Call Center Company in Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico’s only ukulele festival, the Las Cruces UkeFest, will be held May 16 – 18, 2025. This popular festival is for novice to advanced ukulele players who want to enjoy a weekend jamming and learning new skills with fellow lovers of the four-stringed instrument. The festival is hosted by the Las Cruces Ukes, a nonprofit community group of ukulele enthusiasts who have practiced and performed together for more than a dozen years.

Festival Basics

The festival begins Friday, May 16, at 7 p.m. with a concert at the NMSU Atkinson Recital Hall. The concert is included in festival registration. Tickets are only $10 for those who simply want to enjoy a fantastic evening of ukulele music performed by ukulele professionals Casey MacGill, Rachel Manke, Abby Lyons, and Devin Scott. Children 12 and younger are admitted free with a paying adult, and concert tickets can be purchased online or at the door.

The festival continues Saturday and Sunday at the NMSU Corbett Center Student Union, with workshops for all levels of players taught by those same talented musicians. It also includes a jam session, open mic, catered lunch on Saturday, and a ukulele marketplace.

Meet the Instructors

Casey MacGill has a long career, beginning with busking in Southern California in the 1960s. Since then, he has appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, the Gong Show, and in the movie Frances with Jessica Lange. He played the ukulele to open the Broadway musical Swing! With his trio, Mood Indigo, he has even inspired Fred Astaire to break into dance.

Rachel Manke has been playing the ukulele since the late 1990s and performed on A Prairie Home Companion. She studied with Joel Eckhaus, a student of the famed Roy Smeck. She loves Tin Pan Alley songs and other old-time music.

Abby Lyons is coming to Las Cruces UkeFest for the first time, adding to the long list of festivals where she has performed and taught. You can hear her singing on Life on Our Planet with Morgan Freeman on Netflix and The Wheel of Time on Amazon Prime. She teaches ukulele, songwriting, and piano at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago.

Devin Scott is the director of the Rocky Mountain UkeFest. He performs everything from old-time classics to pop and has turned his passion for the ukulele into the opportunity to live his best life traveling the country teaching workshops, leading jam sessions, and performing.

Workshops at Las Cruces UkeFest

Each instructor will teach four workshops over the weekend. MacGill’s offerings include workshops on strumming patterns, songs by Slim Gaillard, and favorite Beatles tunes. Manke will teach workshops on the I IV V song structure, songs of Roy Smeck, and developing a stage plan. Lyons is teaching the beginner track with everything from Ukulele 101 to songwriting. Scott, who will lead the jam session, has workshops on picking, soloing, and “stage presents.”

Register in Advance

The full festival, including catered lunch, the concert, and all the workshops you can fit into your weekend, is $225. A special rate is available for full-time students. Advance registration is required for the full festival, but concert tickets will be available at the door.

Learn more about the festival and register at lascrucesukefest.com.

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Las Cruces UkeFest

Las Cruces Bulletin file photo

Posted Tuesday, April 22, 2025 6:34 pm

Juan Corral Las Cruces Bulletin

The New Mexico State auditor’s office met with officials on Monday, April 21, from both the Doña Ana Sheriff’s Office and Doña Ana County to establish the scope of an audit both entities requested.

Both the county and the sheriff’s office have had a falling out in recent months. Both sent letters to the state auditor in March requesting the state’s intervention.

“Each of these letters contain allegations that elected officials and public officers of Doña Ana County may have failed to comply with New Mexico law, county ordinances, rules, regulations, policies and procedures in the performance of their duties,” according to a letter from the NM state auditor’s office.

There is distrust between both departments, according to the auditor’s letter. The letter details Doña Ana County Sheriff Kim Stewart’s support for a special audit. But the county said it has copies of emails from Stewart indicating she refused to work with county staff, according to the auditor’s letter.

“The apparent lack of trust amongst county departments and staff is highly disconcerting to me and the situation appears to be at an impasse,” the letter states.

“I have determined, as state auditor, that it is in the public interest to ensure full accountability, objectivity, and transparency by designating the county for a special audit conducted under the auspices of my office to assess the county’s compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures,” the letter states.

