Now You Know

Las Cruces among best places to visit

CNN Travel lists Las Cruces as No. 7 on its 2025 list of the best places to visit.

“Las Cruces, in southwestern New Mexico, is nourished by the Rio Grande River and the fertile Mesilla Valley, surrounded by the Chihuahuan Desert and backed in the east by the dramatic peaks of the Organ Mountains,” is how CNN begins its description of the city.

“The mountains, whose name derives from vertical stone “needles” that resemble organ pipes, change colors throughout the day from charcoal to purple to rose, rust and gold. Las Cruces is the second-largest city in New Mexico, but it still has the laid-back pace of a much smaller town. The sunny, moderate climate permits year-round outdoor activities. It’s no wonder people are drawn here.”

Read the entire CNN story here: www.cnn.com/travel/las-cruces-new-mexico-best-towns-america-2025.

Help for the holidays

For the second consecutive year, Nusenda Credit Union was the title sponsor for the Casa de Peregrinos annual “Hope for the Holidays” turkey giveaway held Monday, Nov. 24. The distribution took place at the Pan American Center parking lot on the NMSU campus

“We want to provide a festive holiday meal for families during this difficult time, said Lorenzo Alba, Jr., executive director of Casa de Peregrinos. "Clients have been facing fear and uncertainty about the SNAP situation for weeks, and we want to bring some joy to their Thanksgiving. This is one of the most cherished programs CdP provides, allowing families to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with their families without having to worry about the cost.

“In these challenging days for many of the families we serve, we only wish we could do more. It is hard to have to turn a family away from this distribution. Although we have surpassed our own goals, there is more need.”

CdP anticipated distributing 6,500 boxes, each of which contained a turkey, a five-pound bag of potatoes, stuffing, corn, green beans, and other holiday essentials as available.

It been distributing turkeys since 1979, when it handed out 100 turkeys.

Thanksgiving baskets are also being distributed throughout rural locations in Doña Ana County, including the new satellite CdP pantry in the Village of Hatch. Other corporate sponsorship has come from Advocate Healthcare, Jaynes Construction, MountainView Regional Medical Center, Souder Miller and Associates, HB Construction and Fortify Building Solutions.

Giving Tuesday

The New Mexico State University Foundation invites alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends to join the global generosity movement on GivingTuesday, Dec. 2. This year’s theme, “More Cowbell, More Impact,” calls on Aggies everywhere to ring in the spirit of giving — supporting scholarships, student success and programs that transform lives.
Held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, NMSU GivingTuesday unites the Aggie community in a single day of purpose and pride. Last year, more than 360 donors contributed $248,459 to NMSU initiatives. This year, the Foundation’s goal is to raise $288,000 to make an even greater impact.
“GivingTuesday is our annual reminder to give back with gratitude and help provide the vital support needed to make a meaningful difference for our students and the Aggie community,” said Mayra Marquez, assistant vice president for alumni relations and annual giving at the NMSU Foundation. 
The 2025 campaign will spotlight programs ranging from Career Closest to student internships, the equine program, athletics, Aggie Innovation Space, the Alumni Pond and alumni networks.
Donors can also choose from 70 initiatives that support every corner of the university. The official 24-hour campaign kicks off at 12:01 a.m. Dec. 2, but early gifts are welcome at alumni.alwaysanaggie.org/g/nmsu-giving-tuesday.
Throughout the day, challenges and matching opportunities will allow donors to amplify their impact. Donors can email annualgiving@nmsufoundation.org for help increasing their gift through an employer match or challenge. Real-time campaign updates including gift totals, donor maps and impact areas will be available online every hour at alwaysanaggie.org. 

Ice rink

The much-anticipated opening of Southern New Mexico’s first-ever ice-skating rink, originally scheduled for Thursday, November 21, has been postponed due to an electrical delay.

County officials want to ensure the rink operates safely and efficiently before welcoming the public. A new opening date will be announced soon.

Located inside the Livestock Barn at the Doña Ana County Fairgrounds, the new rink will remain open through February 16, offering residents a chance to lace up their skates, enjoy seasonal music, and make special memories.

For more information on how to enjoy the ice rink—including hours, pricing, and updates—visit https://skatedonaana.icedays.com.

Las Cruces cadet earns prestigious honor

Recent Arrowhead High School graduate Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Vanlandingham of the Las Cruces Composite Squadron has been honored with the Civil Air Patrol’s General Ira C. Eaker Award. This recognition is considered one of the most significant achievements in the Civil Air Patrol cadet program, marking a milestone that only two percent of cadets nationwide attain.

The Eaker Award is the second-highest honor that a CAP cadet can earn and represents the successful completion of the executive phase of the challenging, five-phase cadet program. The award is presented in acknowledgment of sustained excellence and superior performance in four key areas: leadership, aerospace education, physical fitness, and moral character.

The award was presented to Cadet Vanlandingham on Nov. 18 at the Las Cruces Composite Squadron Headquarters by New Mexico State Senator Bill Soules and LtCol John M. Orton, the Civil Air Patrol New Mexico Wing Southern Group Commander.

Vanlandingham is currently enrolled in the NMSU Engineering and ROTC programs.