The students are back! The crowd at Andele’s Restaurant in Mesilla was noticeably filled with college kids getting their Mexican food fix. We’ve had some nice rains the last few days. Along with some beautiful skies. The picture taken by local realtor Beth Marr shows our beautiful Organ Mountains framed by Las Cruces Rainbows.
I made my way up to Santa Fe with friends a couple of weeks ago. We packed in many activities! Cooking class, Farmer’s Market, Parade of Homes—we saw 19 homes—shopping at Whole Foods, dinner with local friends at their home and just soaking in Santa Fe.
So—Santa Fe homes….none of the homes we saw were under $1,000,000. Yes, that’s one million dollars. Most were $2-2.5 million, and one that was $3.2 million. I have been going to the Santa Fe Parade of Homes for years so the cost of the homes is never a surprise. What it does confirm for me is that we have such value for the homes we build in Las Cruces! For the most part the homes are something else. However, I think to myself give me a couple of million and I can plaster with a diamond finish, I can include stone floor coverings, I can put in 6 fireplaces, I can include extensive wood treatments, etc., etc. It was really nice to see all the green features included in the homes. One home is a Net-Zero Energy Home and LEED Platinum & Build Green New Mexico Emerald certified.
Went up to Santa Fe again this last weekend. This time with Max and Melissa. We visited 12 homes on Saturday. It gave us a lot to talk about. The homes have a lot of square footage. Some homes have everything you can image thrown at them; others have a very contemporary look to them. Overall a very educational trip—a few ideas and a good perspective on where Las Cruces housing fits into the overall housing market. Santa Fe is a very unusual market, both in terms of prices and styles. We are lucky to have it within driving distance. It gives us homebuilders an opportunity to look at other markets and compare!
News from the World Wide Web: we have added a blog to our website. 
Visit www.rammed-earth-homes.com and click on Blog. At this point, we have archived our newsletters. We will be adding videos and more pictures as we go forward. We are looking at keeping a current project on line as we build. Please feel free to add any comments, questions, or opinions.
News from Soledad Canyon Earth Builders: we have just sent off a contract to sign. If all goes on schedule we will be breaking ground on our next rammed earth home the middle of September! More details after we get started. In costing out this home we have seen the cost of materials come down a bit. Good news for those building right now. We look forward to being in full swing again—ordering materials, calling up subcontractors, and ramming walls.
On a Community note—I have committed to participating in the March of Dimes High Heels for High Hopes. As my plans come together for helping raise funds for the March of Dimes Foundation I will let you know. Watch the local media for information also. The campaign will culminate on November 19th with a Style Show & Silent Auction. Seventeen Las Cruces women are participating for a fun mission of raising money to support research, education and community services in its mission to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant death. I’m touched by the cause remembering Mario’s mom talking about his premature birth. Can you imagine Mario starting out in the world as a 5 pound baby!
September brings many fun events in Las Cruces. 
Be sure to get out there and support local events, businesses and get to know your fellow Las Crucesans. This weekend will be the First Main Street Salsa Fest in Downtown Las Cruces! On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. there will be everything salsa related – from salsa dancing and music to salsa making and tasting. Restaurants and home salsa makers will compete for cash and bragging rights. Sounds like fun to me!
As always, I welcome your comments, questions, and queries. Happy Days to you.
Salud,
Pat Bellestri-Martinez
Lady Contractor