Maestas’ letter says the allegations include “a concerning pattern of potential waste and abuse of public funds and resources by the county and could expose the county to potential legal risk.”.

Maestas told the Las Cruces Bulletin more details will be released in coming weeks.

“A meeting today with my office will take place with all sides to begin the process to establish the audit scope to ensure the county administration and DASO are assured that their concerns will be addressed. Both sides have concerns and both sides formally requested my office's intervention,” he said. “We'll have more to report in the coming days.”

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LAS CRUCES, N.M. – NM State Softball is set to host Conference USA's lone nationally-ranked team this weekend in the Land of Enchantment. Liberty (31-8, 13-1) rolls in as the league's top seed and looks for its sixth consecutive series win to open league play. The Aggies have their eyes on returning to the win column and cementing their place among CUSA's upper tier with a statement against the No. 25 team in all of Division I.

HOW TO FOLLOW Who: Liberty (34-8, 13-1 CUSA) at NM State (21-17, 8-7 CUSA) Where: NM State Softball Complex – Las Cruces, N.M. When: April 11-13 | Friday (6:00 PM MT) / Saturday (4:00 PM MT) / Sunday (11:00 AM MT) Live Stream: ESPN+ Live Statistics: nmstatestats.com (StatBroadcast) All-Time Record vs. Liberty: 3-5 Under Kathy Rodolph: 3-5 All-Time Record in Las Cruces: 1-1 Last Meeting: Liberty 5 @ NM State 3 – May 10, 2024 (Las Cruces, N.M.) Current Streak: Liberty, 1 win (since May 10, 2024)

COACH'S THOUGHTS Head Coach Kathy Rodolph, on the series against Liberty: "They're a top-tier group. They're very talented and well-coached, so we know they're going to capitalize on others' mistakes. In order for us to have the outcome that we want, we've got to play hard and clean without rushing. We've got to embrace the moment without it getting too big so we can focus on what's in front of us and not what's behind us."

LAST TIME OUT NM State visited UTEP for a three-game set in El Paso over the weekend. The Miners took all three contests due in large part to multiple runs in all three opening innings. The sweep was the first the Aggies have suffered since joining Conference USA, dropping them into a tie with Jax State for fourth place in the league standings at 8-7.

THERE'S ALWAYS TAMARA Tamara Carranza has recently established herself as one of the hottest freshmen in CUSA Softball. In addition to solid performance on defense this season, the first-year Aggie is coming off her best three weekends at the plate. The true freshman hit the first two home runs of her career at FIU as part of a six-hit weekend in which she batted .667. Against Sam Houston, Carranza extended her hitting streak to six games, including a game-tying three-run home run in the opener. Last weekend at UTEP, she recorded another three hits and picked up her fourth-multi hit game in the past 11 outings.

In CUSA play, the California native is batting .381 and has the third-highest OPS on the team (1.062). For the season, her batting average has vaulted to .294, up from its non-conference mark of .167.

SHE DOES IT ALL… Last Monday, Desirae Spearman was named as the third-best two-way player in the country by Softball America. The true sophomore was not only last year's CUSA Freshman of the Year, but her remarkable campaign as a pitcher and outfielder won her Player of the Year honors in the league as well.

This season, Spearman has delivered just as well in the circle. She is two innings pitched (85.0) behind Faith Aragon (87.0) for the team lead, while pacing the Aggies in strikeouts thrown (80) and ERA (3.21). In 16 starts, the two-way star has amassed nine victories, making her one of just five pitchers CUSA to do so in 2025.

At the plate, the second-year Aggie has staked a clear claim as the best hitter in CUSA, ranking among the nation's top 10 in eight different offensive categories. She paces the conference in home runs (17), walks drawn (38), slugging percentage (1.140), on-base percentage (.649), OPS (1.789) and runs scored (43).

