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Quick Nav: Find local Earth Day 2009 events by state here

When is Earth Day 2009? April 22nd, 2009 kicks off Earth Day which was first officially celebrated in 1970, and marks the start of the modern environmental movement. But as the global warming crisis grows, no one can afford to limit their attention to our planet to just a single day. Consider that the summer of 2006 was the hottest year on record in the U.S....that enough Arctic sea ice to fill the state Texas has melted in the last 30 years...that as many as 37% of plant and animale species could be wiped out by 2050 due to climate change.

It's scary, but there ARE things we can do, both as individuals and in our communities. Here are some simple changes one person can make right now...

1) Replace light bulbs with long-lasting compact fluorescent bulbs...
2) ...and turn off the lights when you leave a room!
3) Don't charge your cellphone overnight.
4) Bring your own coffee mug to your favorite java joint.
5) Turn OFF your office computer at the end of the day and on the weekend.
6) Whenever possible, use washable microfiber cloths in place of paper towels.
7) Cancel the phone book delivery (use our online one here!)
Collect rainwater and use it for watering outdoor plants.
9) Turn off your dishwasher's "dry" cycle
10) Sign up for online banking to eliminate paper statements.

For groups or families, celebrate Earth Day 2009 by...1) Planting trees.
2) Creating a community garden.
3) Going for a hike in an endangered area.
4) Coordinating a household hazardous waste collection with your town.
5) Donating old cell phones to save African gorillas (eco-cell.org)
6) Cleaning up a nearby pond, river, stream, etc.

There are small things you can do every day to reverse the effect that climate change is having on our world. One person CAN make a difference. Find even more easy steps at our 52 Ways to Save the Planet. Make every day an "Earth Day"!

Find local Earth Day 2009 events here:

Alaska Earth Day Events
Earth Day, Anchorage, AK - April 22, 2009, 9:00 AM

Alabama Earth Day Events
Earth Day At The Gardens, Birmingham, AL - April 26, 2009, 1:00 PM
Earth Day Mobile Bay, Fairhope, AL - April 25, 2009, 10:00 AM
Shoals Earth Day Fest, Florence, AL - April 25, 2009, 10:00 AM

Arkansas Earth Day Events
Earth Day Celebration, Russellville, AR - April 20, 2009, 11:00 PM

Arizona Earth Day Events
Tucson Earth Day Festival And Parade, Tucson, AZ - April 4, 2009, 9:00 AM

California Earth Day Events
Berkeley Earth Day, Berkeley, CA - April 25, 2009, 12:00 PM
Earth Day Celebration, Long Beach, CA - April 25, 2009, 9:00 AM
Earth Day Celebration, Long Beach, CA - April 26, 2009, 9:00 AM
Earth Day Expo, Los Angeles, CA - April 18, 2009, 10:00 AM
Earth Day Expo, Los Angeles, CA - April 19, 2009, 10:00 AM
John Muir Birthday - Earth Day Celebration, Martinez, CA - April 18, 2009, 10:00 AM
Earth Day, Napa, CA - April 25, 2009, 10:00 AM
EarthDance Short-Attention-Span Environmental Film, Oakland, CA - April 3, 2009, 6:00 PM
EarthDance Short-Attention-Span Environmental Film, Oakland, CA - April 3, 2009, 8:00 PM
Oakland EarthExpo, Oakland, CA - April 15, 2009, 10:00 AM
Earth Day, Oakland, CA - April 18, 2009, 9:00 AM
Earth Day - Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival, Olympic Valley, CA - April 17, 2009, 7:00 PM
Earth Day Festival, Olympic Valley, CA - April 18, 2009, 10:00 AM
Herbs In The Garden, Herbs In The Kitchen, Palo Alto, CA - April 25, 2009, 10:00 AM
Earth Day E-Waste Recycling Event, Pleasanton, CA - April 17, 2009, 12:00 PM
Earth Day E-Waste Recycling Event, Pleasanton, CA - April 18, 2009, 9:00 AM
Earth Day E-Waste Recycling Event, Pleasanton, CA - April 19, 2009, 9:00 AM
West County Earth Day Festival, Richmond, CA - April 21, 2009, 11:00 AM
Sacramento Earth Day, Sacramento, CA - April 26, 2009, 11:00 AM
Earth Stroll, San Francisco, CA - April 18, 2009, 10:00 AM
Party for the Planet - Earth Day Celebration, San Francisco, CA - April 18, 2009, 10:00 AM
EarthDance Film Festival, South Lake Tahoe, CA - April 17, 2009, 7:00 PM
Earth Day Celebration, Vallejo, CA - April 18, 2009, 11:00 PM

