Belen, NM

Young horsewomen of Valencia County, take notice! You could be a queen or princess!

The Valencia County Fair Rodeo Royalty competition for the 2009-2010 year will kick off soon, and entries are due by Friday, July 10th. There will be an orientation meeting and practice session on Friday, July 17th at the Belen Sheriff's Posse Arena, and the actual competition will be held on August 7th and 8th. Personality Competition and Personal Interviews will be held on August 7th at Calvary Chapel in Belen, while the Horsemanship competition will be located at the Sheriff's Posse Arena and held on August 8th.

This is a great event that my daughters really enjoyed competing in when they were younger. As I recall, Queen candidates were aged 17-22, Princess candidates were 12-16, and those 11 and under competed for the title of Valencia County Rodeo Sweetheart. The Valencia County Rodeo Queen then goes on to represent Valencia County at the New Mexico State Fair Rodeo Queen competition.

Cowgirls, here's your chance! Saddle up, put on your biggest smiles, and come on out and compete! To get your entry forms, contact one of the coordinators:

Sherlene Romero at (505)550-0536, Alexandria Romero at (505)261-4607, or Shirley Baca at (505)350-0241.

For more information about greater Albuquerque area horse properties and equestrian information just visit my Albuquerque horse properties website, or contact me any time by cell phone or email: (505)239-4796, nmbroker@earthlink.net.

We've got our own "Little Town of Bethlehem" right here in New Mexico. It's actually called "Belen," which is Spanish for "Bethlehem." And this year, the Greater Belen Chamber of Commerce is promoting an idea that is quaint, charming, and also (in our current era of political correctness) definitely gutsy and maybe risky. Here's the idea:

This Christmas season, the Chamber will host its first ever "Nativity Scene Contest." The idea grew from the town's name (Belen=Bethlehem), and is designed to "help make this city a tourist destination," according to a quotation from Deputy Chamber Director Cindy Clark that the Valencia County News Bulletin included in its recent article about the event.

The Chamber is encouraging residents to display nativity scenes in front of their homes or businesses as part of the contest. Entries are due at the chamber by Dec. 19, and there is no fee. No live people or animals may be used in the contest. Displays will be judged on Dec. 22 and 23, with winners announced Dec. 27. There will be plaques for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place entries.

Organizers hope that residents will get behind the idea as a way to capitalize on the "little town's" namesake, as vistors marvel at the spectacular sights of "Christmas in Bethlehem (Belen)."

I love the idea! It's unique, and quaint, and historic, all rolled into one. But hey, this is, after all, the country where a lawsuit was filed to try to force another NM town (Las Cruces) to remove the two crosses from its city logo on the grounds that any two crosses must be a violation of church and state. What would those folks make a a little town actually sponsoring creches, complete with Mary, Joseph, and the Baby?

I'll be waiting to see how this works out. I'm with the Belen residents who hope that this will truly make folks say, in the words of the old Spanish carol, "Vamos Todos a Belen."

Merry Christmas, Everybody!

The small town of Belen, NM, half an hour south of Albuquerque, has a local Farmers Market every Friday afternoon and evening.

I love farmers' markets!

So last week I stopped by, and found some great, really fresh local produce, plus home-made jams and jellies, all-natural, locally made soaps, raw honey (completely local, of course!) and even roasted sweet corn, prepared fresh, on-site!

Buying local is the green and eco-friendly thing to do, and the offerings at the Belen Farmers' Market included lots of organic and all-natural options, making this an even "greener" option for local residents!

The farmer's market is held every Friday from July through October, from 4:30-7 p.m., at Anna Becker Park on Reinken Road.

So, if you live in Valencia County, come on out and join all the rest of the locals in Belen---I'll even make it easier for you by providing the map below to help you find it!

La Entrada Realty
Gateway to Belen Real Estate and the magnificent Southwest!

BELEN

Belen real estate is approximately 40 minutes south of downtown Albuquerque, along the east side of the I-25 corridor. Commuting for work to Albuquerque is common, and now more convenient as the New Mexico rail runner makes a stop in Belen. Although Belen is a town in its own right, many people choose to work in Albuquerque and live in Belen because it may be more affordable and is more rural. It is also 45 minutes north of the School of Mines in Socorro, New Mexico. The price of owning Belen real estate can range from under $100,000 up to $500,000. Homes may sit on a few acres, and have irrigation for farming.

There is a sense of community in Belen as it was founded in 1740 by two Spaniards who named it Belen, which is Spanish for Bethlehem. By the 19th century Belen's economy expanded into sheep herding and the town began slowly growing. Some of Belen's real estate includes the Belen hotel which is on historic State and National registers. The land was purchased by Bertha Rutz for $850 where she built a red brick hotel she ran until her passing in 1953. Belen real estate is comprised of a lot of history surrounding the southwest. Nowadays it is still quaint and full of charm. For Belen real estate look up SWMLS area 741.

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