SUPER SLUGGERS Just three players in all of Division I have more home runs than Spearman (17). The sophomore's prowess as a long ball threat has granted her 38 walks drawn this season; a mark that places her well atop the conference and tied for sixth in the nation. The second-year Aggie is on pace (54.17) to shatter her own mark of 43 RBIs that led last year's squad. However, Spearman is far from alone in an Aggie lineup that has been daunting for opposing pitchers in 2025.

The team ranks 32^nd in the nation with a slugging percentage of .527, while ranking second in CUSA with a .318 batting average. The unit is slotted within the top 50 nationally in hits (330), doubles (64) and home runs (50), with just under half of its base knocks (152) courtesy of seven incoming transfers.

Six Aggies rank among the conference's top 50 in hits, due in large part to two newcomers; Kristiana Watson (47) and Faith Aragon (33). The former is two shy of the CUSA lead with 13 doubles, while sitting at second in the conference with 41 RBIs, only behind Rachel Roupe of Liberty in both metrics. Watson, having appeared in all 38 games thus far, is on track to tally 56.11 RBIs during the regular season.

AGGIES OF THE WEEK NM State added some hardware last week, courtesy of Faith Aragon. The sophomore standout was named CUSA Pitcher of the Week after tossing two complete games against Sam Houston as the Crimson & White swept Sam Houston. Across 13 scoreless innings, first-year Aggie allowed just six hits and one walk while striking out 15 batters, including a career-high nine on Saturday. Aragon picked up her second career honor after earning the same distinction once with UTEP a season ago.

Last month, Devin Elam returned from an eight-game injury absence and made an immediate impact that earned her CUSA Co-Hitter of the Week honors. The 2024 All-CUSA First Team selection posted a .600 batting average as she racked up six hits in three outings against Jax State, leading the offense to another series win. With a walk, two doubles and a home run, Elam notched 11 total bases and a 1.736 OPS. For the week, the California native tallied seven RBIs to pace an NM State offense that scored 26 runs in a 3-1 week that began with a rivalry win over New Mexico.

After the opening week of the season, Lauren Garcia earned similar recognition. The UNM transfer posted a team-high .600 batting average, boosted by three walks for an on-base percentage of .667. Her squad-best eight extra-base hits resulted in a then-nation's best 1.667 slugging percentage and an otherworldly 2.333 OPS. Conference USA recognized the remarkable weekend by tabbing Garcia as the first CUSA Player of the Week for 2025.

SCOUTING THE LADY FLAMES Liberty is under the direction of Dot Richardson, who holds a 416-265 record in her 12 seasons with the program. The Lady Flames are out to a 34-8 start in 2025, holding a 13-1 record in CUSA play. Last weekend, they dropped their first game of league action in the opener at MTSU before eventually taking the series.

On the field, the Lady Flames are led by Rachel Roupe, who paces the team with 15 home runs while leading CUSA 47 RBIs and 109 total bases. The pitching staff has posted a collective ERA of 2.44 this season, pacing CUSA and ranking 22^nd in the nation.

SERIES HISTORY The Aggies and Lady Flames have met eight times in history, with Liberty holding a 5-3 advantage. In Las Cruces, the two sides are split at one game apiece, with the first such contest coming last year. The first three bouts in the series were out of conference play before both squads joined CUSA in July 2023.

LAST SEASON'S MATCHUPS In 2024, NM State took the 1,595-mile trip east to Liberty last year for a weekend series in Virginia. The hosts took the bookends of the series by one run apiece, but the Aggies came through with a 6-2 win on Saturday. The series opener was an instant classic, as the 10-inning affair went deep into the night, seeing four home runs and nine extra-base hits.

The two sides met twice more in the CUSA Championship in May. On the second day of action, NM State dominated Liberty to the tune of an 11-3 run-rule victory that placed the hosting Aggies one win away from the Championship Game. However, after falling to WKU the next morning, the Crimson & White comeback came up short against the Lady Flames by a score of 5-3.

While Liberty took three of five battles, NM State outscored the top seed 30-22 over the course of the season and suffered the trio of defeats by a combined four runs.