Colorado Earth Day Events
Earth Day, Denver, CO - April 19, 2009, 10:00 AM
Earth Day Fair, Denver, CO - April 22, 2009, 10:00 AM
Earth Day, Greeley, CO - April 22, 2009, 10:00 AM

Washington, D.C. Earth Day Events
National Sustainable Design Expo, Washington, DC - April 18, 2009, 12:00 PM
National Sustainable Design Expo, Washington, DC - April 19, 2009, 9:00 AM
National Sustainable Design Expo, Washington, DC - April 20, 2009, 9:00 AM

Florida Earth Day Events
Conservancy Of Southwest Florida Annual Earth Day Festival, Naples, FL - April 18, 2009, 9:00 AM
Conservancy Of Southwest Florida Annual Earth Day Festival, Naples, FL - April 19, 2009, 12:00 PM
Pensacola Earth Day Festival, Pensacola, FL - April 18, 2009, 10:00 AM

Georgia Earth Day Events
Georgia Tech's Earth Day Celebration, Atlanta, GA - April 17, 2009, 10:00 AM
Earth Day, Atlanta, GA - April 18, 2009, 10:00 AM
Progressive Energy and Environment Congress 2, Atlanta, GA - April 20, 2009, 11:00 PM
Progressive Energy and Environment Congress 2, Atlanta, GA - April 21, 2009, 11:00 PM
Progressive Energy and Environment Congress 2, Atlanta, GA - April 22, 2009, 11:00 PM
EarthShare Georgia Earth Day 2009 Leadership Breakfast, Atlanta, GA - April 24, 2009, 8:00 AM
EarthShare Georgia Earth Day 2009 Leadership Breakfast, Atlanta, GA - April 24, 2009, 8:00 AM
Party for the Planet Earth Day Celebration, Atlanta, GA - April 25, 2009, 10:00 AM
EcoRun and 1 Mile Fun Run, Buford, GA - April 18, 2009, 8:00 AM
Fayette County Earth Day Festival, Peachtree City, GA - April 25, 2009, 10:00 AM

Hawaii Earth Day Events
Earth Day Fair, Hilo, HI - April 24, 2009, 9:00 AM
Maui Earth Day Festival, Paia, HI - April 19, 2009, 10:00 AM

Iowa Earth Day Events
Earth Day, Muscatine, IA - April 17, 2009, 4:00 PM

Idaho Earth Day Events
Planting Day, Boise, ID - April 25, 2009, 8:00 AM
Plant a Tree!, Boise, ID - April 25, 2009, 8:00 AM

Kansas Earth Day Events
Earth Day Activities, Kansas City, KS - April 16, 2009, 12:00 PM
Earth Day Activities, Kansas City, KS - April 28, 2009, 5:00 PM
Earth Day Activities, Leawood, KS - April 25, 2009, 5:00 PM
Earth Day Activities, Leawood, KS - April 26, 2009, 7:00 AM
Earth Day Activities, Leawood, KS - April 26, 2009, 11:00 AM
Earth Day Activities, Leawood, KS - April 26, 2009, 5:00 PM
Prairie Band Potawatomi Nations Earth Day Celebration, Mayetta, KS - April 26, 2009, 10:00 AM
Earth Day, Olathe, KS - April 25, 2009, 4:00 PM
Earth Day, Olathe, KS - April 26, 2009, 4:00 PM

