Reliable mainstays like New York City and Santa Fe, N.M., rising giants like Buffalo, N.Y., and quiet contenders like Asheville, N.C., have all earned top spots in the 2008 competition for AmericanStyle's Top 25 Arts Destinations.

Our annual readers' poll never concludes without at least a little upheaval, and this year was no exception. Rising populations in cities like Albuquerque, N.M., and Las Vegas, Nev., which ranked No. 2 and 3, respectively, in last year's Mid-Sized Cities category, moved them into our Big Cities list, but voters ranked them into lower positions. Charleston, S.C., on the other hand, benefited from its population increase, rising from No. 7 on last year's Small Cities & Towns list to No. 6 on the 2008 Mid-Sized Cities list.

In the Big Cities category, old favorites rounded out the top 3, with New York coming in first for the fifth consecutive year. Chicago, Ill., held the No. 2 spot once again, with Washington, D.C., (last year's No. 4) taking third.

The Mid-Sized Cities category saw more upsets, with 2007's giant, Pittsburgh, Pa., fueled last year by the citywide glass celebration, falling to No. 3. Buffalo rocketed to No. 1, climbing from last year's No. 14. Scottsdale, Ariz., came in second, up two spots from its No. 4 ranking a year ago.

Among Small Cities & Towns, Santa Fe once again earned its place at No. 1. Asheville rose from last year's No. 5 to take this year's silver ribbon, and Sedona, Ariz., dropped one place to No. 3.

For lists of all 25 winners in each category, see below. Click on the links for the top three cities in each category to read why they deserve their places in the sun.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics added more bad news this week for contractors and developers trying to get buildings out of the ground.

Construction material costs increased 10.4 percent during the past year, the agency reported. The bureau's producer price index measures materials used in construction, including diesel fuel. Meanwhile, highway construction materials increased 18.9 percent during the past 12 months.

Ken Simonson, economist for the Associated General Contractors of America, said in a statement "surging prices for diesel fuel, asphalt, steel and other materials are clobbering construction budgets."

He says asphalt prices during the first two weeks in July have increased by 40 percent. Rebar has increased $200 per ton.

Simonson says the situation could get worse.

"Unless Congress passes additional funding in the next few weeks to keep highway construction funds flowing, many states will stop awarding contracts," he said. "Other public agencies, as well as private owners, must adjust their budgets promptly to reflect the new price realities for construction."

Contractors and designers must now adhere to revised building, mechanical, plumbing and electrical codes set by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department's Construction Industries Division.

The 2006 New Mexico General Building, Mechanical and Plumbing Codes and the 2008 New Mexico Electrical Codes went into effect July 1.

The Construction Industries Division sets minimum building codes and standards statewide, and certifies the inspectors who issue permits for commercial and residential projects.

"New Mexico is one of a handful of states that has adopted the International Energy Conservation Code," said Lisa Martinez, director of CID. "Out of those, we are one of the few that has implemented the IECC as a minimum standard for the state. By incorporating our green build initiatives into the building codes and adopting the IECC, CID has laid the groundwork for statewide continuity and conformity relating to important energy and water conservation initiatives."

The codes are viewable at www.rld.state.nm.us/cid.

Shares of troubled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac surged in early-morning trading after Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson asked Congress for authority to buy shares in and lend to the companies, and the Federal Reserve opened its credit window to them. [Read more]

WASHINGTON _ Alarmed by the growing financial stress at the nation's two largest mortgage finance companies, senior Bush administration officials are considering a plan to have the government take over one or both of the companies and place them in a conservatorship if their problems worsen, people briefed about the plan said on Thursday. [Read more]

The Federal Reserve's Kansas District, which includes Albuquerque, Santa Fe and the rest of northern New Mexico, has reported modest expansions in the regional economy in late April and May.

The marketing materials call this home "quintessential Santa Fe Style," and it is a beauty. The house boasts a very nice layout and rich detailing. There is nothing too grand (read "ostentatious") here, despite the hefty square-footage figure of 7,400. "I think it really works well, simply stated elegance on the model of [the archetypal Santa Fe architect] John Gaw Meem," said listing agent Christopher Webster. "The original owners and Bill Lumpkins designed a house on this property; that no longer remains, but the original guest house, the casita, is still here."

After a contentious permitting process and a delay of almost five years, the new office complex for Thornburg Companies is about two-thirds complete on a 14-acre site on Ridgetop Road.

"Something there is that does not love a wall" _ or so Robert Frost observed (twice!) in his poem Mending Wall. But gardeners and other curious humans are always interested in what might be growing behind these familiar structures.

On two consecutive Tuesdays, July 22 and July 29, some lucky gardeners and other appreciators of unique gardens and home interiors will have the opportunity to see beyond some of Santa Fe's walls _ thanks to the 63rd annual Behind Adobe Walls tour organized by the Santa Fe Garden Club. The tour is the garden club's only fundraising event of the year, and it helps support a wide range of conservation projects from Amigos Bravos, a river advocacy group, to New Mexico Environmental Law Center, to the Wilderness Alliance.

Behind Adobe Walls is the only event of its kind in Santa Fe where both the inside of the home as well as the surrounding gardens are open to ticket holders, with four different homes featured on each of the tour dates...

This is a popular place. There are many tourists. It's a very unique city and has not suffered as bad as other areas. This is a desirable community to live in.

ActiveRain users can publish to multiple sites

Housing starts remain low, and so does builder confidence. Construction of new homes fell .6 percent in January according to the Commerce Department. HOWEVER, I would like to add a positive spin here... THIS IS GOOD! There are too many homes on the market, this is a wise decision on the part of builders and allow the market time to absorb the existing inventory. Stay tuned for Santa Fe market updates...

Santa Fe continues to grow! As many know and are anticipating, the railyard is expected to have many businesses opening as soon as this summer. Likewise the new, downtown Convention Center is expected to be completed by the end of 2008. However, few are aware of the Cerrillos Rd. Reconstruction Project. Plans include new roadway pavement, but also much more... bike lanes, a bus lane, desperately needed storm drains, landscaping, sidewalks and bus stops. The swank isn't stopping downtown. The city different is also the city beautiful! Check out my website, www.emilygarcia.com, the comprehensive Santa Fe site.

Sub-prime mess ... How did it happen and what does it mean? What is fear and what is real? Read my newsletter discussing the subprime mess impact both nationally and in Santa Fe. On my site there are many other articles discussing relevant market issues in Santa Fe.

Your source for Santa Fe Real Estate and a quality life style. Excellence, with a touch of grace.