For complete coverage of NM State Softball during the 2025 season, visit NMStateSports.com – the official home of the Aggies – and follow the Aggies on Facebook (NM State Softball), Twitter (@NMStateSoftball) and Instagram (@NMStateSoftball).

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When Lynn Austin sat down with a microphone on his lapel and stories at the ready Thursday, he joined a statewide program of collecting oral history from New Mexico seniors.

After a brief introduction, Austin talked about his move from Kansas to New Mexico. When asked about what brought him to the Land of Enchantment, he paused for a beat and replied wryly, “My car.” He laughed and went on to talk about his education at New Mexico State University and the motto he has lived by most of his life.

“Just go for it,” he said. “Don’t hold back.”

The New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department unveiled the “Talk to Me” program in October 2024 at the Annual Conference on Aging in Albuquerque. Brian Garcia, a contractor working with the ALTSD, told Source NM that the program has since expanded and he and his team have spent the last several months traveling to senior centers across the state to connect with older New Mexicans. They were in Las Cruces the week of May 6, and have also recently visited Farmington and Clovis.

Seniors sign up for a time slot online and then spend about 15 to 20 minutes sharing stories from their lives. Garcia has flash cards with prompts to encourage a conversation, with questions such as:

“What has given you purpose in your life? What gives you hope? What advice would you give to your younger self?”

Participants can also talk about whatever they want.

The conversations are recorded, formatted and then sent back to contributors or their families several weeks later.

Join the conversation

If you or a loved one are interested in contributing to the state’s oral history project, check upcoming recording locations online at https://www.talktomenm.org/.

Next session:

“We’re really trying to give senior New Mexicans around the state a platform to voice their stories and experiences,” Garcia said.

Austin told Source NM that he was interested in recording some of his stories because he likes to write short vignettes about people he’s met throughout his life and this project aligned with his interests.

“There’s two reasons I came here. The one is to just fulfill the requirement, come and chitchat,” he said. “But the other one is… I write different things, I write what I call vignettes of life.”

Garcia added that the Talk to Me program is also a way to connect older New Mexicans with the senior centers in their communities and the services they provide for free, such as in-person meals, delivered meals, homemaking services, transportation, social events and more.

Garcia said the plan is to return to towns later in the year to collect and record more stories as people become more aware of the program.

GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) — Former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano, 67, and his wife, Nancy Cano, 68, will remain in custody following their arrest by Homeland Security Investigations at their Las Cruces home.

The couple has drawn national attention after investigators alleged they hosted suspected members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, including Cristhian Ortega-Lopez.

Joel Cano faces charges of tampering with evidence, while Nancy Cano is charged with agreeing to tamper with evidence.

According to the Justice Department, in an interview done after Thursday's raid, Joel Cano admitted to destroying Ortega-Lopez's cellphone with a hammer, believing it contained incriminating photos and videos of Ortega-Lopez with firearms.

RELATED:Ex-judge, wife into custody after claims of hosting Tren de Aragua member in Las Cruces

The couple appeared in court for their first hearing, both in handcuffs and shackles, with Nancy in a brown jumpsuit and Joel in a green one. If convicted, they each face up to 20 years in prison.

Authorities raided the Cano residence first in February, taking Ortega-Lopez into custody for allegedly being in the country illegally.

Court documents reveal that Nancy Cano had hired Ortega-Lopez to work on their home and later offered him a place to stay.

The documents also indicate clear signs of his association with Tren de Aragua, including clothing, tattoos, voicemails, and text messages.

In a letter to the New Mexico Judicial Standards Commission, Joel Cano defended himself, stating,

I find these allegations to be highly sensationalized and without merit... There is no way in the world that I would have allowed my grandkids to have any contact with the boys if I sensed danger.

Joel Cano has refuted claims of allowing access to firearms and denied knowledge of any connection to the gang.

Joel Cano resigned in March without explanation, and the New Mexico Supreme Court has since barred him from serving as a judge in the state.

KFOX14/CBS4 spoke with Joel Cano on Wednesday before the second raid, and while he declined to speak on camera, he admitted that he was not doing well.

RELATED:Former judge linked to alleged gang member's arrest in New Mexico

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