Kentucky Earth Day Events
Celebrate National Wildlife Week And Earth Day - Pine Cone Bird Feeders, Frankfort, KY - April 21, 2009, 1:00 PM
Celebrate National Wildlife Week And Earth Day - A Humble Abode for Toads, Frankfort, KY - April 21, 2009, 1:00 PM
Celebrate National Wildlife Week And Earth Day - Rain Gardens, Frankfort, KY - April 22, 2009, 12:00 PM
Celebrate National Wildlife Week And Earth Day - Wildflower Hike, Frankfort, KY - April 25, 2009, 1:00 PM
Earth Day Celebration, Jamestown, KY - April 25, 2009, 9:00 AM
Earth Day Fun, Lexington, KY - April 18, 2009, 2:00 PM

Massachusetts Earth Day Events
Earth Day - Environmental Career Forum, Salem, MA - April 13, 2009, 10:00 AM
Student Poster and Art Competition, Salem, MA - April 13, 2009, 11:00 AM
Earth Day - Panel Discussion, Salem, MA - April 13, 2009, 1:00 PM
Earth Day Film and Speaker Series - Get to Know Your H2O, Salem, MA - April 14, 2009, 12:00 PM
Earth Day - Blind Water Taste Test, Salem, MA - April 14, 2009, 3:00 PM
Earth Day Film, Salem, MA - April 15, 2009, 1:00 PM
Earth Day - Discussion and Blind Water Taste Test, Salem, MA - April 16, 2009, 11:00 AM
Earth Day - Discussion, Salem, MA - April 17, 2009, 2:00 PM
Earth Day - Social Hour, Salem, MA - April 22, 2009, 6:00 PM

Maine Earth Day Events
Earth Day, Bar Harbor, ME - April 18, 2009, 10:00 AM

Michigan Earth Day Events
Earth Day Festival, Ann Arbor, MI - April 26, 2009, 12:00 PM
Earth Day Expo, Rochester, MI - April 18, 2009, 10:00 AM
Earth Day Expo, Rochester, MI - April 19, 2009, 10:00 AM

Missouri Earth Day Events
Earth Day Activities, Kansas City, MO - April 4, 2009, 7:00 AM
Earth Day Activities, Kansas City, MO - April 24, 2009, 9:00 AM
EarthWalk, Kansas City, MO - May 9, 2009, 10:00 AM
EarthFest, Kansas City, MO - May 9, 2009, 11:00 AM
Earth Day Activities, Kansas City, MO - May 15, 2009, 9:00 AM
St. Louis Earth Day Festival, Saint Louis, MO - April 26, 2009, 11:00 AM

Montana Earth Day Events
E-rase your E-waste and Earth Day, Great Falls, MT - April 25, 2009, 9:00 AM

North Carolina Earth Day Events
Earth Action Day Celebration, Chapel Hill, NC - April 18, 2009, 12:00 PM
Durham Earth Day Festival, Durham, NC - April 25, 2009, 12:00 PM
Davie County Earth Day, Mocksville, NC - April 25, 2009, 7:00 AM
Earth Day Energy Fair, Raleigh, NC - April 22, 2009, 10:00 AM
Earth Day Concert, Raleigh, NC - April 24, 2009, 6:00 PM

North Dakota Earth Day Events
Earth Day, Bismarck, ND - April 20, 2009, 3:00 PM

Nebraska Earth Day Events
Earth Day, Omaha, NE - April 18, 2009, 11:00 AM

New Jersey Earth Day Events
Rutgers Ag Field Day, New Brunswick, NJ - April 25, 2009, 10:00 AM

Nevada Earth Day Events
Earth Day and Town Clean Up, Pahrump, NV - April 25, 2009, 11:00 PM
Earth Day, Reno, NV - April 19, 2009, 10:00 AM
South Lake Tahoe Earth Day Festival, Stateline, NV - April 25, 2009, 10:00 AM

New York Earth Day Events
Earth Day Expedition, East Aurora, NY - April 18, 2009, 11:00 AM
Earth Fair, New York, NY - April 24, 2009, 12:00 PM
Earth Fair, New York, NY - April 25, 2009, 11:00 AM
Earth Day in Central Park, New York, NY - April 26, 2009, 12:00 PM
Earth Day Celebration, Rye, NY - April 26, 2009, 1:00 PM
Earth Day, Valhalla, NY - April 19, 2009, 10:00 AM

