ratio was cut in half. It now stands at just 1.52, notably lower than its 1.74 average for the 15 years before 2003. Even though the market may be relatively affordable, those buying property in the area should not expect a quick turnaround. Home prices in the Phoenix area aren’t expected to move markedly higher until 2012, according to Moody’s Economy.com.

9. Fort Worth/Arlington, Texas: In recent years, home prices in the Fort Worth and Arlington, Texas, area have also grown increasingly undervalued when compared with longer-term averages. The area’s price-to-income ratio fell from 3.95 in the fourth quarter of 2005 to 1.89 through the third quarter of 2009. Compared with an average price-to-income ratio of 2.02 for the 15 years before 2003, house prices in the Fort Worth/Arlington area are now relatively undervalued. And with a labor market that is projected to perform better than the national average, home prices in this region are expected to hit bottom in 2011 and begin moving higher, according to Moody’s Economy.com.

10. Cincinnati: Home prices in Cincinnati have remained relatively affordable throughout the nation’s recent boom-and-bust cycle. The area’s price-to-income ratio actually increased from 2006 to the third quarter of 2009. Its most recent reading of 1.41 is slightly below the 1.46 average ratio of the 15 years before 2003. Although home price declines have moderated in recent months, Moody’s Economy.com believes further drops may be in store as additional houses go into foreclosure. Home prices in Cincinnati are expected to bottom out this year before creeping higher.

To get a great bargain on a home we will send you a free list of Las Cruces Foreclosures, Short Sales and Distress Sales. JUST CLICK HERE.

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Evelyn Bruder: CRS, GRI, ABR, E-PRO, Las Cruces Cyberstar

The Evelyn Bruder Dream Team http://www.homesforsaleinlascruces.com

For more information about what we do and how we can provide all of your real estate needs, CLICK HERE

We welcome comments and questions - CLICK HERE

Steinborn GMAC Real Estate (575)522-3698

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In order to keep you informed about important events and information regarding the Las Cruces community (and beyond), we have decided that it is important to inform our readers about the dangers of
Radon and how to protect yourself and your family from the harmful effects.

Simply put, radon is a radioactive gas that is naturally caused by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water that eventually gets into the air that we breathe. Like carbon monoxide, radon is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, and these reasons are the biggest contributing factors as to why it’s taken so long for radon to gain widespread notice. Radon is found all over the US and is explicitly linked to lung cancer; people who smoke and are exposed to radon are at an extreme risk. Radon makes its way into homes through general wear and tear like cracks in the walls, foundations, floors, and around pipes, as well as leaky windows and in the water.

With the scary stuff being said, there are many ways to protect yourself and your family from radon. Unfortunately, there is no where “safe” to live; radon has been detected all over the country (and then some), but most newer homes have been built to withstand radon interference. Some state and local governments have gone as far as mandating such as the norm for construction of new homes, so if you’re in the market to buy, keep that in mind when looking for your dream house. Always make sure to ask your real estate agent about the testing of a home before starting the buying process; short term tests can take about 2-3 days and sometimes up to about 90 days, and although the results aren’t as valid as the long term test results, they can serve as a great indicator of what you’re up against. As a buyer, it is completely reasonable and acceptable to request that you wait for the results of a radon test, and that the seller control elevated radon levels. On the other hand, as a seller, it is important to start the process of radon testing in order to ensure a smooth selling process. Radon tests are relatively inexpensive and are not very complex. Most home improvement stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s sell DIY radon test kits, and the EPA has an index to help you with radon testing. CLICK HERE to read more.

Keeping up with home repairs over the years is now more important than ever. What seem like minor problems (old windows, small cracks around pipes), can turn into something much more terrible. The EPA is working on educating everyone about radon without causing widespread panic, and there are several informative websites with preventative steps that you can take to arm yourself from radon.

We hope you found this to be educative and significant to your life. Rest assured that as a Las Cruces real estate agent, I make it a point to fully inform my clients about radon and what it means to everyone. To learn more about radon in the real estate process, see the links below.

To see the EPA’s overview on radon, CLICK HERE.

To see the EPA’s Home Buyers and Sellers Guide to Radon, CLICK HERE.

To learn more about radon testing, CLICK HERE.

To see more facts about radon from radon.com, CLICK HERE.

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Evelyn Bruder: CRS, GRI, ABR, E-PRO, Las Cruces Cyberstar

The Evelyn Bruder Dream Team http://www.homesforsaleinlascruces.com

For more information about what we do and how we can provide all of your real estate needs, CLICK HERE

We welcome comments and questions - CLICK HERE

Steinborn GMAC Real Estate (575)522-3698

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