Ohio Earth Day Events
Earthfest, Cleveland, OH - April 19, 2009, 10:00 AM
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus Earth Day Celebration, Cleveland, OH - April 22, 2009, 10:00 AM
Green Fest, North Ridgeville, OH - April 18, 2009, 9:00 AM

Oregon Earth Day Events
Earth Day Eugene, Eugene, OR - April 18, 2009, 11:00 AM
Earth Day Run, Tigard, OR - April 25, 2009, 8:00 AM

Pennsylvania Earth Day Events
Earth Day, Jim Thorpe, PA - April 18, 2009, 11:00 AM
Earth Day, Jim Thorpe, PA - April 19, 2009, 11:00 AM
Childrens Health Earth Day Contest, Philadelphia, PA - April 22, 2009, 12:00 PM
Berks County Earth Day, Reading, PA - April 19, 2009, 12:00 PM

South Carolina Earth Day Events
Earth Day Music Fest And Expo, Myrtle Beach, SC - April 18, 2009, 11:00 AM
Earth Day Birthday, Rock Hill, SC - April 25, 2009, 10:00 AM

Tennessee Earth Day Events
EarthFest, Knoxville, TN - April 18, 2009, 10:00 AM
Nashville Earth Day Festival, Nashville, TN - April 18, 2009, 11:00 AM
Earth Day, Oak Ridge, TN - April 25, 2009, 11:00 AM

Texas Earth Day Events
Earth Day, Dallas, TX - April 17, 2009, 10:00 AM
Earth Day Festival, Sherman, TX - April 18, 2009, 9:00 AM

Virginia Earth Day Events
Alexandria Earth Day, Alexandria, VA - April 25, 2009, 10:00 AM
Earth Day at Loudoun, Ashburn, VA - April 26, 2009, 11:00 AM

Washington Earth Day Events
Chewelah Earth Day Fair, Chewelah, WA - April 25, 2009, 10:00 AM
Swinomish Tribe Earth Day Celebration, La Conner, WA - April 25, 2009, 9:00 AM
Duwamish Alive! Earth Day Celebration, Tukwila, WA - April 18, 2009, 10:00 AM

Wisconsin Earth Day Events
Earth Day, Whitewater, WI - April 22, 2009, 11:00 PM

You can visit our website at www.homesforsaleinlascruces.com

Help Us Save Mother Earth!!!!

Sun-News report

Posted: 04/03/2009 12:00:00 AM MDT

LAS CRUCES - The first of two annual open houses of Trinity Site, where the world's first atomic bomb was detonated, will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

But Monte Marlin, White Sands Missile Range spokeswoman, said people who want to attend the open house should be prepared for inclement weather.

"I've looked at the early forecast and it's supposed to be 63 degrees (Fahrenheit), windy and a 40 percent chance of rain," Marlin said. "I'd recommend that people check the weather before coming."

Yearly tours of the U.S. historical landmark are conducted in April and October. Trinity Site is at the northern end of White Sands Missile Range, about 150 miles north of Las Cruces.

The open house is free. At the site, visitors can take a quarter-mile walk to ground zero, where a small obelisk marks the exact spot where the bomb was exploded at 5:29:45 a.m. Mountain War Time on July 16, 1945. Historical photos are mounted on the fence surrounding Trinity Site.

At the site, visitors also can ride a free missile range shuttle bus to the Schmidt/McDonald ranch house. The ranch house is about two miles from ground zero, and was where scientists assembled the plutonium core of the bomb.

The easiest way to get to Trinity Site is through WSMR's Stallion Range Center gate. The entrance is five miles south of U.S. Highway 380, off of Interstate 25 at the San Antonio, N.M. exit.

From Las Cruces, take I-25 north and get off at the San Antonio exit. The exit is about 12 miles south of Socorro.

The Stallion gate is open for every Trinity Site open house. At the gate, visitors will receive literature about Trinity Site, and will be allowed to drive without military escort the final 17 miles to Trinity Site. The road is paved and will be marked.

Another way to attend is with a caravan that will form at the Tularosa High School football field parking lot at 8 a.m. Saturday. It is a 75-mile one-way trip to Trinity Site from Tularosa, and there are no gasoline stations along the route or at the site.

The caravan will be escorted by military police once it gets onto WSMR property. It is scheduled to return to Tularosa between 12:30 and 1 p.m. Saturday.

All adults should be prepared to show a photo identification card to military police. All vehicles are subject to search, and motorists should be ready to provide proof of vehicle insurance and vehicle registration documents.

Weapons of any kind are prohibited on WSMR land.

No formal ceremonies or speakers will be conducted at the site. Food and souvenirs will be sold.

If you go

•What: Trinity Site open house

•When: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

•Where: Access to Trinity Site is through the Stallion Range Center, at White Sands Missile Range, about 150 miles north of Las Cruces. Stallion gate is five miles south of U.S. Highway 380, off of the Interstate 25 exit at San Antonio, N.M.

•Cost: Free. However, food, drinks and souvenirs will be sold at the event.

•Information: WSMR Public Affairs Office, (575) 678-1134

You can also visit the Alamogordo Space Museum

Trinity Site Tour

Free showing of "Trinity: The Atomic Bomb Movie" at the Clyde W. Tombaugh IMAX Dome Theater at the NM Museum of Space History. Show begins at 7pm.

For more information contact Chamber of Commerce at (575) 437-6120

March 19th, 2009

As demand for homes is expected to increase this Spring, 9 tips for homebuyers.

Buyers have access to the lowest mortgage rates in years and an $8000 first time home buyer tax credit that does not have to be repaid if the homeowner lives in the home for at least three years. This should improved demand side for the housing market and with these nine tips, buyers should be moving in to their new home soon.

1. Cash is king. With down payment increases from FHA and Fannie Mae, cash has more buying power than before.
2. Negotiate everything. Home sellers will be offering more incentives to sell their home quickly. Consider asking for seller paid closing costs, property taxes, and home association fees.
3. Save for a down payment. Set up a budget and include savings. The ideal goal is for 20% down on your new home.
4. Determine how much home you can afford. Understand what you would like your monthly payment to be before finding out what amount you qualify for.
5. Improve your credit score. Check your credit report for reporting errors, pay your bills on time, and do not cancel or close any open accounts.
6. Research the local housing market. As you work with your local Realtor, search online to find out how long homes have been on the market and what they have sold for. The more you know, the better off you are in negotiating your purchase.
7. Watch for certain neighborhoods. A Realtor will be able to help you avoid traffic issues, zoning changes, and higher crime areas.
8. Consider foreclosed homes. With the number of foreclosed homes on the markets banks should be eager to sell.
9. Look ahead. If you don't qualify for a mortgage today continue to watch the market and keep up your savings.

March 18th, 2009

This past weekend, March 14^th & 15^th, 2009,
The New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum presented: Cowboy Days.

There are some things in Las Cruces children of every age have to go to. For just $2 each, Evelyn, Murray, Ron, Pearie, and the children Veronica 7, Michael 4, and even 2 year old Max took a trip back in time. With the 3 children, we could only enjoy each activity for a few minutes at a time, but the experience was worth it.

We saw gunfights in the middle of dirt streets. There were performances by the Sheriff and the Outlaws as well as the Shady Ladies performing gunfight re-enactments with the cowpokes. The adults and kids alike loved these shows. We walked around the "Homestead Camp." Museum staff members and volunteers dressed in period costumes interacted with visitors, and we got a little feel for what it was like to live in "Cowboy Days". Everyone loved the charreada -Mexican-style rodeo, and the other outdoor demonstrations especially the milking, and blacksmithing. The thing that the kids liked best was the stagecoach ride all around the grounds.

There were lots of great food booths outside, as well as the Eagle Ranch Mercantile inside the museum (the kids had to have souvenirs). We sure got hungry and thirsty wandering around the ranch

We did venture inside the museum for more than the "Mercantile" shop, and the high quality arts and crafts show in the courtyard. We went to see the new exhibit at the museum: "A Most Terrible Wonder: Firearms from 1600 to 1900″ which featured dozens of guns from the museum's collections. 4-year old Michael loved that. Inside activities also featured award-winning cowboy bands. They performed from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and we really enjoyed the half-hour that the kids would allow us to stay.

There were great events at the Cowboy Days Festival that we didn't do. There was an 8 a.m. Chuck wagon Cowboy Breakfast which we didn't even attempt. The old folks would have loved to watch the Roy Rodgers movies scheduled in the Museum's theater each day at 10:30 but we skipped this with regret.

It was a great event that Las Cruces can be proud of. If you live here, or are just visiting, this was something you should have done. Even if you missed Cowboy Days, don't miss a visit to a very special place in Las Cruces - The Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum.

The New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum has 24,000 square feet of exhibit space and sits on 47 acres. The interactive museum has welcomed visitors from all over the world, and brings to life the 3,000-year history of farming and ranching in New Mexico. Fun and learning go hand in hand as visitors can watch a cow being milked, stroll along corrals filled with livestock, enjoy several gardens or watch one of the other demonstrations. Some visitors re-live old memories, others learn about our heritage, and it is a fun-filled day for everyone. You can plan your trip on the Website: http://www.nmfarmandranchmuseum.org/

March 6th, 2009

Opening night a hit for Las Cruces theater By Lauren E. Toney Sun-News reporter
Posted: 03/06/2009 12:00:00 AM MST

LAS CRUCES - Allen Theatres will open the doors to its new 10-screen multiplex today at the Mesilla Valley Mall.

The city's second-largest theater, Cineport 10 will officially open for business with an 11:20 a.m. showing of the new release "Watchmen," an American superhero film based on a comic book series.

Russell Allen, vice president of operations, said he expects a packed house for opening day.

Construction on the 36,000-square-foot, $10 million multiplex began last year. The free-standing structure is located next to JCPenney at the mall, 700 S. Telshor Blvd.

After nine months of labor and preparation, Allen said, "Now we just want to show it off."

The theater's modern contemporary interior was designed with several neon and other lighting accents. The design also pays homage to movie houses of the past by "bringing back the colors from the early years of movie going," he said. "There's very high ceilings, a large lobby and lots of color."

The entire theater can seat about 1,800 with capacities for each screen ranging from 120 to 285 viewers.

"And the seats are very comfortable," Allen said.

Allen Theatre's third Las Cruces cinema, Cineport 10 will also feature an eatery and two additional rooms for conferences and parties.

The bistro-style cafe will serve lunch and dinner items, including sandwiches, burgers and salads.
"It's something new for us," Allen said.

Birthday parties or other small celebrations can be held in one of the Cineport's party rooms with reserved seating in the theater. "Our assistants will be able to refill drinks (among other tasks) so mom and dad can just enjoy the party too," Allen said.

Each theater has also been equipped to allow laptop connections for conferences needing a larger space. PowerPoint presentations can be shown from the theater and desk tops can be fit into cup holders to allow for note-taking.

Fifty additional staff members were hired prior to the grand opening.

Allen said, with a laugh, that while Las Cruces was in need of additional screens, "I don't know if we needed this many more."

"It's always good to make the investment now, though, and plan for the future," he said. "I hope it'll be a good thing for everyone involved - that we'll attract people to the mall and the mall will attract people to our theater."

The company on Sunday closed its four-screen theater at the mall.

A private ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand-opening celebration was held Thursday evening at Cineport 10. About 500 local officials were invited to attend the event where hors d'ouvres prepared by the theater's restaurant were served, guests were given a behind-the-scenes tour of the facility and a movie was shown.

According to the company's Web site, Allen Theatres began providing entertainment to New Mexico in 1912 when it opened the Allen Opera House in Farmington.

Allen Theatres also has two additional multiplexes in Las Cruces - the Telshor 12, 2811 N. Telshor Blvd., and Video 4 at 1005 El Paseo Road.